Welcome to Çka ka Qëllu...
Rustic restaurant with exposed-wood beams & brick walls offering modern Albanian & Kosovan dishes.
About Us
Çka ka Qëllu restaurant offers a modern selection of popular dishes and desserts inspired by the rich flavors of Mediterranean cuisine, highlighting the best of Albanian and Kosovan traditions. We prioritize healthy food made from fresh ingredients, so you can enjoy meals that are both delicious and nutritious. Our talented chefs, with their extensive experience, cook each dish with passion and care. We are dedicated to preserving Eastern European cooking traditions while adding our unique twist to Mediterranean favorites.
Our Story
The owner of “ÇKA KA QËLLU” was inspired to open his restaurant when his son asked him where he could take his friends for authentic Albanian cuisine. In his research, Ramiz came up empty-handed and decided it would become his life’s mission to bring Albanian cuisine and culture to NYC. After years of collecting 18th and 19th-century Albanian artifacts to decorate the space, Çka Ka Qëllu is now one of the most unique restaurant/museum experiences in the city.
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Our Menu
PICKLED PEPPER
Stuffed with a medley of seasonal pickled vegetables, prepared in the authentic, time honored way
$5
CHEESE PICKLED PEPPER
A traditional combination of creamy cheese and pickled pepper
$5.50
ROASTED PEPPER
Sautéed with garlic and olive oil
$6
PEPPER DIP
A rich, velvety blend of roasted peppers and cheese for a bold, savory taste
$7.75
SAUSAGE DIP
Slow-smoked sausage and two cheeses melt together in this creamy, savory dip
$9
TARATOR
Chilled yogurt blend with minced cucumber and garlic drizzled with parsley
$6.50
AJVAR
A roasted red pepper spread with hints of eggplant and garlic
$6.50
CHEESE
Traditional feta cheese drizzled with olive oil and finished with a touch of seasoning
$6.50
FRENCH FRIES
Classic, crispy, golden french fries, lightly seasoned
$8.75
MIXED OLIVES
A selection of marinated olives, seasoned with a delightful mix of herbs and olive oil
$12
BAKED CHEESE
Baked traditional feta cheese topped with a medley of seasonal vegetables and a touch of seasoning
$15.75
SESAME BAKED CHEESE
Dipped in egg, coated with flour and sesame seeds, baked to golden perfection, and finished with a rich honey glaze. Served with warm bread for perfect bite
$15.75
GRILLED SEASONAL VEGETABLES
Charred and seasoned to perfection
$16.50
ÇKA KA QËLLU SOUP
Chicken soup with tender chicken, rice, and a mix of veggies in a flavorful broth
$9.50
MEDITERRANEAN SALAD
Arugula greens topped with goat cheese, sliced green apples, sweet red beets, crunchy walnuts, and dried cranberries, all tossed in a flavorful Çka Ka Qëllu dressing
$19.75
SHOP SALAD
Sweet cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and creamy shredded feta cheese
$19.50
VILLAGE SALAD
Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, sweet red onions, crunchy cucumber, feta cheese, and olives
$19.50
FLI
Delicate, golden layers of hand-baked batter, brushed with rich butter for a soft, flaky texture – an Albanian culinary masterpiece
$14
MANTIA
Crispy, golden-baked dumplings filled with ground veal and aromatic spices, served hot with a touch of traditional yogurt
$13.50
LEÇENIK
Cornbread made with spinach and three cheeses, complemented by a rich pepper sauce
$10
Traditional slow-cooked dishes prepared in an earthenware pot for a comforting and authentic taste of Albanian cuisine
TAVA DHEUT
A creamy and flavorful baked dish made with tender liver, peppers, tomatoes, cheese, and spices
$23
TAVA KOSI
A classic Albanian baked dish featuring tender lamb in a creamy, tangy yogurt and egg custard
$24
MAZË E ZIER
A rich and creamy blend of three cheeses and cornmeal, cooked with homemade butter in a pan until perfectly smooth
$22
SPECË NË MAZË
Fire-grilled cubanelle pepper, delicately sautéed in homemade butter and crowned with rich, artisanal cream cheese
$14
SUXHUK NË TAVË
A handcrafted blend of ground veal and beef sausage sautéed in olive oil, melted in a velvety fusion of three artisanal cheeses
$19.75
FASULË
A staple in Albanian cuisine, this traditional white bean stew is slow-simmered with aromatic spices and olive oil, creating a rich hearty broth. Enjoy it in its classic form or enhance it with homemade smoked meat $4 or suxhuk $4 for added depth and flavor
$19
SARMA
Cabbage leaves stuffed with seasoned ground meat, rice, and fresh vegetables
$24
STUFFED PEPPER
Tender peppers filled with a flavorful mix of seasonal vegetables, herbs, and rice
$23
MANTIA
Delicate ground beef-filled dumplings, baked to perfection and immersed in a luscious, house-made cheese sauce
$19
KAÇAMAK
A creamy Balkan porridge made with slow-cooked cornmeal, house-churned butter, and melted cheese
$18.50
GULASH
A traditional Balkan slow-cooked beef stew, simmered with onions, paprika, and aromatic spices, topped with mashed potatoes
$23
GRILLED BRANZINO
Grilled Mediterranean sea bass served with baked potatoes and grilled seasonal vegetables
$40
GRILLED OCTOPUS
Served with mashed potatoes and grilled seasonal vegetables
$31
QEBAPA (10 PCS)
Flame-grilled Qebapa, paired with rich kajmak and a side of cabbage salad
$22
Q0FTE (4 PCS)
Flame-grilled medallions of seasoned ground beef and veal, paired with rich kajmak and a side of cabbage salad
$23
QOFTE SHARI
Flame-grilled seasoned veal and beef mix, filled with melted cheese and chopped smoked meat served with golden potatoes topped with creamy house-made kajmak and a side of cabbage salad, bringing the rich flavors of the Shari Mountains to your table
$27.50
SUXHUK (3 PCS)
Flame-grilled, handcrafted blend of ground veal and beef sausage, served in mazë, and with our leçenik (cornbread made with spinach and three cheeses, complemented by a rich pepper sauce)
$21
GRILLED CHICKEN
Grilled chicken, herb-marinated and grilled to perfection, served alongside smoky grilled vegetables and a side of cabbage salad
$26.50
FILET MIGNON VEAL SHISH QEBAP
Succulent, marinated filet mignon veal, skewered and grilled to perfection. Served with creamy mashed potatoes and a side of grilled seasonal vegetables
$26.50
MIX GRILL PLATTER
A traditional selection of qebapa, qofte, and suxhuk, grilled to perfection. This platter offers a rich, smoky, and spicy combination of flavors, perfect for one person to savor a true taste of Albanian cuisine
$26.50
GRILLED LIVER
Seasoned with our special homemade blend, served alongside perfectly grilled seasonal vegetables
$24.50
TRADITA MIXED GRILL PLATTER
Combination of qebapa, qofte, sausage, chicken & liver
$44.50
SKENDERBEG
Named after Albania’s national hero, Gjergj Kastrioti Skënderbeu, this crispy, deep fried golden-breaded veal filet mignon rolls is stuffed with melted cheese and smoked meat, then served with baked potatoes and seasonal vegetables
$41
LAMB MEAT
Slow-roasted, tender lamb infused with our special house-blend spices
$59
VEAL MEAT
Flame-grilled thin cuts of marinated veal meat served with grilled vegetables and baked potatoes
$38.50
ÇKA KA QËLLU MIXED MEAT COMBINATION
Choice of five (5): lamb, liver, chicken, shish qebap, veal, suxhuk, and qofte. Served with grilled vegetables and baked potatoes. Served for two
$63.50
SPRING LAMB CHOPS
Juicy, perfectly grilled lamb chops drizzled with a light red wine, honey, and garlic sauce. Served with creamy mashed potatoes and tender asparagus.
$35
BAKLAVA
Layers of crisp filo dough, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with honey-sugar syrup
$11
SHEQERPARE
Traditional Albanian soft, buttery cookie soaked in sweet lemon syrup
$11
ALBANIAN TRILEQE
A cake soaked in a blend of three milks, topped with rich caramel cream
$11
EXCELLENTTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The portions were huge! Friends got the kofta and loved it. I opted for the skenderberg thing...that was also pretty good. Def recommend going with a couple people and ordering family style!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. When Dua Lipa says this is her favorite restaurant while making it to the top 100 restaurant list, you know you’re in for a treat. This was my first time trying Albanian food and the flavors were similar yet very different to other foods in the region and yet unique enough that you can taste the difference. I loved the atmosphere and the kindness of the staff. They answered all the questions I had and recommended some excellent dishes. See the pictures that I posted for what I ordered. Best bites: the bread, the lamb stew, and baklava. The food also came out very quickly and I know for a fact it was fresh because everything was steaming. I’m not from the Bronx but if I’m in the area, this place is definitely a contender of some place I’d like to revisit to try the other menu items. Parking is a bit annoying as this is around residential/metered areas so plan your trip accordingly. As someone who eats a lot, portions were solid and everything was reasonably priced where you can order a lot of things. If you’re in the area, check it out!Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Stopped by for my friend's birthday and was blown away by the flavor and quality of the food. Starting with the Gulash (beef stew) was better than any Spanish beef stew I've had (my culture but I have to be honest). The beef was tender and the broth was flavorful. It came with a samuna (bread) which was hot and fresh. Phenomenal. On to the mixed meats: lamb, chicken, veal, suxhuk, and qofte. Every bite was full of flavor and tenderness, it is hard to find food this fresh these days. Dessert: we tried the Albanian tre leche and it was super good with the cappuccino. It was not overly sweet, just right. Overall a 10/10 and definitely will be back to try the other plates. 😊Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Everything was just perfect.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Great food, wine and service. It was recommended by an Albanian friend and definitely met expectations. Worth the trip.Posted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. The food was amazing. The place is very cozy and it is decorated beautifully. The staff is very nice. 100% recommendedPosted onTrustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. This was a surprising experience, as we had expected Mediterranean fare but discovered Albanian cuisine instead. Everything was fantastic - the food, service, and location. I recommend ordering a few plates to share so you can try a little bit of everything.
HOURS
Monday - Sunday12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Follow us on Instagram @ckakaqellu
