If you like tasty Oriental food served in exotic surroundings then you’re sure to love MayaBay Monaco. This luxurious eatery has two restaurants, one specialized in Thai cuisine and the other in Japanese food. Located on upmarket Avenue Princesse Grace, a largely residential area of Monaco, it’s a great place to take someone that you want to impress.
MayaBay Monaco Review
The decor at Maya Bay Monte Carlo wowed us from the moment we stepped inside. Rich hues of red and black with low lighting set the scene, transporting us far away.
MayaBay Wine Selection
We were warmly greeted and taken through to the Thai restaurant with its comfortable banquette seating.
The knowledgeable sommelier recommended a wine that would not overpower our food, Le Bel Ouvrage Savennières Damien Laureau 2011. As you can see, it’s a rather handsome bottle and the contents lived up to the presentation.
Damien is experimenting with harvesting just when the grapes turn yellow, rather than when green as is traditional with the Savennières region of the Loire valley. The result is a great balance of acidity, length and richness.
MayaBay Food
This popular Monte Carlo restaurant has won quite a few accolades including the coveted Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence. Heading up the kitchen is Christophe Dupuy, a talented young French chef who has successfully combined contemporary and traditional Asian cuisine here.
The team assisting him are all from Thailand. We started our meal with some fantastic appetizers.
Po pia pack are large vegetable Spring rolls filled with a fragrant julienne of vegetables, whilst gai tod was a succulent fried chicken, coated in a flavourful marinade of lemon, kaffir leaves and coriander seeds.
Yet there were more starters to enjoy, including tom yam kung, a spicy shrimp soup. Infused with lemongrass, this is probably the most popular soup in Thailand.
Fresh corn and galangal give it a unique spicy taste. Roti bread is something that you might associate more with India than Thailand and is an unleavened bread that is cooked in a frying pan then baked.
It makes a great accompaniment to all the Thai dishes. One of our favourite starters was the mixed dim sum, a wonderful selection of scallop, prawns, smoked clam and seafood dumplings.
Next up was an unusual bream salad or yam pla, whose delicate flavour was enhanced by the addition of fresh mint and broccoli. The homard sauce prik prao was a true highlight.
The exquisite lobster was complemented by green beans, peppers and mushrooms, all cooked to perfection.
We also enjoyed a moreish nua pack o lapa – sautéed beef with Thai basil. Only the best Charolais beef is used and it’s marinated before being grilled, so is extremely tender.
The Thai basil gives it a particularly lively taste and onion adds texture.
Desserts at MayaBay are just as good, and their pâtisserie chef has successfully blended Asian and European influences. Soufflé au Grand Marnier is a personal favorite and we always pick it when we see it on a menu.
Here it is wonderfully light and the orange flavour of the Grand Marnier came through really well. The most spectacular dish was probably the flambéed Maya sphere.
The blend of dark chocolate casing with a coconut ice cream centre, crispy praline and roasted pineapple chunks couldn’t be bettered…until the maître d’ proceeded to flambé it in coconut flavoured vodka!
We had such a relaxing evening at MayaBay and the resident DJ’s mellow tunes certainly added to the vibe.
The proliferation of buddhas left us feeling very zen. We visited in December, but there’s an exotic garden that we’d certainly love to see, inspired by Chiang Mai in Northern Thailand and designed by Sylvestre Murigneux.
Definitely a good reason to return! MayaBay is a great choice for lunch or dinner whether you are visiting Monaco for a day or longer. We’d definitely return to try their Japanese restaurant!
Are you a fan of Thai cuisine?
MayaBay Monte-Carlo, 24 Av. Princesse Grace, 98000 Monaco
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Ahh food looks delicious!!
Candice | Beauty Candy Loves
Wow the souffle looks epic, what a show-stopper!
SilverSpoon London
OMG how incredible do you look in that red dress, Suze!! The food looks amazing as well. But that dress!
Well it’s Thai in one section and Japanese in another part, I’d definitely like to try the Japanese side next!
I am seriously always jealous of your food 😛 That souffle looks sooo good!
Rachel xx
http://www.thedailyluxe.net
All of the food you ordered looks so delicious! And you look amazing in that red dress!
http://thecourtneydiaries.com
Looks amazing!
Xx,
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Such a lovely couple and delicious food!!!
I’m hat-addictc, I own them all!!!
Kisses, Paola.
Expressyourself
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Yes, I like Thai cuisine. Seeing this really really makes me want to go back to Monaco!!! The setting looks top and so does the food.
PS: I will be in London in March with a blogger friend. Would be great if we could meet for a coffee / drink?
www.luxessed.com
You both look absolutely gorgeous!
http://beautyfollower.blogspot.gr/
Thai cuisine is one of my favourite, it is so tasty! Flambeed maya sphere looks amazing, a great way of serving a dessert!
Ela BellaWorld
From the decor to the dishes, it sounds outstanding! Your description of all the plates from lobster to dim sum had my mouthwatering. P.S. I did not buy the dress in my Vienna shopping post but found many other cool pieces. Thanks for asking!
Http://Leftbankgirl.blogspot.com
I’m a fan of Thai cuisine! Very refreshing but filling at the same time. I love the interiors of the restaurant, indeed a great place to take someone you want to impress!
Yummy these dishes look so good
xo
www.laurajaneatelier.com
I absolutely love the interior decor of the restaurant, it is beautiful and has the Thai feel in it. The food is well presented and it looks very delicious. You are very beautiful on that photo. Next time I go to Thailand I will be sure to visit them!
www.fashionstylemogul.com
Wohoaaa that chocolate bomb like dessert looks amazing. That alone would be worth checking this place out. 🙂
The chocolate dessert looks incredible!! I have only ever seen the outside of this place, will have to check it out next time I am in Monaco!
Ash | Liakada
aaah, when I first saw this, I was really hoping you were going to tell me it was in London but then I saw Monaco! The food sounds amazing and I love East Asian and SE Asian food – will have to taste it vicariously through your post 🙂
That chocolate bomb looks divine with a coconut cream centre. Yum! And I really like your red dress, it looks lovely on you Suze x L
I love Thai but I request to lessen the spice level all the time. 🙂
I love that blue flame in the photo too.
Oh wow, this sounds incredible. I absolutely love thai food but the chocolate bomb looks divine!
Elle
www.theellenextdoor.com
xx
Love Monte Carlo and love the look of this place! Especially the chocolate bomb!
WOW! This food all looks incredible! I am such a fan of thai and japanese food so I am pretty sure I would love this place too! How cool that this little place is in Monaco. Never been but if I ever go, I will be sure to pop by and have dinner here!
Rae | Love from Berlin
What a yummy selection, desserts are often a let down in Asian restaurants from experience but this could be the exception the food looks wonderful Lucy x
Incredible photographs Suze! I love Thai and Japanese food, such inventive dishes with unique and moorish flavours.
The Grand Marnier dessert sounds delicious! I always opt for a Grand Marnier to go alongside my dessert as it always compliments sweet flavours (especially a chocolate based pudding) so nicely.
A mouthwatering read!
You look lovely here also in your red outfit!
Laura www.shehearts.net xx
Sounds and looks fantastic! Thanks for the tip 🙂 Will have to remember this. Have a great weekend!
Christina ♥ https://caliope-couture.com