Çka Ka Qëllu
Experience the heart of Albania in NYC with rustic charm, exceptional hospitality, and authentic, flavorful traditional dishes.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Çka Ka Qëllu
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience the heart of Albania in NYC with rustic charm, exceptional hospitality, and authentic, flavorful traditional dishes.
"A culinary journey to Albania in the heart of the Bronx, with food and service that truly impress."
Make Reservations
Essential for weekend evenings, as the cozy spot tends to get busy. Plan ahead!
Try Signature Dishes
Ask for recommendations and try mantia and sarma, highly praised by visitors.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Albanian
Price
Mid-range
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Albanian Cuisine
Experience a true taste of Albania with flavorful traditional dishes and warm hospitality.
Cozy, Rustic Ambiance
Step into a charming, old-world atmosphere reminiscent of an Albanian village tavern.
Mantia & Sarma
Don't miss the star dishes like the renowned mantia (veal dumplings) and flavorful sarma.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Make Reservations
Essential for weekend evenings, as the cozy spot tends to get busy. Plan ahead!
Try Signature Dishes
Ask for recommendations and try mantia and sarma, highly praised by visitors.
Save Room for Dessert
The baklava is a must-try, a sweet and nutty treat that reviewers rave about.
Shared Restroom Sink
Be aware of the shared sink in the restroom for those concerned about privacy.
Tips
from all over the internet
Make Reservations
Essential for weekend evenings, as the cozy spot tends to get busy. Plan ahead!
Try Signature Dishes
Ask for recommendations and try mantia and sarma, highly praised by visitors.
Save Room for Dessert
The baklava is a must-try, a sweet and nutty treat that reviewers rave about.
Shared Restroom Sink
Be aware of the shared sink in the restroom for those concerned about privacy.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Diners consistently praise Çka Ka Qëllu for its authentic Albanian cuisine, warm hospitality, and cozy, rustic ambiance. Many highlight signature dishes like mantia and sarma, and appreciate the flavorful presentation. While most experiences are overwhelmingly positive, some minor critiques have noted occasional saltiness in certain dishes or the unique shared restroom sink setup.
"We stumbled across this spot by accident but I'm so glad we did!
Everything was delicious, especially the mantia, which I highly recommend! The portion sizes are great and we were full by the end.
The staff was very friendly and we were served fairly quickly. It's a really cozy spot and tends to get busy, especially in the evening on weekend so reservations might be a good idea.
I plan to revisit the next time I'm in the area!"
Nalicia Sawh
"We happened to be in the Arthur Ave area and stopped in here for some wine & appetizers because we saw it listed on the NYT 100 Best Restaurants list. It was warm & cozy inside and somewhat quiet (we were there early on a Sunday evening). They sat us immediately, so not sure if you need a reservation at other times…
The servers were very friendly and attentive and we enjoyed the food. Their bread is served warm and is very filling - so come hungry.
Looking forward to returning soon for a full meal."
Maria Bruno
"Went here after work with a few coworkers and ordered a little bit of everything and it did not disappoint. We sat near the front at a beautiful round wooden table. They had cool leather-bound menus and a rustic vibe. The mixed meat platter was flavorful and perfectly seasoned. The grilled octopus? Absolute perfection.
The mantia was the STAR of the night for me, along with the olives! so fragrant with orange peel and herbs that I could have eaten them by the bowl. We also tried the Albanian beer that was smooth, crisp, and refreshing. The service was very attentive and provided some great recommendations. Would definitely come back."
Adriana Medina
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Many guests rave about the mantia (veal dumplings) and sarma (stuffed cabbage rolls). The freshly baked bread is also a popular recommendation.
Reservations are recommended, especially for weekend evenings, as the restaurant can get quite busy.
The restaurant offers a cozy and rustic atmosphere, reminiscent of an old-world Albanian village tavern, with unique decor.
According to some sources, the restaurant does not serve alcohol and guests cannot BYOB.
Yes, Çka Ka Qëllu is noted for serving halal Eastern European food.
Popular dessert choices include Flan and Baklava, with baklava being a highly praised sweet pastry.
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The 11 Best Restaurants On Arthur Avenue - New York
As the rest of this guide makes abundantly clear, there's no shortage of great Italian restaurants on and around Arthur Avenue. But if you're in the neighborhood and instead craving a meal from, say, just across the Adriatic Sea, then this Albanian spot right behind the Arthur Avenue Retail Market is an excellent option. Çka Ka Qëllu is a little like a museum, with servers in embroidered tunics and tools, instruments, and other antique tchotchkes as decor.
A Deep-End Albanian Experience, Tucked Into the Bronx
The best way to enter the Albanian restaurant Cka Ka Qellu, if not the most direct, starts on Arthur Avenue. Arrive before the fish shops along this famous, not-quite-faded Italian strip in the Bronx take in the iced clams and octopus for the night. Across from Dominick’s, turn into the indoor market that Fiorello La Guardia ordered up.
The 10 Best Restaurants in the Bronx
Not all the Albanian beer on the planet can help you pronounce the name of this Albanian restaurant near Arthur Avenue. Çka ka Qëllu doesn’t even have beer or any alcohol, for that matter—and sadly, they don’t let guests BYO. But it’s still a worthy place to plant oneself for a few hours, feasting on juicy grilled meats, cheese-stuffed pickled peppers, ultra-creamy kajmak cheese, and veal-stuffed dumplings.
24 Best Halal Restaurants in The West Bronx, New York City
Çka Ka Qëllu is a restaurant in the West Bronx, New York, that serves halal Eastern European food. Customers who are looking for something unique and new will enjoy the food at Çka Ka Qëllu. One customer was impressed by the flavor of the food, which they had never tasted before.
Reddit - Dive into anything
Here are some restaurants that I really like: Arth Alsaeedah (Yemeni) Cka Ka Qellu (Albanian) KPOT (Korean hot pot) Zero Otto Nove (Italian) Damascus Sweets (Baklava)
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