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    aya

    4.3 (43 reviews)
    Closed 5:00 pm - 10:00 PM

    aya Photos

    AYA ATMOSPHERE

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    Beet salad
    Shivani P.

    Had the pleasure of visiting Aya this last week. I was there for a work event so I will preface by stating it was not a traditional dinner type visit for a small group. Interior of the restaurant is beautiful! Loved the decor and color scheme. Very boujie and elevated! It does get quite loud as the evening goes on and it gets busy Food was tasty! Ingredients seemed high quality and the medley of flavors in the dishes were unique and really nice. Got the beet salad as an appetizer which was fresh and light. If you like beets I highly recommend! Table shared the seafood tower which was loaded with so many different sea apps including meaty and nice sized lobster tails. For dinner I had the chicken and it was tender and delicious. The rice is super flavorful and the sauce that goes with the dish was smooth and a perfect pairing. Several desserts were shared by the table and all of them were good. My favorite was the cheesecake! Service was a little slow but I'm not sure if that's because of the nature of the event (there was a presentation and not sure if the waiters didn't want to interrupt too often) The waitress was super sweet and receptive. Our water ran out several times and there definitely could have been more bottles on the table for sharing (there was only 1 voss bottle at a time for 6 people) and not refilled fast enough. Dishes are pretty pricey so it feels like more of a special occasion type place than one I'd be itching to go back to often as it can get expensive real Quick. Food was good but I'm not itching to go back to spend such a hefty amount for what we had.

    Lico J.

    Came back for a second visit and was truly impressed by the service team, who recognized me by my reservation name - honestly not common in Milwaukee at all. Love, love, love that hospitality spirit! As for the food, we got the lamb chops, halloumi, and oyster mushrooms as appetizers; the chicken and rice with roasted cauliflower for the entrée; and the kunafa plus mango baklava for dessert - and truly enjoyed every single dish. Highlights for us were the incredibly flavorful and beautifully cooked lamb chops and oyster mushrooms, the creamy kunafa dessert, the refreshing mango baklava, and especially the deliciously fragrant rice in the chicken entrée (our picky toddler ate half of the rice). If we had to pick on one thing that they could improve would be the chicken in the entree - a bit dryer than we like in in our experience. Overall, we will definitely be back!

    Halloumi Small Plate
    Ally S.

    Highlights 1) Beautiful Restaurant 2) Flavorful Food 3) Fun Drinks Aya has been at the TOP of my want to try list for so long! You absolutely need a reservation. We came on a Wednesday night with a 7pm reservation and it was completely packed. We were seated at the bar to wait for our table. The cocktail list is fun and the wine list (even wine by the glass!) is great. We were seated about 10 minutes after our reservation, Per our servers recommendation, we ordered a bunch of dishes and shared everything. We did a maze platter, lamb kebabs, chicken, halloumi, and sticky toffee pudding for dessert. From start to finish service was great and food and drinks were flavorful! Looking forward to coming back and trying more of the menu!

    Michael W.

    Aya is the newest addition to an already incredible food scene in Milwaukee. They specialize in elevated Middle Eastern/Mediterranean cuisine in a vibrant, elegant atmosphere. Since it opened it has already become a popular must stop for any foodie. It is the same owners of Saffron, and they draw on the influences that has made that restaurant a smash on the Milwaukee dining scene. This is another home run and one of the most unique dining experiences in the city. We tried many plates: the mezze sampler platter, Wagyu Shish Taouk, Lamb Shish Kebab, and Oyster Mushrooms. Everything was absolutely delicious, and the presentation was spectacular. Our standouts were the Wagu and Oyster mushrooms. You must try them! Them mezze sampler was also incredible. The cocktails we ordered were also fantastic. The atmosphere and presentation of everyone was beautiful and elegant. Besides the amazing food, the service was also top-notch, friendly and attentive. If you are lucky enough to snag a reservation, don't pass it up. Go now!

    Kushal D.

    We came into aya to celebrate a birthday and had a great time! The staff was so attentive and kind, the restaurant beautiful and the drinks were quite creative. The menu had something for everyone - we opted to share a bunch of mezzes including the sampler, halloumi, skewers, and Muhammara. The muhammara and the baba were our favorite dips, and the halloumi and falafel were delish! The skewers were the star - chicken was so flavorful and juicy. I didn't try the venison or lamb but was told they were good. I would say Aya can be quite pricey - we spent almost $400 between three of us, and another couple spent $300. While the food was delicious, the portions were small for the price. Likewise - they only provide one pita with a dip, and extra pita is $5 for a single pc. Having been to several similar restaurants in other cities like Chicago, phx, dc, nyc...pita refills are usually provided for free or at minimum each person is provided with an individual pita. This wasn't the case which made it difficult to finish the mezzes without ordering extra pita. We had a fantastic time and the food was high quality, and delicious. The service was great. We will come back, but with the price point it will likely be more of a special occasion spot.

    Pide
    Alexander D.

    We decided to stop in to celebrate a special occasion and I appreciated being seated promptly. There is not great parking the area so be advised and I do think maybe a valet would have been a nice touch for a fine dining experience. The service was tremendous as the staff was super attentive we did have an earlier reservation but nonetheless they were on top of everything. The ambience is a nice elegant touch for a fine dining experience. I think they really thought through the decor and presentation of everything. The food my favorites were the lamb hummus and my branzino. Their version branzino had great flavor. Their version of a pide was a nice touch different than the Turkish pide I've had in the past. My wife got the chicken dish which was a little overcooked and dry unfortunately. Overall, worth checking out and giving a try.

    Danielle P.

    Such a solid new restaurant spot for the Milwaukee food scene the restaurant was fully booked for last Friday night, but we tested our luck around 6:45 hoping to snag a seat at the bar and we did! A couple others opened up after us too, so I would definitely encourage this approach as it's full-service and, honestly, probably the best seat in the house! I will say, the area of the restaurant is kind of random and parking will probably be a hit or miss. The bar area is stunning. With a huge marble accent wall, white quartz countertop and mid-century modern touches mixed with contemporary glam. The wait staff all wear suits as well which lends itself a certain elegance. The rest of the restaurant is spacious, tall ceilings. Not much architectural excitement happening in the building, but it's clean and pretty to look at. The drink menu is creative and bougie, many of the drinks having special touches to them that entailed bartender tricks. I got thee gin drink which resembled a pisco sour (a bit sweeter but really tasty) and my husband did a smoked bourbon drink. The food was outstanding! We chose to do a mix of tapas and honestly, every dish was better than the last. We tried the wagyu carpaccio, yellowtail (honestly the biggest pieces of sushi I've ever been served, huge portion), fattoush smash (this was a delightful surprise of a dish!!), spicy Muhammara (one of the best I've had!) with delicious naan, and the wagyu skewer. Had to finish off this 10/10 meal with dessert and opted for the tiramisu Everything was amazing and we can't wait to go back!

    Scott W.

    I don't normally try a new restaurant until it has had some time to settle into a rhythm. The issues that we had might resolve themselves over time. We had 7:15 reservations on a Wednesday night. It was busy, about 3/4 full. Food: We started with a couple of their specialty cocktails. My wife got the Smoke Thyme Manhattan, and I got the Fig. This is not something that I usually say, but for me the best part of the meal was the Fig cocktail. It was expertly made, a bit like a latte, with nice foam and some stenciled artwork. For starters we got the Classic Hummus. It was nicely textured, not overly creamy, with good flavor and some roasted chickpeas on top. The pita was super puffy and still warm from the oven. For shareables we got the Beets, Grilled Octopus, and the Wagyu Shish Taouk. The beets are multi-colored and sit atop a bit of ricotta and champagne vinaigrette. The beets were nicely chilled and the flavors were good, but they were a bit overcooked and soft. The Wagyu was good, cooked to medium, and had decent flavor, but it was not as tender as you would expect. The grilled octopus was a disappointment. It was nicely charred, had good flavor, and the pea purée was tasty. Unfortunately, it was overcooked and the inside was actually a bit "mushy." Probably the worst piece of grilled octopus that I have had. We wanted to leave on a high note, so we ordered a couple of desserts: the Sticky Toffee Pudding and the Mango Baklava. Both of these were made in a very unconventional manner. The sticky pudding cake was dry (as opposed to being soaked with the syrup) and sitting in a bowl of date compote and caramel syrup. The baklava had layers of dry phyllo pastry and could have benefited from more mango filling. They were both good, but not great. Service: Service got off to a slow start and was spotty throughout the 1.5-hour meal. When we were seated it took about 10 minutes for our server to arrive, so we sat there with empty water glasses as hurried servers passed our table. When our server arrived they were extremely pleasant and friendly. However, they were not very helpful with some of our menu questions ("Sorry, I haven't tried that," or "No, I haven't heard much about that.") We specifically told them that we weren't in a hurry and wanted to pace the meal. No problem, they said they would submit the tickets to make that happen. The hummus came out first, and then while we were still finishing that, the other three items arrived. It made for a very crowded table. I mentioned that to the food runner and got literally a blank stare. There were also other small things, like having to ask for more water. One more note on the staff. This is one of the few places where the staff wear uniforms. While I don't think that is necessarily a bad idea, they should probably ensure that the uniforms they assign fit properly. I think they could use a good tailor. Atmosphere: It's a beautiful place. The furnishings and design have a high-end feel. When we arrived I thought it was very noisy, and it was, but the table that we had was built for two and it was relatively easy to have a conversation. As I mentioned earlier, they are just getting started and I would expect things to improve. In the meantime, I will dine at some of the other excellent Mediterranean restaurants that Milwaukee has to offer.

    Mango Baklava and Biscoff cheesecake so good!

    This place was so beautiful, we came here to celebrate our anniversary and it was a great choice. The service was amazing everyone was so attentive, our waiter was friendly gave suggestions for food and drinks as this was our first time there. We didn't feel rushed we got to really enjoy dinner. The food was fantastic, I am sure we will be back here very soon! (Had Prawns but we ate them before I could take a pic)

    Dukka crusted prawns
    Anna R.

    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 wish we had saved some room for dessert! Overall, beautiful restaurant and great menu with so many delicious sounding options, we are already taking about what we would like to try next time we stop in.

    Flan
    Allie G.

    Wow! This place is beautiful!!! My friend and I had such a great dinner at Aya the other night. We split the mezze sampler, which is the only thing we got besides the flan. It was more than enough food for both of us. It is on the pricier side, but I would say it's worth it given the portions and display. This is definitely an experience, so remember that when dining! The sampler was delicious!! All of the dips, potato's, veggies, falafel.. just amazing with flavor. I got the espresso martini, which was not my favorite but I could see how some may like it. I loved the Levant cocktail, beautiful and delicious. The flan was to die for!! Omg I could go back and eat so much more of that. Service was amazing. Highly recommend this spot!

    Aliya M.

    Came here to celebrate with a friend. It's a beautiful restaurant, very attentive staff, you can tell they've put a lot of thought and love into the space. We tried a few different dishes as well as entrees. The highlights were the lamb ragú hummus and the truffle fries both flavored very well! We all enjoyed the other dishes over the entrees. My chicken was dry and the shank needed a little more flavor. For the price we were hoping for a bit more. Overall, enjoyed the dinner, will definitely come back for drinks and small dishes!

    Biscoff cake
    Maggie V.

    We had a great experience at this restaurant. The ambiance makes for a special night out. The food was fantastic. I am vegan and there plenty of options for me. We absolutely loved our server Nathan. I recommend sitting in his section.

    Lamb

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    The wait staff was super attentive and friendly, and the food was delicious! Atmosphere is great as well!

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    Thank you so much, Brittany! Your review means so much to us.

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    Ask the Community - aya

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    Casablanca

    Casablanca

    3.5
    (484 reviews)
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    Nice place for a drink and to relax a bit. Very very nice staff, they were honestly the best part…read moreof our visit by far. There's a better selection of drinks when you go upstairs, or at least there was the day that we visited, which was during a street fest. The upstairs bartenders and the ones outside were all really friendly and we definitely felt like this was a place we could go back to and enjoy another few rounds.

    Casablanca Brady Street has been a staple for my girlfriends and I for years even before the patio…read morewas built. We've always loved the happy hour, hookah, and food. We've enjoyed "sip and paints" here, New Year's Eve, when they offered brunch with crepes, and frequented when they had their vegetarian lunch buffet. Unfortunately, things have changed. 1. Atmosphere The décor hasn't changed. Still sleek, dimly lit, and romantic. The bathroom water wasn't working, and staff seemed aware of it when we mentioned it. How is that sanitary or up to code? Several of the chairs brought to our table were also broken, with bent legs a clear safety issue. It's typically packed on a Saturday like a dance club but it was nearly empty on a Saturday night which may be a reflection of our experience. 2. Service Our waitress was kind and attentive despite handling a large group, but the busboy was unprofessional. He started clearing plates while people were still eating and even asked my husband to reach across the table to hand over other guests' dishes. It made us feel rushed, even though the place wasn't busy. 3. Food My chicken shawarma was greasy, hard, sour, and unseasoned, almost as if the meat had gone bad. The potato balls were cut open which I've never seen and underwhelming. My husband and son's wings were over fried and tough, the spinach artichoke dip was clumpy and poorly blended, and others said the lamb chops were "okay." Honestly, the best thing I ate that night was the pita bread. 4. Overall Experience This used to be our go to for birthdays, Brady Street drag show viewing, and happy hour, but it's gone downhill. Between the sanitation issues, broken furniture, food quality, and rushed service, it no longer feels like "our spot". SO TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTION.... This was hard to write because I have so many great memories here and I wanted the experience to be better. Sadly, I won't be returning.

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    Inside
    Inside
    Business Hours:
Delivery & Take-Out:
11 AM - 1 AM
Bar & Dine-In:
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    Business Hours: Delivery & Take-Out: 11 AM - 1 AM Bar & Dine-In: 4 PM - 2 AM
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Bar & Dine-In:
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    Tre Rivali

    Tre Rivali

    4.1
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    Yesenia was the best , squeezed me and my bookie in for a lil late breakfast last minute , food was…read moresooo good , top tier service as well! GET THE WAFFLES!!

    Tre Rivali remains up there with one of my absolute favorite restaurants in Milwaukee. I always rec…read moreit to people, and always enjoy the occasions I dine in. The inside is so well done, from the design and decor to the furniture and overall atmosphere. Love their large dining room, and the curved bar closer to the entryway. Visually all very nice. Recently, I dined outside for the first time ever though and that was also lovely. Patio sits among the hustle and bustle of the Third Ward. My husband and I ordered drinks first. He got the fig old fashioned-of course I tried it- and it was delightful. I'm a big martini fan so I went with their signature, made with gin, and garnished with feta-stuffed olives. I mean yesss x10. As if those olives weren't enough, we ordered the olive dish from the shareables menu, along with the whipped feta. That came with roasted grapes, pistachio, pomegranate, and mint. Talk about flavorful! They get ya on having to order an extra serving of pita bread though. From the mains we had the seared scallops with ricotta dumplings, along with the woodfire grilled hanger steak, all to share. More bold flavors, more happiness with our choices! Ended the meal with a well-made espresso martini. I've not met a dish I don't like here, and the overall dining experience is worth the price.

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    Blue Star Cafe

    Blue Star Cafe

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    First time here…read more Food: We were excited to try some Somali/African cuisine. For beverages, we ordered the chai tea and the mango smoothie. I was expecting a plain chai tea, but what I received was actually a chai latte. What a wonderful surprise! It wasn't the type of chai latte I might expect from a local coffee shop, but it was better than many I've had. We started with a couple of veggie sambusas. They were excellent. Hot, crisp, and fresh, with a generous filling and served with a side of mint chutney. Together, they made a fantastic flavor combination. We also ordered hummus and pita bread. Both were fresh, tasty, and well presented. The final part of our meal was the Goat Platter. It arrived hot and fresh, with generous portions. The goat meat was delicious and tender. The serving was large enough that I took half home, and it will make great leftovers. Service: The gentleman at the counter was friendly and efficient. He was very attentive, bringing each item to our table. He seemed genuinely proud of the food, its presentation, and our reaction to it. There was also a woman in the back, whom I believe was doing most of the cooking, and I had a chance to thank her as well. Atmosphere: The restaurant is small and unassuming. It was clean and well lit, thanks to the large front windows. It appears that most of their business is takeout, but there are several tables available for dining in. We were the only people eating there during our visit, so it was very quiet. Overall: We were super impressed with this little spot serving excellent Somali/African food. The quality of the food, the warm service, and the generous portions made for a wonderful first experience. We'll definitely be back.

    Never thought I'd find good Somalian food in Milwaukee or at all. The goat was cooked perfectly and…read morewas still moist. I've been to other Somalian spots where they cook the lamb so long that it's tender, but stringy and dry. Not this place - it still had it's succulence. The seasonings were on point. Both the chicken and beef sambusas were tasty - but in my opinion lacked the punch compared to other sambusas I've had. The chicken one was especially bland, but the sauce saved it. The chicken one was dry and had a shredded texture. I suggest making small dices to the chicken and mixing it the slightest amount of gravy to keep the chicken moist before folding it in the pastry. The service was really friendly. Everyone needs to go here now! I'll definitely be back

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    aya - mideastern - Updated August 2026

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