Highlight is the co-owner Joe. He is super cute and attentive. We found the portion size to be adequate and yummy. My aunt loved her taco salad and my surf and turf burrito was yummy. read more

Maya Palenque - Mexican Near Me - Novato, California

The food is okay. Mexican food in Nor Cal cant touch So Cal, but Im not in So Cal am I? Well, the portions are massive and the food is heavy. But if you want a massive Mexican meal that tastes good, this place is not a bad choice. Oh! Beware... weekend nights its NOISY. read more

Maya has become the defacto hangout for drunken softball clowns and those local workers celebrating getting fired. NOBODY goes there for the food - at least not since they built the new building... That's right, Maya was once a six table shack on the same lot - better food, way better clientele... Update 8/31/09 Food was noticeably fresher and better executed than I experienced before. Some dishes still have that "bar food" feel, but it IS a bar, so that's about right I suppose. Wait staff was pleasant and attentive - keep it up, Maya! read more

I have lived in Novato for many years and have seen this place go through many different owners, managers and staff changes. Each time they have a big change, I keep going back hoping that someone will finally get it right...but the food and the service still feels the same. I am a huge fan of Mexican food and when I find a great place, I will come often and bring friends. In the last 6 months I have gone into this place twice and I always leave feeling let down. The wait staff have been unfriendly, the drinks have been watered down and the food was smothered in too much sauce and cheese. Positive, is that they always seem to have fresh hot chips and salsa and allow you to smoke outside. read more

Thank you to my Maya family for a great birthday. Carlos, you're the best! Vicente, you always make all my drinks perfect. Love to all who celebrated with me today! Michelle P. read more

The food is good, I like their ceviche and chicken rice soup. The burritos are huge. Check them out. read more

Food was actually very tasty but I was irritated by the fact that our waiter felt it was necessary to take my money and keep the $9+ change I should have got back. Especially on a $30 bill. Not cool. . . read more

I enjoyed the guacamole, but it had a ton of tomato in it and was a little under seasoned. The veggie burrito had a lot of vegetables in it, but the tomatillo sauce could have used a bit more flavor. The salsas were bland, like they had been watered down. Service was good. Overall, it was a middle of the road mexican restaurant. read more

This is one of those places where the patrons ruin the entire atmosphere by getting way to drunk and the bar tender could care less. My girlfriend and I came here last night around 6 to have a margarita. We decided to play a game of pool and requested the next game by writing my name on the chalkboard. Standard at any bar when people don't get off the pool table. 3 day laborers decided they did not want to give up the table and started to disrespect my 100lb white girlfriend by making lewd gestures and telling her to go away. I kindly went over to them to discuss proper manners and they continued to try to take me outside and fight me in front of the bar/restaurant for one game of pool. I notified the bar tender that these 3 were harassing myself and my girlfriend and to remove them immediately. The bar tender began sticking up for the 3 men until other patrons started to side with us and complain as well. The bar tender waited until i got upset and demanded them to leave. He eventually told them to leave when it was more of an issue then he wanted to hear about. As the men were leaving the bar tender shook down with them and told them to come back later. The men began flicking us off and making sexual gestures until they left. Minutes later the bar tender told us to leave with no good reason. I have left there manager/owner a complaint and they refuse any kind of apology. This place is bad news with a very bad bartender. He is short and pudgy with a goatee, light skin, and doesn't care about this business. I will never spend my money on a place that doesn't appreciate their customers and try to bring a safe atmosphere in what they call a restaurant. read more

awsome place for great food, drinks and to chill. Lots of regulars there but everyones really cool. Try the Joe's its off the heezy fo sheezy read more

Carlos, Vicente, we love you. There's no better spot in novato for us restaurant employees to convene after a long night shift, and we are very glad you're there for us. Great drinks, free chips, digital jukebox, and even a pool table. Perfect. read more

Nice place great atmspeare. But after the chips it went down hill. I had the chrispy beef tacos they reminded me of Salt Lake mexican food. I like my new home town so I wont get into details. read more

This place is hit or miss. Their nachos rock, but some of the other items I have ordered, enchiladas, tacos, burritos are either really good or not good. It's not consistent unfortunately. I haven't tried their family style plates so I may try that next. Atmosphere is fun, bar is fun but food is hit or miss. In my experience. read more

Excellent for tacos, enchiladas and ceviche. The soups, not so much. It can be a bit hit and miss, but there's something about the atmosphere here that makes it fun. The patio is good for taking it easy on lazy afternoons. I actually had my 21st birthday here, so it always will hold a special place in my heart. read more

We love this place. The owner, Carlos, works the bar and is the man. The foods delicious, the service is great and the scene is casual. The carlos margarita is fantastic read more

What is the Spanish word for mediocre - muy, muy mediocre? Last time I went was several years ago for a company party and it seemed okay. Decided to check it out again today for lunch with a friend who had noticed it but had never been so I said okay. I've read the other reviews and none of them really mention the food - mostly the bar and the friendly service. Why am I not surprised? Maybe you have to be drunk to appreciate the food for at least absorbing the alcohol. It was a colossal disappointment. In the room, you kind of get that it's about the bar because the decor is kind of dusty and lame and they have a bunch of bossy signs that seem aimed at keeping the drinkers in line, but it is really disappointing that they don't even seem to try with the food. Especially with all of those pretentious foodie quotes in the menu setting you up for a big fall. But what was waaaaaayyyyy worse than the food was what happens after the food is digested. Oh yes! I went to the ladies' room. OMFG!!! Dirty, icky, and both bowls un-flushed, one with turds floating lazily in the afternoon. How to choose? I clamped my exit holes shut, we paid the bill, and hurried to the nearest gas station. It's not hard to find good Mexican food in northern CA, but it is very hard to find it at Maya Palenque in Novato. Find a taco truck. You'll pay a lot less, won't be disappointed, and the porta-pottie won't surprise you. read more

I love sitting outside and how chill this place is! My friend and I do girls night here (not on purpose...but it always ends up at this place). Not sure the bartenders name. He is pretty cool and helpful. Food was good (and for once i was far from finishing my food). Could it be that I was enjoying my margheritas too much? Well, we walked out of there with only a $60 tab and that includes the biggest shot of patron ever and two margheritas each. Lord, i could spend $60 just on drinks for me at other places! Good deal! read more

It had been a very long time since I was last here because the last time I came to this restaurant it was filthy. In fact, when last here I thought it was so dirty I didn't expect it to be open much longer. So, recently, because the restaurant we planned to go to was not open, my friend and I went in for lunch. It is still not the most polished Mexican restaurant in the area, and until it cleans up a bit I am more likely to go to one of the other Mexican restaurants nearby. We were at the restaurant on a weekday at lunch time. The restaurant was close to empty, so the service was appropriately attentive. The chips and salsa were really good ~ a big plus for this place. I had the chicken tortilla soup and really enjoyed it. I would go back and try it again! My friend had a chili relleno and an enchilada and also enjoyed her lunch. Hope they will step things up a bit so that this is more than just a moderately acceptable place to go. read more

I really like this place my sister brought me by a few years ago and I try to stop in when I get down this way. The Primo prawns and the Ceviche are awesome read more

With a good bar and a nice hall-dining setting, Maya Palenque is an active and casual place to grab some good food. Classic mexican dishes with some American-fusion choices are offered, with good beer and even better margaritas. read more

This place is just OK. I was hoping it was going to be better. Maybe we just didn't order the 'right' things but, while our food was edible, there was nothing that we had that I would want to have again. Having a variety of salsas or even better salsa on the table would have made the dining experience a little better. I will say that the margarita I had was pretty good and I got a pretty good buzz from just one. The location is great, the building looks interesting, but next time I want Mexican food I'd be better off just going to a corner taqueria where I know the food is good. read more

Super fast for lunch. The service was fast and friendly. Several salsas to choose from. Reasonably priced.

I don't know why I have only been here a couple of times. Maybe because it's a little on the pricey end. The happy hour prices seemed pretty good though. The last time I went I ordered the chicken mole, an Horchata and the ice cream nachos. The chips and salsa were really good. I rarely eat them because I don't want to spoil my appetite but I really couldn't stop eating these throughout my entire meal. The chicken mole was delicious(it was not spicy at all). The only thing that was not traditional was the way the chicken was not shredded but it was a whole chicken breast. It would be a little awkward to put that in a tortilla (which might I add was also homemade and hot), compared to when it's shredded. I wouldn't complain about that though, it was just different than what I'm used to. The rice and beans were pretty ordinary but still good. The horchata seemed like the powder ones you get, but I'm not sure I've ever had one that didn't come from a powder. I mean, what the hell is it made of it not powder? Then there were the ice cream nachos.... a giant plate loaded with chips that were sprinkled (heavily) with cinnamon and sugar. Topped with a fuckload of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream, caramel and chocolate sauce. I shared it with and it still broke us. It was more than enough for 2 people. I'd say probably at least 3 could eat it and be satisfied. The service at this place was very good. We got our food fast and everyone was friendly. read more

Hafta give props for their friendly staff.....okay, okay....the owners are friends of my friend (two degrees of separation?) so I'm a bit biased. But it IS a fun local place! read more

Excellent on a fall day. Great place to eat outside. They have a nice large patio..you hardly notice that the 101 is whizzing by. The menu is classic Mexican and the drinks are large. They do have a big emphasis on sports here. Lots on flat panels inside to watch whatever game you desire. It looked clean to me the day we were there. The service was good too. Good place to get some Mexcian food and feel satisfied. There were some sketchy people in the parking lot ..but that had nothing to do with the restaurant. I think they were going to the store next to them. read more

I used to come here with my co workers once in a while after work. Its a great place to have a few drinks and watch a game. The drinks are fairly straight forward and inexpensive. And kudos to the free chips and salsa. Maya Palenque is usually pretty energetic on the weekends, lots of people drinking, even outside on the patios, playing pool, and having a good time with their amingos- unless its really changed that much in the last few months. But I've never tried the food here, and judging from those reviews, I don't think I've missed out on much. read more

I have driven by this restaurant time and again, always a bit curious but never truly giving it full attention. When it was my choice to find a restaurant for date night, I decided to just go for it and check this place out. The exterior by far does not reflect the warmth and beauty of its interior. With large Aztec themed murals and plenty of table seating, the spacious seating area and bar offered an inviting atmosphere. My husband and I were greeted quite quickly and soon had two mango margaritas betweem our hand. The guacamole appetizer rocked and my main dish of carne asada was enough for the next day's lunch. My husband had the Diablo shrimp. At the end, we shared the dessert nachos--they were delish! Truly, I wish we had discovered this place earlier. To be sure, we will return! read more

This place was "ok" I'm pretty sure it's a good hang out for margaritas and to hang out with friends, but I wouldn't eat here again. First thing you see when you walk in is the bar. I think I should be called "Maya Palenque Bar" instead of "restaurant." They don't offer "aguas frescas" they could have at least had "horchata" nope, nothing. I'd have to say that the ceviche I ordered was not worth $11.00. The presentation of the dishes was not nice... The staff is pleasant. The bathrooms need some sprucing big time! I thought I was going to need a tetanus shot! If you come here, stick to the drinks. read more

Food is so-so even Chevys is better. They charge extra for things and it's not stated on the menu. Service is horrible.

We found this place by accident and it's our newest fav! I skimmed thru some other comments regarding the baño. dude, have you had their food?! F tha bathroom, it's all about the food! cool atmosphere makes you feel at home on the sofa to your left. kick back order some drinks, enjoy some chips and salsa and relaxxxxxx! no pushy servers that bug you with; are you ready to order" shit every 5 mins lol. This place is the bomb! read more

dis plase so kool. i wuld go hear evry dai. i is big fan uv me frand aka owner dawter. I LOVE DIS PLASE

Hate the bartender here, he acts like he is too good to pour out your blended margarita (assuming the machine is working). He is rude, never fills my glass all the way, and almost makes me mad enough to not come back. Although-their food is great, patio is wonderful, and it's the best spot for an after work happy hour. So with mixed feelings I will continue going, but will still continue to loathe the bartender. read more

Well prepared traditional Mexican food, large menu, warm ambiance, good outdoor eating areas, warm and responsive service

Oh man...I hate to say anything negative about any restaurant but this has to be said. They need to clean the place...Badly! The floors, the walls and restrooms - OMG! Don't touch anything. The servers were nice people and the drinks were good. The food was so/so and needed a little something to perk it up. But on the whole, nothing was there to make me want to go back. A clean environment to eat in is not unreasonable. read more

MayaPalenque stands out for it's fine dining and service. Had not been here in a while but agter the great meal and service as well as the entertainment maybe I'll habe to come back. read more

Maya Palenque - Outside seating is always an option! - Mexican Near Me - Novato, California

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I'm not sure if we ordered things that happened to be bad or what. But, we really didn't like it. We also had margaritas my husband asked for patron (and paid for patron) but was given something that must have been muc cheaper. The staff was friendly and helpful. They get stars mostly for atmosphere. The crowd was really fun, it was much more a bar than a restaurant by our experience, though our drinks were awful. Still we actually had a good time. read more

Not too bad. My friend got wasted on 2 giant margaritas...that was funny. The service was good, the food was ok...rice and beans really bland tho and really dry plantains. The atmosphere is kind of crap, lots of skeezy bar sluts. read more

Excellent food at reasonable prices and friendly service. They also have the Best chips and salsa of any Mexican restaurant I've ever visited. read more

I would give this place negative stars if I could, but to give a review you need at least one, so here I go. I work close to this restaurant and my coworkers and I go out to lunch for birthdays and special occasions. There are several Mexican restaurants around the area but my coworker chose this one for his birthday lunch. Worst Experience EVER!!! When we went there, there were like only two other customers there, one inside and one SMOKING outside. It was a nice summer day so we opted to sit outside in their nice back patio. Plus the restaurant itself has a stench that makes you think they might be in need of a health inspection. Anyways, they sat us rightnext to the SMOKER!!! I asked if we could move away from the smoker but they said no because they were short staffed. What, the server can't walk the extra ten steps to the other side patio?? Besides, this is California, isn't it illegal to smoke ANYWHERE in restaurants?? I guess this lady was a regular so it really didn't matter. We weren't a very large party, but it still took them forever to order and give us our meals, then they got them ALL wrong and they were cold. The food wasn't even that good to begin with and it upset my stomach afterward. DO NOT GO HERE!!! BAD FOOD AND EVEN WORSE SERVICE!!! read more

The 2 stars are for the service and the red salsa they give you when you sit down with the chips! The food is mediocre and also made my stomach upset. They don't even know how to roll a burrito! read more