Aya is an upscale Lebanese spot in Kirkland that impresses with fresh, flavorful food, a wide mezze selection, grilled seafood and meats, a full bar, and tasting menus; the atmosphere is often described as chic and welcoming, with attentive staff and a strong wine program. While many visits praise quality and generous portions, a few experiences note slower service and coordination issues, and some find the pricing high for the value. The venue works well for date nights, group tastings, and private events, including weddings, with terrace dining when weather allows, and guests frequently commend the decor and the overall memorable experience.
We have a feeling that many West Islanders are not aware that we have a magnificent upscale Lebanese restaurant right here in Kirkland & thought I throw them out a little love. My husband & I have been to Aya ( 16977 Autoroute Transcanadienne…corner of St. Charles) several times & it's always a beautiful date night out…without the hassle of driving downtown…potholes, traffic, finding/paying for parking, etc. The food is constently fresh, flavorful, cooked with skill, & presented with attention to aesthetics, the service is professional & warm, & the atmosphere is surprisingly chic. They offer hot & cold mezzas, charcoal grille items, a gorgeous full bar of cocktails & wines, & a variety of tasting menus. Some of our favorite items are the hummus, baba ghannouj, kibbe nayyeh (beef tartare), grilled octopus, grilled rack of lamb with roasted potatoes, & their homemade freshly baked pita (they bring to you hot). Although we have not experienced a private event or wedding there, we've seen the pix, & what a WOW way to make a fancy affair! The owner, Maurice, puts his heart & soul into his business, & you can feel it while you're there. Now that the snow has cleared, they offer terrace dining as well. We've turned on so many friends & family members who have also fallen in love with Aya, so felt compelled to put it out there to WIC. Hope you enjoy it too! Now I'm hungry, damnit, & they're closed on Sundays! 😉
May 24, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
We had our wedding here on May 2, & it was amazing! The food was extremely delicious, & for $79, there was really a lot of food.
The interior is beautiful, & the staff were super polite, helpful, & attentive throughout the event.
The owner & manager were especially kind & made the whole organization process much easier for us. They even gave us a private room on the second floor, which made the celebration feel even more special.
This place is now one of our favorites, & we highly recommend it! ❤?
This was our second time dining at Aya & unfortunately, the experience repeated itself. The restaurant is beautiful & the food is good. No complaints there. But the service timing completely drags everything down. Just like our first visit, the food took far too long to arrive. Not in a'we're pacing your courses' kind of way, but in a'you forgot we're here' kind of way.
To be clear, we didn't feel rushed at all. If anything, it was the opposite. The bill came promptly once we were done, but by then, the momentum of the evening was already gone. I have no problem spending $400 on dinner for two. But at that level, you're not just paying for food. You're paying for an experience. & this place falls short of delivering anything memorable. It feels like there's a disconnect somewhere, whether it's understaffing or lack of coordination but something isn't working.
I might give it one more try but for now it's a 3-star experience.
Very good food. Everything tender & tasty. You can't go wrong choosing anything. Have to be prepared for humongous portions.
Clean, service good, not very noisy. One can have a conversation.
We came for our last dinner date before our baby's arrival 3 days later. The food was great, we chose one of the tasting menus, & the flavours were authentic. Service was attentive throughout most of the evening.
We did have a negative experience with the dessert & how it was initially handled by our server. However, Yani, the general manager, followed up, apologized, & made it right, which we really appreciated.
We look forward to coming back & bringing my dad, who is from Lebanon, I think he'd really enjoy the food.
If you are looking for authentic Lebanese cuisine, Aya is an absolute gem. From the moment you walk in, the atmosphere is welcoming, but the food is the real star of the show.
Everything we ordered tasted incredibly fresh & high-quality. You can tell they use premium ingredients, & the flavors are perfectly balanced-exactly what you hope for with traditional Middle Eastern dishes. Whether it's the hummus, the grilled meats, or the fresh salads, every bite was delicious.
Beyond the meal, the service was top-notch. The owner & the entire staff were remarkably kind & attentive, making us feel like welcome guests in their own home. It's rare to find a place that hits the mark on both exceptional food & genuine hospitality.
I highly recommend Aya to anyone in the area. We will definitely be back!
Mar 26, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Un joyau caché du West-Island que nous venons tout juste de découvrir qui offre une spécialité culinaire peu représenté à Montréal. Aya a su amener à un autre niveau l'excellente cuisine Libanaise, & a seulement comme égale son excellente sélection de vin, soigneusement choisit par le propriétaire. Nous avons décidé d'accompagner notre repas par un vin Libanais recommandé directement par le propriétaire & nous avons été enchanté. Nous avons également été impressionné par le décor digne d'un grand hôtel & de la propreté en général. En rentrant, on remarque rapidement l'immense cuisine & la senteur qui se dégage des fours nous emballaient déjà les papilles gustatives. Nous savions que nous allions avoir une excellente soirée. Les tables ne sont pas trop proches, l'ambiances dans le restaurants est bonne & le services est impeccables. Francois & Isabelle.
Jan 20, 2026
on Google
🍽️
Know where to eat in Montreal before everyone else.
Get the first look at the hottest openings, secret menus, and RestoMontreal.ca's weekly top picks. Join 50,000+ foodies.
Great food, amazing atmosphere. Service was good, but unfortunately the restaurant seemed to be struggling with a staff shortage. But all in all a great restaurant.
It was a great experience & lovely dining room. The food was well cooked & prepared, & the drinks menu was well chosen. I am happy we came to Aya for a 26th December celebration.
