Aya Turkish Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Wakefield

We found this restaurant by accident just walking by earlier looking for a spot for evening and had a feeling we should try it out. Only had couple hours in Wakefield so decided to grab something to eat before we go back and I’m so happy we came back later that day to check it out. Decor: beautiful nice and cosy, after chat with the owner we found out how much time and effort he already put to make this place so pretty and he’s constantly working on improving every day! Service was amazing, working in restaurants both me and my partner was very impressed with the standard, nothing was a problem and when I asked for honey with ours teas I think the owner himself run to shops to buy some for us. when it comes to food, the taste was unique and deep, as a starter I we had shrimps that were juicy and full of original flavor notes the best shrimps I had in couple years at years, also had grilled hellim which came with delicious dressing full of fresh herb’s giving nice refreshing flavour. We also got bread and hummus on the house with starters simple but delicious you could tell it’s fresh not refreshed which many restaurants should take a lesson from. For mains we had lamb mousakka and chicken shish, both served with a portion of aromatic rice and a delicious fresh salad, the portions were large and the mousakka was full of flavours, the lamb melted in my mouth definitely recommend this dish. Food in general was great, everything fresh full of flavours and cooked perfectly, you can taste they cook with heart and pride so hard to find these days. All staff working were warm professional and big shout out to a waitress who was on training you were doing great! Overall I can’t wait to come back would travel again for the food and atmosphere, and if I ever move closer definitely dropping my cv would love to work for someone with some much passion and love for every part of the business from painting tables to cooking...

We recently visited Aya Turkish Grill and Bar and had an incredible dining experience. We tried the Iskender Kebab, Baklava, a mocktail, and Hummus with Turkish bread, and each dish was delightful!

First, the Iskender Kebab was fantastic. The tender slices of chicken, served on a bed of pita bread and topped with a rich tomato sauce and melted butter, were incredibly flavorful. The yogurt on the side added a refreshing contrast. The dish was well-balanced, with the right mix of spices and textures, making every bite a pleasure.

The Hummus with Turkish bread was a perfect starter. The hummus was creamy and flavorful, with just the right amount of garlic and lemon. The Turkish bread was soft and warm, perfect for dipping. It was a simple yet delicious beginning to the meal.

For dessert, I had Baklava, and it was heavenly. The layers of filo pastry, filled with nuts and sweetened with honey, were perfectly crispy and sticky. It wasn’t overly sweet, which I appreciated, and it had a wonderful balance of flavors and textures.

To accompany the meal, I had a mocktail that was both refreshing and beautifully presented. The mix of flavors was well-balanced, not too sweet, and very refreshing. It was a great complement to the rich flavors of the food.

Overall, the food at Aya Turkish Grill and Bar was excellent, and the service was friendly and attentive. We highly recommend trying the Iskender Kebab, Baklava, mocktail, and Hummus with Turkish bread if you visit. We will definitely be coming...

We decided to try Aya as we’d walked past it a couple of times and as we’ve tried another local Turkish restaurant in the town we thought we’d give it a try at lunchtime. We were warmly welcomed by the young waiter and shown to a table quickly. I ordered the chicken in a mushroom sauce and my husband ordered some kebabs. We also ordered a side of chips and onion rings. My chicken dish was delicious, very well cooked, tender and flavourful. The chips were well cooked proper medium fried chips (not too fat like chip shop and not fries, just medium). The onion rings were standard and although my husbands kebabs were well cooked, he felt they weren’t particularly seasoned so were a little bland. He put them on a par with the other main competitor food wise but was far more complimentary about the staff and service at AYA which I think is fair and balanced. It wasn’t very busy at lunchtime and although the decor is really inviting, I do wonder whether it’s in the best location. I’m aware that the council are trying to rejuvenate the bottom end of town but I can’t help thinking this lovely restaurant and their staff might do better further up and nearer to the competition l personally loved it and we would go back but maybe a bit more seasoning on the kebabs next time. Overall the best Turkish restaurant in town so far....