The Bronx’s dynamic food scene is once again earning the city’s attention — this time from The New York Times, which included three borough restaurants in its 2025 list of the 100 best dining experiences in New York City.
The annual list, curated by Times journalists Priya Krishna and Melissa Clark and released last week, highlights standout establishments across all five boroughs. After months of tastings and subway rides, the final selections reflect the city’s extraordinary diversity — and this year, the Bronx was recognized for its bold flavors and deeply rooted culinary traditions.
Among the local honorees is 188 Bakery Cuchifritos, a Fordham Heights institution that has been serving Puerto Rican and Dominican classics for decades. Known for its generous trays of chicharrón, morcilla, pastelillos and cuajitos, the no-frills eatery has long been a staple for Bronx residents seeking comfort food done right. The Times praised the restaurant’s unapologetic approach and signature dishes that capture the soul of Bronx street cuisine.
Also making the list is Çka Ka Qëllu, a cozy Albanian restaurant tucked into Belmont’s Little Italy. With its rustic brick interior, vintage Balkan artifacts and warm hospitality, the restaurant offers an immersive dining experience that highlights the flavors of Kosovo and the western Balkans. Signature dishes like tavë kosi — lamb baked in yogurt — and fresh baked breads showcase a culinary tradition that remains underrepresented in the city’s broader dining scene. The Times noted its authenticity and welcoming atmosphere as key ingredients in its success.
Rounding out the Bronx trio is the local outpost of Birria-Landia, the viral Mexican food truck chain that helped spark a citywide obsession with Tijuana-style birria tacos. Located on the Grand Concourse, the Bronx truck delivers the same rich, adobo-marinated beef and consommé that made its original Queens location a cult favorite. The Times commended its consistency and the electric flavor that continues to draw lines from borough to borough.
