Nachos, guacamole, fajitas and margaritas all with a modern Mexican twist, yes please. Paired with a proper Mexican party in one of Dubai’s coolest beach locations, get us there pronto. Emirates Woman heard the rumours, so we put Maya to the taste test.
DECOR
Walking into the beachfront building located at Le Royal Meridien Beach Resort, we were greeted by cool beats, a bustling bar, low lit lights and an entourage of staff wearing ear pieces – it felt like we’d just arrived at a cool exclusive party not a hotel restaurant near the beach.
FOOD
First up, cocktails! Temptation nearly got the better of us from the array of flavoured cocktails on offer, but in true Mexican spirit we ordered two traditional margaritas. Served, however, not in a traditional stemmed margarita glass, but in a chunky tumbler. Packed with that fantastic sour twang, it carries a delicate sweetness and the nice zap of salt.
Naturally we started with nachos and guacamole but dared to try the spicy crab guacamole. The freshly mashed avocado arrived with a healthy topping of crab dressed with chilli peppers – clean, tangy and tasty.
To accompany the nachos we also ordered a healthy portion of lip-smackingly good shrimp quesadilla and a duo of ceviche. Next time, we would scrap the ceviche as it arrived cold yet cooked, not in the raw fashion as we know and love.
For the main, we devoured crispy red snapper fish tacos and braised lamb barbacoa served with delicious cilantro rice and crema fresca. The flavours in the succulent lamb were rich and extremely moreish. Although both were filling, we admit that there wasn’t a morsel left on our plates.
WHY BOTHER
Sat on the lower deck of the out-house building of the hotel, we could see the swishing of the palm trees, hear the sound of the waves and smell the wafts of cilantro and grilled meats from the kitchen – we could have been in Mexico, if not for the glimpse of the JBR towers in the near distance.
GO FOR
Incredible Mexican food and cocktails.
THE DETAILS
Maya | Le Royal Meridien Beach and Spa Resort | (04) 3165550
Ladies night is every Sunday between 7pm– 10pm. Ladies receive three free drinks from the Senorita menu.
