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 offers an upscale and elegant dining experience featuring authentic, flavorful Lebanese cuisine prepared with high quality ingredients and expert skill. The restaurant serves generous, fresh portions that are beautifully presented, with standout dishes ranging from classic mezzas and charcoal grilled items to a variety of delicious tasting menus. Guests frequently praise the chic, calming atmosphere and the beautiful, spacious interior, making it an ideal destination for everything from intimate date nights to large celebrations and corporate events. The service is often described as warm, professional, and attentive, complemented by a curated selection of cocktails and fine wines. While some diners note that the experience can be an investment, many find the exceptional food, welcoming hospitality, and sophisticated environment to be well worth it, cementing Aya as a standout culinary destination.
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 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.
Apr 14, 2026
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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.
We went for my husband's birthday/dinner date. The atmosphere & food at the restaurant were good. The waiter was very kind & helpful. We got the $75 tasting menu & it came with a variety of dips, salads & meats.
The resto feels grand & special. Classy but unpretentious. The staff helps each other which makes for a smooth evening. We had some allergy constraints which were met with " No problem, we'll swap some items & still give you great tasting menu". ( when is the last time a resto told you that on a Saturday night ! ) The suggested wine from Lebanon...Wow. We had 10 different dishes... most I can't spell; all were really, really good. Do not skip dessert. A fancy spin on traditional Lebanese components. Decadent & light. & they made specific version of the same dessert for those with allergies.
A superb experience & definitely on the "do again" list. A must try resto for those that haven't.
We had high expectations for this restaurant & Aya exceeded all of them! We opted for the tasting menu as first-time diners & the plates did not disappoint. The dishes were savoury & fresh. The staff was equally amazing. Ask for Matthew - his service was impeccable! Will definitely be returning.
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..
