Çka ka Qellue – Middle Eastern
Stepping into this rustic sanctuary feels like a journey to a traditional Balkan home, where the air is thick with the savory scent of charred peppers and slow-simmered dips. Guests gather around tables filled with vibrant spreads of smoky ajvar, tangy cheese-stuffed peppers, and cooling tarator, creating a communal feast that celebrates the bold, sun-drenched flavors of the region. It is a soulful dining experience where every bite of artisanal cheese and savory sausage dip tells a story of heritage and heartfelt hospitality.
East 31st Street, New York, New York 10016 https://ckakaqellue.com/Rating: 3/5 (1 reviews)
Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Price range: $$
Dietary options: dairy-free, halal, high-protein, keto, low-carb, nut-free, vegan, vegetarian, glp1, heart-healthy, low-fat, low-sodium, paleo, pescatarian, plant-based, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, gerd, high-fiber, low-cholesterol, south-beach, aip, alkaline, carnivore, renal, tlc, volumetrics, zone, lectin-free, macrobiotic, slow-carb
Currently closed
Hours
- Monday - Sunday
- 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM
What diners are saying
Guests highlight the establishment as a dependable choice for a casual meal, noting the approachable and unpretentious atmosphere. Visitors appreciate the straightforward dining experience, frequently describing the setting as a suitable and decent option for those
Menu
Appetizers
- Pickled Pepper - $6.8: Stuffed with a medley of seasonal pickled vegetables Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Atkins, South-Beach, Alkaline, Renal, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Cheese Pickled Pepper - $9.5: Creamy cheese and pickled pepper Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Roasted Pepper - $8.4: Sautéed with garlic and olive oil Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pepper Dip - $8.4: Roasted peppers and cheese Dietary tags: Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, GERD-Friendly, Volumetrics, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sausage Dip - $9.5: Slow-smoked sausage and two cheeses Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tarator - $8.2: Chilled yogurt blend with minced cucumber and garlic drizzled with parsley Available at: dinner, lunch
- Ajvar - $7.35: Roasted red pepper spread with hints of eggplant and garlic
- Cheese - $7.85: Traditional feta cheese drizzled with olive oil Available at: dinner, lunch
- French Fries - $10.3: Classic, crispy, golden french fries Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Dairy-Free, Nut-Free, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mixed Olives - $12.75: Marinated olives with herbs and olive oil Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Baked Cheese - $16.55: Baked traditional feta cheese topped with seasonal vegetables Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sesame Baked Cheese - $16.55: Egg, flour, sesame seeds, honey glaze, served with warm bread Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Seasonal Vegetables - $17.35: Charred and seasoned vegetables Dietary tags: Keto, Low-Carb, Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Heart-Healthy, Plant-Based, Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Carnivore, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Alkaline, AIP, Renal, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
Soups
- Çka Ka Qëllu Soup - $16.65: Chicken soup with tender chicken, rice, and vegetables Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Volumetrics, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
Salads
- Mediterranean Salad - $20.35: Arugula, goat cheese, green apples, red beets, walnuts, dried cranberries, Çka Ka Qëllu dressing Dietary tags: High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Shop Salad - $19.85: Cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and shredded feta cheese Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Village Salad - $19.85: Romaine lettuce, tomatoes, red onions, cucumber, feta cheese, and olives Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, South-Beach, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
Savory Delicacies
- Fli - $15.75: Hand-baked batter layers brushed with butter Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mantia - $14.65: Golden-baked dumplings filled with ground veal and spices, served with yogurt Available at: dinner, lunch
- Leçenik - $10.3: Cornbread with spinach and three cheeses, pepper sauce Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
Tava - Clay Dishes
- Tava Dheut - $24.5: Liver, peppers, tomatoes, cheese, and spices Dietary tags: High-Protein, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tava Kosi - $27.65: Lamb in a creamy yogurt and egg custard Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mazë e Zier - $22.25: Three cheeses and cornmeal cooked with homemade butter Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Specë në Mazë - $20.65: Fire-grilled cubanelle pepper, homemade butter, cream cheese Dietary tags: Low-Carb, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Suxhuk në Tavë - $25.75: Ground veal and beef sausage, three artisanal cheeses Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Fasulë - $23.85: White bean stew with aromatic spices and olive oil Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegan, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Plant-Based, Low-Fat, GLP-1, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, Low-Cholesterol, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, Alkaline, Macrobiotic, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Sarma - $27: Cabbage leaves stuffed with ground meat, rice, and vegetables Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Low-Fat, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, High-Fiber, GERD-Friendly, Zone, Volumetrics, TLC, Renal Available at: dinner, lunch
- Stuffed Pepper - $23.5: Peppers filled with seasonal vegetables, herbs, and rice Dietary tags: High-Protein, Vegetarian, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber, Volumetrics Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mantia in Cheese Sauce - $23.5: Ground beef-filled dumplings in house-made cheese sauce Available at: dinner, lunch
- Kaçamak - $22.25: Cornmeal porridge, house-churned butter, and melted cheese Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian, High-Fiber Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
- Gulash - $26.6: Beef stew with onions, paprika, and spices, topped with mashed potatoes Dietary tags: High-Protein, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
Seafood
- Grilled Branzino - $43: Mediterranean sea bass, baked potatoes, grilled seasonal vegetables Dietary tags: Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Alkaline Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Octopus - $34.75: Mashed potatoes and grilled seasonal vegetables Dietary tags: High-Protein, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
Grill
- Qebapa (10 pcs) - $23.5: Flame-grilled Qebapa, kajmak, cabbage salad Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian Available at: dinner, lunch
- Qofte (4 pcs) - $25.5: Ground beef and veal medallions, kajmak, cabbage salad Available at: dinner, lunch
- Qofte Shari - $27: Veal and beef mix, melted cheese, smoked meat, potatoes, kajmak, cabbage salad Available at: dinner, lunch
- Suxhuk (3 pcs) - $21.75: Veal and beef sausage, served in mazë with leçenik Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Chicken - $28.25: Herb-marinated chicken, grilled vegetables, cabbage salad Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Filet Mignon Veal Shish Qebap - $28.25: Marinated veal filet mignon, mashed potatoes, grilled seasonal vegetables Dietary tags: High-Protein, Anti-Inflammatory, South-Beach Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mix Grill Platter - $28.75: Qebapa, qofte, and suxhuk Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Whole30, Pescatarian, Paleo, Plant-Based, Alkaline, AIP, Macrobiotic, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Grilled Liver - $26: Seasoned liver with grilled seasonal vegetables Dietary tags: High-Protein, Keto, Low-Carb, Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, Carnivore, AIP, Slow-Carb, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tradita Mixed Grill Platter - $49.9: Qebapa, qofte, sausage, chicken & liver Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Skenderbeg - $42.85: Breaded veal filet mignon rolls, cheese, smoked meat, baked potatoes, seasonal vegetables Available at: dinner, lunch
- Lamb Meat - $61.85: Slow-roasted lamb with house-blend spices Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, AIP, Lectin-Free Available at: dinner, lunch
- Veal Meat - $39: Flame-grilled marinated veal, grilled vegetables, baked potatoes Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, Atkins, South-Beach, Slow-Carb Available at: dinner, lunch
- Rib Eye Steak for One (16 oz) - $70.5: Grilled vegetables, baked potatoes, and kaçamak Available at: dinner, lunch
- Çka Ka Qëllu Mixed Meat Combination - $70.5: Choice of five meats, grilled vegetables, baked potatoes. Served for two Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo Available at: dinner, lunch
- Spring Lamb Chops - $43.5: Grilled lamb chops, red wine honey garlic sauce, mashed potatoes, asparagus Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
Desserts
- Baklava - $14.65: Filo dough, chopped nuts, honey-sugar syrup Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
- Sheqerpare - $12: Albanian buttery cookie soaked in lemon syrup Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
- Albanian Trileqe - $12: Cake soaked in three milks, caramel cream Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Pescatarian
Restaurants near Çka ka Qellue
- Kosher in Midtown — Middle Eastern
- Pita & Beyond — Middle Eastern
- The Broken Shaker — Middle Eastern
- Chito Gvrito — Middle Eastern
- Saperavi — Middle Eastern
- Taboonette — Middle Eastern
- Balade — Middle Eastern
- Balade — Middle Eastern
- Salma — Middle Eastern
- Qanoon — Middle Eastern
- Kubeh — Middle Eastern
- Au Za'atar — Middle Eastern
