BysairaFOOD & DRINKSAugust, 2026

MAYABAY OFFERS A STYLISH SETTING AND A MENU ROOTED IN TRADITIONAL ASIAN CUISINE

Modernity meets tradition at MayaBay in Jumeirah Al Naseem.

Drawing inspiration from the dreamy island destination in Thailand, MayaBay is one of the most famous restaurants in the French Riviera. Originating from Monaco, it is defined by its unique interpretation of Thai and Japanese cuisines and its Dubai outpost offers an exquisite meal in the most serene setting.

Perfectly nestled in Jumeirah Al Naseem’s beautiful turtle lagoon, MayaBay Dubai brings a refined perspective towards Asian dining from the heart of Monaco to Dubai. The decor is the perfect balance of tradition meets modernity. Inside one can’t help but marvel at the wood furnishings and the well curated decor-from the dazzling chandeliers to the beautifully crafted kokeshi dolls on display, every detail has been meticulously thought out to create a warm and elegant atmosphere. The views of course are unmatched, with the Burj Al Arab towering in the background and the turtles swimming at arm’s length from the tables.

The set tasting menu makes ordering easy, and we settled on a mixed array of starters. The delicate mushroom and truffle dumplings are a delightful opener, while the chef-curated nigiri selection of Hamachi, Toro and Akami is beautifully fresh and artfully plated. For an extra kick, the shredded chicken with grilled corn, salad and coconut shavings is another standout.

Among the mains, the highlight was the fragrant Green Chicken Curry, made with Thai vegetables, homemade curry paste and cracked coconut cream. Lighter than its red counterpart, it has a medium-spiced kick with just the right balance of salty and sweet.

The wok-fried prawns and vegetables with oyster sauce and Thai basil are cooked just right, rich in flavour and seriously moreish.

The signature Black Cod with miso sauce melts in the mouth with a rich hit of umami, paired with crunchy wok vegetables on the side.

Leave space for dessert. The Pandan Milk Sponge Cake with lemongrass ice cream is an absolute crowd-pleaser, while the Fresh Mango Sticky Rice is ideal for those without much of a sweet tooth. The showstopper, however, is the Maya Sphere 2026, a dark chocolate shell filled with chocolate ice cream mousse, served with vanilla ice cream and crispy chocolate caramel pearls.