Fusion restaurant Mayabay brings together influences from Thai and Japanese cuisines to create its unique and innovative menus. Although this site finds its home in Jumeirah Al Naseem’s beautiful turtle lagoon, Mayabay was originally founded in Monaco in 2005 where it quickly attained a reputation for being one of the best restaurants in the area. It’s actually inspired by the Thai island that was also the location for the film ‘The Beach’ starring Leonardo Di Caprio. Now, it’s bringing refined Asian dining from Monaco to Dubai.
Head chef Shane Mac Neill has devised a menu of Thai and Japanese classics executed with a contemporary flourish – think Japanese tempura, sushi, Thai curries, salads and other signature dishes. There’s a large section of the menu dedicated to sushi, for example, from nigiri to hosomaki, while further on you might find a selection of dim sum and tempura dishes. Look out for things like smoked scallop, chicken and carrot dumplings, soft shell crab tempura and duck spring rolls. Elsewhere, curries and robata grills offer more robust dining options, from red and green curries to black cod with miso and honey.
The drinks at Mayabay are an integral part of the dining experience with a lean towards signature cocktails inspired by the elements (fire, water, air and earth). Try the MayaBay Kurashikku made with lemongrass, citrus, kaffir aroma and gin, or the Shoga Fizu featuring gin, marinated ginger, yuzu and quinine. Elsewhere, diners can choose from a carefully-curated wine list, as well as a sake and tea selection designed to perfectly complement its various Asian dishes.
MayBay is located inside the luxury hotel Jumeirah Al Naseem where it boasts opulent red and gold interiors, dramatic chandeliers and views over the beautiful Turtle Lagoon.