Markus Thesleff – CEO of Thesleff Group, behind Los Mochis, LUNA Omakase, Juno Omakase, and Sale e Pepe, and also Founder of OKKU Dubai and Pangaea nightclub – is launching MA/NA, a groundbreaking luxury Japanese dining and drinking destination in West Mayfair.
Opening in January 2026 on 30 Upper Grosvenor Street, MA/NA is born from the Japanese philosophy that every ingredient carries an invisible power; a life-force shaped by nature and the hands that honour it. ‘Mana’ is defined as the spiritual energy that exists beneath the surface of all things and in all ingredients. It is felt rather than seen, it is what transforms emotion into experience, and a meal into memory.
Guided by this belief, the 156-cover restaurant and bar will serve refined Japanese dishes alongside an exceptional cocktail, wine and sake list. The restaurant and bar take equal billing – cocktails flow effortlessly into dinner, and dinner naturally returns to drinks.
MA/NA celebrates the craft of Japanese cuisine. The quiet mastery of precise cuts, the patience of fermentation, and the connection between earth and ocean. Every detail is intentional. Each dish captures a moment in its purest form, revealing the extraordinary within the simple.
Executive Chef Leo Tanyag, of Los Mochis, JUNO & LUNA Omakase and formerly of OKKU Dubai, brings this philosophy to life through a menu inspired by Japan’s culinary traditions and modern sensibilities. The room itself carries a pulse: light, sound, design and service working together to elevate not only taste, but feeling.
Menu highlights include Ebi Wasabi (tiger shrimp tempura with creamy wasabi), Edamame Aburi (teriyaki edamame with black truffles), Kani Tartare Salad (king crab, Asian leaves, yuzu masago, pink peppercorns, espelette chilli, truffle ponzu and caviar pearls), Avocado Aburi (robata-seared avocado with asparagus, mushrooms and spicy mayo baked in a flaming shell), Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, Scallop Dynamite Maki (California maki with spicy scallop, tanuki and sweet soy), Bulgogi Robata (grilled bone-in ribeye with ginger, garlic and sesame soy), Wagyu Ishiyaki (M5 Wagyu seared on a Himalayan salt stone with garlic-soy, ponzu and mixed Asian leaves), and Truffle & Garlic Fried Rice.
A Private Dining Room for up to 20 guests will offer an intimate setting for celebrations, discreet meetings, and exclusive chef-led experiences.
As dinner draws to a close, MA/NA evolves into a contemporary cocktail bar, where intimacy, precision, and atmosphere converge. The soundtrack deepens, while resident DJs guide guests through the night. The bar, led by Thesleff Group Bar Director Pietro Collina of The World’s 50 Best Bars’ Viajante87 and formerly of Nomad and Eleven Madison Park, pays homage to Japanese bartending: refined technique, rare spirits, and 1970s Tokyo soul.
Every detail has been crafted with intention, from dark wood panelling to warm amber lighting designed by OV&CO. A dramatic dragon-shaped banquette coils through the lounge, symbolising power, protection and fluidity, guiding guests from bar to dining room. A custom handblown Magma lighting sculpture by EWE Studio anchors the space alongside a beautiful open wine room and sommelier station for four seated guests.
Of the opening, Markus Thesleff, CEO and Founder of Thesleff Group, said: “Everything we do is intentional and inspired by culture and tradition. I have a love for Asia; my father was born in Japan and my grandfather was Finnish Ambassador to the country, so I have the utmost respect for Japanese culture and ritual. You can see this philosophy running through every detail at MA/NA, from the food to the furnishings. It’s a destination where incredible food, creative cocktails, and best-in-class entertainment meet under one roof, whether you’re here for a post-work drink, a unique dining experience, or late-night cocktails. MA/NA isn’t just a restaurant, it’s a celebration of ritual and the quiet mastery behind it.”
MA/NA will open on 30 Upper Grosvenor Street in January 2026.
Guests are invited to register their interest for bookings for MA/NA at www.manarestaurants.com where they will be the first to hear about the official launch of the reservations line.
The restaurant can be followed on Instagram @mana.mayfair
