Experience Turkey and the Mediterranean through wonderful cuisine and drink.

Hosgeldiniz (Welcome) to Aya Sofia ~ View our menu and wine list

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 distinctive, fresh, and healthy. We have many vegetarian dishes as well as 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 a beautiful, full-service bar with a fabulous wine list selected by Sommelier Jill Aboussie. We specialize in small-production wineries from around the world. We also have an impressive list of martinis and beers, both import and domestic. Aya Sofia offers Happy Hour specials Tuesday through Friday 5-7pm. Serefe (Cheers)!

Reservations recommended. Take out available. Book your next private party with us.

Aya Sofia in the news…

• Sauce Magazine Readers' Choice 2008 for Favorite Middle Eastern and Favorite Place for a Date
• Best Mediterranean Restaurant, Alive Magazine Hot List Winner 2007, 2008
  
• Sauce Magazine Reader’s Choice 2007 for Favorite Mediterranean 2nd Place Favorite Middle Eastern, 3rd Place Favorite 1st Date Place, Honorable Mention Favorite Eastern European.
  
• Best Mediterranean Restaurant, Alive Magazine Hot List Winner 2007
  
• Best New Restaurant, Riverfront Times Best of St. Louis Winner 2006
  
• Best Place for a Date, St. Louis Magazine A-List Winner 2006
  
• Named 1 of the 3 Most Romantic Restaurants by Sauce Magazine
  
• Concierge Preferred Business 2007
  
• Winner: 2006 Sauce Magazine Reader's Choice Awards; 2nd Place: Favorite Mediterranean; 3rd Place: Favorite Middle Eastern/Persian; Honorable Mention Tie: Favorite New Restaurant.
  
• Winner: 2006 Riverfront Times Reader's Poll; 4th Place: Favorite Business Lunch; 4th Place: Favorite New Restaurant
  
• Named 1 of the Best New Bars of 2005 by The Post Dispatch
  
• Named Top Five Restaurants to try under the Greek/Mediterranean category in the Post Dispatch Article "Cuisines: Five to try in each category"

“Few restaurants dish out as many majestic platters of goodness as Aya Sofia does on a daily basis” - Rose Martelli, the Riverfront Times

See Aya Sofia articles...

• St. Louis Magazine
• Healthy Planet
• Riverfront Times ~ 1 | 2
• Sauce Magazine
• The Saint Louis Post Dispatch ~ 1 | 2 | 3
• Student Life (Washington University)
• The Arch City Chronicle (.pdf, page 8)
• St. Louis Magazine
• Inside STL

Art…

Artist Amie Schilson has 20 framed photographs from her Turkish series on display at Aya Sofia. These unique images may also be purchased.

A taste of history…

Byzantium. Constantinople. Istanbul ... Aya Sofia.

The name “Aya Sofia” comes from one of the world’s greatest architectural achievements. Aya Sofia was originally created as a Byzantine church. In 1453, the same day that Constantinople became Istanbul, the basilica was transformed into an Ottoman mosque. Aya Sofia was declared a museum in 1935 by Ataturk, the founder of modern Turkey. The museum celebrates its unique role in Byzantine and Ottoman history, as well as its mesh of cultures and religion.

Turkey has an amazing blend of eastern and western cultures combined with ancient and modern influences. A country of many layers ... the Hittites, the Phrygians and Lydians, Cyrus and Alexander the Great, the Romans, early Christians, Islam, the Seljuks, the Crusaders, the Ottomans and the Turkish Republic … Turkey is a culture rich in art, dance, music, literature, poetry, architecture, and culinary excellence.

Questions? Comments?
Send us an email: info@ayasofiacuisine.com

Aya Sofia ... East meets West.
Come and experience the Turkish delight in St. Louis.

~ View our menu and wine list

Hours of Operation:
Happy Hour (in the bar): Tues. to Fri. - 5 to 8 p.m.

Dinner: Tues. to Thurs. - 5 to 10 p.m.
Fri. and Sat - 5 to 11 p.m.
Sun. - 5 to 9 p.m.

Directions to Aya Sofia

(Additional parking is available in the lot across Plainview Street.)