Aya is a refined tribute to Black Southern cuisine, inspired by ingredients and traditions born from the resilience of ancestors during the Middle Passage. The restaurant’s menu offers creative takes on traditional flavors, inviting guests to experience a fusion of African, Caribbean, and Southern culinary roots. Each dish is crafted to honor these cultural influences, blending heritage with fresh, contemporary twists.
Hours
| Tuesday | 6:30 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Wednesday | 6:30 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Thursday | 6:30 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Friday | 6:30 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Saturday | 6:30 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Sunday | 6:30 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM |
| Monday | 6:30 AM–2 PM, 5–9 PM |
Address and Contact Information
Address: 346 Clayton St, Montgomery, AL 36104
Phone: (334) 212-8153
Website: http://www.ayasoulfuldining.com/
Menu Photos
Order and Reservations
Reservations: resy.com
Related Web Results
AYA Soulful Dining
Located steps from the Legacy Sites and overlooking the Montgomery skyline, AYA is where warmth and reverence meet bold, soulful flavor.
Dining in Montgomery | AYA Restaurant near the Legacy Sites
600 Montgomery Street Montgomery, AL 36104 United States. a table with … AYA Soulful Dining. Aya’s menu offers creative takes on traditional flavors …
Book Your AYA Reservation Now on Resy
AYA – Soulful Dining is a new restaurant experience in Montgomery, Alabama, located inside the Elevation Convening Center & Hotel and connected to the Equal …
Reviews
Michelle Peterson
Overall the food was good. The ambiance and aesthetics were top tier. My husband had the Chicken and Cornbread waffle. He gives it a 6.5/10. The waffle was the best he said. The side of salmon croquettes were delicious. I had the steak and sweet potato hash. It was good. The steak was too done for me and I had to send it back twice. The third time’s a charm. I will definitely go back. The hostess Fatima was great and our waitress Quinn was awesome ‼️
… moremichelle cuenco
This was our last stop for my sister’s visit and it did not disappoint. Beautiful decor over looking the soon to open 4th Legacy memorial. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable about the menu giving helpful suggestions. The food was fresh, fast and flavorful! My plans are to complete the entire menu because I have no doubt it too will be amazing. Thank you to the Chef and entire staff for up the dinning game her in MG. Blessings to you all & keep up the fantastic work!
… moreJohnlee Fromnineteeneightythree
I had breakfast at AYA Soulful Dining and the experience was intentional from start to finish. This wasn’t just about food — it was about execution, balance, and care.
The greens carried depth without needing meat. The grits were a proper foundation for the poached eggs, greens, and hot sauce to fellowship with — prepared the way they’re supposed to be, not overworked, not overseasoned. The salmon croquette was soft, fried right, and clean in flavor. The whole wings were tender with no shortcuts taken. And the sweet cornbread waffle paired with the sweet potato praline butter added creativity without going overboard.
Service mattered here. Attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely present. The cost reflected the quality, the portioning, and the atmosphere. This is elevated soulful dining done with confidence.
I would absolutely return.
… moreThe greens carried depth without needing meat. The grits were a proper foundation for the poached eggs, greens, and hot sauce to fellowship with — prepared the way they’re supposed to be, not overworked, not overseasoned. The salmon croquette was soft, fried right, and clean in flavor. The whole wings were tender with no shortcuts taken. And the sweet cornbread waffle paired with the sweet potato praline butter added creativity without going overboard.
Service mattered here. Attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely present. The cost reflected the quality, the portioning, and the atmosphere. This is elevated soulful dining done with confidence.
I would absolutely return.
Miranda Young
AYA Soulful Dining in Montgomery, AL is a must-try!
I stopped in for lunch and ordered the Nashville Fish entrée—absolutely delicious! The fish was perfectly seasoned with just the right kick of heat, cooked beautifully, and paired well with the sides. You can truly taste the love and soul in the food.
The atmosphere was welcoming, and the service made the experience even better. If you go, definitely ask for Quintorian—excellent customer service, attentive, and made sure everything was just right.
I’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend!❣️
… moreI stopped in for lunch and ordered the Nashville Fish entrée—absolutely delicious! The fish was perfectly seasoned with just the right kick of heat, cooked beautifully, and paired well with the sides. You can truly taste the love and soul in the food.
The atmosphere was welcoming, and the service made the experience even better. If you go, definitely ask for Quintorian—excellent customer service, attentive, and made sure everything was just right.
I’ll definitely be back. Highly recommend!❣️
Coretta JG
Give the newly opened AYA a try! Really thoughtful, very attractive decor, artwork and music created a welcoming setting straight out of architectural digest. The service was quite friendly and helpful. The warm, buttery, flaky Edna’s biscuits with apple, apricot and sorghum spreads are a delicious star appetizer!
We enjoyed the roasted chicken. It was large, tender and well paired with the delicious sauce accompaniment. The rice had some unexpected crunch that I didn’t prefer. It reminded us of couscous. Now, those greens did not represent southern cooking well at all & need major seasoning and a savory pot liquor.
The shrimp and grit fritters dish was large with a tasty sauce that we finished. We enjoyed the presentation of the blueberry Arnold Palmers and added some water, as it is very sweet.
Everything on the salmon croquettes plate looked good but needed seasoning, as did the sweet potato hash. I would also prefer larger croquettes compared to the generous amount of eggs and grits. Overall we enjoyed our experience, we support the museum and will definitely return!
… moreWe enjoyed the roasted chicken. It was large, tender and well paired with the delicious sauce accompaniment. The rice had some unexpected crunch that I didn’t prefer. It reminded us of couscous. Now, those greens did not represent southern cooking well at all & need major seasoning and a savory pot liquor.
The shrimp and grit fritters dish was large with a tasty sauce that we finished. We enjoyed the presentation of the blueberry Arnold Palmers and added some water, as it is very sweet.
Everything on the salmon croquettes plate looked good but needed seasoning, as did the sweet potato hash. I would also prefer larger croquettes compared to the generous amount of eggs and grits. Overall we enjoyed our experience, we support the museum and will definitely return!
Lasandra Tucker
A Soulful Masterpiece in Montgomery!
Aya Soulful Dining is exactly what Montgomery needed. We visited for brunch, and from the moment we walked in, the experience was nothing short of magnificent!
✨The Highlights
✅Exceptional Service: Our server, Znaiya, was the highlight of our visit! She has such a pleasant spirit and provided the kind of warm, genuine hospitality that is hard to find. She made our entire party feel special.
✅The Atmosphere: The ambiance is sophisticated and beautiful yet inviting.
✅Innovative Flavors: Every single person in our party raved about their dish. It is such a unique, elevated take on soulful cuisine; you can tell there is incredible talent in the kitchen.
We loved every minute of our time here! I am already planning my next visit and can’t wait to bring new guests along to experience this treasure. Ask for Znaiya if you want the best service in town! ❤️
… moreAya Soulful Dining is exactly what Montgomery needed. We visited for brunch, and from the moment we walked in, the experience was nothing short of magnificent!
✨The Highlights
✅Exceptional Service: Our server, Znaiya, was the highlight of our visit! She has such a pleasant spirit and provided the kind of warm, genuine hospitality that is hard to find. She made our entire party feel special.
✅The Atmosphere: The ambiance is sophisticated and beautiful yet inviting.
✅Innovative Flavors: Every single person in our party raved about their dish. It is such a unique, elevated take on soulful cuisine; you can tell there is incredible talent in the kitchen.
We loved every minute of our time here! I am already planning my next visit and can’t wait to bring new guests along to experience this treasure. Ask for Znaiya if you want the best service in town! ❤️
Biff Moyer
We had a very nice dinner experience at Aya soulful dining. We had a slight unfortunate long wait for our server, but this restaurant is new and they are still dialing in things. Hostess Fatima made it all right though, and when we did order the dinners came out pretty fast and they were nice and hot. I went with the shrimp and hush puppies with creole Conucah sausage gravy (which is the local spicy sausage here named for the indigenous Indian tribe.. and t was great, as was the side of smoked collard greens and my wife’s fried catfish main over grits and greens. This place truly is dishing out excellent soul food and we saw a very large party that looked like they had a ton of great food in front of them. If ever I’m in Montgomery again I will come to this place again. Recommended.
… moreWhimsical B
Beautiful restaurant with great service. Very allergy-friendly. Definitely an asset to Montgomery. We had a party of 7, and Amandaaaaa from Chicago, our waiter, was 10/10! With that being said…
As far as food? OVERPRICED, undercooked, and a MAJOR lack of seasoning. The rice was undercooked and crunchy on both smothered chicken plates. We had to send both sides back. The charred items on the vegan dish were giving “regular unleaded 87” and the beans were undercooked. We tried a variety of food : 3 of the appetizers including Ms.Ednas Biscuits…which definitely are not your Big Mama’s…..( I’m not sure who Ms.Edna is or who she’s making biscuits for) The short ribs, shrimp and grits, chicken dishes, and even the vegan BBQ mushrooms with sweet potato caramel “cake” (now, y’all know that’s a burntt cornbread muffin), and the strawberry and cream trifle.
Anywho, the vibes were immaculate, and the attached museum was a great way to end our night.
… moreAs far as food? OVERPRICED, undercooked, and a MAJOR lack of seasoning. The rice was undercooked and crunchy on both smothered chicken plates. We had to send both sides back. The charred items on the vegan dish were giving “regular unleaded 87” and the beans were undercooked. We tried a variety of food : 3 of the appetizers including Ms.Ednas Biscuits…which definitely are not your Big Mama’s…..( I’m not sure who Ms.Edna is or who she’s making biscuits for) The short ribs, shrimp and grits, chicken dishes, and even the vegan BBQ mushrooms with sweet potato caramel “cake” (now, y’all know that’s a burntt cornbread muffin), and the strawberry and cream trifle.
Anywho, the vibes were immaculate, and the attached museum was a great way to end our night.
Chris Schaefer
This beautiful restaurant is nested in a beautiful hotel!! I was with a group from Jacksonville Florida visiting Montgomery, Al. We were referred to this restaurant by a local. It was delicious!! I had “Nannas chicken sandwich” it was one of the best chicken pieces I’ve ever had!! I had “an apple a day” off the cocktail menu, delicious perfect for this time of the season. Highly recommend this place! Staff was kind and on it everytime we needed something.
… moreWanda Scott
Let me start with I made reservations a week in advance. My party and I arrived on time and we were seated right away. Our waitress took our orders. We ordered drinks to start, and that took quite some time to receive. The runners/table attendants ask at least three different times “how was everything?” At this point we had only received the appetizers (Ednà’s biscuits),wine and water.
Now 35 minutes into the wait time since we had placed our orders. This doesn’t include the time it took to get the appetizer, wine and water. And of course, we let it be known we are hungry and just waiting on the food. We waited at least another 15 minutes and finally we got our food. I didn’t understand why make RSVP, arrive at the beginning of open hours and the food not be ready to serve the guest. It took at least an hour or close to it. This must improve. An immediate adjustment more servers bringing the food out, instead of runners asking how’s everything-when there’s no food. This is just a suggestion.
I ordered the short ribs and a side dish the braised greens. This was extremely overpriced. The taste was ok. Of course, it is sad to order a dish on the menu for 32.00 and only get meat and two thick slices of bread, and the all of the sides are a la cart. The sides are definitely overpriced for the portion. To say the least I will not be returning and neither will my guests. I think to continue to make the Resy’s list and stay there – there must be work on the taste, timeliness, and the cost that should accommodate the food that is being served. It (the food) was just ok.
The atmosphere was king!!! Cleanliness excellent, service by the waitress and runners was magnificent! They were very attentive. The plating and presentation of the food was great! You must work on getting the food out and the make the cost make sense when ordering. I’m ok w/paying everything every time, but everything has to make sense.
… moreNow 35 minutes into the wait time since we had placed our orders. This doesn’t include the time it took to get the appetizer, wine and water. And of course, we let it be known we are hungry and just waiting on the food. We waited at least another 15 minutes and finally we got our food. I didn’t understand why make RSVP, arrive at the beginning of open hours and the food not be ready to serve the guest. It took at least an hour or close to it. This must improve. An immediate adjustment more servers bringing the food out, instead of runners asking how’s everything-when there’s no food. This is just a suggestion.
I ordered the short ribs and a side dish the braised greens. This was extremely overpriced. The taste was ok. Of course, it is sad to order a dish on the menu for 32.00 and only get meat and two thick slices of bread, and the all of the sides are a la cart. The sides are definitely overpriced for the portion. To say the least I will not be returning and neither will my guests. I think to continue to make the Resy’s list and stay there – there must be work on the taste, timeliness, and the cost that should accommodate the food that is being served. It (the food) was just ok.
The atmosphere was king!!! Cleanliness excellent, service by the waitress and runners was magnificent! They were very attentive. The plating and presentation of the food was great! You must work on getting the food out and the make the cost make sense when ordering. I’m ok w/paying everything every time, but everything has to make sense.