Aya is widely described as a refined Lebanese restaurant in the West Island with an elegant decor, a strong wine program, and a warm, inviting atmosphere suited to dates, business dinners, and celebrations. The menu features flavorful, well presented dishes and includes standout items such as grilled octopus, kebbe, hummus, fattoush, sea bass, and beef options, with a tasting menu and a range of dips and salads that guests frequently praise, while the Lebanese wine recommendations from a sommelier are noted as elevating the experience. Service is generally attentive and knowledgeable, though a few reviews mention occasional staff shortages during busy times, and the dining room is described as spacious yet intimate with a vibe that can be lively for large groups or quiet on slower nights. Pricing is often described as on the higher side for the area, but many feel the quality, presentation, and hospitality justify the cost, making Aya a go to for celebrations, office events, and romantic evenings. Overall Aya is viewed as a standout Lebanese option in the area, delivering solid flavors, refined ambiance, and reliable hospitality, with guests returning for the diverse menu and memorable experiences.
We chose this restaurant for a very special occasion: our last date night before our first baby arrives in 3 days, & while the evening started well, it ended extremely poorly.
We ordered the tasting menu. When it came time for dessert, I asked if it included chocolate. The server described the dessert (kunafa with ashta & mango), & I asked if we could have something else. She said it was likely possible & went to check. Two seconds later, she returned & the original dessert was served anyway.
It was completely inedible. The texture was stale, thick, & not crunchy at all, & the flavor was off. I took one bite & had to spit it out. At this stage in my pregnancy, I'm not taking any chances with food that tastes off.
What made this even worse is that both servers walked past our table at least 15 times while the dessert sat untouched. Neither checked in, asked if everything was okay, or acknowledged that we clearly hadn't eaten it. Instead, they brought us the bill.
When I finally spoke up, the waiter admitted they already knew the dessert'was not good today' because someone else who worked there had tried it earlier & said it was not good. So the obvious question is: why serve it at all?
Despite this, we were offered no alternative, no replacement, no adjustment, nothing beyond repeated apologies.
We spent $250 to leave feeling frustrated, disappointed, & honestly upset. What was meant to be a meaningful celebration ended up feeling like a punishment. I left with a headache & a clenched jaw.
A restaurant should NEVER knowingly serve something subpar, especially as the final course of a tasting menu, & then do nothing to make it right. This completely overshadowed what had otherwise been a good start to the evening.
Also, please stop playing shitty covers to what are otherwise great music classics.
Mar 27, 2026
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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!
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
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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.
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- $45.
The restaurant is beautiful & food is very fresh & tasty. Unfortunately it was a dead friday night, not much atmosphere...poor woman singing no one was really clapping.
But thats fine.. it was quiet & its not the resto's fault.
We got there at 8... place is supposed to close at 11. At 100$ 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.
