MAYA Restaurant
MAYA is a Guatemalan restaurant based on my culture. It’s rooted in Tikal—a place that holds so much history and beauty with its ancient Mayan ruins still standing strong in the middle of the rainforest. The imagery and history shaped the direction of the brand.
Visually, I kept things neutral and clean—kind of sophisticated, but still laid-back. It’s not loud or flashy, because the ruins themselves aren’t either. They’re powerful in a quiet way, and I wanted MAYA to feel like that. Chill but strong.
The longer menu folds out like steps, mimicking the feeling of walking up the ruins. It’s a small detail, but it makes the whole experience feel more connected to the roots. The smaller menu has more bakery and dessert options , which was inspired by my own family. We’ll drink coffee at any time of day and always have some sort of bread to go with it, so that had to be part of the space.
MAYA is kind of like bringing a slice of the Guatemalan rainforest to the city—tropical, earthy, and warm. It’s a space to relax, eat good food, and feel a little closer to the stories and traditions that inspired it.