Aya Sofia, St. Louis’ only Turkish restaurant, opened in October 2005 by Turkish Chef Mehmet Yildiz and designer Alicia Aboussie. Our outstanding Turkish cuisine is delicious, fresh, and healthy. We serve lamb, beef, chicken and seafood. Aya Sofia offers a large variety of cold and hot meze (small plates) that are intended to be shared and will complement any of our entrees. Afiyet Olsun (Enjoy your meal)! Aya Sofia has a romantic luxurious atmosphere combined with excellent upscale service and warm Turkish hospitality.
"Aya Sofia has the best Mediterranean food in St. Louis, hands down. I've ordered something different every time I've been, and been blown away each time. Be sure to order a side of hummus -- it's unbelievable."
Dined on 5/12/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, great for brunch, romantic, notable wine list, neighborhood gem, great for lunch, special occasion
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"While they are billed as Turkish, they have all sorts of other dishes, more Mediterranean in focus. Very good lamb dish and the grilled fish special was perfectly cooked."
Dined on 5/08/2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, kid-friendly
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"This was a good, but not outstanding restaurant. (To be fair, we may have been affected by the stress of getting lost on the way there, after a trying day.)"
Dined on 04/26/2013
2010
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"Very disappointed by the Sunday brunch. Aya Sofia's regular menu is very good. The Sunday brunch is quite bad. This speaking from someone who has live in Turkey - this restaurant has Americanized Turkish food, but the Sunday brunch doesn't resemble anything Turkish, period."
Dined on 04/28/2013
2013
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"What can I say? Our party of 7 had a great time at Aya Sophia. The only possible criticism that I might have is that the room was slightly noisy, but when a room is full, that tends to happen. I should also point out that the room being full is a sign of a popular restaurant. I have been to Aya Sophia before, and I have never had a bad experience. I would be happy to rave about the food, but you really need to experience it for yourself."
Dined on 04/25/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for outdoor dining
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"We've always found the food to be delicious and varied. Our most recent visit was no exception. They were very accommodating of one member of our group with some dietary restrictions. Excellent, as always."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"Consistently a favorite! Once again, Aya Sofia didn't disappoint. The ambiance is comfortable, the food quite tasty as always and the service prompt and non-pretentious. Aya Sofia remains high on my list of places I like to go periodically."
Dined on 04/27/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"The food was great, but our reservation was not honored promptly, which was very frustrating. We were seated at 7:20 for a 6:45 reservation. The restaurant has a small but cramped bar area for waiting and there seemed to be absolutely no recognition of the fact that our reservation was not honored even close to on time."
Dined on 04/20/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"What a wonderful little restaurant! My husband and I ate here again (2nd time in 2 weeks) after we initially came in with a group of friends. So far we have enjoyed the lamb chops, mousaka, kofte meatballs, and the fresh fish special for 2 people. Everything was very delicious but I can't stop thinking of the fish. I am going back again this week for more to satisfy my new craving. Hopefully they will still have that. I love the sampler platter of apps and their homemade baklava was the best I've ever had. We have had a different server on each occasion and both were pleasant and professional. The restaurant itself is very pretty. I hope the weather is nice so that we can eat and drink wine on the patio next time we go."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch, hot spot
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"The lamb chops were so perfect! The seasonings were interesting, and the lamb was cooked exactly as requested. They were so tender and tasty. We will definitely return to this restaurant."
Dined on 04/14/2013
2007
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Food was excellent - captures the ethnic qualities of the Middle East. As with many fantastic restaurantes, the ambient noise moves from your categories of moderate to "ENERGETIC." This is part and partial to your success."
Dined on 04/06/2013
2012
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"Generally love this restaurant in all areas. However our last visit the service started off great and gradually fell off: having to flag down people for refills and after waiting a VERY long time we had to get up and ask for our check which was then divided incorrectly and we could not flag someone down to fix it. Food was delicious and to be fair we were there for Easter brunch. Just disappointed that it ended on a frustrating note."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2010
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"We went there for Easter Brunch. Beautiful day so we sat outside. Not a buffet, which was fine. Refined menu that day with generally lower prices than the regular menu (nice suprise). Food was fantastic. Service initially was good, but once we got our food the waiter was very slow to come check on us. Had to flag down waiter to get check. It was Easter though, and they were busy, so we cut him some slack. Definitely would go again!"
Dined on 03/31/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, special occasion
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"first time there....great experience and great food. Happy workers, happy food then happy guests. Everyone said hello and everyone said good bye."
Dined on 03/31/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"My food is always great at Aya Sofia. I had a few of the salads and got the shrimp kabobs. It is priced very reasonably, and my food was delicious. I go there on a regular basis, and always have great service."
Dined on 03/30/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"Going to Aya Sofia is always a treat. I've never been disappointed. The ambiance is comfortable, service good and food quality consistently excellent. And coming on a Wednesday with half price bottles of wine was an unexpected but pleasant surprise. This restaurant is very inviting and feels like coming home. It is good for casual conversation, whether business or personal. Unfortunately, none of the categories above describe that."
Dined on 03/27/2013
2010
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list
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"Good value Turkish food which included familiar Middle-Eastern and Greek treats and some new things I'd not seen before. Server was friendly and efficient. $5.95 wine special at lunchtime too!"
Dined on 03/22/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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"I ordered a lamb dish that tasted like beef. I really think it was beef, but I was too hungry to send it back. My husband's salmon was over cooked. The service was terrible. It took forever for the server to come to our table. She wasn't knowledgeable about the menu, it took much too long to bring the drink order. They forget one person's request when the drinks did arrive. I would NOT go back and would advise anyone and everyone not to waste their money at Aya Sophia! We will not be back!"
Dined on 03/09/2013
2013
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"Aya Sofia has a very nice ambience and I can't wait until it warms up so I can come back and sit on their beautiful patio. The service was lovely but the busser kept trying to take our plates away before we were done. The food was good but underseasoned. The best part of the meal was the dessert. The baklava is some of the best I've tasted and we had a lovely pistachio pudding and their housemade pistachio liqueur was delicious."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2010
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"I love the atmosphere and the food! We took a friend for her birthday and were very pleased with wine and dinner, especially the swordfish. Small plates were delightful."
Dined on 02/23/2013
2013
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion
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"Too busy for such a small place..No music at all . I was expecting some Turkish music but nothing was on ..A lot of people really busy place and very busy waitress ..Food was awesome"
Dined on 02/16/2013
2013
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"Excellent in every way. The booths offer nice privacy and romance. The inner dining room is open and the tables may be a bit close together, but not too bad. Okay for a smaller restaurant. Excellent host and waiter. Food was delicious and the pita bread was piled in the basket, warm and so good. Will return when back in the area."
Dined on 02/15/2013
2006
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem
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"The only thing I would suggest different is have an additional waiting area for busy nights for your guests other than the bar because it became too cramped and too many people were complaining. I, however, enjoyed the atmosphere, food and service. Great Valentines Day date!"
Dined on 02/14/2013
2013
Special Features: fit for foodies, late-night find, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"I always enjoy my trips to Aya Sofia and this Valentines Day was no exception. We were a slight bit cramped for space as it was an incredibly popular locale for V-Day couples, but other than that minor, understandable note everything else was pitch perfect."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2008
Special Features: fit for foodies, neighborhood gem, notable wine list, romantic
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"Excellent food on a regular basis with a good atmosphere. They offer unique food that separates them from the other separating them from the usual offerings in the area. Food is of a Turkish - Eastern Mediterranean variety. Recommend it for Romantic, business, and even dinners for a few couples."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic, special occasion, great for lunch
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"The staff was warm and welcoming. We were impressed by the wide variety of Middle Eastern delights, which were prepared to perfection. The booths with the privacy curtains are very romantic. We will definitely return to Aya Sophia's."
Dined on 02/13/2013
2011
Special Features: fit for foodies, romantic, special occasion
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"Our server was knowledgable, helpful, and great with suggestions. The food was cooked perfectly. Wine and drinks were great. Can't wait to come back."
Dined on 02/09/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, notable wine list, romantic
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"I had the best dinner at Aya Sofia, fabulous Turkish food!! The atmosphere was absolutely romantic. They suggested a wine which was robust and flavorful perfect for our dinner choice. I'm not a fan of calamari at least I wasn't until I came here it was very good cooked to perfection. The hummus, very tasty! Highlight of the meal for me, the lamb chops succulent and seasoned nicely, exquisite! We also had a fish similar to bass which I just can't say enough about, excellent! Even the side dishes were done well. I don't think I had anything that was not well prepared. Everything was full of flavor, pleasing to the palate, didn't leave room for dessert but the pistachio liquor is a must try. Be sure to go to Aya Sofia,"
Dined on 02/01/2013
2012
Special Features: fit for foodies, good for groups, neighborhood gem, romantic, special occasion
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"Aya Sophia is wonderful. Everything from the drinks, pita bread, salads, to the main course is just perfect. Every bit is better then the next. Love this place!"
Dined on 02/02/2013
2013
Special Features: romantic
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