Kaya

We came to Kaya when the snow was initially shutting the city down, we took the bus down to the Strip for a trip to somewhere warmer. Because of the weather, they were understaffed and offered a seat at the bar, which we took gratefully. The staff, under stress, was still stellar. The happy hour drinks are delicious and worth the visit. The wings are just as good as everyone says. The fish was delicate and well balanced. I loved this meal, and I hope to come back to Kaya for a more regular, extended experience.

Finally came here for Galentine’s with my friends and we were thoroughly pleased! The restaurant accommodated my call in reservation after explaining my online glitch when using Open Table. Since it was our first time, our waiter made sure to check on us often and give us recommendations to point us in the right direction. I ordered the smoked piña colada and let me tell you it was strong but tasty! It was well worth the price, I enjoy places that offer drinks that will give you a buzz but still have a good flavor to them. Next, for appetizers I ordered the Queso Chorizo Fondito, definitely mix it up before dipping in to it for ultimate flavor because I didn’t realize the chorizo and caramelized onions, etc were on the bottom. For my entree I ordered the grilled mahi mahi tacos and I see why my mom loves it so much! Some of my friends got the jerk chicken sandwich and thought it was really good, especially the following day! We definitely will be coming back to try more.

I walked by this place when I was visiting and the food I saw at the outdoor tables made me stop in for lunch! The atmosphere is fun and the service is great! Absolutely amazing food. The jerk wings were Incredible. Dry rub with a spicy, tangy sauce drizzled on top and they came out as hot and fresh as can be. I also got the rainbow salad, which was filled with fresh ingredients. The salmon had a light char and remained medium and flakey inside. Definitely recommend.

We were able to get a seat around 7pm without reservations, but it picked up significantly after we sat down. Service was wonderful, lots of great cocktail options, I had a very unique but delicious dark and stormy, it had apple butter in it, which was surprisingly delicious! My husband had a spicy margarita that was very spicy but well balanced with the cucumber. The conch fritters were so shockingly good! I wouldn't have expected a restaurant on the strip in pittsburgh to have such good ones. The cuban was good, not the best we've had, but still really good. It could have used more pickle and more meat. The only thing we would change is the fries, I'm not sure if it was an off night, but they were really crunchy and little flavor. Also, the tables are just really close together, so it was hard to talk and not listen to the tables next to us, I think most nights it would be fine, we just had a loud couple with interesting stories next to us. That being said, the inside is beautiful and well decorated, very fun and inviting atmosphere.

Originally, I had planned to dine somewhere else in the strip district, but given the lack of vegetarian options there we decided to come here at the last minute. It was a Monday night, and yet the restaurant was fully booked and we had to sit at the bar to order food, which tells me that they are pretty popular with the Diners. The theme is supposed to be Caribbean, but I found the menu to be overall American and Caribbean plus Mexican. We started with the queso and chips. Originally it comes with chorizo, but since I had a vegetarian Friend, we asked for the chorizo to be removed, and they were pretty gracious to do that. The dip itself was great, but the chips felt like they were bought from trader Joe’s. My friend had cocktails as well and they liked it. For our entres, I got the jerk chicken, which seems to be one of the specialities. My other friend got a jerk chicken sandwich, and another friend got the vegetarian sandwich. They liked the dishes. By half chicken came with a side of avocados and tomatoes, and other stuff, and it was pretty salady. The chicken itself was extremely well cooked and extremely choosy. However, the jerk flavour could have been a little more amplified. Overall not a bad dish. However, none of the dishes were memorable for me, and I don’t know if I’ll be back here again for dinner.

The conch fritter has a Taiwanese hint. I like it. The mahi mahi taco is great and well-balanced in flavor. The food is much better when they are hot. Don't make food come together. I won't say it's authentic but the dishes are delicious.

Excellent “pan-Hispanic” fusion food. Their menu is a mix of Caribbean, Mexican, and Spanish food. I loved the conch fritters, which were like a cross between takoyaki and kakiage: crispy craggy exterior with browned crunchy vegetable bits, moist and mushy interior contrasted against the chewy conch. Great dipping sauce too.

Very enjoyable first dinner in Pittsburgh. Everyone tells you to go tot he strip district for food - that’s definitely the move. We stumbled upon Kaya and despite not having a reservation, they kindly seated us quickly at the bar (which I generally prefer anyways). The night included a perfect passion fruit margarita, queso with chorizo, a Cuban, and crispy fish tacos. The crispy fish tacos were surprisingly the largest volume of tacos I’ve ever gotten and they were delicious. Everything else was scrumptious as well. Really enjoyed the experience at Kaya.

I've enjoyed eating at Kaya for 25 years. I've honestly never had a bad meal. I worked a back to back shift on Saturday and Sunday and was exhausted and starving. I decided to treat myself to some takeout before heading home. I ordered fish tacos, waffle fries and a kaya salad. When I got home and took the food out, I saw that $8 salad was no more than maybe 10 leaves of lettuce and a little cup of dressing. Everything else looked and tasted great. I just felt pretty taken advantage of with that salad and think they need to do better. If you're paying $8, you should get more than 10 leaves. Felt like a rip off. Other than that, food was great as always.

Getting the right balance between classy and casual is something a lot of restaurants try and fail to do, but Kaya has made it look easy for years. I make it down about once a year and they haven't let me down yet. Had our annual lunch + drinks today with a couple friends, and Kaya gave us the perfect setting and great food to go with it. I had the birria Cuban sandwich, which is a beef-centric version of the classic Cuban that comes with a little dish of au-jus style dipping sauce that is freakin' delicious. This is the second time I've had this sandwich and it won't be the last. It's great. One of my friends got the crabcake sandwich which looked amazing. He raved about it. I might have to try that next time. Terrific server - experienced, friendly and on-the-ball without hovering, knew exactly when to ask me if I wanted another beer. :) Kaya's a gem. Not the cheapest, but you get what you pay for. Their excellent food is worth what it costs. (Full disclosure: I wasn't the one who paid for lunch today!)

I made a reservation for fried chicken night yesterday for the four of us at 6pm. I accidentally got there about a half hour early and they were nice enough to seat me because our table was ready. The inside is really dark so beware. There's a long bar and a good amount of tables available. The bathrooms are downstairs and the first step down is a little precarious. The fried chicken we got was excellent. It was juicy and flavorful and the Nashville hot was actually not. I'm not sure as to why we got two tortillas and the coleslaw wasn't my favorite but the mashed potatoes with gravy were good and I wish we had a bigger portion of them!

This was our first time at Kaya and we really enjoyed our experience! We had reservations but had to wait about ten minutes to get seated. We did not mind, and we got a drink at the bar. We ordered conch fritters for an appetizer...amazing choice! I then tried to order a Cuban with no cheese but I was told that could not happen??? I was very confused why it couldn't. If it was premade they could just pick it off, and I highly doubt they would already have been in the press and just wait for someone to order one...who knows? I ended up ordering the chicken sandwich, which was really good, with fries, and my husband ordered the fish tacos. After drinking several beers and having an appetizer, he did not even finish them! We did think it was odd that they came with no side but the sandwiches did.

Kaya is a great spot for Caribbean inspired comfort foods like jerk chicken and fried fishes. They also do a great tropical paella which has chicken, chorizo, and the typical seafood (scallop, mussels, shrimp). Coming from someone who doesn't really tolerate spices - it definitely has a kick to it. The bean dip is a great starter for the table. I couldn't get enough of it! They use to have an amazing mango buratta appetizer, and I hope they bring that back one day. Overall the food is good. The service was just okay. We also got some cocktails but the drinks seemed slightly diluted.

Rainbow salad followed by the crabcake sandwich with a side of chowder. Adam was a fantastic server and the vibes are always great at Kaya!

Finally came here for Galentine's with my friends and we were thoroughly pleased! The restaurant accommodated my call in reservation after explaining my online glitch when using Open Table. Since it was our first time, our waiter made sure to check on us often and give us recommendations to point us in the right direction. I ordered the smoked piña colada and let me tell you it was strong but tasty! It was well worth the price, I enjoy places that offer drinks that will give you a buzz but still have a good flavor to them. Next, for appetizers I ordered the Queso Chorizo Fondito, definitely mix it up before dipping in to it for ultimate flavor because I didn't realize the chorizo and caramelized onions, etc were on the bottom. For my entree I ordered the grilled mahi mahi tacos and I see why my mom loves it so much! Some of my friends got the jerk chicken sandwich and thought it was really good, especially the following day! We definitely will be coming back to try more.

I would give Kaya a 10/10 no matter the day, time, temperature. 100 degrees out? I'll be there. Wind whipping and rain flying? I have been there, they made our table move inside. When I say I'm committed to this place, I mean it. Their hot bean dip is a requirement. Every meal I've ever had here has been accompanied by the dip. One of my favorite things about Kaya is their ability to change their menu. Their soups are always incredible and they always have something for the vegetarians. I am a huge fan of their veggie-Cuban, chile-rellenos, corn and lentil beignets, and tacos. Their fried avocado tacos are phenomenal but my favorite hack is that you can replace the protein in any of their tacos with crispy tofu! Whether it's for drinks, apps, or scarf-down meals: Kaya is always one of my top recommendations.

Stopped in here for appetizers and cocktails with a friend recently! We didn't do reservations and just sat at the bar. It was crowded but it was nice to get a seat. The crispy tofu was delicious. We also had the guac with pineapples which was also very good and refreshing. I tried their spicy marg and a red sangria and both drinks were good. Will be back for dinner for sure

Kaya was a great for lunch in The Strip District. Kaya has a flavorful menu that accommodates vegans and non vegans. The restaurant is conveniently located on The Strip and easy to access. The staff were friendly and attentive. Kaya has a had Caribbean decor and accents around the restaurant. They offered both indoor and outdoor seating. The pineapple mango tomatillos salsa was a light and tangy start to the meal. The crispy tofu was slight spicy and sweet and a very generous portion. Both chicken sandwiches were cooked well and tasty. Waffle fries are always awesome! The dining room seemed very busy for a Sunday afternoon. We would stop by again next time we are in town.

Stopped here for dinner on a whim one weekend. We sat at the bar because we had no reservation and they were packed. The bartender/waiter was grumpy but the couple seated next to us was extremely friendly. We had a few drinks which were delicious! Ordered the half jerk chicken which was in no way half of a chicken. It also was not "jerk", hardly had any spice whatsoever. I will say it was delicious, for me the fresh vegetables elevated the dish. The menu had a good amount of options. Not pictured were the corn and lentil beignets which were 10/10.

Honestly not sold on the birria sandwich that I've seen all over instagram reels. However, my friend's miami salad with shrimp was delicious, and the queso was good. The vibe inside was really nice (albeit a bit dark), and it was overall a nice experience.

Tried this spot on a whim after my sister recommended it and I was delighted by this place! Outside the place is nothing special (which is normal), but upon walking in you're greeted by decor from another world. It's genuinely beautiful to see! The ambiance is moody and dark, and really gets you in the mood to eat some good food. We were seated quickly despite it being dinner time and having no reservations, so I was really glad the waitress could accommodate us. Drinks are a bit of a hit or miss. I ordered mojito and it was great. My husband ordered a carpihiana and he said his was awful. Food was totally great though. Husband got Jamaican jerk wings and a Birria sandwich. I got tofu and Banh mi, and we shared a tomatillo mango salsa. All of the food was fantastic! My only confusion was the menu seemed a little chaotic lol but it was more funny than critical. I don't usually see a menu that serves Jamaican jerk wings as well as Nashville hot chicken sandwich as well as a birria sandwich. Regardless, highly recommend this place!

I recommend this place anytime somebody comes to visit Pittsburgh and they are in the strip district. Great food choices, amazing drinks and a vibe that fits. The tropical paella is always a go to choice as well as any of their appetizers.

Kaya does it again! I tried something out of my norm yesterday and got the Cuban sandwich. It wasn't a traditional Cuban sandwich by any means (namely, it lacked Cuban bread) but the flavors were still delicious and I love the aioli that came with it. The waffle fries were deliciously seasoned and crispy. Also, happy hour was from 4-6 PM and I got a guava mojito for half off the normal price (around $6). Love love love Kaya and can't wait to go back!

So first, the waitress was not nice. Wasn't mean but was just short and not very friendly which made it uncomfortable to even want to ask for something. It took like 40 minutes to get our food. I ordered the Cuban birria sandwich and it was underwhelming. The consomé was salty but the sandwich felt like it needed flavor so I still dipped it in there. My friend had the jerked chicken and she liked that so she would recommend that dish. Overall, for the price and the food (and service), I do not recommend going.

This was my first time at Kaya and I was quite impressed! I have been to other big burrito restaurants and was surprised this was one! The drinks were unique and I loved my amaretto sour! We ordered the queso and we ate it before I could even get a pic! I enjoyed the fried chicken sandwich and waffle fries! Their chipotle aioli is soooo good! All my other friends enjoyed their food too. Our service was fast (not too fast) and friendly! It was a little dark for my preference and I can't stand appropriated, stereotypical ethnic restaurant menus. Sorry, but this is hardly a "Caribbean" restaurant! But that was on me for thinking it might have anything authentic. Overall I'd give this is B+ and will probably come back!

So highly recommend reservations on a normal day .. but it was soooo cold out today - no issues getting in. Parking is always an issue in the strip but there is a pay lot close by if needed. Our waiter was very friendly. Got our drinks - appetizers and main entry orders. Attentive to check in us to make sure there was nothing we needed. Food was really good. I never had tofu before - and their version is good (watch out for the spicy peppers- they got a kick)! I had the chicken sandwich- really liked. My sister got the chicken and waffle - like but was not a fan of the butter in it ( had a franks red hot taste to it). The steak and eggs - steak perfectly cooked! Really enjoyed our brunch out and Kaya did a great job!

Been to Kaya multiple times - always have a good meal! Got the Kaya Burger and it was delicious! Wouldn't necessarily think a burger would be great from a Caribbean restaurant, but it was really good! Enjoyed the margarita as well. Nice size restaurant with both indoor and outdoor seating. Did not have to worry about parking (took Uber) so can not comment. Everyone enjoyed their meals (tacos and chicken sandwich). Would recommend stopping in!

Delicious! We stopped in for dinner last night around 7:30 and sat at the bar. We started with the corn and lentil beignets. They were seasoned perfectly and served hot and crispy. We ordered a Rainbow and a Miami Salad. I forgot to take photos but they were very tasty and the dressings were perfect. The service was very good.

Found ourselves downtown in strip on Monday afternoon. Had never been to Kaya (which is part of big Burrito Restaurant Group) & popped in for late lunch. Decor is cozy & island themed. (Love the palm barstools. ) our waitress Lisa was friendly & knowledgeable & attentive. The food was delicious & full of flavor. Definitely will be back to try many other menu items.

A great restaurant for vegans and people with allergies! Kaya is a cute and intimate restaurant in the Strip with great options for anyone. I liked the crispy tofu appetizer quite a bit! The sauce it came with was delectable. I wasn't thrilled with the paella or taco entrees--they were just a little bland. But they were very filling nonetheless! Our dessert ice cream trio was a nice way to end the night. We didn't love the service but found our waiter to be prompt when needed.

The menu options were fantastic. I can't wait to go back to try more. Four of us each got something different including sound, appetizer, and dessert. Everything was fantastic. Nice cocktail list. The staff was friendly and engaging. We sat outside which was perfect on an early Autumn evening. The place isn't huge so reservations are highly recommended.

Kaya is a tried and true favorite for me. The atmosphere is cozy and the staff is so friendly. I recently sat outside for the first time and I also enjoyed their outdoor space! I don't always drink at Kaya, but when I do I go for a mojito. They're delicious and not too sweet for me. I love that their menu has options for all diets, including vegan options. On this last trip, a friend and I decided to order several apps to share. The chickpea chili and crispy tofu were easily my favorites. The beignets were yummy but the sauce was a little spicy for my taste. Overall, one of my favorite places to eat in Pittsburgh!

This place was great! My partner and I stopped in for dinner and it was packed but we were able to squeeze in at the bar. The bartender was great and very on top of things even though she was definitely slammed. We had the pineapple mango salsa to start which was delicious. I had the Original Cuban and my partner had the Grilled Jerk Chicken Torta. Both were excellent and the waffle fries were also excellent. Looking at some of the other dishes around us... everything looked good. Can't wait to go back!

Made my much anticipated return to Kaya this evening! Started with the queso appetizer that everyone at the table enjoyed! (look at that cheese pull!!) I had the mussels as my meal. Others enjoyed the tropical paella and fish tacos! Will definitely be back again. My only complaint would be that our server seemed pretty uninterested in being our server, but I can overlook that for the food!

Oh gosh, I don't think 5 stars is enough. The front desk person at our hotel recommended this place to us and she was spot on! We went in for Sunday brunch and the place was packed but we only had about a 20 minute wait. The restaurant is bigger than it looks. It was a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere even with it being so busy. Our waiter was very friendly and also just... chill. I was looking forward to a bloody mary and this is one of the best I've had in a long time- even living in Los Angeles. It was spicy in the best way. Ha! After that, really it was all just gilding the lily but it was very gilded. Our food was delicious- we both ordered from the brunch menu. Even though we wanted to try at least half the menu! I wish I lived closer so I could try it all. I will definitely return if I am in the area again. Highly recommend!

I love this place. I almost always get the Rainbow Salad, which offers a fresh burst of flavors and every bite is a little different from the last. This trip my plus one got the salad. I sprung for the seasonal vegetable paella because I am a sucker for Brussels sprouts, which was one of the listed ingredients. It was delicious, but I would have been even happier about it if there had been more Brussels sprouts. The other veggies (sweet potatoes, broccoli, carrots) were much more noticeable. The service was great, as usual.

It's been a few years since I've gone to kaya & I Loved having it lunch today. The steak tacos were phenomenal & it's only been a few hours and I want more. The shrimp were so fresh in the entree. Can't wait to go back. Great service, great lighting!

Kaya continues to be a favorite of ours. Sometimes we get takeout, sometimes we eat there. Sometimes just for food, sometimes for cocktails as well. I do recommend making a reservation, especially if you are going during high traffic times. Often you could walk in and get a table or seats at the bar but I wouldn't count on it. We showed up just a few minutes before our reservation and were seated promptly. Though it was a bit hard walking past the bar. There was definitely a bit of a "rowdy" and loud crowd at the bar and a few of them were standing and blocking the path to walk. We did glance at the menu, though we were fairly sure of what we were going to order. We definitely have our favorites, but have tried some different dishes lately. We start with the corn and lentil beignets which came out nice and hot. They are crispy and flavorful but what really makes them is the green curry dipping sauce, which we usually order an extra of. On a few orders they have forgotten the extra or given us the wrong sauce so we try to double check on takeout orders now but when we got the complete wrong sauce Kaya did make it right. We also split the crispy tofu appetizer. This time the dish ate a bit dry, which isn't typical. This comes with a soy based sauce and then like a spicy aioli. There is definitely some spice to it, especially when you get a larger chunk of the peppers but it is well balanced in flavor. We also had the carrot and Brussels sprouts paella, which is the current vegetarian paella but they rotate the vegetables. It was delicious as always but we both wished there was more Brussels in it, especially as they had nice color and texture to them. We were stuffed so passed on dessert. Our waiter was friendly and attentive. Overall Kaya is a great place to grab dinner or some drinks and appetizers. They have a unique menu with many vegetarian and vegan options. They also have some great cocktails and have brought back some happy hour specials on them.

Shoutout to the bartender/server Alex who was an absolute rockstar. His multi tasking abilities on a busy Saturday afternoon was absolutely impressive. He gets a 5. We were only able to rate our experience from a bar prospective. They told us they could not offer a table unless you had previous reservations on Saturday around 3ish. We took the bar seating option and purchased 2 drinks, jerked wings and queso and chips. Wanted to try the Ceviche so bad but it was sold out. For the food and atmosphere bar experience we are rating our overall experience a 3 which is fair and typical for the offerings from our similar dining experiences.

Kaya is my favorite of the Big Burrito establishments. Everything they serve is flavor-forward and generally artfully presented. It helps that they also have an excellent beer list and cocktail program. We ordered takeout this time, and it was mostly fine but somewhat of a step back from past experience. The rainbow salad was certainly colorful and crisp, but the dressing could have used some additional acidity. The pineapple mango tomatillo salsa was an excellent sweet and sour blend and went well with every other dish we ordered. The tempura avocado banh mi tacos were an excellent concept with good flavor and texture (but somewhat awkwardly shaped avocado pieces). The grilled mahi tacos were fine, but could have been better. The veggie cuban with sliced tofu seemed like an interesting concept, but the reality was very disappointing: it seemed like a griddled hot dog bun with tofu and almost non-existent pickles. It would have benefitted greatly from some more substantial pickles and more mustard. It wasn't bad, it just didn't feel particularly well executed. I'll certainly try this place again in the future, but I also think there are plenty of more exciting options out there.

1st time here. The bread had the perfect crunch to it. Meat very tender. Right amount of onion and cilantro. Consommé was good.

I've been to this place at least 10 times. It has been a true HIT or complete MISS for me. Sadly, today was another miss. Ordered a Cuban. Now my idea of a Cuban is crispy bread with grilled ham and cheese (mustard optional) and a big fat pickle. Well, there was NO pickle and the bread was soggy and limp and the ham was sad. I have really tried this place so many times just to give them another chance and another chance and another chance but I have disappointed. Let me just say this, their KAYA salad with their house dressing is 10 out of 10 !!! It's unfortunate that they miss the mark on so may dishes that could be excellent. Order at your own risk..... it's hit or miss.

I was truly blown away by this place. The company that ones this spot (a local company I believe, Big Burrito) just knows how to manage restaurants the right way because everything they own is just spot on. From the atmosphere and location, to the quality of the food, it's awesome. I tried their birria Cuban sandwich and chocolate banana bread pudding. My first time ever having a cuban sandwich, and I loved it. The bread is crispy on the outside, soft on the inside. The meat is succulent and flavorful. I'm usually not a fan of onions, but these added a nice crunch and sweetness. The meat was a little too fatty for me, but I didn't really mind the extra fat. The flavorful consommé served on the side added a nice dip to the sandwich. The Cuban also came with a side, and I went with the waffle fries. They were fairly standard, but still very good. Greta portion, crispy, salty. Very solid fries. The banana bread pudding was out of this world. This was probably the best dessert I've had in a very long time. The little pieces of chocolate are rich and creamy, the side sweet sauce was delicious too, and it's crispy on the outside while soft in the middle. So, so good. I r ally enjoyed this spot, as I did pretty much any restaurant from Big Burrito. Amazing dessert, and amazing sandwiches. Not sure if it's authentic, but it is delicious. I would recommend.

Very nice Cuban sandwich in a friendly atmosphere. The restaurant features Caribbean cuisine.

This is my favorite restaurant in Pittsburgh. The steak tacos are to die for and so are the fish tacos. Drinks are fantastic as well, and they have a bit of a vegan selection. Ambiance is amazing always and the servers are amazing! I love this place so much.

Lovely Caribbean food in the heart of the Strip District! The restaurant is popping with lively action and have plenty of fun dishes to suit anyone's cravings. I ordered the fruity guacamole with yellow and blue corn tortilla chips to share. I enjoyed the bites of mango and pineapple mixed with the creamy avocado. For my main entree, I got the shrimp pelau. I was pleasantly surprised by how generous the restaurant was with the number of shrimp! The rice had a creamy, nutty coconut sauce that added some nice sweetness. Perfectly garnished with asparagus and cilantro. So delicious. I would definitely order again. I tried bites of the seafood paella and crispy fried tofu. Loved the crispy tofu. Tasted like salt and pepper tofu with a crispy light batter. The seafood paella was savory and enjoyed by my friend. To me, the seafood paella had a strong tomato seasoning/sauce. Parking can be difficult since most spots are street parking. tldr; food 4/5 service 4/5 ambiance 4/5

Wow! We walked in the door 10 minutes before they closed. We didn't do this on purpose...traffic... Cindi was our waitress and she was great! She didn't rush us and was super friendly! She took excellent care of us! The food! Wow!! The Cuban sandwich and the Birria Beef Sandwich were so very delicious!!!!! The beef was the most tender ever! Just the right amount of cilantro and cheese to let the taste of the beef shine! And oh did it!!!!! The fun vibe of the restaurant rounded out our evening perfectly!

How come I never reviewed Kaya?! I loved to Pittsburgh 20 years ago (from Miami) and the food scene was not what it is today. Kaya was, and still is, one of my favorites! I The food is consistently great (fish tacos on serious repeat, hot chicken sandwich, ceviche, fried tofu, etc.). The ambiance is casual and cool, and I love the Caribbean vibe, that brings me back to my roots.

Kaya is a staple in our rotation when we want a nicer than normal meal. My husband and I most recently visited on a Tuesday night and sat at the bar, where you can order the full menu. We ordered the tropical guacamole, the rainbow salad, and the grilled salmon entree to split. The food all came out quickly. The tropical guacamole didn't rise above the sum of its parts - it's guac with pineapple and mango. Good if you like that kind of thing but nothing special. The chips are the same as the Mad Mex chips (they're a part of the same restaurant group) and were slightly stale. For $10 I would have liked an elevated or freshly made chip. The rainbow salad is one of my favorites - it has a ton of ingredients including ton of avocado, jalapeno, chickpeas, tropical fruit, and pickled onions, and it really shines on its own. You can add a protein to it if you want to bulk it out a bit more. Tonight the salad felt slightly underdressed and the lettuce wasn't chopped as small as usual which detracted from the flavor and eating experience, but it's still a solid salad offering. The grilled salmon was amazing - they change the accoutrements seasonally and it's always a banger. This time it was with a cauliflower puree, brussel sprouts, and fried shallots. The quality and cook on the salmon was perfect - and it always is. It's so tender and delicious. If you love salmon, order this! Kaya's vibe is nice while still being unpretentious and informal. They have a big screen playing sports that's tucked away so you can watch if you want but aren't distracted by it if you aren't seeking it out. The servers are always professional and helpful. One other note - they have amazing labeling for vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free items, and a lot to choose from! Much appreciated and great for a group. They do monthly vegetarian/vegan dinners (with optional wine pairings) that are out of this world - those would rank as a 5/5 dining experience in my book.

Excellent wait time, kind waitress, Spanish, Jamaican, Mexican food on the menu! Conch Fritters were excellent. We sat outside on the side street - quiet, and the heater was nice and warm.

My rainbow salad ordered for takeout today was awful. I ordered it with crispy tofu. First there was avocado (that was bad (black!). They obviously put the hot tofu on the salad which caused the lettuce to wilt. When I got home the container was soggy and a lot of water/condensation was pooled in the bottom of the container. I'm chucking the whole thing into the trash. Worse $30 I ever spent on food.

Maybe 4.5 Tuesday afternoon, walking around The Strip in Pittsburgh, stopped in at Kaya. A kind of Caribbean -flavored gastropub. Not drinking, but they had nice selection + Brazilian & exotic martinis. Had some tasty juice combos and mock tails. A conch popover app was perfectly crunchy outside, chock full of conch & moist and tender inside. Shrimp & grits, blackened Jerk chicken sandwich, and Cuban Torte all satisfied. All the tables were taken so we ate at the bar. The bartender was gracious, attentive, and a better waiter than many waiters we've had at white tablecloths. He packed everything leftoverish to go. Even got us little to go cups for ketchup and the chipotle Mayo. A great experience. Hearty reco.

We came to Kaya tonight for dinner with a friend. We choose outdoor seating because it was beautiful outside today. Brian was our server and helped us with recommendations from the menu. I ordered the Birria Cuban Sandwich with a white peach Margarita which then order the Grist house sour. My husband got a chickens sandwich with a classic Margarita and then the grist house sour as well. My friend ordered the Carrot & Cauliflower Paella (I forget her drink she got). Overall, the food was delicious, the restaurant was clean and welcoming. We will be returning. ** the bathrooms were small but cute, never encountered a small bathroom and one sink before lol

Open seven days a week, Kaya is a longstanding restaurant in Pittsburgh's Strip District, that is always reliably great. The atmosphere is immersive with a Caribbean vibe with a cocktail list to complement it. The tropical guac, conch fritters, Cuban sandwich and chicken sandwich are among the solid menu choices.

Pretty decent happy hour here!! They have half off mojitos and their grapefruit basil margarita as well as their drafts. Their mojitos are great and they have flavors like mango and guava. The food is pretty good! The kaya burger is my partner's favorite and it's a big, messy burger. I liked their chicken sandwich a lot. I guess they have fried chicken nights because they know how to do it well! Both came with sides and I wish I got the fries because I got the side salad and it had cheese in it I think. I don't think the menu said that since I wouldn't have ordered it, but I could taste it and couldn't eat it. The side tortilla soup was pretty good too. Really got that kick tho! Didn't expect it to be so spicy. Overall great spot for a quick bite. We got out of there in an hour I think? Maybe less. I had their paella a few years ago during my first visit and I wasn't the biggest fan. I'd go back and try more adventurous dishes since I like the vibe in there and our server was friendly. It was also really busy on a random Tuesday night at 5:30 so definitely make a reservation.

Great spot for a date night! Dim lighting, delicious food, full bar. We tried a few dishes: -Rainbow Salad: This was so colorful! Salads can sometimes be boring at restaurants or provoke a "ha, why would you get a salad when you're dining out?" reaction but this is far from boring. It's colorful, healthy, and delicious. Good even without a protein added. -Tropical Paella: Full of seafood and super delicious! -Jerked Half Chicken: Flavored really well, not too spicy. Chicken was cooked perfectly. Comes with avocado, plantains and tomatoes. Everything was really tasty and the ingredients were fresh. Service was great too. Prices are a little on the higher side so it's good for a special night out.

I've been to Kaya three times and loved it every single time. I've gotten the seafood/tropical paella twice, which has been outstanding both times (5/5). They give you a ton of seafood for the cost of the dish. Members of my dinner party have gotten the rainbow salad twice, once with shrimp and once with tofu, and loved it both times (5/5). The other time, we did the $45/person four course vegan/vegetarian meal, which was a great, unique experience. The service was outstanding the first two times (5/5) but a little slower the most recent time (4/5). The interior of the restaurant is well-decorated, and the sound level is medium. Kaya is one of my favorite Pittsburgh restaurants so far and likely to stay there.