
Michelin has just added some new additions to its guide, and one restaurant in Manchester has joined the prestigious list. A total of seven new restaurants ranging in destination and dining experiences have been added to the Michelin Guide this month, all of which have impressed the inspectors recently, including new Manchester spot, Maya.
The restaurant which only opened its doors in March this year, is situated in an early 20th-century warehouse building on Chorlton Street in the heart of Manchester’s Gay Village. Maya is led by Mancunian chef Gabe Lea, who has previously worked at Michelin-starred establishments like Le Manoir and Northcote as well as The French at The Midland Hotel.
The Michelin Guide described Maya as “an elegant, beautifully appointed place, with an art deco feel and a large cocktail bar that feels appropriate for an area of the city known for its party scene” and praising the kitchen’s classical skillset such as “a well-made sauce bonne femme to accompany top quality turbot”. Split across three floors with numerous areas, each with its own vibe, Maya aims to take guests from day to night.
From a canal-side brasserie space serving modern-European classics to a lower ground-floor, elegantly designed dining room that centres around an ingredient-led, locally sourced and seasonal menu. Plus, there’s even a subterranean den called The Pump Room that’s strictly no photos and videos.
The Michelin Guide said: “After an 18-month renovation project, the Manchester dining scene has a new member. MAYA’s location is inextricably linked to the city’s nightlife; it sits just round the corner from the bustling Canal Street in the heart of the Gay Village – a core part of Manchester’s party scene – and occupies the basement of a building which was once home to the celebrity-laden Mash and Air nightclub, the rest of which has been converted into the Leven Hotel. The restaurant itself doesn’t disappoint, with skilful, classically based cooking that’s sure to be a hit.”
Maya joins a wide range of Manchester dining venues that already feature in the Michelin Guide including Örme, Erst, Another Hand, Adam Reid at The French and 63 Degrees. You’ll also find Bib Gourmand restaurants Higher Ground, El Gato Negro and The Spärrows, Michelin-star restaurant Mana, affordable spot OSMA and Michelin Green Star restaurant Where The Light Gets In.
Boheme in Chester, NORD in Liverpool and Cuubo in Birmingham were some of the restaurants added to the Michelin Guide this month alongside Maya.