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CKA KA QELLUE

Last Updated: 13 days ago

Phone: (212) 213-2082

Address: 118 EAST 31 STREET 10016

TLDR

Authentic Albanian & Balkan cuisine, homey flavors, unique dishes like Qebapa and Tave Kosi. Critically acclaimed with a beautiful, artifact-filled interior.

Sentiment Overview(Based on 26 Reddit comments)

54% Positive35% Neutral12% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

albanian 12balkan 5mediterranean 2balkan food 3meat 2View All

Neighborhoods

Midtown

Instagram Posts References

Summary

Details

This Albanian gem offers a culinary journey with its authentic grilled meats and traditional dishes. Praised for its rich, homey flavors, particularly the Qebapa and Tave Kosi, it provides a unique dining experience. The beautiful interior, adorned with 19th-century Albanian artifacts, complements the immersive cultural atmosphere, making it a standout choice for those seeking distinctive Mediterranean flavors.

Food Overview

The restaurant specializes in Albanian and Balkan cuisine, with a strong emphasis on grilled meats. Dishes like Qebapa and Tave Kosi (lamb) are frequently recommended, described as rich and homey. While most reviews are positive, a few customers found the meat to be salty or tough, and one noted a lack of seasoning for their palate. The Albanian Tres Leches dessert is also highlighted as a must-try.

Highlights / Recommended

"Highly recommended dishes include the Qebapa, Tave Kosi (tender lamb), Mantia, and the Albanian Tres Leches dessert. The grilled meats in general are a highlight."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • bread(2)

Customer Sentiment

Customers generally have a positive view of the restaurant, with many praising the unique and authentic Albanian cuisine, specific dishes like Qebapa and Tave Kosi, and the homey, rich flavors. However, a few reviews mentioned the meat being tough or salty, and one found the seasoning lacking.

Reddit References

Highlighted Posts

A highly enthusiastic review praising the first experience with Albanian food, highlighting dishes like mantia, tava kosi, and shequepare as homemade, rich, and homey, contributing to a great meal with excellent ambiance.
This post garners strong recommendations for the restaurant's meat plates, with one user highly recommending it and another agreeing. However, a contrasting view mentioned salty and tough meat, though appetizers and bread were praised.
The restaurant is recommended for its tasty and unique Albanian food, even though it was slightly outside the original cuisine request.
One user expressed that this restaurant is non-negotiable for their plans, while another noted a comparison to an Arthur Ave location, stating it was better but not worth the trip.
The user, who is leaving NYC, highly recommends this Albanian restaurant as their last favorite meal and encourages others to try it.
Amidst discussion of the NYT top 100 restaurants, one user harshly criticized both locations of the restaurant, calling it 'garbage,' while another user stated it is 'one of the worst restaurants' they have ever been to.

Recent Mentions

From post: Exciting Food For Celebration Dinner

"The commenter lists Cka Ka Qellue as a personal favorite, suggesting it for a group dining experience, and notes it is within the user's budget excluding drinks."

Positive
Aug 4, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Meat Plate In Nyc

"This user found the seasoning lacking for their palate, despite enjoying the appetizers and bread."

Neutral
Jul 30, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Meat Plate In Nyc

"This user believes the Stamford, CT location of the restaurant is better, suggesting the owners may have shifted their focus there."

Neutral
Jul 30, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Meat Plate In Nyc

"This user had a negative experience with the meat, finding it salty and tough, although they enjoyed the appetizers and bread."

Negative
Jul 30, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Meat Plate In Nyc

"This user agrees with the previous recommendation, indicating strong approval."

Positive
Jul 30, 2025View Comment →

From post: Best Meat Plate In Nyc

"This user highly recommends the restaurant."

Positive
Jul 30, 2025View Comment →

From post: Where In The City Would You Go If Your Work

"Cka Ka Qellue is recommended, depending on cuisine preference."

Positive
Jul 24, 2025View Comment →

From post: Quintessential First Time Experience For Fiance

"Ca Qa Quelle is recommended for excellent Albanian/Serbian food with a vibe of heavy meat, wine, and bread."

Positive
Jul 11, 2025View Comment →

From post: Halal Restaurants

"Cka ka qellu was mentioned as a restaurant on the NYT top 100 list that has halal meat, prompting the user to inquire about its halal status."

Neutral
Jul 2, 2025View Comment →

From post: Ny Times The 100 Best Restaurants In New York

"This user referenced Çka Ka Qëllu, suggesting it should have been considered for the list from the Bronx."

Neutral
Jun 4, 2025View Comment →

From post: Trip Review

"The original poster highly recommends Cka Ka Qellue, praising their first experience with Albanian food, noting that dishes like mantia, tava kosi, and shequepare felt homemade, super rich, and homey, contributing to a great meal with excellent ambiance."

Positive
Jun 3, 2025View Comment →

From post: Ny Times The 100 Best Restaurants In New York

"This user unequivocally stated that Çka Ka Qëllu is 'one of the worst restaurants' they have ever been to."

Negative
Jun 3, 2025View Comment →

From post: Ny Times The 100 Best Restaurants In New York

"This user harshly criticized Çka Ka Qëllu, calling it 'garbage in both locations' and stating that even two visits were too many, leading them to believe its inclusion brings down the entire list."

Negative
Jun 3, 2025View Comment →

From post: Leaving Nyc In 2 Weeks Bucket List

"The user, who is leaving NYC, highly recommends this Albanian restaurant, stating it was their last favorite meal and encouraging others to try it."

Positive
Jun 2, 2025View Comment →

From post: Dinner For 2 Max 100 Excluding Drinks

"Cka Ka Quelle is highly praised for its amazing Albanian flavors."

Positive
May 23, 2025View Comment →

From post: How Many Of You Actually Go To The Places Posted

"The commenter found Cka Ka Q to be just okay."

Neutral
May 14, 2025View Comment →

From post: How Many Of You Actually Go To The Places Posted

"The commenter states they haven't visited Cka Ka Q yet but plans to go next week."

Neutral
May 14, 2025View Comment →

From post: Unique Food Recs For A Single Day In Nyc

"The original poster responds positively to the recommendation for Cka Ka Qellue, commenting that it looks delicious."

Positive
May 10, 2025View Comment →

From post: Unique Food Recs For A Single Day In Nyc

"Cka Ka Qellue is recommended as an option for Eastern European (specifically Albanian/Balkan) cuisine."

Neutral
May 10, 2025View Comment →

From post: Unique And Tasty Dinner Msgpenn Stationthe

"Recommended Çka Ka Qëllue."

Positive
May 2, 2025View Comment →