Ayla — Restaurant in Rotterdam

I had a really offensive experience at here. As soon as I sat down, I was unjustly accused by the manager of being on drugs (despite being completely sober) with her logic being that I was apparently twitchy and my pupils were dilated. I’m diagnosed adhd so I tend to move around a lot and it was a dimly lit room and I’ve never been accused like that before so I was completely at a loss. This was in front of employees and other patrons that could easily hear the conversation. This all went down within a minute of me walking in and her actions were completely unfounded as well as humiliating and highly unprofessional and made me really uncomfortable and insulted. Completely ruined any chance of feeling relaxed in there.

Later on she said she understands how insulting it is but dismissed it the by stating that she has done this quite a bit in the past and despite being wrong about half the time intends to continue doing so "to protect her restaurant.". I worked in restaurants for years and have dealt with many intoxicated customers before and I understand that Rotterdam has some weird characters but I was literally sitting at the bar minding my own business just like last time I was there. Certainly nobody else was bothered by me. I would never, and have never seen a customer so unjustly accused based on circumstantial evidence like that and that’s despite working in places with a much greater number of actually drugged people than Rotterdam centrum. This wasn’t a normal or acceptable thing to happen at all.

Besides that this just isn’t a good place to go. I had been here before and each time it’s been mediocre service. I shouldn’t need to get the attention of a bartender standing 3 feet from me when I have no drinks and a closed menu in an empty bar. Pretty subpar beer menu as well and the whole place looks and feels tacky. You can walk like 5 minutes or less and find a lot of places that would give you a better experience in terms of service, options, and not potentially dealing with a crazy manager. I strongly advise others to think twice before supporting a business that devalues and mistreats its customers...

This was a very disappointing and expensive dining experience. I never leave reviews but felt a responsibility to do so after my experience last night.

Pre-pandemic I had one very good meal here and have kept giving this place a chance, but this was definitely the last time I will dine here. The service was fine, but the quality of the food, the portion sizes, and the prices are not acceptable.

To start, the "shared dining" concept that seems to be all the rage these days means that you're forced to order many VERY small dishes that are priced the same as a main course. If you're dining with a group of 4 like we were, you get one tiny bite of each dish, and are left feeling unsatisfied.

Then the dishes themselves. We ordered the fried baby octopus which was rubbery and impossible to bite through.

The carmelised mushrooms, which did not resemble or taste like mushrooms but a little pile of overcooked crispy bits.

The seared tuna, which was served in a very over-the-top apartus with dry ice, but didn't taste good at all and was topped with something very sweet and almost chocolatey? Not a good combo.

The scallops were relatively tasty, but we recieved 3 tiny scallops for €17...

The slow cooked pork belly, which left me feeling tricked, because what arrived was 4 pieces of paper-thin raw-looking bacon with cabbage on top. Nothing like any pork belly I have ever eaten and not satisfying.

None of these dishes had any clear direction in the flavor profiles they were trying to create. They were also not authentic to any of the many kitchens this restaurant is claiming to be inspired by.

All in all, an unfortunate €175 meal.

My advice for dining out on a Monday in Rotterdam: Don't. Cook at home and wait until the quality places open from Wednesday onward. Or if you must go out, just eat a delicious bowl of...

If you’re looking for an experience you won’t find anywhere else in the world, Ayla Rotterdam is the place to be. Without a doubt, this is the best spot for cocktails and drinks in Rotterdam and far beyond. For the past three years, we’ve been coming all the way from Belgium, and it’s simply impossible for us to spend a day in Rotterdam without visiting Ayla. We’ve also had dinner here and the menu is truly special. It’s based on sharing several smaller dishes, which makes the whole experience fun and dynamic. Ordering four to five dishes for two people gives you a variety of flavors to taste, mix, and share: a unique concept that makes every visit exciting. When it comes to cocktails, Ayla is in a league of its own. From their one-of-a-kind creations straight out of the Ayla's Cocktail Bible to the classics we all know, every drink is crafted with care and creativity. Having tried all of their signature cocktails, we’d honestly say it’s almost a shame to go for a classic here: Ayla’s creations are simply outstanding. On top of that, the location is excellent, with a cozy interior and a lovely terrace. But what truly makes Ayla shine is the staff. They’re not only efficient and professional but also warm, welcoming, and genuinely friendly. Even after months, they still remember us and greet us as if we never left. That personal touch makes every visit feel like coming home. Without a doubt, this is by far the best bar we’ve ever been to, and they can always count on us coming back. With warm regards, Jordi &...