Maya Cafe
2726 Sutton Blvd, Maplewood, MO, 63143
Maya Cafe Menu
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Lunch/dinner - Aperitivos
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Sopas Y Ensaladas
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Platos Fuertes
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Platos Sencillos
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Postré
Healthy Meal suggestions for Maya Cafe
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Lunch/dinner - Aperitivos
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Sopas Y Ensaladas
-
Platos Fuertes
-
Platos Sencillos
-
Postré
Visit below restaurant in Maplewood for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Maplewood for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
2726 Sutton Blvd
Maplewood, MO, 63143 - Phone (314) 781-4774
- Website https://www.mayacafestl.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :12:00 pm - 10
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Dinner
Parking : Street
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Full Bar
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Michael K.
The Maya rocks. Great food, great music, great decor and great atmosphere. I recommend the Fish Tacos and the Enchiladas. Both are terrific. They also have a coffee and brown sugar rubbed pork steak at dinner that is amazing. I've been going there for a long time and I have never had a bad meal. Much of the interior art is from local legend Bill Christman, so the place has a fun feel. If you go in the summer, be sure to check out the back deck, which is a 60 foot+ steel fishing boat. Dining while kicking back listening to some great live music on the boat, while enjoying one of their world class margaritas (which I think are the best in town) is the perfect way to spend an evening. They typically have roots-based blues, rock and folk and I'm always surprised at how good the music is, considering it is such a small venue.
(5)Ed E.
Definitely not latin food. It was a funny interpretation using few Hispanic ingredients and imagination. The food was good though, but I'll classify more like fusion-ish. Also, there was a band there (which was setting up and most of the time) but it ended up being really loud. It didn't really bother us since we were on the way out by the time they started. If you don't like loud places though, check to see if they will have live music that day. Also the music wasn't latin either, but why would it be at a fusion-ish place. ;)
(3)Chris M.
The fiance loves their handmade margaritas and I love their Schlafly taps! Not your typical chips & salsa: a homemade blend of diced tomatoes, onions, chilies, vinegar offers a nice change from your average Mexican restaurant. I have been to Maya numerous times and have yet to be disappointed with the food or service. The enchiladas and cerdo en chile verde are great.
(4)Emily P.
Went with a group of girlfriends for an all-evening meal. We had a great time. The food was fabulous. I had the quesadilla de flor de calabaza, which was super tasty with the zucchini and spinach. I added chicken. The chips and salsa make you want to have more and more. Everyone was able to find something they really enjoyed, which is not easy with our group: food allergies, pregnant, vegetarian, gluten-free, etc. Only disappointment was some of the wines came out in tiny glasses. Multi-functioning bartender/server was entertaining.
(5)Aileen K.
Cunetto's be damned! It's Maya Cafe that just might be the most overrated restaurant in St. Louis. Someone once told me that a Mexican restaurant is only as good and authentic as the tacos they prepare. Acting on that advice, my friend and I shared the beef and chicken tacos. When ordering, we were a bit surprised that they only came in a corn hardshell or a soft flour tortilla. No soft corn tortillas in sight. We were undeterred, though, as we'd heard such good things about the place. Once our food arrived, however, we were shocked. The beef tacos were reminiscent of the Mexican fare I downed in the school cafeteria. The meat was ground, oily, and seasoned with flavors not unlike Old El Paso. I was at least expecting strips of grilled flank steak, especially judging by the prices on the menu. Sorely disappointed. I think my money is better spent and my tastebuds better served at places like Lily's or La Vallesana. Maya did have some good things going for it: great, friendly service, kitschy and fun decor, and really good pico de gallo. But these things are not enough for me to make a return visit.
(2)Undergroundfor T.
The margaritas are pricey, but AMAZING! The food is really bland and under-spiced, though. we asked for some hot sauces and were wryly told we could have the chef's special hot-sauce, which we were dumb enough to agree to. It was some cough-inducing ghost pepper concoction, leaving us breathless- and sauceless.You bite your thumb at me, chef?! I've been to some amazing Peruvian places, that's what I was hoping to find, but no luck. I want this place to improve, because it's around the block, they have a great, friendly staff, and the drinks are killer.
(3)Smelanie L.
While I love my Maplewood restaurants, I've tried eating here a few times now and have yet to truly enjoy myself. Unfortunately, the food never meets my expectations. It's a great little spot in terms of atmosphere and space. Drinks are decent. But, the food is overpriced, underseasoned and almost every time way too dry. My work had them cater lunch for us once and I would give that one experience 3 or 4 stars. However, this is probably due to how grateful I was to have a free lunch that I didn't have to leave the building for.
(2)Gary F.
Nice place. Bean soup great. Crowded but service was fine. Good atmosphere. Reasonably priced.
(4)Tamara D.
Very delicious food, nice service, great atmosphere.
(4)Jennifer H.
The Maya Cafe is a pan-Latin restaurant which specializes in South American and Mexican cuisine but also features some Spanish dishes and influence as well. I'm a pretty big fan of this place as I'm constantly complaining that there aren't enough authentic restaurants in STL. If you come here, you should stay away from anything that you can get at any crappy Mexican restaurant in the city (not to mention Taco Bell). Try some of the traditional dishes like shrimp with coconut milk, anything with plantains, or good old huevos rancheros. I think that everyone should try Maya Cafe the next time they're craving something different.
(4)Ashley N.
Maya Cafe makes for a fun date night.The decor is colorful and unique, the salsa is addicting, and their margaritas are great. I also love the puerco con cafe y chile marron!
(4)Richard E.
I would definately go back. It was reasonably priced and decent food.
(3)nicole d.
Maya Cafe was absolutely DELISH! My mom and I stumbled upon Maya while in Maplewood at an art showing. We are both lovers of latin cuisine and figured why not! What an amazingly pleasant suprise! We of coarse started with the fresh squeezed margaritas....amazing (and I do not like margaritas)! We had 2! Split the chorizo/plantain empanadas served over this delicious black bean soup that had a bit of a kick.....fantastic. We also split an order of the fish tacos. There were 3 very good sized tacos with large fillets of lightly breaded fresh fish. For spitting both dishes and the complimentary chips and pico we were both very satisfied. Needless to say we will be back! Maybe next week!
(5)Stacey T.
Well I just don't see what all the fuss is about. I've heard from many a friends that Maya is so delicious, so fresh and that the sangria was to die for. It definitely left me wanting for something else. I barely touched my food. :( I ordered the sangria and instead of a fruity concoction, I tasted nothing but dry, red wine. And since I came directly from Barcelona... I was sad to say that Barcelona's sangria was far superior. I didn't taste any liquors, cordials or fresh fruit. The guacamole was fresh and beautiful but lacking my favorite ingredients, the fun stuff: jalepeno (or any spice), cilantro, onion and garlic. The salsa was fun but also bland. My friend ordered the salmon and seemed pleased. The birthday boy ordered a shrimp special. It looked delicious and was covered in cheesy goodness. I ordered tacos, two beef, one chicken. BLAH.... boring. snore. No flavor at all. Maybe I just ordered the wrong thing.... I know the people at the table next to us had something that smelled amazingly. And the margaritas were weak sauce. I think I would've been happier had I just gone around the corner to the tex-mex place. This restaurant did not meet up to the high reviews I've heard. I suppose I'll try it again... but I'm not jumping at the opportunity.
(2)Chris Z.
The decor of this place is really cool. An eclectic mix of religious symbols, Christmas lights, and prayer candles. There aren't that many tables in the main dining area, but it looks like the restaurant expands into the next room when the business allows for it. The menu highlights dishes from different countries... manly central American. We opted for the shrimp quesadillas and fish tacos. Both dishes SUCKED. Everything was way too greasy with no flavor or spice. How can a place that highlights pan-american food lack flavor? Honestly, I've had better food at Taco Bell. I left with that sick feeling that you have after you eat greasy nothingness. I was really disappointed because the place was so cool looking. And at $15-$20 a plate, I expected so much more.
(1)Danielle M.
I had the most outstanding service the last time I was here - like 25% tip good. Our waters were always full, and my boyfriend had a beer before we even sat down! (This is after we were trying to decide if we wanted to sit outside or inside, and our waitress overheard him saying to me, "I don't care, I just need a beer!") How awesome is that? Their margaritas are fantastic as well - no pre-made mix here! The food was pretty good, though neither one of us ventured out much, we didn't order anything too "exotic". Next time, next time! I'm sad that "margarita season" is coming to a close, so I'm tying to soak up the rest of summer the best I can - with those tasty, tasty margaritas.
(4)Maureen G.
Maya Café was a recommendation from a local, working as a food demonstrator in Schnuks, my new favorite market. We were hungry and as happens many times while traveling, you wait too long between meals because you don't want to miss anything. This was the day of the wedding and we had just finished up with our groupon massages at Massage Lux....which btw, was fantastic. By the time we got out of there it was well past noon and we hadn't had a thing to eat all day; we were totally famished. The Maya Café is a unique, trendy, cool and artsy-vibe kinda place. The guy that works the bar and cash register also acts as the host and server during lunch hours; lucky for us because he really knows what to recommend as well as the history of the place. The cuisine is not necessarily Mexican but more of a south of the boarder Pan-Latin. We were told Maya's Margarita's are the best to be found in St. Louis area; they make their own mix with fresh squeezed juices. Multi-task guy was right; the Margarita's were awesome. We didn't want to eat too much because we were planning on a big meal at the wedding. My son asked for the best dish on the menu, according to our waiter that would be the enchiladas. He went with that. I chose chicken taco's (how original) DIL went with fish tacos and hubs went with Chile Verde. Everyone enjoyed their meal; but licking the plate was out of the question since we were in public. We had plenty to look at from our vantage point. I called it, "the voodoo wall". It was a three-dimensional art wall with all kinds of pagan and religious artifacts arranged in little cubbies. Very interesting. Dice, eight balls, statues of the virgin Mary, skeletons, crucifixes, good luck charms; quite interesting and a bit disconcerting I might even say. Lots of friendly folks were in and out while we enjoyed our meal and the casual non-hurried atmosphere of the place. All in all, good drinks, good meal, good company in a reasonably priced package. Kudos Maya Cafe-good job!
(5)Morgan M.
This has become my "go-to" place for enjoying an evening of margaritas and good food. The front patio is my favorite place to sit and watch the world go by... give it a try!!!!
(5)Jackie W.
Beans! Soup! BEAN SOUP! I love black bean soup, and Maya Cafe has it soooo good, I wish I could eat it every day. This bean soup is on the spicy side, and has BACON. The cup size is filling on it's own, but recently I got the bowl size as a meal and it was perfect. And, if you are dieting, or being healthy, black bean soup is a great choice! Their margaritas are very good, so what you've been hearing is true. The chips and salsa you get are also good, but the salsa is not made in a way that it is socially easy to eat. The salsa is mostly fresh pieces of tomato, not saucy at all, so you kind of have to spoon the tomato chunks onto your chip, and then they fall off halfway to your mouth or fall off as you try to put it in your mouth (that's what she said) so the whole process kind of makes you not want to eat the salsa, unless you are there with your homeboy whom you've been dating forever, which I was not. So I was trying to keep it cool, and ended up staring longingly into my cup of salsa, sad that I could not eat it. MC also has a revolving lineup of different kinds of music which is WAY awesome, and the bar lets you take beers and drinks over to the Focal Point during shows over there which is double cool. The staff is also very friendly and helpful here.
(4)Rachelle L.
I was terrified of FISH TACOS until I came upon the Maya Cafe. One of their wonderful staff recommended it as a dish for me and I am so glad I listened. This Pan-Latin cuisine is unique and the specials are very tasty. I go for texture, spice and HOT so Maya is perfect for me for entrees. I was stuck on the Chimachanga but like I said, the Fish Tacos were recommended to me. Maya's guacamole is a wonderful mix of avacado and all of the secret ingredients that make it so pleasing when eaten on the lovely, perfectly crunchy and salty tortilla chips served alongside. Every once in awhile you will have a chance to try their cheese empanadas...don't eat them! Take them home put them in the fridge and eat them as a midnight snack! Truly , these little delights are as good cold as they are hot! Last but not least, in fact, order this first, the Margaritas are the freshest and some of the best I have ever, ever had. They are made to order with fresh lime juice, not mix, so this must be the secret. Also, their Sangria is quite tasty! Maya is a sweet place with wonderful staff and a warm ambience. The decor is by St. Louis Artist, Bill Christman, and is worth a look-see!
(5)Aaron K.
Following a friends advice, the wife and I dropped in to see the Rum Drum Ramblers play a Saturday evening gig. Got a few bites from the menu just to be nice. Overall we thought this was a nice little place in Maplewood. Decent Mexican/Central American food, but nothing to rave about. The Margaritas are solid and would give me reason enough to see another weekend show here. Coincidently, this was a perfect place to see Rum Drum...go check em out if there in your hood.
(3)Jen M.
Absolutely love the MAYA! Everyone that works there is so laid back which makes the whole atmosphere funner. New blues nights on Wednesdays are super fun. Gets a little busy, but the music is def. worth it. Was there on Friday and had salmon with poblano peppers and spicy corn rice. It was delish. I think it was a special so not normally on the menu. Don't miss out on the margaritas either. All hand squeezed and you can really tell the difference. Another dish I love is there enchiladas. They're amazing! Looking forward to going back. Thanks for the hospitality Maya!
(5)Brittany H.
Came here for a Girl's Night dinner and thoroughly enjoyed the food, drinks, service & ambiance. I shared the chicken & mushroom quesadilla with a girlfriend, which was just enough for the two of us (after baskets of chips & salsa). The quesadilla could have more ingredients, but the flavor was nice. The margaritas are freshly squeezed and soo tasty! The owner showed us the back patio which looks like it'd be a lot of fun on a summer night. Will be back soon!
(4)Josh W.
Dinner on here on Saturday for a friends B-day. I liked the atmosphere and the chips and salsa were EXCELLENT- they have a couple of hotter salsa's too if you ask... Super hot and super super hot. Sadly, the experience peaked at the salsa... There were a total of 6 of us and due to my "over sharing/sampling tendencies- I tried everyones dinner. I honestly was not impressed with anything. It all seemed suprisingly very bland. That could be due to the fact that my mouth was on fire from the super super hot salsa now that I think about it... The service was great and I will probably give it another shot... Lets go with 3 stars for now...
(3)Matt R.
We were at a private event next door at the Black Cat Theatre and decided to drop in here for a quick dinner. The food was ok, but our server as well as the owner couldn't have been nicer people and made for a fun visit. In reality the food might have been better than "ok" but the price tag sets the expectation level pretty high. That said, you're not going to find huitlacoche being used just anywhere in St. Louis, I wish they'd used it in a different application than the quesadilla with poblano though. That also will make this comment seem really wierd, but the descriptions on many of the dishes are really good and get you expecting bold, in your face flavors, but virtually all of our dishes were much more subtly flavored than we though they would be. I don't mean there wasn't any heat, I mean the flavor profile throughout our dishes was just a bit bland. The drinks however, were spectacular. The margarita was definitely of the fresh-squeezed variety and one of the better ones I've had in St. Louis. And the others, including some latin beer varieties I wasn't familiar with were great as well. Would I go back? It's the type of place I'd love to just hang out and have a few drinks, and the atmosphere is pretty hip. But the food wasn't up to my expectations. Very possibly a bad night in the kitchen, so I hesitate to say "not worth it". I'll most definitely give an udpate if I ever eat here again, but until/unless that happens at some point I can only give it 3 stars...most of which has little to do with the food. Cheers
(3)Carl H.
Lunch experiences at the Maya have always been a pleasant surprise. New chef's are even better than before. The seafood stew that I recently ordered is now one of my favorite dishes across all lunch establishments. The outside seating is pleasant and the service is as good as it gets. I will become a regular for sure.
(5)Bj H.
Fish tacos and outdoor dining was delish!
(4)Tim L.
One of my most enjoyable moments in St. Louis was spent at this wonderful establishment. The service, food, and atmosphere were all out of this world. The food is all carefully prepared and presented nicely. Everything I've ever had here feels like the chef has extracted all the finer and more delicate flavors of the dish whilst adding a bit of their own personal flair. Although I marked this place down as a no for "Good for Kids", I was there with my 1 y/o niece in tow and the staff were all very accommodating and extra friendly. The atmosphere is very intimate which makes it a great spot to take a date, or have a great conversation, but definitely wouldn't be as great for a group or kids that'll get bored. This place gets extra points for the service due to their amazing follow-up. There are many restaurant guest books that I've filled out in my time and this is the only one that actually made use of the information. They sent me a nice letter a few months down the road to check up on my experience, invite me back, and even offered a coupon/discount for use on my return visit.
(5)Amanda P.
I love Maya Cafe. There are plenty of things for me to eat, as a vegetarian, but I particularly love the squash dish. Great food, drinks, dessert, and atmosphere. Owners are wonderful!
(5)Lisa D.
LOVE the Maya Cafe. We go there all the time, and it is one of our faves in St. Louis. I'm a vegetarian and the veggie quesadillas are to die for. Their chips and salsa is equally delicious. I highly recommend ordering a margarita or sangria. It is hands down the best in town. Service is always fantastic too. After one or two visits the servers all recognized us, and went out of their way to make sure we had a great experience. My husband always gets the chicken tacos and loves them. It is definitely a step up from other mexican restaurants in St. Louis, so if you are looking for an El Maguey type of place - this isn't it. It's much more traditional and gourmet than that.
(5)Belinda R.
My husband and I ate there less than a week ago. We ordered the Mayan Fries which were good but could be improved on with some seasoning. The free salsa and chips were good. The salsa was not spicy. I ordered the Pollo en Pepian Dulce. There was no seasoning on the chicken but the sauce was good. My rice was horrible. It was not even cooked all the way through - very crunchy. The portion for my dish was small - I had room for dessert! For dessert, I had the flan which was good but very small. I did have a margarita which I must say was the best margarita I have had in a long time! My husband had the Carne Asada con Chimichurri. It was tasteless. The serving size seemed to be a little better but not by much.
(2)Meg G.
Damn...I really wanted to make this a four star review but couldn't. Tonight has been the first time EVER I actually had dinner at Maya. I enjoyed my meal...I finished every bite of my meal...but it was nothing to write home about! (Write to Yelp, maybe, but not home!) I had the roasted chicken soft tacos. They were good but very bland. I would order them again...but they just seemed to be missing something. My date swore by the chimichanga and ordered them again. He seemed pleased with his meal. As I mentioned in a previous review...I go here for the margs! I might not be back anytime soon for food, but the margs have me won over for life!!
(3)Lulu W.
Maya Cafe is such a neat little place to eat. I was very happy to see so many vegetarian options on the menu. Often times, meat stocks are used in Latin food for flavor, so I tread carefully when dining Latin/Caribbean/South American cuisine. We started off with some guac, which, I'm sad to say, was flavorless. It was a great portion though that a group of of four of us didn't even finish. We did decide to have a guacamole-off after each of us claimed ours was better than what we were eating. So, I guess something good came out of it. For my entree, I ordered a squash flower quesadilla with cilantro and other fun stuff. The presentation was top notch. I was hoping for some esoteric, earthy ingredients. The menu read so well; my hopes were very high. Again, sadly, I was a little disappointed. Although it was piping hot, it was pretty much a run-o'-the-mill quesadilla (for 12 dollars!). Maybe next time, I should ask for extra chilies or something. It came with Spanish rice, which I was also disappointed with. In general, the people I was eating with were appeased, but not wowed. I just kept wondering--where is the flavor?! It seems with international food, diners are ready to be dazzled with the aromas of far away lands. Maya seemed to be holding back. Regardless, the ambiance is great. It was a great place to sip cocktails and hang out with good friends. The service was friendly and even though we were there chatting past close, they didn't put a ton of pressure on us to get the hell out. I'll give it another try. I have to say, if you are in the mood for Brazilian food, chalk a wagon and go to Yemanja Brazil. Their cocktails are better. And the food is more exotic tasting.
(3)Kate F.
Food great. Service not so much! Manager how about making sure your Waite staff is not chomping on gum as they explain the menu. And menus are way over due for cleaning all of ours were sticky.
(3)Andrea S.
After a LONG day of work which ended up in me missing my wine club event (BOOOO!) I met up with some buds at Maya Cafe for dinner. I loved the atmosphere of this place - really cozy and inviting. I ordered a beer but my dinner mates informed me the margaritas were out of this world and went really well with the complimentary chips and pico de gallo (yum). I wasn't feeling too adventurous so I just ordered the tacos with chicken. They were delicious. I tasted some of the other entrees and they were even better. The menu offers a TON of choices - there is something to fit everyone's tastes. Trust me - I'll definitely be back to try out some of the other choices and some margaritas - don't miss this spot.
(4)Erika W.
A lot of vegetarian options? Where were they because I only saw a couple. We were highly disappointed in this restaurant. The service was fine, but the food was just blah. I had some kind of quesadilla that was supposed to be filled with veggies, but turned out to be cheese with one streak of spinach through it. The cheese had no flavor and the tortilla was so covered in butter that was the only thing you could smell or taste at our table. My boyfriend had the special of pork tenderloin, which turned out to be way over priced and so uneventful he didn't finish it- which is not like him. Asparagus and chips were way too salty. The rice was plain. We had some friends who really liked this place, so maybe we were there on a bad night?
(2)Denise P.
We are so happy to have this establishment in Maplewood. They were closed for some time due to renovations and other issues and we waited with anticipation for them to reopen and when they did we were there! It was such a happy day when they opened their doors again! First off, hands down one of the best margaritas in the city! They are made fresh and they give you quite a generous pour. The house margarita is my personal favorite but they have a variety of different kinds to choose from. Secondly, the service is always amazing. Everyone we have ever had has always been incredibly nice, knowledgeable, and attentive. Nights that they have been busy with possibly a little understaffed, everyone is as nice as can be. Finally, the reason for trying Maya is the incredible food. Upon arriving to the restaurant, you are supplied with chips and a house salsa which has complex flavor and a slight heat but not overwhelming. If you are interested in appetizers, you can't go wrong with their house made guacamole, queso fundido, or their trio dips. Each one has it's own unique sensation without being so large your appetite is ruined for dinner. Entree suggestions are the Tacos de Pescado and Sangre de toro Beef Brisket as both were visually appealing and yet incredibly savory. We have had the specials before (which change frequently) which did not disappoint, and recently Dan tried black bean and chorizo soup which he absolutely loved. The one dish I was not particularly crazy about was the Lechuga Asad which I had fairly late in the evening which may have been part of the problem. This is a stop one must do if they are visiting Maplewood. From friendly staff to delicious food, this is one establishment that has brought all the cards to the table.
(5)Mel A.
I have been to this cafe several times and have always had a nice experience. I did not try their margarita until yesterday, however and it was really good. Why is it the highlight, you ask? Because it is easy to make margarita out of a mix, just add tequila (and wham bam!) you have yourself a fairly difficult to mess up drink but this place does margarita differently. Theirs is made from freshly squeezed limes which I have never seen in other Mexican/Latino restaurants. Some places may claim to have awesome margaritas but nothing like Maya Cafe! As far as their food goes, I have always been a fan and have tried their brisket, their pork dish with coffee rub, and most recently, their enchiladas with brisket. I enjoyed every meal I've had at Maya and I will definitely come back for more of their good food and awesome margaritas. My only complaint is that service is a little slow and slightly lacking. Hopefully this improves when I come back.
(4)Stacy H.
Maya Cafe is a very refined type of--broad term here--"Mexican Food." First off, the menu is not strictly Mexican but includes foods from many different areas including South America (like Brazil!). Their website calls the genre "pan-Latin." Second of all, you really can't go here expecting your heated meats and cheeses on a plate of gooeyness which is the norm at a different "Mexican Food" restaurant. But, don't let this dissuade you from coming, it is a great restaurant, I just wanted to let you know what not to expect. So, what can you expect? First, you will find FRESH. This is awesome. Everything here is like three steps up on the freshness scale. You are served chips and pico de gallo made fresh every morning (the waiter told us this). It is a cute little mason jar with a spoon and you get individual dishes to serve it out to, in case there are germaphobes in your group. The other notably fresh item is the Margarita! These truly were some of the best Margaritas I've ever had. They (as we were told) squeeze fresh lime juice to use for their margs instead of a pre-bottled concoction or just some sort of sour mix deal. You really can taste this in their margarita! The other thing is that they use pretty good liquors (Sauza Tequila) even in their non-top shelf margaritas, but they also offer even better Tequilas. I did not try their sangria but it looked good, too. We had a queso dip appetizer. It was a thicker type of cheese dip, but it was really good. I especially liked dipping in the cheese followed by some pico on top. It was delicious! Their menu offers many entree choices, all of them are refined and a bit pricier than most Mexican restaurants (I hate continually comparing it to Mexican, so I am sorry). What you get, though, is really good high quality food that seems to be made fresh for you. Do you ever wonder how your food comes out like 3 minutes after you order at many Mexican restaurants? Well, this is a very different experience. I had fish tacos and they were very good. They had three large pieces of grilled tilapia, with a spring mix, and guacamole. My entree came with a modest portion of rice with an even more modest portion of black beans on top of it. But it was good, and there was certainly more than enough food! One of the highlights of Maya Cafe is the decor and atmosphere. They set a good mood for pan-latin cuisine. There are lots of artifacts about that indicate the latin origins, especially the religious candles at every table. They have a nice sidewalk patio and there is a lot of seating inside. I really liked Maya Cafe. I think if you go here expect to pay more for the quality and freshness that you get. Also, expect to have a fresh and delicious food choice that really doesn't hearken to a general "Mexican" fare. Also- go Maplewood! I just love the area and all of the great dining options.
(5)Jennie L.
Very bad experience! The service there could not be worse! We were the second table arriving there, but they kept us waiting for more than half an hour for the orders. I asked the waiter and waitresses more than three times, they told me "everybody arrives at the same time". Waiting, waiting, and waiting............
(1)Lisa U.
First time here and I will definitely will be back. Excellent Margaritas, salsa and Enchiladas. Everything was very fresh, made from scratch. No powder mix Margaritas - fresh squeezed lime juice. Everyone that works here is very very friendly. Service is a little slow, but who's in a hurry when your having a great time with friends!
(4)Doug M.
So I tried to go to Maya Cafe last fall, and it was closed. A 10 day remodel was supposed to have been over, but it wasn't. Then it turned into a several month closing. That was either one heck of a remodel, or there was much more to the story. So I finally heard Maya Cafe was open again, and had dinner there on Friday evening. Having not been there before, I don't know how extensive any remodel was, but the place did look fine, in a semi-over-the-top Mexican/Latin kind of decor. The menu and/or kitchen and/or staff must also be getting a retool, because the menu was quite limited compared to the old menu that is still online. This was disappointing because I had hoped to try the Pollo en Pepian Dulce. Our waiter said that they were adding more items to the menu as they progressed. So I guess they are rebuilding it or training the kitchen staff from scratch. Instead, I ordered the Sangre de Toro Beef Brisket, the wife ordered Chicken Quesadilla, we got one of the nightly specials - Trio Dip & Chips - for an appetizer, and had Tres Leches for dessert. Oh, and I ordered a lime Jarritos Mexi-pop for my drink. Many past reviews have commented on how great the margaritas are. In fact most Latin restaurant reviews seem to focus on the margaritas, and rave on them. But really, how hard is it to make this stock drink? And I'm not worried about the drinks when I go to the restaurant to eat. Having said that, I did like my lime soda. It added a counter-flavor to the food without taking away from the meal. The Trio Dip appetizer was really quite tasty. A smoky queso bowl, a sweet-spicy pineapple bowl, and a guacamole bowl. Each one was a hit, in our opinion. All were in the same, fairly generously-sized bowls and with the normal tortilla chips. We were also served the complimentary chips and house-made salsa when we were first seated. That salsa is pretty good, but thick enough that it could have stood to have been mashed or sauced a bit to make it stick more to the chips. My beef brisket was the one disappointment. It wasn't terrible, just kind of okay. For $17 at a Mexican/Latin restaurant, I don't think I should still want more food when I finish the plate. The brisket was decent - lightly smoky, savory, and tender. But I would have liked more than three strips. I guess that's standard fare, but still seemed light. The white rice with black beans were standard. And the corn also was just standard - it was in some type of light sauce, but really seemed like it was canned corn that had been warmed in black bean juice. My wife's Chicken Quesadilla was much better. The quesadilla itself was top notch, with tender & moist chicken, veggies, and baby spinach. Pretty tasty. Her rice was maya rice with black beans. The rice was cheesy, and a much better side than my plain white rice with beans. Dessert of Tres Leches was excellent. I don't know that I ever get a bad one at a restaurant, and this one also was very good. So i wasn't blown away, like I kind of expected after some of the reviews. With the long closure, you really have to think of it as a new opening. They seem to still be getting the food back up to speed. Most was good, but don't let an entree disappoint. I hope they quickly expand their menu, and enlarge/flavor up the sides for their brisket.
(3)mari l.
The food itself was not bad. But the staff was dressed like they were in the middle of spring cleaning; kinda messed with the experience. The "host" looked like a kid who usually spends his time outside on a skateboard (or whatever it is kids do these days). I was looking forward to trying it, but I'm not sure that I would actually go again.
(3)Angie S.
Went to the Rock & Roll Shrimp boil today. Music, great Margarita, and interesting salad (Lechuga Asada). My waitress Daren was Spot On! I must say the Servers & Bartenders are the best. Would have like a larger selection on the menu, but I was please with what Daren suggested. Lovely Sunday afternoon.
(3)Anna T.
I just wanted to get the word out to yelpers that this location is NOT closed! It has re-opened for business after a long remodel and still has the best margarita in St. Louis. I have never had a disappointing meal here. Try the brisket, it's unbelievable.
(5)Pari M.
Love love love this place! I have enjoyed everything I have eaten here ever. I don't remember the name but they had a salmon special with a light sauce. It was beautifully flavored and served. The margaritas here are phenomenal. Maya cafe has become our go to spot for dinner.
(5)Rachael A.
I couldn't be happier that Maya Cafe has reopened. I've been there twice now and I plan on becoming a regular. The margaritas are delicious and its very easy to have more than one. My favorite dish is the chicken chimichanga because its not your run of the mill chimichanga. Instead of a burrito its open and everything is on a tortilla; its a nice change. The outdoor patio in front is great for people watching. Also the service has been great. The only complaint I could lodge is that its pricier than I normally pay for Mexican but the food and atmosphere makes it worth it.
(5)Steven B.
One of the best, if not the BEST Margaritas in the Saint Louis area. No mixes are used here, it is all fresh hand squeezed juice. Which makes the Margaritas go down oh, so smoothly. Norma H. and I had the same day off, so we meet up for lunch at Maya Cafe. I had a Entertainment.com Coupon for a buy one get one free. I really never save with these coupons, I always end up buying more drinks and appetizers. However, it does give me more to Yelp about. I've already told you about the awesome Margaritas and they were the perfect accompaniment to the chips and pico de gallo. Their chips were thick cut and tossed in a coarse salt. No soupy, overly pureed salsa here. They serve a spicy pico de gallo. The diced tomato, onion and cilantro was a perfect topping for the chips. We also enjoyed an order of Calamares (Calamari). It was served with two dipping sauces; a Criollo Gaze and Chimichurri Dip. Both were good, I favored the Glaze and Ms. Norma preferred the Dip. Our waiter, said he loved to double dip, he'd dip in both for extra flavor Norma had the lunch portion of Pollo En Pepian Dulce. It looked fabulous, she loved it and I was jealous of her side of asparagus, my favorite vegetable. I forget what mine was called, but it was our waiters favorite. It was a chicken breast fried, served as a sandwich with refried beans, lettuce and tomatoes. It was one tasty sandwich that you'll never see at Subway. Service was great and personable. I've gotta go back, we forgot to try the Flan.
(4)Andrea J.
Poor service, literally waited ten minutes to get water and another ten to take our order. Drinks tasted off, like I thought something was wrong (and I've bartended so I am not just some lame ass naggy lady). Food was bland and not at all traditional. I was so excited to go here, and left so disappointed.
(2)Jenny K.
Arrived on a Tuesday as the doors were being unlocked making us the first customers of the day. The hostess/who knows what they were, was the most unwelcoming person I have encountered in some time. We sat at the bar and menu was placed in front of us, no mention of specials though we could see them flashing up on a POS screen behind the bar. Very pricey food for Mexican cuisine. Complimentary chips were slightly burned. Bartender made a great margarita. Food was good but not great, enchiladas and soup. Loved the decor. We received the cursory thank you when we left. It's hard to want to return to a place when you don't feel welcomed there.
(3)Matt C.
Their margaritas are great, they make the juice fresh in house. The restaurant has a lot of personality and abstains from the blandness of chain-style restaurants. My favorite dish is the Shrimp Aji (shrimp, black olives, cream sauce over rice)
(5)Darrin S.
I have never been disappointed here. The cheese enchiladas are so sinful and yummy! I always always get them, plus guacamole and margaritas. Probably not the healthiest choice, but worth it. The chayote rellenos that I sometimes share with my wife are OK, but a little bland without the rocking enchiladas to liven things up.
(4)Michelle S.
Chayote rellenos were terrible - still hard and uncooked lacking any and all flavor. There was not an ounce of cheese. It was probably the worst meals I've tasted. Beef brisket was served cold and lacked any sense of flavor. The portion of brisket was super small, too. The margarita was good, not great. I wish it was good enough to have me forget how terrible the food was.
(1)Dana M.
Maya Cafe has re-opened!!! They hand- juice for the Margaritas and the Aji de Camerones is to die for. Best patio in Maplewood. Where else can you have dinner on a tug boat?
(5)Robert W.
My cousin Kevin and I ate here several weeks ago. It was fantastic. I would have checked in here on Yelp except that my phone was malfunctioning. The general listing of Mayan Cafe as " Mexican" is misleading because the restaurant feartures dishes from all over Latin and Central America. They make excellent margaritas, which are not available as pictures because they are made to order and not only feature top shelf alcohol but also a custom concoction of wonderful FRESH fruit juices, which the bartender let my cousin and me actually taste separately from the margarita. No mix here! I met one of the owners who was full of hilarious stories, including an account of how he came upon the boat that's out in their patio. We began the dinner with homemade guacamole ($5.95) and chips. Complimentary salsa came with the meal and it was very difficult to eat because it was basically chunks of tomato and the other veggies which make a good salsa but no liquid 2 stick to the chips so it would fall off as one was trying to eat it. My cousin mixed the homemade salsa and the guacamole so it would have some subsistence to stay on the chips. I would have preferred a salsa with a little bit more sauce so that it would be easier to dip the chips. That is the only thing that made this meal less than perfect. For dinner, I ordered POLLO EN PEPIÃN DULCE, a traditional Guatemalan dish, which featured so much food that I was able to take some home and basically have a second meal by just adding a salad of my own. The dish was pricey ($16.95), but worth every dollar I paid especially since I had so much of it. It"s grilled chicken breast topped with a sauce of ground pepitas (punkin seeds), sesame seeds, stewedred bell peppers, tomatoes, onions and garlic in an orange and cinnamon flavored chicken broth. It was garnished with almonds and raisins. It was served with white rice and grilled asparagus. Everything tasted fresh. Kevin ordered enchiladas with beef brisket ($13.95) which looked good and he said he enjoyed very much, but which I can't describe in as much detail is what I had to eat. I will definitely go back and I'll certainly take business colleagues for business dinners.
(5)Patt C.
I met girlfriends for dinner Friday. I was waaaaay early and was seated in the bar at a table for four. My box from Pie Oh My was welcomed, which was a good thing, since I thought I needed to leave it in the car, which would not have been good. Meg was our glorious server, and she did a perfect job with check-ins and beverage refills. Chips and salsa were fabulous, and each diner gets their own saucer for spooning salsa from the jar. One dining partner got the Pollo en Pepian Dulce ($16.95), a Guatamalan dish: grilled chicken breast with a sauce of ground pepitas (pumpkin seeds) and sesame seeds, red bell peppers, tomatoes, onions and garlic stewed in a bitter orange and cinnamon-infused chicken broth, served with white rice, grilled asparagus and garnished with roasted almond slices and Pisco bloomed raisins. The other dining partner and I got Aji de Gallina/Aji de Camarones ($17.95), a Peruvian dish: grilled chicken breast or eight large shrimp covered in spicy ancho, habanero and citrus cream sauce; served with saffron rice and garnished with slices of hard-boiled egg, kalamata olive and slivered almond. She split hers as half chicken, half shrimp. I got all shrimp. This had a little kick to it, but it was a beautifully composed dish. I cut all my shrimp into little pieces, along with the hard-boiled egg to be sure to get some of everything in each bite. A fabulous dish with juicy and flavorful shrimp, a complex creamy sauce that blended so well with the rice, egg, brininess from the olives and lovely crunch from the almonds. I really don't know how all these ingredients went so well together. My hefty to-go vessel lasted four more meals.
(5)Chelsea B.
So good! Sangria and margs are top notch! The chips and salsa? Pico? Tomatoes? Not so much. But everything else was FAB. I will defiantly be back!
(4)Valerie T.
The drinks/chips were great. It took a long time to get the food. Mine was nothing special. The shrimp over cooked and overpriced. My son did like the enchiladas but it is just too expensive for what you get.
(2)Andrew N.
First of all, the staff is awesome. They were extremely accommodating when we showed up with a group of 13 people and did everything they could to move tables, pull over chairs, etc. The service during the meal was also some of the best I've ever had. The food was disappointing though! They don't have pitchers of margs, and the house margs are a little pricey ($7, not a big glass), but very good. Without the option of pitchers though, the bill adds up pretty quickly. I ordered the Chimichango (why it has an "o" at the end, I have no idea), which was prepared more like a tostada, with a crunchy flat shell on the bottom and the topping on top. For $11, there wasn't a ton of chicken, and even with the saffron rice, wasn't enough to fill me up. The saffron rice was a little bland and could have benefited from more saffron or some other spices in there. The chips were a little salty, but pretty good. I wouldn't say I would go back Pros: great staff Cons: disappointing Mexican food, no option for pitchers of margaritas
(2)Tom J.
What a pleasant surprise this was. We last went to Maya Café before we were married, found it to be kind of pricey and bland. I don't like any bland food, but I have a special hatred for bland Mexican - just reach over and grab a pepper!!! We might have never gone back, but every year we get the Entertainment Book for a school fundraiser and they've always been in it, so we finally relented and decided to give them another try. As you can see by my rating, glad we did. The meal was awesome, top to bottom. Great service, nice ambience, great food, reasonable prices, even easy parking. Due to babysitting limitations, we had to arrive before 6 for our meal. The place filled up pretty quickly, so I guess there's no secret as to why they've been in business this long. We started with a couple of margaritas - one house and one top shelf ($7 and $8 for a big drink). My wife thought they tasted the same, but I preferred the top shelf. Both were very good - really about as good as any I've had anywhere, and I've had a lot. I'll add here that the salsa is excellent and unlike any I've had. It's kind of pink/beige, which might be a winter vegetable thing, but it had just the right amount of heat and was extremely fresh tasting. Definitly a couple of notches above the El Maguey's of the world. We followed with a bowl of guacamole - excellent - for entrees, we had the Pollo en Pepian Dulce, chicken with a very flavorful sauce, and Sangre de Toro Beef Brisket. Oh My God!! That brisket is maybe my new favorite beef dish in the city. The waitress told us the brisket had been roasting all day and it showed - it was incredibly tender and flavorful. If you are a fan of brisket or beef roast, you have to try this dish. Amazing. The chicken was also very good, but that beef. Oh my. They probably have some great desserts here too, but it being date night, we had to make our usual second stop for a drink and dessert.
(5)Katherine B.
A little mellow for my taste. The skirt steak was a little bland and not spicy at all. When we asked for spicy salsa, they delivered, but the flavor wasn't really in the dish. Also- the BEST margarita i've ever had, and that's saying something because i love tequila. It was freshly made and you could actually see the lime pieces. I ordered the empanadas- omg, perfect. The dough was slightly sweet which mixed perfectly with the chorizo and plantains. It was perfectly seasoned. I need to know how to make this for breakfast. The prices were a little high for the quality of food. Used the Taste coupon, which they graciously accepted even though it says no Saturdays, and I did appreciate that. Our waiter was really good, he recommended that we try the margarita (which we did not regret) and there when we needed refills and all that.
(3)Margaret S.
The food at this place is delicious. I like their grilled fish and the salad. Good customer service.
(4)Cory K.
The first time we tried Maya Cafe a few years ago, we absolutely loved it. Last night, we returned again for our anniversary dinner, and it was a horror show. How bad was it? The food was worse than the worst chain restaurant. My wife ordered the Chayote Rellenos. It was so disgusting that she couldn't bring herself to finish even half of it. The rice tasted like stovetop, and the artichokes and corn had that fresh from the can taste. I ordered the Pollo en Pepian Dulce. Somehow I almost managed to finish my meal (guess I was hungry) despite the fact that the chicken was way overcooked, the sauce was a bizarrely flavored disaster, the rice was can-bland, and the asparagus was soggy. The overall presentation was just fugly. It looked like a 5-year-old threw everything together. The servers weren't exactly rude, but they were standoffish and cold -- definitely not warm and friendly. They sported tacky attire, too. I mean, come on, this isn't a dive bar. The only good news: the homemade salsa was delicious, as were the margaritas and sangria. The bottom line is that we should have paid more heed to the negative reviews on Yelp! Do yourself a favor and don't make the same mistake we did. Go somewhere else.
(1)Marlo S.
Back when most Mexican restaurants here were sad joints with dull and tasteless shredded beef and chicken, Maya Cafe was something special. Thoughtful Latin American cuisine. Those days are long gone, though, and this place has gone from marvelous to "meh." There's no real energy here. The food, like the decor, needs an update. .
(2)Joe G.
Here for a concert next door and went to the bar to get a drink and the A Hole bartender was a real jerk. Called me boss and told me to move as he had a vague and stupid line system no one could figure out. What an ass. Now I have no interest to even try the food and certainly did not order a drink. Just walked out. Thanks "Boss".
(1)Leslie S.
One of these days, I'm going to try the Maplewoody. The restaurant's signature drink even has its own t-shirt. There is a mixture of Latin meals, with entrees from Mexican, Guatemalan, and Costa Rican roots to name a few. I haven't been disappointed yet. I enjoyed the taco entree ($9.95) and the dorado (mahi-mahi) con platano cumulean ($17.95). The guacamole ($5.95) here is very good, and I would highly recommend the calamares ($6.95 L, $8.95 D) with their Criollo Glaze for starters. On the drink side, I have tried the margaritas and sangria and enjoyed both. Sadly, their only dessert is flan. While I'm sure they do it well, I'm just not a flan fan, so I wish there were other choices. Well, I guess I'll have to have another margarita for dessert... They have seating out front and a very cool deck out back built around a boat. The service is EXCELLENT every time we go.
(4)Johnny P.
Nestled on the quiet street of sutton, where parking isn't hard to find and you won't get run down by drivers in a hurry, sits a wonderful little Mexican restaurant that goes by the name of Maya's cafe. upon entering you are hit with the fresh aromas from the kitchen. It instantly makes your mouth water. This being my first visit here I was surprised to see plenty of seating available for the taking. However arriving for a late lunch in a small town you might find this happening all over. To me it's the perfect time to grab a bite. Accompanied by my superior, micheal, he seems to know the insides and outs to the cafe located right across the street from his office at studio x. He suggests I try the fish tacos. Having just a brief look at the menu that offers a ton of selections from ensalada de la casa to vegan friendly dishes like the chayote rellenos, I went with the suggestion from the wiser, fish tacos. Sitting down to the table one might notice the collective decorations that are a reminder of a time in a different place. A south of the boarder feel that has a strong day of the dead theme. Greeted with an ice cold coke chips, salsa, and good conversation time flys by and before you know it your food is waiting in front of you. Two delicious tacos are now sitting where my elbows once perched covered in delicious toppings and ready to please my taste buds. I cover them with the home made salsa that's been provided to add a little spice to the dish, and dig in. I am overjoyed by my dish. Not only is it delectable in every way, but it crushes the taste and appearance of the last tacos I consumed at a place we will just call" missing lacos" . Some say to eat slow and take in the experience but with tacos this good you can almost take it all in one bite ! But I suggest eating in multiple bites. With a side of beans and rice it was the perfect lunch combo. I was fat dumb and happy after the feast. I was enlightened of the area of maplewood a little more and found a great spot for future get togethers. I was even told about the great live music that they feature there some nights. I can not wait to go back for seconds.
(5)Maura S.
Very, very, very good!! I had friend in town from Chicago visiting my boyfriend and me. She's very into the Chicago restaurant scene and has ate of some of the best places in the city. I wanted to show her that St. Louis has some great restaurants as well! I live in Maplewood and wanted to take her somewhere in the neighborhood. I've heard great things about Maya Cafe, so I suggested we check it out. And I am very glad we did! We had a bit of wait for a table to open up, but it didn't take longer than 10 minutes. the 3 of us ordered the house margarita. It was easily the best one I've ever had. They are made from scratch and made to order. You can't order them by the pitcher because they squeeze fresh juice for ever single one. They are FANTASTIC. I am not a huge margarita person in the first place, but I was blown away by how good these were. The chips and salsa they bring to the table tops any chips and salsa I've had anywhere. The salsa was fresh and very good. It was different than any salsa I've had before. It was clearly homemade and was perfectly flavorful. We also got some guacamole. Good as always. Can't say I noticed anything delicious (shocking, I know). It came with a side of rice. They were a bit heavy (definitely filled me up), but I would definitely order them again. The cheese they used inside of them was more like a cream cheese, but they didn't over do it. The meat was very good. The one downside to our experience...it is a little on the expensive side. But I can't complain because of how much we enjoyed the food. Highly recommend it. Check it out!
(5)Ryan L.
My plate was okay. My wife's was terrible. Horrible service and maybe the waiter shouldn't cuss. Just seems in poor taste
(1)Benjamin S.
I might rate Maya Cafe a tick higher, but for the prices they charge I just expected a little more. Now, I'm not saying we didn't enjoy the food, the margaritas and the environment. We definitely did. They were very busy celebrating the "Day of The Dead" the night we went, with all of the waitstaff adorning face paint and similar fun garb, but the service was fine. The two dishes we had were as follows 1.) Aji De Gallina, for $17.95. This is grilled chicken breast with a habanero cream sauce. It came with slices of hard-boiled egg and slivers of almonds. I enjoyed the flavor of this dish, but I am not a big guy by any means and yet I was still hungry upon quickly finishing it. 2.) PUERCO CON CAFÉ Y CHILE MARRÓN $15.95. This was actually *not* the correct pork dish which we ordered, but turned-out to be pretty darn good. Grilled pork loin rubbed with coffee, chiles, and brown sugar and served with white rice. This portion was a bit better. I'd definitely go back to The Maya again, but it's not going to be at the top of my list simply due to being a tad pricey for our tastes/return on investment. That said, I'd encourage anyone to give it a try and you'll likely be pleased.
(3)Gina S.
While the patio looked inviting when we arrived, the weather quickly turned chilly so we ate inside. We shared a 1/2 liter of Sangria, which came out to about 4-5 small wine glasses between the two of us. It was okay but not very strong, more like fruit juice. The chips and salsa were awesome, fresh chips with even fresher homemade chunky salsa. Really great spice to it too. The hubby went with the three chicken tacos filled with lettuce, tomato, and Chihuahua cheese and served with refried beans a crisp tortilla bowl. The tacos were good, but the chicken didn't faze me as anything special. It was a little on the dry side. It was shredded and I think because of that, it lost the juiciness I really enjoy in chicken. I went with the Ensalada de la Casa, a mixed greens salad with artichoke hearts, roasted red pepper, Kalamata olives, cotija cheese, green onion, tossed in a sherry vinaigrette. Very good. Everything was fresh fresh fresh, which makes for a very good meal. We shared a Sopapilla. A thin tortilla like bread, fried, and served with a small scoop of ice cream dashed with cinnamon and drizzled with honey. It was good, but not our usually brand of dessert. We both enjoy a dessert with a more healthier substance. This was more like an appetizer dessert, probably not best for sharing. Overall, I was a little underwhelmed by the menu...not a lot of variety and the entrée prices were higher than I expected and thought it was worth. But what we did order was good.
(3)Sarah S.
This place has been in my bookmarks for quite awhile now, and today my sister and I went there for lunch. I'm glad I checked the website because they open at noon on Saturdays and we usually count on places opening around 11. We walked in to a cute little place, cozy feel with cool decor. Our waitress was the only worker we saw in the place, and luckily it wasn't too busy because she was also the bartender. Service was pretty good though, and she was always nearby in case we needed something. That is where the positive things I can say about Maya Cafe end though.. the rest left me supremely disappointed. I knew what I was going to order before I went because I noticed they have squash blossom quesadillas and I recently had a religious experience with them at Milagro. I should've just left it at that and been patient for the next time they have them, but I wanted to try them again darnit!! We also ordered guacamole as a starter and I tried a glass of sangria, which they highlight on the menu as being sweet and a specialty. The drink came out quickly and I was disappointed. It wasn't sweet. I've had sangria at many places and this is at the bottom. I forced myself to drink it because I didn't want to waste money, but I didn't finish the little glass because it really wasn't good. The chips were good but extremely salty. The "salsa" was more like pico de gallo - all tomato and onion chunks. Not my thing, I only like mine pureed, so I didn't try it. The guacamole was totally bland. Just avocado taste. No spices, nothing. We didn't finish it or take it home because it just didn't hit the spot. Bummer! On to the entree - I got "Mayan corn" on the side instead of saffron rice. The plate came and I dug in to the corn right away. It was frozen corn, not fresh. Had that kind of gummy, distinctive taste of freezer corn. And no flavor! It looked like it had some spice or something on it but I couldn't taste a thing. Ugh. The rice was a little better but not much - I tried my sister's. The quesadillas looked really greasy - and when I cut in, grease poured out. The taste was decent, but again, greasy. I liked the spinach and cheese but that's all I tasted. I saw the blossoms amongst the grease but tasted no cilantro (which is actually good because I'm not a big fan of it). We walked out very disappointed and wished we had eaten somewhere else.
(2)Becky P.
We got a snack to go from here after furiously bowling at Saratoga Lanes across the street. It was the best snack I've had in my life and I recommend it to anyone who loves life. They were wedge fries, topped with corn, black beans, and cheese. Gloriously meltly. Probably the best thing I ate in STL. While we waited, we split a margarita. Also awesome. Bartender said they do them from scratch, which I love. It looks like a good place for a date night, wish I would have gotten to try more food!
(5)Monty M.
What an experience! Went here on a whim for lunch, asked the server to recommend something. BOOM! Fish Tacos! So good and the fish was grilled to perfection. Couldn't have asked for a better recommendation. Can't wait to go back!
(5)Stephanie B.
When you're out to eat with a group of Elite Yelpers it's somewhat rare to hear words like "amazing" or my favorite the mouth full eyes wide "oh my goodness" sigh. But conversation ceased when the food arrived here at Maya Cafe so we could all indulge in some fantastic Pan American cuisine. Followed promptly with the food pass and "you have to try this!" I can't really put my finger on what it is about MC that makes you feel instantly comfortable. Could be the personable Bostonian server, the eclectic mix of decor, or just the sassy vibe this place puts off. The chips and salsa were fantastic, chips were heavily sprinkled with sea salt and the salsa was a nice pico chunky mix of tomato and onion. Which as Jackie W points out, was a bit difficult to eat in a social setting as more times than I care to count I did drop bits here and there en route to my mouth. The margaritas were great, perfect amount of salt to sweet ratio (which to some is more salt than sweet). But the best part was main main course, the brisket (aka Sangre De Toro Beef Brisket). It was so tender I could barely get it on my fork! The spices were balanced and didn't overwhelm the taste of the beef. And it was a good portion, three long slices with beans and rice and some corn dish (I dislike corn, I know it's strange). So there was enough to pass around and brag about while still having more than enough for myself. And much to my dismay, I could not illicit any food envy (not even from Josh S!) as everyone had equally amazing dishes (the bite of puerco con cafe was yummers!). I look forward to mas margaritas as I eat my way though the menu. I've heard the guac is homemade and chunky like the salsa, that's reason enough to return right there.
(5)Josh S.
Stopped in here last night with some friends and boy am I happy to have found this place. To sum it up, the margaritas are awesome, service was awesome and the puerco con cafe y chile marron was AfreakingMAZING. We were greeted by our waiter with his thick Boston accent and we quickly ordered a round of margaritas while we waited on a friend to show up. Since he had heard next to nothing about the place we were all happy with our choice of drink. The margaritas were not watered down like you find at some places and there was an ample amount of salt on the rim of the glass, both of which are pluses in my book. The chips and salsa were good as well, the chips had a healthy (or not so healthy) helping of salt. Though as others have noted the salsa is not really like the salsa you expect, it is more of a pico de gallo type with chunks of tomato and onion. Always expecting to end up with food envy I was carefully scrutinizing the menu for something that would for once not leave me with food envy. I saw the puerco con cafe y chile marron and though I might have a winner. It was sliced pork loin rubbed in a blend of coffee and chile powder and brown sugar. Now I'm not a coffee fan, but that sounded good. I was a bit worried that the coffee flavor would be over powering, but it was actual a very subtle flavor that when mixed with the chile and brown sugar, was absolutely amazing. Stephanie's brisket was good, but I finally kicked the food envy monkey off my back with this meal. I'm very happy to have found this little restaurant. The atmosphere was a bit eclectic, and Focal Point is right next door that offers some live entertainment, but the food was very, very good and the margaritas were awesome. We will definitely be back for another round of margaritas and some more amazing food.
(5)Catherine H.
I ate at the Maya Cafe on a Friday in late April with a friend. We did not have a reservation, but were able to walk in at 7:45 and be seated right away. It was a little loud until the two tables nearest us cleared out. Our waitress must have felt busy, because she handed us some menus without a smile or an introduction, and disappeared. I'm not very outgoing, so I usually prefer the less chatty servers, but this girl's behavior verged on rudeness. We received our salsa and chips quickly. I liked the chunkiness of the salsa, but I would have liked a little more depth to the flavor, instead of just tomatoes and onions. Nonetheless, it was quite good, and the chips had the right amount of salt. My friend and I also split a guacamole appetizer, which many reviews have called a "large" portion and "bland." I can't agree with either comment--there was just enough for the two of us, and it was well-seasoned, although simple. We both ordered the fish tacos as our main course, and these are responsible for the star that brings this restaurant from three to four. Three soft wheat tortillas wrapped around crispy, perfectly hot, perfectly cooked, flaky white fillets, with a little guacamole and pico de gallo inside each, seasoned perfectly with something that mingled with the lime juice I squirted over it and transported me to food heaven. The rice served with it was bland and unremarkable, until mixed with the delicious juices dripping from the tacos. I hated to finish that meal. I dream of going back. We also ordered a margarita each, which I liked but was not overwhelmed by--it was good, but not spectacular. However, I do not drink much, so i can't compare it with other establishments' margaritas. Maybe it's the best in St. Louis, I just wouldn't know. The food came readily, and our waitress, while taciturn and unfriendly, was at least quick and efficient. However, I was more than a little annoyed when, as we were talking after having finished our meal, we were left over twenty minutes without water refills, as though now that we had paid, our waitress had completely written us off. Finally, just before we got up to go, she stalked over from the bar where she had been lounging with a water refill. As we left, she failed to acknowledge us with a farewell or even to make eye contact. I have rarely encountered that level of coldness in a server. Maya Cafe can thank their fish tacos for making me overlook her poor attitude, because I would definitely like to come back someday.
(4)Miranda R.
Enjoyed lunch here today, a Tuesday, and was so pleased by my fantastic server. She was so helpful in pointing out other places to visit in the area, which was especially great since I'm new in town. The guacamole was fresh and fantastic! The fish tacos were tasty, but I prefer mine served on a corn tortilla. Either way, I'll be sure to visit Maya again soon.
(4)Amelia M.
The Maya is such a wonderful place. The food is delicious, you can really tell how well-educated and creative the chefs are that work here. The wait staff is great too, friendly, honest, real people who act more like a family than employees. The decor and ambiance are so entertaining. The same artist that helped to design the city museum beatnik bar helped decorate this place. The best part by far is the upside down Christmas tree attached to the ceiling, complete with ornaments, a star on top (or bottom?) and even presents. Every time I come here I know I won't be disappointed. Thank you so much for such a great restaurant. I'll be back again soon!
(5)Dena G.
Went here with a friend the other evening and had the Chayotes Rellenos. While I didn't care for it tastewise (it was bland, in fact, pretty tastless) the decor is nice, the server excellent and overall there's a great vibe to the place. I'll go back and try something else next time.
(3)Anne K.
So delicious! We followed recommendations by others and got the empañadas app, beef brisket enchiladas, & cerdo en chile verde...they were all amazing! My husband said the cerdo was the best pork dish he has ever had! And I have never had better enchiladas! Also, the server and other gentleman working there were so nice and accommodating, especially since we had a toddler with us. We will definitely return, hopefully sooner than later!
(5)Chad E.
I went here in December of 2009 and I was not impressed... completely. The food was pretty good, but the price was not. I had a chef special of scallops on rice with grilled asparagus and it was very tasty. So, expect good food but also expect a bill on the high side.
(3)Cy K.
We used an Entertainment book coupon and were pleased to have discovered a wonderful restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxed and the service was attentive but not disruptive. The food here is delicious. It's the best Latin American food we've had in St Louis. Try the house margarita and don't waste time on the sangria. We used an Entertainment book coupon and were pleased to have discovered a wonderful restaurant. The atmosphere is relaxed and the service was attentive but not disruptive. The food here is delicious. It's the best Latin American food we've had in St Louis. Try the house margarita and don't waste time on the sangria.
(4)Stephanie S.
The latest addition to Stephanie's 'I went here but I completely forgot to write a review because I'm a scatterbrained idiot' list: Maya Cafe! I'm going to be honest: I really want to like Maya Cafe, since it's in Maplewood and I love my 'hood, but I just can't. I'm not a fan. Service at Maya was attentive and friendly, and chips and salsa were brought out almost immediately. They were pretty good, but the salsa was too runny and not chunky enough for my taste. For my entree, I ordered the Aji de Gallina: grilled chicken breast with spicy ancho, habanero and citrus cream sauce. It was paired with saffron and garnished with hard-boiled egg slices, kalamata olives and slivered almonds. Sorry, Maya. Mango also has the Aji de Gallina, and they did a much better job. Maya's version was very bland and was lacking the wonderful kick that Mango's had. On a more positive note, I ordered one of the housemade margaritas, and it was pretty freaking fantastic! Maya Cafe, your food stinks, but you might have my favorite margarita on the planet. Fact. I probably won't be back anytime soon. Well...maybe I'll be fair and give Maya another chance. Actually, I'm lying. No I won't.
(2)