In the decade+ I've beeing dining at Kaya, I have yet to have an experience that was any less than absolutely stellar. The menu is creative, the service impeccable, and the vibe outstanding. I need to work Kaya into my rotation more frequently and highly encourage you to do the same. read more

Good happy hour. The vegetarian prefix menu is excellent! Lots of vegetarian options

They are good at what they do. You just have to like the Caribbean stop food. It's been a staple in Pittsburgh for years. Ambiance not great, dark inside. read more

Everything is perfect. FantasticRainbow Salad food and service. We sat outside on this gorgeous day in Nov. maybe a little more expensive but is well worth it with their attention of details. read more

Kaya - Caribbean Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Great atmosphere and staff were friendly. Food was excellent and tasty. Plenty of seating inside and on the streets with umbrellas read more

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Food, underwhelming Drinks, underwhelming Brian, underwhelming guac, kinda good conch fritters and sauce? 10/10 read more

We happened to go on the day of the month with the special and got the corner seat outside which gets the most sun. :) We spent a lot of time reading the Caribbean-themed table which was fun and the fish tacos were delicious! When we got the vegetarian special, the portions were so small so we were expecting the fish tacos to be small as well but they were very filling and flavorful. Some of the special's courses like the rice were on the bland side but overall great experience. read more

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I've got a lot to say here; before you disregard my 2 star review, again, please, give me a second, or maybe 2,356^2 seconds to read this. Ok, here goes: Went on my b-day armed with big burrito coupons (which are just absolutely magical), my lovely wife (magical) and boys (7&4)(they are somewhat magical too:)). I ordered two Caipirinha's at the bar for my wife and I and they sat us incredibly quickly (we had reservations). Our server was nice and attentive, and I was thinking "here we go, I'm going to have to write a review explaining how wrong I was last time, time to eat my words, I can't wait!" Wrong. I truly wanted to admit I was wrong. Service went downhill fast (keep reading, it's not the servers fault). We ordered their jerk chicken wings (stellar), my kids ordered the kids burgers (outstanding) and my wife and I ordered the salmon and Flank Steak respectably (perfect in every way). Then, all order, broke down. We waited, and waited. Then we waited some more. Drinks were dead. The wings came out from food runners, our food came out without silverware, etc.; utensils were a commodity. My boys waited 10 minutes for ketchup and were deep in plain burgers. My beer arrived after 20 minutes and I immediately ordered another upon its arrival for beer-safety purposes. Servers fault, right, hadn't seen her in 20 minutes? No, hell no, I then watched our server reappear and started counting the tables she was managing. It had to been around 8-10. Probably more, that's just what I saw around me. This restaurant literally set her up to fail. She was so deep in the weeds, without help, it was ridiculous. So, near to the end, I was struck wondering how a restaurant with impeccable food, extremely sound bartenders, a hands on hostess, left a server out in the weeds. Then, finally, I saw a guy, a guy who I thought could be the manager. I asked him if he was and he confirmed. I then respectfully requested what was going on and he said that they should have had 3 servers on a night like this, but 1 was seriously ill, so they were all helping out. I told him our server was actually very good, but in the weeds because of her table count. He said "I know, I used to serve tables with her, that's why we are helping her out,". Help, yeah, like the first time I saw you do anything was appear at the hostess stand at the end of my meal. Ridiculous. This is mismanagement 101. See you guys in another two-three years. Clean up your management. read more

Pretty disappointing overall. Sandwich was good but ordered brunch steak and eggs, and it came with 4 slices of steak for 20 dollars??? On top of that they messed up my side, and the server was rude when I brought it up. No clue why this place is rated highly read more

Dinner at Kaya. One of the best gems of The Strip District. Great flavors and a fun modern ambiance. Will definitely be back again read more

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Cute little spot in strip district! Parking is a little difficult so make sure to get to the area a bit earlier if you have a reservation. Pretty decor. read more

Kaya - Chile Rellenos (Vegetarian) - Caribbean Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Great food if you're in the mood for Caribbean fair! The fried tofu was sweet and salty, crisp with a bit of heat! Wings were big, bit not too tasty. read more

Kaya was very very good, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't the best meal I've ever had. Pittsburgh just has too many amazing food options, but Kaya is definitely up there. We had the paella, fish tacos, chips & queso, and jamaican jerk wings. Everything was super flavorful and we enjoyed it thoroughly. The service was prompt and friendly. I would say maybe the prices are a bit high, but the food and service was quality. Overall, a great experience! read more

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Stopped in while shopping in the strip district. We had the Yucatán Hot Bean dip which was awesome. Nice spice level and the Kaya chips were also fabulous! We shared an original Cuban which was delicious. Great thin pickles and chipotle aioli to dip it in! The waffle fries were also some of the best I have had. Service was super nice - split our sandwich into two plates without us asking - and very quick. Definitely plan to return when next back in Pittsburgh! read more

I have eaten at Kaya four times now and every meal has been delicious. I confess that I keep going back to the Cuban sandwich but I also have had the rainbow salad and tasted some of the meals my companions have ordered and everything has been wonderful! The guacamole is the best I have ever eaten. Service has always been efficient yet very friendly and welcoming and the atmosphere is casual but not dull. Kaya is quickly becoming my go-to for a great meal! read more

Restaurant was wonderful! Passed the vibe check with great service and the food was outstanding. We ordered the Corn & Lentil Beignets, Tropical Paella, Birria Cuban, and Kaya Juice - would order all of them again but especially the beignets and Cuban. read more

Amazing dining experience. I'd come back again and again for the calamari and the rainbow salad! Service was perfect. read more

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So good! Came here on a rainy Saturday night and the place was packed and jumpin with good vibes all around. I had to sit and eat at the bar bc there weren't any available tables left, but it's all good bc the bartenders were super attentive, friendly, and service was quick. Now for the food! I order the Jerked Pork & Plaintain Nachos and it was such a great appetizer turned into entree bc it was way more than I expected. Pretty spicy, but still very tasty. Can't wait to come back to try more! read more

Kaya - Caribbean Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

This past Monday, 07/03, My partner and I and a friend went to Kaya's for the first time in almost 20+ years. Almost nothing has changed decor wise and that is fine. It just proves that they were right when the started the project. The place was packed with a twenty to thirty minute wait, but what the heck, it was Fourth of July Weekend. We were called in after about a twenty minute wait. We shared the Conch Fritters and the savory Corn & Lentil Beignets, which were very good with just a kick of spice. The entrees ordered were, Tropical Paella. tons of seafood, chicken and Chorizo in an excellently flavored rice. A hint of sweetness but very subtle. My first time with this menu item and a big thumbs up from me. The other two had Carrot & Cauliflower Paella which for her was very satisfying with comments that the vegetables were cooked "just right." My partner had the Seared Salmon where the spice of the chile, the sweetness of the mango and the salmon cooked just right got another thumbs up. The only downside for me was a reworking of a dessert. On one of our many trips to Kaya in the past, I experienced Bread Pudding for the first time. Where was this stuff my whole life. I felt that the world was holding out on me and having a laugh at my expense. It used to be served in a bowl and plied normally high, with chocolate woven throughout, some of the bread was crispy around the edges, not unlike myself today. The crowning glory was the Brandy sauce, all warm, smooth and silky.............Now, it comes on a flat dish and is fairly flat itself, You can see definitely round melted chocolate spheres placed haphazardly and a cream sauce which didn't wreak of Brandy. The service was GREAT. Our server was attentive, smiled, a good conversationalist, made recommendations and above all else had a sense of humor. That is why she got that 30% tip. She knows her job and even more importantly she knows how to do it. Congrats and Kudos to you! So hey! You don't know me. Why take my word? Try it out. You won't be sorry. You may even give them a Five Star Review because you don't have the experience of the original Bread Pudding. Bob Appetit!!! read more

Ok I'm updating my review because I had the most delicious Cuban Sandwich ever. Came here for lunch - sat at the bar and had a great time. Whenever I come I always get the black bean dip - which never disappoints. My friend got the mahi mahi tacos but they came back and said they were out so she settled for the shrimp po boy which was good too. Seriously though - that Cuban was full of flavor and huge. Next time I'm trying the chicken read more

Came here during Saturday night from Anthrocon, they had a 45 min wait inside but no wait for outside seating. Our server was a goofy, genuine guy that took our orders and made us laugh. They had an okay beer selection, along with some interesting cocktails ( with mezcal!). We put in our drink orders as well as food orders at the same time. Drinks came out soon, as well as a pitcher of water for our table of four. As for our food, we'd ordered the spicy ahi Tina poke, the salmon poke, the loco moco, and the Rueben sandwich. All of these things took almost 50 minutes to come out to our table. Two of those are raw fish bowls, and the others didn't seem that hard. I don't know what was going on there. Our server apologized for the kitchen delay. The spicy ahi tuna poke was very good. I liked it better than the salmon poke, which had nuts in it. The loco moco was really good too. Their waffle fries seem to have an interestingly sweet, light seasoning to them. read more

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Solid options on menu, service was friendly and the music was slay the house down boots mama

A place worth visiting. I had the Caribbean Jerk chicken and it was an explosion of flavors in my mouth. Atmosphere is welcoming and servers are very kind. read more

Walked in without a reservation and was politely declined seating but was given the opportunity to find bar seats, if available. Luckily, we were able to convince our friendly neighbors to scoot over a few spaces such that my family of 4 could fit. We started off with the Kaya juice which is a combination of 4 fruit juices (mango, guava, pineapple, and grapefruit - I think). Drink wasn't too sweet and was very refreshing on such a humid night. For appetizers, we opted for the Yucatan hot bean dip and the cheese/corn fritters. The fritters were just okay...presented more like cheese sticks than fritters. The chipotle sauce that accompanied them though was good. As for the bean dip - order this! The bean dip is hot and gooey from the melted cheese served with a hearty side of house made chips. Some pieces were definitely overdone, but most were seasoned well and not too well done. Actually, it was a pretty divine bite when you combined the bean dip and the chipotle sauce...yum! For entrees, we ordered from the more 'casual' menu but I was surprised at the portion sizes! My fish tacos were huge! The tacos featured creamy guac, approximately 2 filets of crispy fish per tacos, and a hearty topping of slaw. The slaw was just okay in my opinion...had a hint of ginger which didn't pair especially well with cilantro and limes. Mom opted for the flank steak sandwich. GET. THIS. The steak was sooo tender and had the right balance of flavors. The waffle fries were a bit too salty though. Brother opted for the pulled pork quesadilla but found it to be too pork heavy and severely lacking in cheese or other toppings. His sweet potato fries were on point though. Dad ordered the regular cubano and enjoyed it. read more

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Loved Kaya! Really eclectic interiors and fast service. We went here on a Sunday noon and it was pretty much full. We did have a reservation and were immediately seated. You can call them to make a reservation without giving the credit card details. I ordered hot & smoky mezcal drink and it was sooo good! For appetizers, we had calamari, which was really tasty. We ordered sandwiches for the main course: Nashville hot chicken sandwich and the jerked chicken torta with sweet potato and waffle fries. While the Nashville chicken was really tasty along with the sweet potato chips, I couldn't savor the jerked chicken, it had a burnt flavor. The waffle chips lacked flavor too. I ordered fanguito for dessert and it was so yummy. It's Dulche Le Che with mascarpone cheese. I couldn't finish it and actually boxed it to take home. Overall, I have a high opinion of Kaya and would recommend to check it out! read more

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Kaya for dining in or takeout is always consistent. They have the best menu that tweaks just a little based on the season providing the freshest ingredients and tasty dishes. Kaya has always been my go to for Paella! The consistency in customer service both inside and take out is always guaranteed. read more

Kaya is a great spot for appetizers and drinks or a meal. The servers are always attentive and welcoming. Almost always get the guacamole but the corn and lentil beignets are great as well. I usually get the Miami salad which is delicious and fresh. The salmon is also a great entree. read more

Came here for dinner recently. The outdoor seating is great in warm weather. We started off with the guacamole and drinks. The drinks were fine nothing great. The tropical guac was a nice app to share. I ended up getting the crispy fish tacos, which again were nothing extraordinary. It did consist of three large tacos. Could have used more sauce or flavoring as the fish was not super flavorful. My friends had the fried avocado tacos and the veggie cuban, which were both ok but could have used more sauce or flavoring. Overall, the outdoor seating and ambience was great but the food was mediocre. Would probably not come back. read more

Kaya - Crispy Fish Tacos - Caribbean Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Great place for lunch or dinner. Our fav was the fish taco salad with papaya was so fresh tuna appetizer was also good. Paella was a bit spicy, didn't like drinks we were hoping for a fresher options. read more

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Awesome ambience! Great food and service. Will definitely be back. I love everything about this place.

ONE OF MY NEW FAVORITE PLACES! I'm veg, and the vegetarian/vegan options are abundant and very clearly marked!! The Jamaican Green Curry Vegetables and tofu lettuce wraps were excellent, and the tempura avocado tacos were pretty good but could maybe use a bit more flavor (I prefer salty/spicy over the more subdued fat of avocado so maybe this is a personal thing) The ambience is really nice inside- spacious but no empty, vibrant but not too noisy. I hear they have excellent happy hour deals so am definitely coming back to try that out! The beer and drinks selection looked varied and much like their food venue could fit every taste. read more

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I read on NextPittsburgh that Kaya had a mean burger. Despite being a traditionally Caribbean dominated menu, I couldn't agree more. Their Kaya burger was delish! It has tomato, pickles, guacamole, cheese, bacon, Kaya sauce and topped with an over-medium egg. YUM. Haven't tried anything else on the menu but looking around everyone else's food looked good and looked happy with their food. Their cocktails looked especially appealing. Will be coming back! read more

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Tons of vegan and vegetarian options. Everything we got was delish. Our server was attentive and the atmosphere was great. Make a reservation online if you can! read more

I went to Kaya for the first time the other night and I had a great experience. I had ordered food for delivery before and enjoyed that but this was my first time eating in the restaurant. On the 3rd Wednesday of every month they do a coursed dinner that is all vegetarian and there are vegan options for every course. We actually had reservations to come a year ago but then with the pandemic, we finally were able to go again this week. I really enjoyed all of the courses- everything I had was amazing. I also really loved that there were set vegan options for every course and I didn't have to special order anything. Having a coursed meal as a vegan is something I never really expected I would be able to do so I really love this concept and appreciate that Kaya is doing this. Their regular menu also has vegan options so I will definitely be back to try those too. I highly recommend checking out Kaya in general and even if you aren't vegetarian or vegan, give their veg dinners a shot sometime! read more

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My husband and I have been here on a few occasions. We love the Big Burrito Restaurant Group and first experienced this restaurant for brunch on the weekend. Parking can be tricky depending on the time of day and reservations are always a good idea as they are usually very busy. They have more outdoor seating options available in addition to their dining room space. The first few times I was here I had the Chicken and Waffles. I am not a very adventurous eater so this was the only thing appealing to me at the time even though fried chicken usually is not high on my list either. Well, the best fried chicken I have EVER had. They serve it with a unique maple syrup and scallions and a bite containing a little bit of everything was delicious. During our most recent visit, I had the Vegetable Paella. When the dish came out it looked like a fairly small portion which was okay with me. However, it was deceivingly large! The rice and veggies were piled high in the center of the plate and multiplied when spread out to enjoy the dish. I thoroughly enjoyed the combination of vegetables and the rice was a wonderful texture. It was not heavily seasoned but that was quite alright. For the quality of the food, the price is pretty good. It is a little bit on the higher side but nothing out of the ordinary for the Big Burrito Group. This place is unique with its Mediterranean cuisine, setting itself apart for their other restaurants. The decor fits the tropical feel of the food and drinks and I do like that they have added more outdoor dining. If we do not return for dinner, we will definitely be back for brunch in the future! read more

Kaya - Asparagus and Carrot Paella - Caribbean Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

One of my favorites in the strip district! Definitely a fantastic atmosphere and service from the staff. I had the Tropical Paella, and it was my first time ever having Paella, and I was throughly impressed! read more

Kaya was always great for happy hour! I remember going to happy hour there often when I worked in the strip years ago. I haven't patronized until recently. I told my boyfriend about it and insisted that would love it. So out and about in the strip we decided to go! We didn't have reservations but took a chance and were able to get seats at the bar. The service at the bar was good. I liked the drink menu and the first drink that caught my eye was right up my alley.. "Basil margarita" it was very good. Of course we had to order the spicy bean dip. I don't believe I have ever visited Kaya without ordering it.. its always been delicious and still was. Next was the Nashville hot chicken sandwich. We love fried chicken sandwiches and always order when we see it on any menu at any restaurant. We had high hopes for this sandwich but it was just average. The side of Cole slaw we received was just a little portion of dry cabbage - not really "Cole slaw". It shouldn't be listed as Slaw on the menu if just dry cabbage is being served. My boyfriend ordered "no pickles" and the sandwich arrived "over flowing" with pickles!? The wings were ok - nothing to write home about. I loved the cilantro crème sauce. The waffle fries tasted like they were old (sitting out or frozen too long)-and were over salted. Rather a bland taste. We had such high hopes for this visit and overall this visit was surprising disappointing. It has to be better than this. .. one more chance will visit again ..on a different night. Instead of two stars - which is ideal for our last visit.. I am giving an additional star because I think the food has to be better than this. I will update the review - whenever I go back .. hopefully not for the last time. read more

We were visiting from out of town and Went on a Sunday late morning for a drink and appetizer. The queso fundido was amazing and probably the best "cheese dip" I've ever had! I had the spicy watermelon margarita which was pretty good. Definitely recommend and would go back if we're in town again! read more

Kaya - Caribbean Near Me - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Kaya always makes me so darn happy. The interior makes it feel like a (dark) mini vacation to the tropics even when the weather outside is not so delightful. Service, although a little slow many times, is always friendly and special requests are taken easily. I happened to come with a vegetarian friend and my four year old during my last visit. Being I had previously taken my vegan friend who still raves about this place, I thought it would be a good option! Their selection truly has something for everyone. As for the food, we started with the pineapple guac - both of us were hungry and this was probably my favorite part of the meal. We also split the chile rellenos and the wild mushroom dishes which were both filling and tasty with lots of flavor. The tequila colada was delicious and my friend enjoyed his pharmacist's daughter cocktail. My normal favorite is usually their corn and conch chowder but I was looking to expand my samplings from them a bit more tonight. Their Caribbean rainbow salad is also awesome! They also accommodated my daughter wanting a taco (slight meltdown when she got a quesadilla instead...until she tried it and realized what a quesadilla was) and also accommodated her request for "fancy milk" - she wanted an umbrella but very much enjoyed seeing the pretty pink grapefruit and decorative leaf. I spoke with the bartender later who was an absolute doll and he made sure to check that she had enjoyed it. Needless to say, Diva D had a bit of a "night" while we were there. read more

One of my favorite restaurants! Always have a good experience here. The food and ambiance is great. Service is decent, nothing exceptional but good. I am sad they took away their happy hour because it was my go-to! Portions and prices are very reasonable!!! read more

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