Disclaimer- we ordered Aida's for delivery because of travel fatigue, so I cannot comment on the service or ambiance of the restaurant. However, the food was 5 stars! We got hummus topped with shawarma, a babaghanouj, a hummus, garlic paste, Shish tawook plate, and veggies for dipping. Everything was very fresh and delicious. The portions were also hearty. They packed everything nicely as well. The standouts for me were the babaghanouj and garlic paste. The hummus with shawarma was excellent also, especially since it had a generous amount of meat on top. The Greek salad that came with the kabob was also very good. This was our favorite meal during our trip to Canada, despite being a delivery. Definitely check it out if you are seeking great Lebanese cuisine. read more

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Wow! Great little Calgary gem. Love the halloumi and the prawns but great menu overall. The whole staff was excellent but special thanks to server, Hannah, who had great recommendations for both food and wine and provided a great experience. read more

The food from Aida's was excellent. Everything was fresh, tasty, and plentiful. The white bean salad and hummus were especially good. Would definitely order again! read more

This place is wonderful! Ordered a TON of food from them for a family party last May and everything was fabulous. A great spot for a lunch date! read more

This dish is the love of my life! I've lost count of how many times I've been to Aida's, but always order the same thing. It's so predictably great. Aida's is a Lebanese inspired restaurant located on 4th St SW and has been a frequent spot for me and the fam for years. Last week my sis and I had a hankering for our usual--their Veggie Share Plate (pictured above). Of course this time around we had to take away, but the result was the same--so DAMN GOOD. RATING: 9/10 - Veggie Share Plate This thing is very generous in portion size. Sista and I ordered one between the two of us and we had enough for dinner and to snack on the next day. It includes Hummus, Baba Ghannouj and Mouhammara-- these smooth dips are perfect for dunking your pita. Also an assortment of satisfying finger foods such as: Spinach Fatayer, Grape Leaves (sourly satisfying), Falafel and Rookak. The Rookak is both our favourite! Imagine cheesy goodness wrapped in a flakey pastry. It is the bomb! To wrap it all up we had the Tabbouli Salad which is super fresh and citrusy. Everything travelled so well! You wouldn't even know you were eating take away, except you know, the styrofoam containers. Aida's never disappoints, especially when it comes to their Veggie Platter. read more

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Always enjoy Aida's especially their Muhammara dip and their fatuous salad. Their food always feels fresh and health while tasting fabulous! read more

Really good homey comfort food. The prices are also quite good. I would like to come back here.

I came here on a Friday night thinking we wouldn't be able to get a table but it was 830pm and we had no problem getting in. We ordered chicken pita, chicken schwarma, lamb kebab, Greek salad, which was all very good. Except I remember the chicken in the pita used to be more moist as this time it was a bit dry. The crunch on the pita makes all the difference. We enjoyed our experience here and would return trying more menu items. read more

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Delicious !! Very tasty! Not spicy. You will love it I am sure. Go around 7 pm. Make a reservation though.

We've been here a few times before and I think prior to our last experience I would have called it one of our favourites. The food is still top notch but I do not go out to dinner just to eat. I go to be out of my house, to socialize, to support local and to enjoy someone else's cooking m. Not to be ignored or argued with. It appears as though we made the faux pas of not being weekly regulars and not taking out our food. Apparently that is how you get service here. It also isn't common to ask for the $4 substitution of veggies if you are GF and they need to tell you that as an excuse for two different staff to forget the overpriced zucchini (mainly seeds) and cucumber. For the record the hummus is wonderful with a fork but again it's not just taste. They wouldn't know if you enjoyed your meal because, as our waitress advised us, they have other tables to attend to (at the time there were three being used in total). I guess the staff at Aida's are content with the current patrons and want to discourage people who don't live in the vicinity and visit weekly so I will support that. I do not recommend you go here. read more

While waiting for my pizza pickup @ Bocce's across the street, decided to see what's nearby that's also good---who else does that? So off I go, going for the mouhammara that everyone seems to pipin' about, and for an appie, it's a nice start, and somewhat healthy too lol, red peppers and all. I did wish I could've added the hummus from the pics. It's a nice, dimmed atmosphere, tonite with a few happy groups, Kinda loud, as it's a small restaurant. Friendly service. Clean washrooms. read more

Aida's Mediterranean Bistro - Mediterranean Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

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Aida's was amazing in every way! Every one of the dips were on point. Grape leaves! Kibbe! Falafel! Baba ganoush! Who would have thought the chicken wings at a Lebanese restaurant would be so great?!? Get a bit of everything! read more

Phenomenal food and wonderful service! We started with mouhammara and pita - my favourite!! Then, we enjoyed a number of entrees. I loved their Greek salad with a skewer of chicken. Certainly worth a visit. read more

Aida's is always delicious with friendly service. Everything on their menu is made fresh and well prepared. I especially recommend the chicken kabob, tabbouli salad and mouhammara dip which are all incredible. A true local treasure with fair pricing. read more

The fragrance fills the air and you begin to drool in anticipation as soon as you walk in the door of this quaint Mediterranean bistro. A group of six of us enjoyed sharing several appetizers and some lovely white wine. Great value and we were all full. Also split a baklava. Delightful and attentive service. Recommend making a reservation though. It was a Wednesday night and there were at least five tables reserved read more

Aida's Mediterranean Bistro - Mediterranean Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

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It was a really cute place to go and eat I love it when places are super busy and it was so quiet for me and my boyfriend. The waitress was super helpful in regards to telling us what foods to try my overall experience was really good , the food was pretty good as well not what I am use to but it's worth trying. I suggest anyone who wants a different dining experience to try it out! I find going later in the night is a lot better less people. I got the donair and it was very filling for only 10$ not a bad price and some fresh baked potatoes were my favourite part. Thanks for having us! I will come again. read more

Aida's Mediterranean Bistro - a glass of water on a table - Mediterranean Near Me - Calgary, Alberta

they can't get an order right and do not like to deal with it. tired of excuses and paying for food that doesn't arrive. over the last 2 years literally every time we order they forget something (Approx 8 orders). this last time was the final time. Too bad as their food isn't greasy and has potential. we order out as the atmosphere isn't the best (bright lights). This last time they forgot a falafel and blamed the Skip the Dishes driver...but the bag was tied tightly closed. pretty terrible. we've been left hungry multiple times because of forgotten items and paid every time. NO MORE FREE MONEY AIDAS! stop ripping people off! read more

I always love when I come back to an old favourite after a long hiatus and everything is as it should be-the food is still amazing, the ambiance hasn't changed and the service still attentive and friendly. Such was my experience at Aida's today when I met my best friend for lunch. It was also a wonderful choice as she's working on being one of those plant-based only diet people who also cannot consume gluten (you may call her a vegan except that she's not giving up leather... so, plant-based only diet people it is as it's strictly a food/health choice at this point). 1130 was a good time to come, we were only the second table in the restaurant at that point, although it had filled up much more by about 1215. Platters are the way to go at Aida's. I've been known on more than one occasion to split a mezza platter with a friend over wine one afternoon, which is a beautiful experience in and of itself. For today's lunch, however, just a regular platter did quite nicely. The best friend had the falafel one with no pita chip things in it and I opted for the shawarma platter. You get your choice of hummus or baba ghannouj and fattoush or tabbouli salad. I opted for the shawarma platter with hummus and tabbouli salad... soooo good, very filling and man alive did it ever arrive at our table in record time! Our entire dining experience was finished by 1215. Of course we stayed on at the table a wee bit longer to maximize our visiting time, and our server was very gracious about ensuring we felt welcome to do so... but if you're on a super strict 1 hr lunch crunch, I'd say Aida's has you covered with the platter lunches! read more

I just ate, hands down, the best Lebanese food I've ever had. Thanks to Erin D's accompaniment and recommendations, I was able to share The Veggie Mezza for Two, Burma and Layali Loubnan. I cannot even begin to describe how flavorful and exquisite every morsel of this cuisine was. The spices were plentiful but not overpowering. I don't feel like I could kill fragile beings with my breath, which is how I recently felt after eating falafel elsewhere. This is a smart and simply decorated bistro. Casual attire is all you need in this laid back atmosphere. Prices are reasonable for the quantity. I had more than enough food. I like to eat my entire meal and be totally satisfied, yet not take home leftovers. Service was fine. I definitely would recommend Aida's to friends and out-of-town guests. read more

My family has started going to Aida's a lot over the past year or so, and I never seemed to be able to make it. Last night I finally got to try it with my mom and sister. We ordered the mouhammara, fatayer, shawarma platter, falafel platter, and the grilled chicken sandwich. I was reluctant to order the mouhammara, thinking I would prefer another type of dip. My sister insisted the mouhammara was the best choice, and I am so glad I tried it! Definitely recommend ordering this. Great combination of sweet and nutty. I also recommend trying their iced tea. It is house made with rose water. The grilled chicken sandwich was amazing. I am going to have trouble ordering any thing else when I return. Garlic paste, grilled chicken and pickles inside a pan fried crispy pita. What more could you ask for? I love garlic and this sandwich had plenty of it. The service was great, and the restaurant wasn't too busy. Sounds like reservations may be required on fridays and saturdays. read more

Last week, I met a bunch of friends at Aida's. I hadn't been there since being back in town (5 years or so), so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. Let me tell you - IT. WAS. FANTASTIC! First of all, it is right on 4th Street, which has an impressive stretch of great restaurants on it. But let's be honest, once you've had Aida's, WHY would you go anywhere else on the stretch?!?!? Yes, Aida's is very tiny. Yes, it gets very hot (I don't think they have air conditioning), but honestly, all of this is outweighed by the excellent mediterranean cuisine! Very few places know how to make good Middle Eastern food. Usually it ends up overcooked and underflavoured. At Aida's, I ordered the vegetarian couscous. Other entrees at our table included the falafal, the sampler plate and the mousaka. ALL of it was DELICIOUS. We even found a way to make room for dessert. I would highly recommend Aida's to anyone who enjoys great food and a welcoming atmosphere. read more

Middle Eastern food is tricky for me. I dont crave it too often, so when I do, it better be good. I have been to restaurants where they make it too dry or too bland.. and I have been to restaurants where its delicious. Aida was more on the 'delicious' side of my radar. I ordered the lamb kabob platter, with the Tabouleh and baba ganouj. The tabouleh salad was great, the baba ganouj was tasty - you cant go wrong with eggplant - and the lamb skewers were delicious! I only wish the skewers werent as small! I wiped my plate clean! The location of the restaurant is great, and the atmosphere is pretty relaxed too. read more

I really love Mediterranean food and so I was shocked to find Aida's Mediterranean Bistro had eluded me for years. It's tucked away in an unassuming, quaint and cozy space in the heart of Mission's 4th street. Because of the many options in the area it doesn't stand out visually. What it lacks for in street appeal it more than makes up for in food and dining experience. This is the type of place to bring a date, loved one, family members, out-of-towners and experience a more up-scale Mediterranean meal. Aida's Bistro is on another level compared to the usual fast-food shawarma/donair place that dots almost every Calgary inner-city corner. We were here on a Saturday for lunch for my brother's birthday. I had the shawarma platter and chose the babba ghannouj and fattoush salad to accompany it. It was very very tasty. The meat was cooked well and had enormous flavour. The fattoush salad dressing had the perfect coating and the crunchy pita chips gave it nice texture and balance. I was hungry so I ordered my platter with a side of roasted potatoes. It was a really good addition to the meal. The Turkish coffee here is the best I've ever had. I don't have it much but this was the best brew as far as I can remember. We had a minor mistake with my wife's dish as it was dressed with tahini, even though she disclosed her allergy to sesame when she ordered. They quickly took it back and made her another one. We all had to wait a few minutes before starting (to be polite) but my wife was lucky for examining her food carefully before diving in. Other than the minor mix-up in the kitchen, the service was prompt and they were very friendly. read more

Great spot. We came here on a Tuesday night, later in the evening and had no problem getting a table. We didn't want to eat anything too heavy because of the time but we were both starving. I ended up with the falafel platter while my date had the kebab platter. We each got a different salad with it so we could try each others stuff. Everything was delicious. Lots of flavour, lots of texture and the service was friendly too. The meal really hit the spot and the prices were reasonable. The only thing that could of been better is that as we finished our tea up after our meals, the place was closing. We appreciate not wanting anyone to make us stay late so we got ready to leave. Despite the server saying there was no rush, we were getting looks from the back of the house folks so we felt compelled to get out of there right away (a couple of minutes past the closing time). Not a big deal but it felt like things suddenly had become less friendly. But we'll probably be back soon! read more

I had genuinely forgotten how great the food is here. Everything tastes fresh and is incredibly satisfying. Went with family for a birthday and even the picky eaters were happy which is always a win in my book. To start we all shared the garlic prawns (huge size and great amount of garlic), Baba Ghannouj served with pita (eggplant dip that is quite creamy and oh so tasty), Fatayer (3x triangles of tasty filled with spinach), Sfeeha (3x triangular pastry filled with nicely spiced beef and a great cucumber type dip to go with). Everything disappeared in seconds. For mains, sister had broiled lamb chops - really good size and well seared on the outside with just pink on the inside, she loved the potatoes that came with it. The boy tried curried lamb with coucous - said the flavour was complex enough that it didn't need to be more spicy and the vegetables in the dish were a good addition. Dad tried the lamb kabob with hummus and fattoush salad - was really surprised by how much he enjoyed the salad and the lamb was cooked to his liking. Mom went with the baked halibut encrusted with fennel and cumin seeds - clear winner at the table! The fish was cooked perfectly and the crust was unreal tasty. Amazing combination of spices done just right. Also loved her potatoes. I went with the Shish Tawook (chicken kabob) over rice with hummus and tabbouli salad - chicken had a nice flavour but would almost have liked a little more of the marinade poured over so it went on the rice too to share that great flavour. Hummus was really creamy and would like some more right now. The salad was very fresh and a huge portion. Everyone was very full by the time we were done so no dessert. Would really like to go back and share one of the mezza platters as a main dish. And maybe have space for dessert :) read more

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Absolutely pleased with our meal last night. We ordered a vegetarian mezze, plus lamb chops. We absolutely loved the mouhammara dip. I didn't expect to be wowed - I mean - how great can a dip be? It has this buttery, nutty sweet taste that is just amazing. I bought another one to go for my bf to try. Another winner was this cigar shaped phyllo with cheese. Parsley salad was very refreshing. Lamb chops were tender and tasty. More than enough food for the two of us. Service was excellent. Chickpea fritters were freshly made - nice crunchy exterior and fluffy inside, though a bit too salty for us. Great option in the Mission district. read more

I'm here a few times a year, but my last visit wasn't as good as the others. Nevertheless, I still give this place 5 stars. After growing up in the middle east, and Lebanese was always a common meal, this place still reminds me of our old take-out nights. The shawarmas aren't like the ones I'd get street side back in the day, but the falafels and hummus always bring back the memories. We always get the veggie mezza for 2, with fattoush salad - what makes it delicious? sumac, lemon/olive oil dressing, crispy pita - yummm! Along with that we get a side order of our favourite tabbouleh salad. The mouhammara (roasted red pepper and walnut dip) is amaaazzzzing! A while ago they gave a newspaper a version of the recipe, I'm sure they kept a few secrets out, my mom and I will make it quite a bit and it always delivers. On my last visit we were invited by a very gross smell of cigarrette smoke, it was overpowering, the waittress said perhaps because there was a man trying to fix the front door, who knows... it was unappetizing though. The falafels were overcooked and very dry. Now, the tabbouleh they make isn't the one that has the large amounts of bulgar, because recipes do vary, however this time it was a very minimal amount, less than I've ever seen - even here. I like the versions that use less bulgar than parsley but I think they missed quite a bit here. There was barely any bulgar. Overall - a few misses on my last visit but I remain a loyal fan of Aida's. read more

I give this place a high rating because I can actually eat here. I do like some of the creative menu items, some of the dips and salads are fantastic. Portions are quite generous and if you eat eggs the falafel's are pretty good. Not a lot of staff there however the people that do work there aren't very happy, or quick. Don't go here in a rush. We have ordered meat dishes before which I don't personally eat, but I have been told they are very good. There is an interesting chicken dish we ordered for our six-year-old one time that was breaded into some form of a sandwich it did look very good. The food seems fresh, the sauces seem homemade, it doesn't seem as though things are prepackaged and left in the freezer forever to dry out. If you like Mediterranean food with a definite flair for the Lebanese give this place a try. read more

Went to Aida's last night for a family dinner. The food was really great! We had the kibby, fatayer, and sfeeha to start which are all super flavourful. The sfeeha were my personal favorite, with well seasoned meat and soft fluffy dough tart. The Lamb kabob platter was very good, the lamb portion could have been a bit larger as there were 2 small skewers with 6 1 inch cubes of lamb on each. Either slightly larger cubes or a third skewer would have been nice. The Tabouli salad was very good with lots of parsley and lemon flavour and just the right amount of tomato and onion. The real star for me however was the Baba Ghannouj it was absolutely amazing and I could have had a dinner of solely it and pita. read more

This was an amazing meal. Service was quick, and the food was amazing. I would recommend getting a platter to sample a bunch of different dishes with a buddy. My sister and I shared the sea food platter and my god it was divine. The falafels were amazing. Not a cheap meal, but worth it for quality of product and service. Will definitely be eating here again. read more

While there is a reason Aida's has been in business for so long, I find the spectrum of service runs from okay to awful. This would never be a place I would go to if I was in a hurry, as the total time seems to crawl... by... It d-r-a-a-a-a-g-s before you even get your food. If you're hungry (I was starving) it isn't so much about enjoying the food but fighting off your own stomach! Still, the food is good enough to be a decent reward for your patience. Great Lebanese food. I prefer the appetizers, I really don't think you can go wrong with them. Even those take a long time to come from the kitchen. I don't know. The service is slow enough that they get three stars, but the food is worth four at least. I think the call is based on your own food-values. Are you a foodie, willing to fight through anything (bears, mountains, etc) for a good meal or are you a service stickler? In this case, I am more in number 2. read more

My friend chose Aida's for a dinner out when she came to town on a regular visit. We've made a habit of tracking down new places we've heard good things about, but this one was a surprise to me. This cozy restaurant on 4th street is a bit of a tight squeeze on a busy night, but well worth it. The decor is warm and inviting, and the music selection was light and intriguing - a blend of Mediterranean beats that only added to the experience. The menu is quite varied, offering a broad selection of combinations or al la carte items. Everything we had - from appetizers to dinner to beverages and dessert - were delicious, and served by polite, very accommodating staff. For our friend in the party who's vegetarian - lots of options to suit his needs, and they were more than willing to make substitutions. I will certainly go back to Aida's for a future Mediterranean fix. read more

Not impressed at all. This place has the potential to be much better because of its location but unfortunately the service was meager, and our food was COLD ! The Couscous was more like mashed potato, however the appetizers were very good. Overall, it was not worth the money. Not going back. read more

I had been wanting to try this place for a long time, and it did not disappoint! Came here with my friend for a Saturday lunch. We got a reservation as it is a small restaurant. I'm glad we did, as it filled up pretty quickly after we were seated. We both had the iced tea with rose water, which was not too sweet and quite refreshing. For our appy, we just got some hummus and pita to share. The hummus is amazing! One of my close friend's mother is from Syria, and makes the best hummus, so I have high standards when it comes to hummus. This did not disappoint. I got the Shawarma sandwich, and it was delicious. My friend got the Grilled Chicken pita wrap, and said it was really good. We were very happy we got to try Aida's, and we will both be back soon! My friend actually took her parents there the next weekend, it's that good. read more

This place is a gem! Lots of flavor and so fresh. You must try the mohamara dip, it is one if the most delicious things I have ever had. Favorites are the lemon chicken sandwich and the veggie mezza. I have vegan friends I've taken here on numerous occasions and there are plenty of options for them as well. Staff are always pleasant, service is quick, I'm a regular and I still can't get enough of this place! read more

I will pile on with everyone else. I go here when I crave muhammara. That said I have enjoyed the rest of the food as well I think. See, I remember having the lamb chops once and they were good but I recall nothing else beyond the muhammara... perhaps it puts me in a food coma glaze that prevents my memory from processing the remaining food items. At any rate it is delicious. The only reason its not 5 stars for me is 2 fold. Firstly - Loud. If a large group comes in or a family with kids... it gets very loud very quickly to the point of where I wish they would all go away. 1st time I was there a loud drunkish girl at a large groups table made conversation at our own table difficult due to the noise, my second visit a family with 2 kids yelling and playing like they were in their own living room. secondly - it can be cold. People come in and hold doors open and if its nippy outside you are blasted with the cold air ... they have a 2 door entry to help and I'm sure it does but it still gets a blast especially given people are selfish in general in their bubble of existence and think of no one else but themselves almost all of the time. So people will stand there waiting for a party member holding doors open oblivious to the restaurant full of people not wearing their coats. So my negatives, not the restaurant's fault really but atmosphere and acoustics are what they are and I kind of hate that part of it so they lose a star. I also like the mediterranean coffee. Food and service are solid and I will be back for .... you guessed it muhammara. read more

I have never really had to much Mediterranean food before so my experience may be jaded. I thought the food was delicious, I wasnt big on the grape leaves, my server was really nice and joked around with my over all ineptitude with the cuisine which made me feel more comfortable read more

I prefer Lebanese over almost all other cuisines and have found that Aidas is the best in Calgary. The prices are reasonable, the service is good, although sometimes slow, but then again food is about enjoying slowly with a glass of wine. I suggest the humus, falafel and spinach & lentil soup as flavourful starters. I usually follow-up with a shish taouk or beef platter. Try it, you can't go wrong and won't beat it for flavour and price. read more

Baklava was mind-blowing. I will go there again at least for baklava. Prices were reasonable. Staff were nice. Food was delicious. We ordered dawa basha and kafta kabab. The spinach and lentil soup was ok but not special. read more

I was here this past Saturday for lunch. What an amazing meal...unforgettable. Enjoyed a very delicious assortment of kibbeh (ground spiced meat encased in a shell of bulgar wheat), falafel with tahini, spinach and mushroom baked pastry, meat pasty, mouhammara sauce with fresh vegetable, hoummus with pita etc. This was all so delicious. And then came the desserts- baklava standard and filled with pistachios, cakes etc. When I'm back in Calgary, this will be my MUST eat here place!! read more