Aya

Aya Aya is absolutely stunning. Easily one of the best restaurant experiences I’ve had in the Midwest. I’ve eaten at a lot of great places in Chicago over the years, and this genuinely stands out. This is one of those restaurants you really have to experience to understand how special it is. From the moment you walk in, the design sets the tone — the entry doors, the interior spaces, the lighting, the materials — everything feels intentional and beautifully thought through. It’s modern and refined, but still warm and welcoming. Even the smallest details feel considered, and you immediately know you’re somewhere special before you ever sit down. The service matches the space. Our waiter, Jair, was exceptional — attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely kind in a way that made the night fee

Th ambience of the place is fantastic and the servers are wonderful. However, it took them an hour to serve us our food which was unfortunate as we had been fasting and were hungry. By the time we got our dishes, the food was cold. The lobster linguine was delicious, but the portion felt rather small for the price. The braised short rib was good, but again it came out cold. The truffle fries were a miss, and the lamb arayes should not be called that. They did not resemble arayes whatsoever and were not that good.

I went to Aya with my daughter and it was so good! We ordered the mezze sampler platter and the kharouf lamb shank, and both were absolutely delicious. The flavors were amazing and everything was beautifully presented. The drink we ordered was also great. The atmosphere is beautiful and elegant. Such a great new restaurant in Milwaukee. We will definitely be coming back!

My husband and I recently attended the soft opening of Aya, and the experience was outstanding from start to finish. From the moment we walked in, Fatima, Hanish, and the entire staff were incredibly friendly and welcoming. The space itself is energizing, inspiring, and beautifully designed, with thoughtful attention to every detail. That same care carries through to the beverages and meals, which seamlessly blend Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences. With so many great options on the beverage menu, we couldn’t resist The Caspian Mocktail, featuring vanilla, blackberry, Earl Grey, lime, and fizz. It was calming yet refreshing, with a perfectly balanced finish. For dinner, we enjoyed the Harissa Chicken Kebab, tender, flavorful, and infused with a wonderful balance of spice and su

So exciting to try a new place, walking in is like stepping into the Mediterranean, with classic finishes and olive trees. The big windows overlook the city in a nice way. The menu is large with familiar options and Mediterranean and indian fusion flavors. The cocktail and drink menu features many fun options. Out waitress provided some great recommendations and was able to help guide us to our choices. We got the Manakeesh Za'tar pita to start, followed by Batata Harra, and our entrees Kharouf Shank, and Dukka Crusted Prawns paired with a glass of Syrah and Petra Mocktail. Everything was delicious the pita was fresh and warm, the batata was delicious and had a hint of spice, and the lamb shank just fell off the bone. The combination of flavors was great with a nod to multiple cultures. I