Maya Modern Mexican Kitchen and Lounge

Award-winning modern Mexican food at Dubai Marina 20 Reviews

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In a city where Latin restaurants tend to err on either the extravagant or the cheap-and-cheerful, Maya proves high-quality food and service does not have to come with a ridiculously high price tag. Be sure to book a seat on the outside terrace overlooking Le Royal Méridien’s impressive green gardens – the restaurant’s interior is a bit sterile, like a dentist’s surgery, and out of character with warm woods and welcoming atmosphere of its exterior. The exciting and varied menu boasts classics such as sizzling fajitas sit side-by-side with braver dishes such as mole pablano, essentially chicken served in a chocolate sauce (worry not, after an initial cocoa shock, the two contrasting flavours begin to work surprisingly well together). Finish dessert and head to the beautiful lounge area for a margarita. While not exactly a hidden gem, Maya deserves to be talked about in the same breath as Dubai’s best Latin dining experiences.

By Time Out Dubai staff
Time Out Dubai, 22 March 2012

• Previous reviews
  • 26 March,2013- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 23 March,2011- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 29 March,2010- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 17 March,2009- reviewed by Time Out Dubai staff
  • 22 December,2008- reviewed by Daisy Carrington
  • 26 March,2008- reviewed by Jeremy Lawrence
  • 12 March,2007- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff
  • 04 October,2006- reviewed by Time Out Dubai Staff

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Time Out reviews restaurants anonymously and pays for meals. Of course, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or independence of user reviews.

User reviews:

Posted by: JD Drew on 06 Mar ' 13 at 13:31

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

This place is one of the finest best kept secrets in town. Simply amazing ambience, sit outside by the gentle sea breeze only 50 yards away. and the food is to die for. The waitstaff are actually very knoweldgeable and offer suggestions that are helpful. Coming down to the food, it is divine. Be it the pomegranate infused guacomole or the quirkishly small quesadillas or the just right marinated super succulent beef fajitas, you are in for a treat. Complement these with the tamaring margarita or a shot of patron chasing it down with a sip of sangrita, you are in foodie heaven. nuff said!

Posted by: RD on 15 Aug ' 12 at 15:22

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Being Texan and spending a lot of time in Mexico, I can honestly say this place is an oasis in the desert. This amazing experience starts with drinks on the rooftop bar and moves all the way through to dinner in the beautiful outdoor setting. Ruben and his staff understand service and never fail. The food is true Mexican fare and attention to detail is paid to every offering. I do end up craving it. They remember names, drinks, dishes ordered in the past and always serve with a smile. The live band certainly adds to the flair and atmosphere. I can't wait to see what they have done with the renovations when they open back up later this year. Try anything with the mole sauce; you won't be disappointed. Maya is a must try for anyone in Dubai.

Posted by: Madam COCO on 12 Jun ' 12 at 13:19

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

As a Mexican I am very disappointed. Not even tex-mex. The food is just very low quality. The place is pretty but the quality sucked and it's over price for its value. The closes to Mexican in Dubai is Maria Bonita.

Posted by: Harry on 06 Jun ' 12 at 06:40

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Very good DJ, Lovely food and just a fantastic ambience around it! Rooftop bar which is truly mesmorising at Sunset- a must go!

Posted by: saso on 05 Mar ' 12 at 04:10

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

was absolutly good! We love the food the atmosphere, but most of all we love the band, they are excelent! they sing great spanish songs and they can sing very good english as well, we enjoy with our latino friends there.. and definiltely we are going again....

we meet the cheef is very nice person and he sent to us an amazing guacamole!!! bravo is far the better mexican restaurant in Dubai.

Posted by: Moji on 23 Jan ' 12 at 20:03

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: Gustavo on 09 Oct ' 11 at 06:01

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I had the opportunity to meet the Manager and the Chef, and I have to say that they are so good as the food, service and everything.

You have to go to Maya, for me know is a must!....and I'll recommend to my colleagues.

I set as Romantic, but this is best for everything, they have different areas where you can enjoy.

Posted by: LB on 03 Oct ' 11 at 05:01

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

I went at the weekend to celebrate my birthday with my husband. The service was absolutely excellent, with highly trained staff who can answer questions intelligently. Whatever request we made was dealt with courteously and efficiently and they went to great lengths to make sure we had a lovely evening. Congratulations on getting the service just right; it's a rarity in Dubai.

Posted by: TJ on 14 Jun ' 11 at 10:46

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

so here is my story, i havent had mexican food before apart from at the food court here and there, hence not the real mexican food, but i couldnt tell the difference anyways.
I met this girl from Mexico City, she has been travelling around for the past year, hence she hasnt been to Mexico nor had any mexican food for so long, and she missed it so much, therefore i took her to Maya Restaurant in our second date, after doing a proper research for mexican restaurants in the UAE.
She LOVED it, she was very happy with every bit of it. she said the food was as good as it could be, the atmosphere was amazing, service was lovely, music was calming and suitable. the value of the food is as you would expect from a restaurant in such standards at such a location.
Too bad we are not together anymore, but we both were very happy with it. and i would definitely recommend it to everyone, even non-mexicans... especially non-mexicans

Posted by: Sameer on 27 May ' 11 at 07:44

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The experience was marvelous, starting with the soup, nachos, and guacamole the taste is so fresh, and sensational. The fajita was one of the best I ever tasted.
As for the service it is so good we were served by Jayson, who really knows how to take care of a guest.

Posted by: td on 15 Apr ' 11 at 12:38

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

I had really been looking forward to eating here for quite a while, based on previous reviews. Finally was able to go with husband last week. Wow, what a huge disappointment. Perhaps two stars is very generous for rating the food. If you have ever eaten real Mexican food, you will understand that this cannot compare. My husband ordered enchiladas that were impossible to consume, the chicken was of the tough, boiled variety. The cheese was not anything resembling Mexican cheese, and was rubbery. I have to say that my ceviche was pretty good, though not spectacular. The salsa served was not chunky enough, and was bland. Oh, and lastly, the beans served as a side tasted as if they had come straight out of the can. I am usually not that critical of restaurants, but I just could not let this one go.

Posted by: Promila on 03 Jan ' 11 at 19:34

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Pricey but worth visiting on special occasions.

Posted by: Billy on 30 Dec ' 10 at 20:00

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Wow, this is a gem of a restaurant.....wonderful service, wonderful food. We were served by Jaison who gave the best service I have seen for 10 years in the gulf. Views over beautiful lawns. Heaters on outside so not cold. We live in JBR and thought we would give a mexican a try for a change, expecting the usual texmex. Friends said we cook mexican the way we like it at home....completely wrong.. Great and give it a go. I am sure you won't regret it.

Posted by: Louise on 10 Dec ' 10 at 07:07

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

The food and service here is so good that we returned again the same week with some friends. Fajitas are awesome for AED100, wine isn't too expensive, waiters are super attentive. Try book a table outside for maximum enjoyment. The band are excellent too - although not sure if their music could be classed as 'mexican'! The Churros dessert is delicious.

Posted by: Sally-Anne Gerull on 12 Nov ' 10 at 12:29

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

One of the nicest meals I have had in Dubai..modern Mexican..we had the Pink Snapper and the Beef Ribs...both were excellent. Lovely setting overlooking the lawns of the Royal Le Meridien and fabulous attentive staff...we couldnt fault it and we will be back

Posted by: Leonard John Noronha on 21 Jun ' 10 at 07:03

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• Best for: Family friendly
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Coming from Spain and after travelling in Mexico I would say Maya is absolutely a treat . The service is spot on and have noticed that they have
slash the prices which is great.

Posted by: Kilani on 14 Feb ' 10 at 19:49

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

This turned out to be a contemporary mexican fusion restaurant, the starters set the bar but the remaining courses failed to impress. The setting was very relaxing with periods of live music to enhance the mood. The food was a big let down and ultimately overpriced. I do not recommend for food, only for drinks.

Posted by: RJ on 24 Jul ' 09 at 06:20

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• Would you go back to this restaurant? No

Posted by: Faisal Lutfi on 09 Jan ' 09 at 10:18

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• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Not that I have been to many Mexican restaurants ever, this is clearly one of the best mexican restaurants i've ever been to. I mean the guacamole they serve, i could live of that!!! Really remarkable...

Posted by: Mariano on 03 Jan ' 09 at 23:20

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FoodAmbienceValue

• Best for: Romantic
• Would you go back to this restaurant? Yes

Being a mexican it was a real surprise to find this restaurant. This is the closest to mexican food that we have in dubai, not that tex-mex things.
Keep it up!