Çka Ka Qëllu
balkan
APPETIZERS
PICKLED PEPPER
5
Stuffed with a medley of seasonal pickled vegetables, prepared in the authentic, time honored way
CHEESE PICKLED PEPPER
5.50
A traditional combination of creamy cheese and pickled pepper
ROASTED PEPPER
6
Sautéed with garlic and olive oil
PEPPER DIP
6
A rich, velvety blend of roasted peppers and cheese for a bold, savory taste
SAUSAGE DIP
7.50
Slow-smoked sausage and two cheeses melt together in this creamy, savory dip
TARATOR
5
Chilled yogurt blend with minced cucumber and garlic drizzled with parsley
AJVAR
5.50
A roasted red pepper spread with hints of eggplant and garlic
CHEESE
4.75
Traditional feta cheese drizzled with olive oil and finished with a touch of seasoning
FRENCH FRIES
8.75
Classic, crispy, golden french fries, lightly seasoned
MIXED OLIVES
12
A selection of marinated olives, seasoned with a delightful mix of herbs and olive oil
BAKED CHEESE
15.25
Baked traditional feta cheese topped with a medley of seasonal vegetables and a touch of seasoning
SESAME BAKED CHEESE
15.25
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
GRILLED SEASONAL VEGETABLES
14
Charred and seasoned to perfection Most of our dishes contain eggs, flour, and diary.
SOUPS
ÇKA KA QËLLU SOUP
9.50
Chicken soup with tender chicken, rice, and a mix of veggies in a flavorful broth
SALADS
MEDITERRANEAN SALAD
17
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
SHOP SALAD
14.50
Sweet cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and creamy shredded feta cheese
VILLAGE SALAD
17
Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, sweet red onions, crunchy cucumber, feta cheese, and olives
SAVORY DELICACIES
FLI
9
Delicate, golden layers of hand-baked batter, brushed with rich butter for a soft, flaky texture - an Albanian culinary masterpiece
MANTIA
11
Crispy, golden-baked dumplings filled with ground veal and aromatic spices, served hot with a touch of traditional yogurt
BUREK
10
Delicious flaky pastry filled with either seasoned ground beef or creamy feta, baked to golden perfection
LEÇENIK
7.50
Cornbread made with spinach and three cheeses, complemented by a rich pepper sauce Traditional slow-cooked dishes prepared in an earthenware pot for a comforting and authentic taste of Albanian cuisine
tava - clay dishes
TAVA DHEUT
19.75
A creamy and flavorful baked dish made with tender liver, peppers, tomatoes, cheese, and spices
TAVA KOSI
20.50
A classic Albanian baked dish featuring tender lamb in a creamy, tangy yogurt and egg custard
MAZË E ZIER
17
A rich and creamy blend of three cheeses and cornmeal, cooked with homemade butter in a pan until perfectly smooth
SPECË NË MAZË
11
Fire-grilled cubanelle pepper, delicately sautéed in homemade butter and crowned with rich, artisanal cream cheese
SUXHUK NË TAVË
17
A handcrafted blend of ground veal and beef sausage sautéed in olive oil, melted in a velvety fusion of three artisanal cheeses
FASULË
16
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
SARMA
19
Cabbage leaves stuffed with seasoned ground meat, rice, and fresh vegetables
STUFFED PEPPER
22.50
Tender peppers filled with a flavorful mix of seasonal vegetables, herbs, and rice
MANTIA
16
Delicate ground beef-filled dumplings, baked to perfection and immersed in a luscious, house-made cheese sauce
KAÇAMAK
16
A creamy Balkan porridge made with slow-cooked cornmeal, house-churned butter, and melted cheese
GULASH
20
A traditional Balkan slow-cooked beef stew, simmered with onions, paprika, and aromatic spices, topped with mashed potatoes
SEAFOOD
GRILLED BRANZINO
34.50
Grilled Mediterranean sea bass served with baked potatoes and grilled seasonal vegetables
GRILLED OCTOPUS
23.50
Served with mashed potatoes and grilled seasonal vegetables
GRILL
QEBAPA (10 PCS)
17
Flame-grilled Qebapa, paired with rich kajmak and a side of cabbage salad
Q0FTE (4 PCS)
18
Flame-grilled medallions of seasoned ground beef and veal, paired with rich kajmak and a side of cabbage salad
QOFTE SHARI
21.50
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
SUXHUK (3 PCS)
17
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)
GRILLED CHICKEN
21
Grilled chicken, herb-marinated and grilled to perfection, served alongside smoky grilled vegetables and a side of cabbage salad
FILET MIGNON VEAL SHISH QEBAP
26.50
Succulent, marinated filet mignon veal, skewered and grilled to perfection. Served with creamy mashed potatoes and a side of grilled seasonal vegetables
MIX GRILL PLATTER
21
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
GRILLED LIVER
21
Seasoned with our special homemade blend, served alongside perfectly grilled seasonal vegetables
TRADITA MIXED GRILL PLATTER
34
Combination of qebapa, qofte, sausage, chicken & liver
SKENDERBEG
33
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
LAMB MEAT
45
Slow-roasted, tender lamb infused with our special house-blend spices
VEAL MEAT
36
Flame-grilled thin cuts of marinated veal meat served with grilled vegetables and baked potatoes
RIB EYE STEAK FOR ONE (16 oz )
65
Served with grilled vegetables, baked potatoes and kaçamak
ÇKA KA QËLLU MIXED MEAT COMBINATION
50
Choice of five (5): lamb, liver, chicken, shish qebap, veal, suxhuk, and qofte. Served with grilled vegetables and baked potatoes. Served for two
SPRING LAMB CHOPS
35
Juicy, perfectly grilled lamb chops drizzled with a light red wine, honey, and garlic sauce. Served with creamy mashed potatoes and tender asparagus.
DESSERTS
BAKLAVA
7.50
Layers of crisp filo dough, filled with chopped nuts, and sweetened with honey-sugar syrup
SHEQERPARE
6.25
Traditional Albanian soft, buttery cookie soaked in sweet lemon syrup
ALBANIAN TRILEQE
6.25
A cake soaked in a blend of three milks, topped with rich caramel cream Most of our dishes contain eggs, flour, and diary. Most of our dishes contain eggs, flour, and diary.
Menu as captured Sep 3, 2026 · source ↗
Tied with 163 other venues on equal evidence.
We hold 623 venues in New York, NY and could score 353 of them. Positions are counted against those 353.
v1.7.4 8.8/100 = sourcing 0.0/50 (named-farm 0 distinct, named-region 0 distinct, attribute 0 distinct, buzzword 0 distinct) + farm partners 0.0/20 (none scored) + registry 0.0/12 (none listed) + press 8.8/18 (capped at 35% of the 0.0-point evidence base).
Authority & awards
- MICHELIN Guide 2026: Selected ↗
MICHELIN Guide
Award - The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City in 2025 ↗
The New York Times
National authority“Çka Ka Qëllu : Albanian : $$ : 2321 Hughes Avenue (and one other) : Belmont, The Bronx : ckakaqellue.com : Last reviewed on March 12, 2019 : ★★ James Keivom for The New York Times This rustic spot dives”
- The 100 Best Restaurants in New York City in 2026 ↗
The New York Times
National authority“Çka Ka Qëllu | | | | | --- | --- | --- | | Albanian | $$ | The Bronx, Manhattan | James Keivom for The New York Times; Grid: Yuvraj Khanna f”