Mayfair is a complicated place. A locale where inherited wealth whispers behind polished façades, yet just beneath the surface, it pulses with a restless hunger for reinvention. MA/NA is set to deliver the Mayfair exclusivity, design, and late-night energy of a private members’ club, but without those boring Mayfair membership restrictions.
In Mayfair, meals are turning into experiences. MA/NA represents the future, built around the idea of movement, where the evening unfolds from elegant dining into a more immersive ambience. Opening on 20th April 2026 at 30 Upper Grosvenor Street, MA/NA is the latest venture from Markus Thesleff, the mind behind Los Mochis, Juno Omakase and LUNA Omakase and an award-winning entrepreneur. Markus doesn’t rest, but one thing he does do very well is understand what people want. He is one of those brilliant minds that just gets it and pushes all the boundaries. With a background spanning London and Dubai, the group’s newest opening feels like a natural progression. A progression that brings together food, design, and late-night energy all in one place.
A night at MA/NA will be a “three-act” evening, beginning with cocktails at the bar, moving into a dining experience, and gradually transitioning into a late-night lounge shaped by music and atmosphere.
The Meaning Behind MA/NA
The name itself draws from the Japanese concept of mana, which is the belief that every ingredient carries an invisible life-force, shaped by nature and the hands that prepare it. It refers to the spiritual energy believed to exist beneath the surface of all things, turning a meal into something far more memorable.
At MA/NA, this translates into careful attention to detail. The rhythm of service, the balance of the menu, and the way the space itself responds as the evening passes. This philosophy aligns MA/NA with a broader change in the way of dining, where intention and atmosphere are just as important as technique, reflecting a deeper appreciation of Japanese culture and ritual.
A Space Defined by 1970s Tokyo Glamour
The interiors set the tone immediately. Designed as a study in 1970s Tokyo retro-glamour, the space combines dark wood panelling with warm amber lighting, creating a sense of depth and intimacy across its 156 covers.
At its centre, a dramatic dragon-shaped banquette that symbolises power, protection and fluidity, guides guests from bar to dining room. Overhead, a custom handblown Magma lighting sculpture by EWE Studio anchors the space, while an open wine room and sommelier station introduce a quieter, more refined focal point. The result is a space that feels layered rather than obvious, subtly transforming as the night unfolds.
The Menu: Precision, Fire, and Balance
Under long-serving Executive Chef Leo Tanyag, the menu explores Japanese culinary tradition through a contemporary lens.
Dishes are built around clarity and technique, with an emphasis on texture and contrast. Tiger shrimp tempura is paired with creamy wasabi, while king crab is elevated with yuzu masago, truffle ponzu, and subtle heat. In other dishes, edamame is finished with black truffle, and avocado is robata-seared before being served in a flaming shell.
The robata grill plays a central role, particularly in dishes such as bulgogi-style bone-in ribeye, while the Wagyu Ishiyaki (M5 Wagyu seared tableside on Himalayan salt stone) adds a dramatic, theatrical edge.
Across the menu, there is a clear balance between refinement and indulgence, reflecting the evolving character of Japanese dining in London.
Cocktails, Sake, and the Shift Into Night
At MA/NA, the bar is not secondary to the kitchen; instead, it is an equal part of the experience. Led by Pietro Collina, whose background includes NoMad and Eleven Madison Park, the drinks programme draws on Japanese bartending traditions, focusing on precision, rare spirits, and a curated sake selection.
As dinner draws to a close, the atmosphere begins to shift. Lighting softens, music deepens, and the space transitions into a DJ-led lounge, where the energy changes gradually rather than abruptly. This seamless progression from dining room to late-night setting defines MA/NA’s identity as an approach well suited to Mayfair, where the line between restaurant and nightlife is increasingly blurred.
An Evening That Extends Beyond the Table
Beyond the main dining room, a private dining space for up to 20 guests offers a more intimate setting, for private celebrations and exclusive chef-led experiences.
Yet the defining feature of MA/NA is not a single dish or design detail, but the way the entire experience happens. It is a space designed to carry you through the entire evening, from early drinks through to late-night conversation, without ever needing a change of setting.
MA/NA joins Mayfair as a new arrival, where the evening is designed to unfold in stages, from cocktails to dining and into late-night energy, all in one single setting that is a celebration of ritual and craft with a deep respect for Japanese culture.
To discover more, visit: manarestaurants.com
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All imagery courtesy of MA/NA London.