Aida - vino e cucina — Restaurant in Kadıköy

📍We visited Aida Vino e Cucina in Kadıköy, Istanbul last night to share a memorable evening, and I must say it was an experience worth talking about.

📍The restaurant, located in a charming two-leveled nostalgic wooden building, offers a beautiful ambiance with its Italian concept and warm, cozy design. ➕There’s also a lovely glass-covered garden section where we sat — a smoke-free area, which we greatly appreciated. 🎹Live piano music plays in the background, enhancing the intimate, elegant atmosphere.

ℹ️Aida has rightfully earned the Michelin Bib Gourmand award for both 2023 and 2024 — a recognition for establishments offering excellent food at good value. ⛔️However, it’s important to note that the Bib Gourmand distinction does not consider waiting times as part of the criteria, which became a key issue in our visit which I will write about it later on below.

👏We were greeted by a warm and friendly team. The service staff were courteous, sincere, and very attentive throughout the evening. Their demeanor reflected the overall care and attention the place puts into its hospitality. You can dine here by reservation, which helps manage the flow in such a small space — and yes, the venue is quite compact, with tightly arranged tables which we knew this when we were going in and were comfortable with it, but still, the space could benefit from fewer tables to reduce congestion and possibly alleviate long wait times.

Now, the food: absolutely delicious and true to fine dining standards. 1️⃣The Insalata di Finocchio was light and refreshing, 2️⃣the Ombrina alla Normanna was exquisitely prepared — a highlight of the evening. We also enjoyed the ➕Gordias Nana Roze, a delightful pairing with the dishes. 😍The amuse bouche and pre-dessert were elegant touches, beautifully presented (you can see them in the photos I’ve shared). Every plate was well thought out and tasted exactly as it should at a Michelin-recognized venue. Prices reflect the quality — no surprises there.

📛However, we waited 1 hour and 10 minutes for our main courses to arrive. Despite the lovely setting, ambiance, and flavors, this delay significantly impacted our overall experience. While the owner personally apologized several times — explaining that the kitchen is small and only six people can work at once — the frequent reminders to “please understand the limitations” began to feel repetitive. 🔑At some point, you have to ask: if we’re not to fault anything, how do we hold the experience accountable?

✔️Yes, we admire the authenticity and intimacy of Aida. But long waiting times — especially when anticipated and previously mentioned — must be addressed constructively, not simply brushed off with apologies. Same excuses existed in the past according to my friends previous experiences.

In short, Aida is a place you go for love of food and atmosphere, where the dishes and staff shine. But for it to become a truly complete fine-dining experience, I believe the management needs to better balance charm with operational efficiency.

Final verdict: 4 stars — I give it 4 instead of 4.5 to keep it real. The food deserves the spotlight, but service time...

Not quite sure how this restaurant managed to secure a Bib Gourmand distinction. I’ve dined at over 15 Michelin-rated establishments (mostly Bib), and the food here simply didn’t meet what I’d consider “Michelin quality.” Perhaps the chef was having an off day — though Michelin, as we know, prizes both quality and consistency.

Pricing, as is increasingly the case in Istanbul, was ambitious to say the least, and the Bib Gourmand is awarded for good price/quality ratio. Unfortunately, the quality and flavor didn’t quite keep pace.

Highlights (and lowlights):

Beef tartare: unexpectedly chewy. Taste OK but not mind blowing as in other restaurants.

“Finocchio” salad: decidedly salty, with no actual trace of finocchio.

Ricotta with caponata : Ricotta delicious , caponata not sure as it was a very "tuned down" version of a Sicilian Caponata. They called it Roman caponata so not sure what version it is but it was just regular veggie taste.

Served Bread: genuinely good. No complains here.

Olive oil: could have been better.

Wine: excellent selection, but very expensive with high mark ups.

Didn't try main courses but in a restaurant all plates should have a good taste and consistency.

In summary: this is by no means a bad restaurant — the staff is warm, the space is cozy — but those are only parts of the dining experience. For me, the price-to-taste ratio landed far below the Michelin promise, leaving me puzzled as to how it...

Absolutely delightful experience, gem of a place! I’ve chosen Aida as a “fancier” restaurant experience for me and my friend, and we couldn’t end up happier. From the home-ish decor that translates to the atmosphere of chill dinner at a hidden but familiar spot, to the food that was splendid (not to mention the best, laid back but professional service), I think I couldn’t wish for more and have warmer feelings towards this restaurant that I already have. I cherish the memory of the dinner we’ve had, and I’ll be back for sure!

Edit. Came back, few times actually. Fallen in love with this place even more. The sweetest service I could ask for, the best wine and food. At this point I think this place just can’t miss when it comes to what comes out of the kitchen. Ah, and don’t overlook the desserts, these are too good here.

Edit2: came back again, after the michelin recommendation. Did not disappoint. New elements in menu were absolutely delicious, the staff hospitable and sweet. This is not your usual chin-up high level restaurant, rather a place in which you can feel way more free than in similar establishments with bib. Would and WILL visit...