Situated less than 10 miles from the city center, Philadelphia’s Manayunk neighborhood brings an idyllic small-town charm to the city. Manayunk’s Main Street is home to unique boutiques, bakeries, wine bars, specialty shops and incredible restaurants, including its newest, Maya.J.

I had the pleasure of attending an event at Maya.J, and I loved it from the moment I arrived out front of the restaurant. A bold, beautiful and industrial sign welcomes you into a contemporary yet warm and inviting dining room and bar. After choosing from an extensive bar menu of creative cocktails, I had the opportunity to meet Chef Craig Wilson, the artist behind Maya.J’s innovative dishes.

With a focus on locally sourced farm-to-table ingredients, Maya.J serves dishes inspired by a variety of international culinary traditions, from Thai and Japanese, Spanish and Italian. We tried Deviled Eggs, Fire Roasted Chicken Tandoori, Falafel and Grilled Naan, and the Moroccan Baby Lamb Chop, all of which were so delicious we’re tempted to visit weekly.

While Philadelphia is home to countless fabulous restaurants, Manayunk remains a somewhat hidden gem, offering some of the best food I’ve had anywhere in the city. Do yourself a favor next time you’re in town and stop in to Maya.J for a global dining experience right here in Philly.

Photos: : © Rebecca Gudelunas 

— Nicole Quasté, assistant editor