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 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! 😉
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! ❤?
May 14, 2026
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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 $400 on dinner for two. But at that level, you're not just paying for food. You're paying for an experience. & this place falls short of delivering anything memorable. It feels like there's a disconnect somewhere, whether it's understaffing or lack of coordination but something isn't working.
I might give it one more try but for now it's a 3-star experience.
Aya Experience was a terrific choice for a Friday-night business dinner (2 pax).
We shared several appetizers - grilled octopus, hummus, fattoush, & arnabeet - all in generous portions, beautifully presented, & full of flavour. The sommelier elevated the experience by sharing thoughtful insights into the Lebanese wine industry & guiding us to delicious glasses of Cabernet Sauvignon, while our attentive & knowledgeable waiter offered spot-on recommendations throughout.
The vibe & atmosphere were warm & inviting, ideal for conversation & connection. We'll gladly return - next time to explore the main courses.
The restaurant is beautiful & food is very fresh & tasty. Unfortunately it was a dead friday night, not much atmosphere...poor woman singing no one was really clapping.
But thats fine.. it was quiet & its not the resto's fault.
We got there at 8... place is supposed to close at 11. At 100$ 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.
When you walk into the venue, the interior design is breathtaking! The arrangement of tables allow for an intimate dining experience. Definitely a first date restaurant. The four rambunctious children at the next table were almost bearable at the distance from our table. Had it been anywhere else, we would have asked for another table or left. Our waiter was very professional (Gibbys should send some of their waiters here for training). The food was beautifully presented but not stellar. My Bass arrived 10 minutes after my husband's meal had arrived. Our wonderful Waiter gave a detailed description of the Bass that I could almost visualize the Fisherman reeling it in from the Mediterranean. I was extremely disappointed on what I had received. One portion was rubbery, lukewarm, & spongy. The other portion was mediocre. I was expecting the fish to be grilled & I even asked if the filets had been frozen. I ate the fresh one & even pointed out the difference between the skins/flesh of the fish. I was not expecting any reduction of price but for the time difference in main meal arrivals & elevated price I would have expected a manager to apologize for the delay (10 minutes is excessive) or an explanation/inquiry on why I thought the quality of the fish was not appreciated.
The beautiful waitress with the curly hair (i really wish i got her name!) was amazing from start to end. She was SO sweet, so caring & the best waitress i've ever had. I left so happy because of her 🩷
Really beautiful restaurant, amazing food, great atmosphere & staff. The food is truly delicious!! Wether for an event, office gathering, or to enjoy a nice romantic evening, you will have a lovely time.
