A new Mexican eatery, Maya, has opened in Charleston’s lively Upper King Street district. The breezy, indoor-outdoor space features a tropical-inspired interior design by the Restaurant Studio, which recalls the coasts of Tulum where the jungle meets the sea.
“I lived in Akumal for a few years, which is a small dive community just a mile or so north of Tulum, so I was pretty immersed in the local culture and culinary scene,” says David Leboutillier, owner of the Restaurant Studio. “The design of Maya is unique to Charleston as most of the Mexican restaurants in the city are not regionally specific in the way that Maya is to the Yucatan Peninsula and Tulum.”
A soothing and simple materiality is employed throughout the restaurant, instilling Maya with a Zen-like aesthetic. Bright white surfaces evoke a coastal flair alongside a mix of reclaimed timber, natural stones, and tilework. A 16-seat bar anchors the 44-seat dining room, where a candle-style chandelier contrasts the ambiance of the open-air patio.
Outside, a 10-seat bar and a range of alfresco seating—from wicker barstools to a vintage swinging couch—are featured to promote a convivial atmosphere. Details like string lights, live greenery, and other organic furnishings further blur the lines between indoors and outdoors.
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