New: Charm All Five Senses At Japanese-Peruvian Restaurant Maaya

Dining here is not only a sensory delight; it’s an interactive experience

First there’s sight: "the decor is textured walls covered with wall gardens of bright green, wooden tables with velvet seating, which covers touch, too. Then there’s taste and smell – the food takes care of that. Finally, sound: think the clinks and sizzles of a top-class kitchen, plus loungey music that steps up the beat later in the evening.

Set to open on Wednesday 13 November, Maaya follows a current trend in Paris: simulating the dinner party. You’ll feel as if you were hosting a (admittedly rather glamorous) party in your home, where guests linger to socialise over drinks. And at the end of dinner service, a song will signal to all diners that the evening is about to move into another gear. Maaya’s owners say it has one main aim: to make guests feel happy, as its signature neon sign states.

THE FOOD IS JAPANESE-PERUVIAN, PLUS A BIT OF BALI

The kitchen is headed up by South African Chef Christeel George, and the menu is Japanese-Peruvian. The two influences mix beautifully. For example, mains include pineapple ceviche with lime-cured tuna, topped with a brûléed salmon mousse served with beetroot rice in a pineapple shell, or chocolate teriyaki steak (250g sirloin or 150g wagyu rib-eye) with seasonal vegetables and sweet potato purée (from R90 to R290). 

Desserts include Was-a-bee cheesecake, a chocolate mousse-filled fortune cookie, sorbet with vodka and the Maaya Show, which includes a platter of desserts and a lavish presentation by multiple staff members (from R70 to R90, or R80pp). 

THE DECOR IS TRENDY AND BIG ON TEXTURE
You won’t miss the heritage building painted bright turquoise on Loop Street. Inside is a double-volume space with textured raw brick walls, some of which are softened with gorgeous greenery and colourful accents. It’s a 70-seater restaurant with a balcony, where you can get comfy in soft pink or deep teal velvet-upholstered chairs, couches and booths. There’s also a spacious and atmospheric bar for guests to gather for pre-drinks before dinner.

Maaya was inspired by the Mayan civilisation and one of the partners’ girlfriend, Maja. “The Maya civilization was always a step ahead,” says co-owner Pierre Guillet, from France. Guillot’s partner is Tanzanian; Shahryar Jaffer. The two met at the prestigious Ecole hôtelière de Lausanne in Switzerland, and they believe that, like the Mayans, this restaurant will be ahead of the curve in this city full of diners. 

MAAYA CAPE TOWN
Address: 168 Loop Street, Cape Town

Contact: +27(0)82 500 5669, info@maayacapetown.com, website 

Hours: Monday–Saturday: 9am–2am

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