Kalaya - Philadelphia

I loved everything about this place. I have to go back and then back.

It’s wonderful to have Kalaya back! The food is unique, delicious, and the portions are generous. The owner even commented on our order, saying, “that’s too much food,” and she was absolutely right. We felt very safe while dining there. You order by downloading the menu, making your selections, and then paying efficiently and securely. This is one of our favorite restaurants in Philadelphia. They don't serve water, so you need to purchase a bottle, which is another measure for safety. This might also help keep costs down, but it’s not an issue at all. Just be aware that the dishes can be quite spicy for some, and there’s no adjustment to the spice level—the food is served exactly as the chef intends. If you enjoy bold, unique, and well-prepared dishes, this place is definitely worth a visit!

The outdoor dining experience is spacious, and the personalized social distancing measures are effective. The food is, as always, incredible.

Absolutely excellent dining experience. The food was fresh and perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of spice. The appetizers were well-portioned as well. Although it was a bit pricey, it was worth it. This was my first outdoor dining experience since COVID-19. However, I found the menu app to be somewhat tricky to navigate; it could definitely benefit from clearer instructions. We were seated near the entrance under a window, which was a bit too close to the door where people were entering and exiting. This made the experience somewhat distracting and frustrating. Next time, I would definitely request a different table.

Food was excellent- beautiful presentation and full of flavor. I am a fan of this local establishment and the kindness of the owner when I have encountered her before with take out service. Outdoor dining service was slow/disorganized last night which may be due to adjusting to re-opening, thus will hopefully improve. You have to pay gratuity before receiving the service, which isn’t ideal if the service isn’t on par. I would return again to support this local business.