Aya

Kojo

4.0

Overall I had a great experience at Aya. The restaurant is huge with nice decor, it is not cheap but quality & service is on par. On the night I went it was pretty empty aside from what I think was a corporate event upstairs but it was also a random Tuesday.

Me & my group of 3 went out for dinner on a somewhat rainy Tuesday night.

All night the service was excellent, staff is friendly, attentive & knowledgeable being able to explain what a lot of these dishes were to us.

We started with cocktails, trying the Pomegranate Mojito & the New York Sour, both were good.

For the appetizers we tried the Kebbe, Grilled Octopus + Salada, Soujouk (beef sausage) & the grilled Halloumi. The standouts were the Grilled Octupus & salad for sure, both were exremely flavorful & might be the best grilled Octopus I had in a very long time. The Halloumi was also great, not being too salty & the Soujouk was very good as well. We were also given warm pita to pair with the apps. The Kebbe we found a little bland, I would have skipped that one next time.

At this point for the mains we were all pretty stuffed. We ordered the Sea Bass, Salmon & the Beef Kefka. The presentations continued to be great & all were delicious but we over did it on the apps so most of that was brought home.

I would say best bet is to do 0.5 to 1 app per person if you were going to do a main, or just order 2 apps per person & skip the mains.

& then for dessert, cause there is always room for dessert. We had the Creme Brulee & Layali Lubnan which is a wafer topped with a ashta/cream & was light & delicious.

They also offer a tasting menu ranging from $70 to $100 which could be a good option.

I would definitely go again, it is not cheap but again for quality like this it is worth it. Cocktails or a glass of wine around about $15, the apps range from $20 to $30 & the mains from $30- $45.

Nov 27, 2025
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Joe

3.0

The restaurant is beautiful & food is very fresh & tasty. Unfortunately it was a dead friday night, not much atmosphere...poor woman singing no one was really clapping.

But thats fine.. it was quiet & its not the resto's fault.

We got there at 8... place is supposed to close at 11. At 100$ person, I do not expect to be rushed in anyway. We ordered the full 3 course experience cockails & wine. We got cocktails after our appetizers.. we told the waiter about a nut allergie.. we got walnuts & pistachios in our dishes. At 10pm we were told the kitchen was closing so they wanted to bring the desserts right away with my meat on the table, we took it to go! Bill came right after... I dont mind dropping 400$ on a dinner when the experience comes with it.... but this place fell short of that. Great food... but don't seem to really want you to have an memorable experience.

Nov 15, 2025
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Akshay

5.0

Aya Lebanese Restaurant is an absolute gem in Montreal, especially for those seeking incredible vegetarian options. From the moment we walked in, we felt warmly welcomed by the ambiance & the staff, but what truly made our experience exceptional was the personal touch provided by the owner, Maurice. The vegetarian entrée options at Aya are simply amazing. Each dish is crafted with care, bursting with authentic flavors that transport you straight to Lebanon. We started with a variety of appetizers, & every bite was a delightful surprise of rich & fresh ingredients. Maurice went above & beyond to make our visit memorable. He personally ensured that our main courses were tailored to our preferences, creating the most delicious falafel I've ever tasted & a wonderfully flavorful okra rice dish. It was clear that he takes immense pride in his restaurant, & his passion for serving high-quality, authentic Lebanese food shone through in every detail. The combination of outstanding food, warm hospitality, & a cozy atmosphere makes Aya Lebanese Restaurant a must-visit. Whether you're a vegetarian or just love good food, I can't recommend this place enough. We'll definitely be returning to experience more of Maurice's culinary magic!

Aug 10, 2024
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1 Review

4.5

Great service with delicious appetizers!

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1 Review

5.0

Wonderful service by Louis & we shared about 10 appetizers that were absolutely delicious. Too full for the main dishes but we'd all go back in a heartbeat!

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1 Review

2.5

was highly recommended to this resto. very anxious to try..
WHAT A HUGE DISAPPOINTMENT. Tried the taster menu option..besides the price being very high, we specifically asked the waiter if its a lot of food..He tried to say he has seen many people finish it & if not, you can take it home..
they made a BIG issue over 1 substitution from perhaps close to 15items.
first the hot & cold appetizers arrived (hot one wasn't hot but didn't complain)
main course arrived which consisted .
after tasting 1-2items the waiter appears & asks how everything is..not having much of a chance to sample much, we politely replied fine or good..
well, other than the french fries that were hot, all the meat..the kibbe,lamb chop,shrimp & shish taok was dried out, over cooked & room temperature. We ate the 1 pathetic lamb chop each & the 3 shrimp & after small tastes of the chicken & kibbe..all was left behind. We then told the waiter our thoughts explaining that we fully intend to pay but we are advising him as we were very very disappointed.. all he kept repeating at least 6-8times, how sorry he was & we should have told him when he asked 1 minute after putting the food on the table..we repeatedly told him we aren't asking for anything but we feel they might want to know as the restaurant is only 7 months old. He then lets us know the $9.00 bottle of sparkling water will be deducted from the bill..In the interval, he went to see "his boss" to see what he could do..
best joke..he comes back with the bill & the $9.00 water is on it..(HE IS STANDING OVER US THE ENTIRE TIME) so I say, by the way, the water is on the bill...his reply was "MY BOSS DIDN'T WANT TO DEDUCT IT"..this was so unproffessional!!!
he still was insisting that we should have told him when he asked about our meal before most anything was tasted..then he could have taken it back & they would have started over.
the irony of it all is I tried to tell him that if he would have taken it back , being that everything was overcooked, they would have to start all over again & throw out this platter of food but yet now he can't do anything!!!
As mentioned, we ordered the tasters menu & were prepared to pay the exorbitant asking price & besides being terribly disappointed in the food, the waiter seemed to have NO jurisdiction, NO common sense & "THE BOSS' even less..
sadly, just as word travels quickly when a place is great, staff & owner proffessional...the reverse happens as well.
I am speaking from experience as I was in a customer service business for 40years..
Please everyone, rethink going to this place..There are no shortages of middle eastern foods in our city that are far less expensive & are more interested in pleasing their customers..