Aya specializes in authentic Lebanese preparations that emphasize traditional charcoal grilling techniques and aromatic spice profiles. Guests encounter a diverse selection of skewered meats, including tender shish taouk and seasoned kafta, alongside signature cold mezzes like silky hummus and baba ghanoush. The menu focuses on fresh ingredients integrated into robust, flavor-forward dishes that represent classic Middle Eastern culinary heritage. Vibrant tabbouleh and crispy fattoush salads provide essential textures that complement the savory protein offerings. Each plate highlights a commitment to traditional preparation methods that maintain the integrity of regional staples. The dining space features an uncomplicated, functional aesthetic designed to facilitate efficient service for patrons seeking consistent flavor profiles. This establishment prioritizes the delivery of high-quality, grilled specialties within an accessible setting that reflects the fundamentals of Levantine cooking.
Aya is widely celebrated as a premier destination for authentic and upscale Lebanese cuisine, offering a menu filled with fresh, flavorful dishes such as grilled meats, mezze, and high-quality seafood in a sophisticated and aesthetically pleasing environment. Many diners praise the professional service, the owner's dedicated hospitality, and the elegant decor, which make it an ideal venue for both intimate date nights and large celebratory events. While the majority of guests have exceptional experiences and highly recommend the restaurant, some feedback highlights occasional inconsistencies in service timing, pacing issues during busier periods, and concerns regarding pricing relative to the overall experience. Despite these isolated critiques, the restaurant maintains a strong reputation for its culinary quality, warm atmosphere, and commitment to making special occasions feel memorable for its patrons.
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! ❤?
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
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Aya Experience was a terrific choice for a Friday-night business dinner (2 pax).
We shared several appetizers - grilled octopus, hummus, fattoush, & arnabeet - all in generous portions, beautifully presented, & full of flavour. The sommelier elevated the experience by sharing thoughtful insights into the Lebanese wine industry & guiding us to delicious glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon, while our attentive & knowledgeable waiter offered spot-on recommendations throughout.
The vibe & atmosphere were warm & inviting, ideal for conversation & connection. We'll gladly return - next time to explore the main courses.
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.
What a great experience. The food was excellent! Our waiter was knowledgeable & attentive. It has a nice hip vibe. I would absolutely recommend Aya as a go-to for Lebanese cuisine.
First time there & I have to say it was one of the best places I've ever eaten at & I love the decor. Being a vegan is not always an easy option in restaurants but this place had quite a a few things to offer. Our waiter Jeremy was very attentive & helpful with the menu options. I will be going back for sure
