Bar Maaya | Toronto — Restaurant in Toronto

Bar Maaya. You got me. I finally braved your Wednesday night at 7 pm, and let me tell you, the silence was so profound I could practically hear my own doubts echoing. There were approximately five of us in there, which made the ventilation system feel like the main conversationalist. The hostess, bless her cheerful heart, was a ray of sunshine in the quiet hum. I perched at the bar, battling my inner monologue which was screaming, "RUN! THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!" But curiosity (and a mild fear of looking indecisive) kept me rooted. The menu? Intriguing, if a little like it had been on a culinary world tour and picked up a few too many souvenirs. I bravely ordered the "Saffron Spice" cocktail, which arrived in a goblet fit for royalty (or at least someone who enjoys drinking their feelings in style). It was a decent potion – floral, spicy, but maybe the citrus was feeling a little too enthusiastic. Like that friend who always talks over everyone. Still, a solid 7/10. The food… well, let's just say the fusion was doing its thing. Some dishes felt like they'd been beamed in from down the street, while others were trying to reinvent the culinary wheel. The tuna ceviche was a win, though. Fresh and zesty, it was like a little fiesta in my mouth. The Chicken 65, however, and I say this with the utmost respect, was having an off night. We all have them. Now, the staff. The three bartenders seemed to be engaged in a very intense staring contest with the one other patron at the bar, but they did eventually remember the rest of us existed. Our hostess/server Madonna was her name, was a gem! Attentive, helpful, and she swooped in like a menu-explaining superhero whenever we looked even slightly perplexed. Look, Bar Maaya, you're not perfect. You're like that quirky friend who has potential but sometimes wears socks with sandals. But the staff clearly cares, and there's a spark there. I'll be back, because even though my initial skepticism was strong, you didn't completely disappoint. Just maybe turn down the ventilation a notch and tell the citrus in the "Saffron Spice" to chill out a bit....

Maya is a beautifully designed bar with a lot of charm and character. I loved the overall aesthetic and attention to detail, though some parts of the walls could use a bit of renovation to keep the space looking its best. The bar area itself is stunning, with gorgeous decorations and a cozy atmosphere that draws you in. However, I wasn’t as impressed with the main hall—it felt more functional than inviting compared to the bar.

The highlight of my visit was definitely the saffron cocktail. While it was on the pricier side, it was absolutely worth it. The presentation was top-notch, and the flavor was incredible. On the other hand, I wasn’t a fan of the fried mushrooms—they didn’t quite hit the mark for me.

One standout feature of Maya is the service. It’s easily among the best I’ve experienced in Toronto. The staff was attentive, professional, and made the entire evening feel special.

The one downside was the temperature in the bar. The door was frequently left open, which made it quite chilly, and I noticed other guests were uncomfortable as well. If they address this, it would elevate the experience even further.

Lastly, I want to give a special shoutout to their Swifties menu, which was created for Taylor Swift’s concert in Toronto. It’s such a fun and creative touch that adds personality to the bar.

Overall, Maya left me with a great impression. Despite a couple of minor issues, I’d happily recommend it for its beautiful design, excellent cocktails, and...

We visited this bar after seeing their Instagram and wanting to try their cocktails, but honestly, we were disappointed. The cocktails were mediocre—nothing special. We ordered their “presentation cocktails,” but none of them actually had any presentation. If you’ve been to other cocktail places in Toronto, you wouldn’t waste your time here. Not sure why they have good reviews, as the cocktails were ordinary and unimpressive. They just tried to add some smoke and failed terribly. There are much better cocktail bars in TO that actually deliver on presentation.

The food was the worst we’ve ever had. The shrimp was so spicy that even my friend, who loves spicy food, couldn’t eat it, and nowhere on their menu was this mentioned.

And the fries… oh my god. I want to know how they even served this. Just look at the photo—plain, barely cooked fries with plain mayonnaise. That’s it. They really had the nerve to put this on their menu? What a shame.

The only reason I’m giving 2 stars is because the service wasn’t bad. Everything else, the main things, were terrible.

We’ll never return and will make sure none of our friends do either. We had so many expectations, but this was seriously like a scam.

Lastly, their Christmas decor… just see the picture for yourself. It looks like a child’s...