Best Dish: Kaya in the Strip District

Written by Arlo Grey MacFarland

Located in the Strip District at 2000 Smallman St., Kaya serves dishes inspired by the cuisine of the Caribbean, South America, and Pacific Islands. With menu icons such as the Plantain and Sweet Potato Soup, Jamaican Jerk Chicken, and Tropical Paella, Kaya has a variety of flavors for every palette.  The Downtown Neighbors Alliance’s (DNA) Business Director, Kiki Yan, visited Kaya last week to try out some of their signature dishes.

The second restaurant opened by the Big Burrito group, Kaya, opened in 1995 and has been going steady for 30 years! Blending cultural cuisines from the South American region, Kaya offers a relaxed atmosphere for those wanting to socialize and enjoy a flavorful meal.

First up was the crispy fish tacos. With avocado, coleslaw, cilantro, and spicy creme fraiche, the crispy fish taco delivers hearty portion sizes to keep you full.  Then, there was the Kaya Burger. A juicy, southwestern-inspired burger topped with “pickles, avocado, bacon, tomato, Chihuahua cheese, sunny-side egg, and their signature Kaya sauce.” Lastly, there was the tropical paella, a blend of chicken, chorizo, shrimp, scallops, and mussels over vegetables and saffron rice (Kaya menu).

“It was laid back. In cold Pittsburgh, if you want to feel a warm vibe, like being on an island, go to Kaya,” said Yan.

Kaya’s diverse range of fusion cuisine make for a truly individual menu. With a rum and tequila-focused drink menu, Kaya delivers delicious sipping options like the Banana Rum Old Fashioned and the Chai Apple Margarita. Offering nonalcoholic options like mojito mocktails and a house Kaya juice, there really is something for everyone.

To make a reservation at Kaya, you can follow this link here. The restaurant is open daily from 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., with extended hours on weekends.