We’re guessing it takes a bustling tinseltown to host a restaurant that looks like the movie set of a sci-fi version of Jack and the Beanstalk. Luckily, there’s Guangzhou. As one of China‘s first tier cities, lifestyle perks have always been more abundant here than elsewhere in the country, but also the sheer variety in pampering options increasingly makes Guangzhou a place to watch. The newly opened Mays restaurant totally fits the bill, offering its guest Euro-style vegeterian dishes in a sleek modern setting. Situated inside K11, an upscale mall complex in the emerging Zhujian Xincheng business district and a veritable playground for the city’s movers and shakers, the dining establishment ticks all the boxes of the this demographic.

Local design practice Guangzhou Daosheng was tapped to create the interior design for the 280 sqm. (3,014 sq.ft.) space, and took cues from the dining concept, tapping right into the domain of plants and nature. Focusing on the rapid growth of branches and leaves, the front area is adorned by just a wisp of those roots, captured by meandering stainless steel across the ceiling. Furnishings are simple and functional, comprising of wooden tables paired with an elongated bench lining the wall, comfy chairs and wooden tables, in addition to metal-clad booths with round wooden tables.

When advancing the premises, the plant theme becomes more evident, taking shape by way of organically shaped metal branches that shoot up from the ground and form pod-like structures. A sophisticated lighting system further adds to the evocative setting, and comprises of light spots embedded in the floor and ceiling, which magnify the sense of an enchanted forest, and more functional pendant lamps. As said, the veggie menu at Mays is European-inspired, featuring an array of intricately designed dishes with nutritious and locally sourced ingredients.