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    Ayah Restaurant

    3.1 (32 reviews)
    Closed 5:30 pm - 11:59 PM
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Delores L.

    Wow. This Restarant is amazing. Absolutely loved it when I can for my friends birthday. The ambiance takes the cake. I felt like I was in Marrakech for sure. The service salent above and beyond. Very friendly staff. The food was good. I think we ordered the wrong things. The lamb was about flavorless but everything else was good. I'd try the tagine next time. And I want to come back for the belly dancers at the end of the night which I think comes out at 11.

    Fraisier
    Beatrice P.

    This Moroccan spot has a great vibe--dimly lit, lively, and definitely more of a party atmosphere than a quiet dinner. The bar was packed, which added to the energy, but it also made moving through the restaurant pretty annoying. It was very crowded, the bathroom is tiny, and at times servers were literally pushing people out of the way to get through, which felt a bit chaotic. Food-wise, there were some real highlights. The tuna tartare appetizer was excellent--super fresh fish and really flavorful. We shared the meat platters, which were delicious overall. The lamb and beef were especially standout; tender and well-seasoned. I'd skip the sausage, though--it didn't compare to the rest. For dessert, the pastilla is a must-try. Drinks were mostly very good. Everything we had was solid except the Climbing Goats cocktail, which had a strange taste and wasn't for me--I wouldn't order that again. One big downside was how strict they are with table time limits. Toward the end of our meal, while we were still eating our entrée, we were told we had 30 minutes left if we wanted dessert. It felt extremely rushed and definitely took away from the experience. It just doesn't seem well timed because you wait for your food (which is totally fine) but then there's not enough time to calmly eat it. We were a table of 8 for reference. Overall, the food and vibe are good, but be prepared for crowds, tight spaces, and a fast-paced dining experience. I don't think the true "show" starts until after 10 pm if that's what you're looking for, snag a later reservation.

    Anne B.

    Ayah is a newer Moroccan restaurant in SoHo that's definitely more for show than anything else. I came for a birthday party in a larger group, and the restaurant's interior is intimate & beautiful. Service was friendly and everyone working their is clearly trying to make sure that you're having a good time. Make a reservation on the later end if you want to be there when the venue turns into a party, there's dancers and people were up on the tables by the end of the night. The food on the other hand was a different story. The tuna kefta was not good - it was hard & dry and the only flavor was in the sauce, not the fish itself. The fries were incredibly average, they don't seem hand cut -- insane for a restaurant at this price point to be using frozen fries. The other sides - the za'atar spinach & mushrooms were fine. Our table really enjoyed the meat platter, was definitely the saving grace of the meal. The complimentary bread was also surprisingly really nice. I personally wouldn't return, but it is a fun experience if you're looking for a unique vibe for a group.

    Dillon G.

    Ayah is just a bit too pretentious for me; and I hate to say that because I think opening a restaurant in NYC takes a miracle and is backed by so many people. But I believe $28 cocktails and bathrooms selling vapes does too much. Yes, it's stunning inside! But what we're here for is food and the service that comes with it. Both fell flat. The restraunt feels like a train car, narrow. Servers and food runners bumpimg into each other, while the bar gets flooded with parties waiting for their table; just didn't have the operational feng shui a dinner service requires. Ordered the Chhiwat tower, tuna tartare, french fries, and the cheese briouats. The meal also came with complimentary bread. For the most part, everything fell flat. The best bite had to be the french fries, and they were a bit too crunchy. The tower was interesting. Traditional dips and small plates, but I truly think there's a better pita/dosa/carb to use then french bread for dipping. The tuna was quite frankly boring, very avocado/guacamole forward. At the end of the day, I enjoyed my meal and time spent! I also think it's because my girlfriend is a gem and I can never have a dull moment with her. Happy to have tried, but will not be back. On a side note, we ordered two cokes that took 30+ minutes, and three asks to finally be brought to our table. Let's be better than that.

    Lamb Shank Mrouzia, Chicken, Lemon and Olives Tagine and Merguez.
    Amanda C.

    {Overall: 3; Food: 3} Ambiance: 5; Service: 3.5 Ayah is a new restaurant from the same group behind Maison Close. It's a stunning, expansive space with incredible décor--I genuinely felt transported to Morocco. The concept is French-Moroccan, but while the ambiance impresses, the food was fairly average and one-note overall, with the exception of the chicken tagine. My impression is that the main draw here is the atmosphere and the boozy dinner experience; the staff mentioned that the last seating of the night transitions into a DJ set and club vibe. Food (* = recommendation): - Chhiwat Tower: A cute presentation of five small vegetable dishes stacked on a tower. Unfortunately, none stood out--mostly stewed vegetables in tiny portions, just enough for the four of us to have a bite each. - *Chicken, Lemon & Olives Tagine: The highlight of the meal. The chicken was tender and the broth deeply flavorful - rich and salty. We kept the dish on the table just to dip bread into the sauce. - Lamb Shank Mrouzia: The lamb was tender, but the overall flavor was bland. The apricots were a nice touch, but the dish lacked depth. - Merguez: Four merguez sausages, which were good, but nothing to write home about. Paired with a small dollop of good labne. - Gambas Chermoula: Grilled prawns that were fine but underseasoned and forgettable. Ambiance: Incredible. The décor is immersive, rich, and fun--one of the most visually striking dining rooms I've seen recently. Service: Friendly and energetic, with a bit of attitude--servers were opinionated about what we should order or do, which felt a bit rough around the edges, and fits the party atmosphere but may not be for everyone.

    Really enjoyed dinner here. The starters (tuna tartare, octopus salad, cheese briaouts and beef cigars) were delicious. All of the mains were also delicious. Turned into a party atmosphere with fun performers. Service was also great. I was a bit unsure what to expect based on the other negative reviews but it seems like any growing pains have been addressed.

    Royal couscous
    Aditya S.

    The decor is ornate with a stunning ritzy ambiance that transports you to a Moroccan palace. The ceiling mirror and mosaic tiles are a sight to behold. A great place to take photos. The service is attentive and warm. The only reservation slots are 5:30, 7:30, and 9:30. I only realized later that the reservations are available on SevenRooms so I don't understand why they only keep 5:30 slots on Resy, which is what I booked and was difficult to make on a Friday evening in traffic. They should stick to one reservation app. The food was pretty authentic but not gourmet. The chicken tagine was piping hot and fresh but I've had better tagine. The Royal couscous was a stew with various meats like lamb and beef neither of which were cooked particularly well. The magic lamp cocktail is not worth $65. It tastes like a bitter Manhattan and the presentation did not merit the steep price tag. The climbing goats cocktail, on the other hand, was a delectable Mezcal concoction. Definitely go for the ambiance more than for the food.

    Monica K.

    What an absolutely stunning addition to the city! This new Moroccan restaurant is beyond beautiful--the décor transports you instantly, the service is flawless, and the menu is both thoughtful and exciting. Every dish we tried was amazing--rich flavors, perfect presentation, and truly top-notch. The vibe is unmatched: the DJ kept the energy alive, the music was perfectly curated, the dancers were incredible, and the live players on those traditional instruments gave the whole evening a magical feel. Honestly, it's the kind of place where you can lose track of time because everything is just that good. Now... the only sour note of the night: the man at the door. I'm not sure why someone whose entire job is simply to stand there and greet guests chooses to do it with rudeness. My friend, they trust you with a door--not the kingdom. A smile costs nothing. Please, be nice--it won't diminish your authority over the entrance. Aside from that single hiccup, the restaurant itself is a gem. Highly recommend for anyone who wants an unforgettable night out.

    Bri S.

    My best friend and I had a girl dinner at the new Moroccan Restaurant in Soho. Had a fabulous time with my friend visiting from Morocco and Brian was fantastic he just moved here from France and treated us to Moroccan tea and biscuits and such warmth. We felt like VIP all evening and ended it in true Parisian style with a glass of Champagne x

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    8 months ago

    Not worth it. Overrated and unprofessional staff wouldn't go back to this place. Not accomodating at all

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    7 months ago

    Exotic, amazing and delicious. You will feel you have been transported to morocco. A perfect place to enjoy dinner with friends.

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    Ask the Community - Ayah Restaurant

    Prices???? There is no menu or prices on menu.

    Prices are like other nice places drinks around 20$

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    Ayah Restaurant - moroccan - Updated May 2026

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