AiYa: Tamil and Indian cuisine on Langstrasse in Zurich
The concept behind AiYA
A new restaurant opened near Limmatplatz in March 2026, bringing the cuisine of northern Tamil Sri Lanka, as well as South and North Indian specialities, to Zurich. Welcome to AiYA on Langstrasse!
Behind the restaurant are Saran and Anitha, who you may already know from Saravanaa Bhavan. With AiYA, they have fulfilled their dream of opening their own restaurant. This is a very personal place for them, as the name AiYA pays tribute to their grandfather and represents family, respect and their roots.
The cuisine is inspired by the Vanni region in northern Sri Lanka, where dishes have evolved over generations and are closely connected to the local food culture. The menu is complemented by South and North Indian specialities.
Everything is prepared with care and traditional techniques, without taking shortcuts. Spices are roasted and ground in-house, curry pastes are freshly prepared, and sauces are slowly cooked. The focus is not simply on making dishes as spicy as possible, but on bringing out the full range of flavours.
Food at AiYA
The menu brings together Tamil and Sri Lankan cuisine with South and North Indian dishes. Expect aromatic curries made with coconut milk, roasted spices and curry leaves, as well as street food favourites and vegetarian options.
One of the highlights is Kottu Roti. For this popular Sri Lankan street food dish, roti is chopped and mixed on a hot griddle with vegetables, egg and spices, with meat or seafood added depending on the variety. The preparation is part of the experience, just as much as the rich flavours on the plate.
There is also plenty to discover when it comes to the side dishes. Puttu, a steamed dish made from rice flour and coconut, and Idiyappam, delicate nests of rice noodles, pair wonderfully with the rich curries.
The menu also features chicken and slow-cooked lamb, fish and prawns, as well as vegetarian and vegan dishes. Spices take centre stage, with coconut, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon and chilli adding depth and layers of flavour.
What I find particularly interesting is that the food is not simply about heat. It is about how the different flavours come together and how the individual spices complement one another. And if you like your food spicy, you can choose your preferred level of heat.
My recommendations at AiYA
I tried several dishes and was particularly impressed by the variety of flavours.
To start, I recommend the Orange Chaat, a fresh, summery salad. If you enjoy chicken, the Chicken Tikka Masala is also worth trying.
For something a little different, go for the Beef Smash Parotta Burger, which combines a classic burger concept with flavours from South Asian cuisine.
My tip for anyone who wants to discover Kottu Roti is to order the Kottu Roti with prawns. I tried it at spice level City Level 1.
And if you still have room for dessert, try the Ilanir Payasam.
For me, AiYA is a lovely new spot on Zurich’s Langstrasse for discovering the flavours of Tamil Sri Lanka alongside South and North Indian specialities. What I particularly like is how much personal history and family tradition lie behind the dishes.
