Eats

Inside MAYA, Manchester’s stunning new three-storey canalside restaurant

Stunning.

Daisy Jackson - 7th March 2024

A luxury three-storey restaurant is set to open in a former warehouse building, right in the heart of Manchester.

MAYA has confirmed it will open this month in the beautiful building that’s also home to the LEVEN lifestyle hotel, on the corner of Canal Street and Chorlton Street.

Diners inside the 20th-century warehouse building will have views down the iconic cobbled street from the ground-floor brasserie, while the main dining room is tucked away below ground level.

The new opening, which was first announced back in 2022, comes from the same team behind Isabel Mayfair.

They want MAYA to provide a new all-day dining experience in Manchester, all the way through to the early hours.

The brasserie will be serving a modern-European menu of classics, in a bright and open space.

Maya is a new restaurant and bar on Canal Street in Manchester. Credit: The Manc Group — Stunning.

But downstairs it’s much more moody, with a menu that changes regularly to show off the best of each season.

There’ll be a secluded and hidden lounge bar below the main dining room too.

The final touches to the site are now taking place ready for its long-awaited opening later this month.

Guests can expect a contract of styles, from bespoke handcrafted furniture from Portugal to disco-inspired neon installations.

MAYA wants to approach its opening with a ‘dinner plus’ concept, where your dining experience evolves into last-night entertainment, with a roster of DJs all week.

The food side of things is all headed up by Mancunian chef Gabe Lea, whose CV includes Michelin-starred Le Manoir and The French at the Midland Hotel.

The brand itself is the creation of Scottie Bhattarai who, alongside MAYA, is the CEO of Isabel Mayfair and its sister brands. Bhattarai has previously led restaurant brands in the Soho House stable, as well as taking Petersham Nurseries to Michelin-starred recognition.

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Scottie said: “The term ‘iconic’ is often overused, but the location of Maya can truly claim the label. As we eagerly anticipate its spring opening, we aim to write a fresh new chapter for the city’s vibrant and wonderful hospitality scene.

“The team’s ongoing work over the past 18 months is to be applauded; the care and craft that has gone into ensuring every part of what will make MAYA unique is something that I am incredibly proud of.”

Joshua Senior, CEO & Co-Founder, LEVEN added: ”Myself and the LEVEN team are delighted to be joined by Maya in our iconic, heritage building here in Manchester’s Village neighbourhood.

“The opening will offer our guests and locals alike a brand new dining experience – whether that be a canal-side lunch for two, or an all-night-long celebration with friends – Maya’s unique spaces will mean guests can enjoy things on their terms, a perfect fit with our ethos here at LEVEN.”

Bookings for MAYA in Manchester are now open ahead of its official launch on 30 March.

Featured Images – Supplied/The Manc Group