Facing a XVII century old church in the Alta de Coimbra, the Japanese restaurant MA, is characterized by organic volumes anchored in a comfortable and minimalistic aesthetic.

The space is divided into two distinct rooms designed to involve guests in an intimate, delicate and almost ceremonious experience. The journey starts in a dark room and as guests move along the bar they are lead to this ancient stone and oak portic, connecting to a centuries old stone room in eggshell tones. The experience as you move through the rooms creates a deliberate yet unexpected sense of compression for the guest before a sense of release. The curation of textural materials, dimmed light and tones subtly blends in an atmosphere that emphasizes balance. The balance between: the stone walls and the meticulous dishes and wine selection; the sublime brutality of the 700 kg Portuguese marble column and the organicity of the custom-made chestnut chairs. The balance present in the vulnerability of the once vigorous volcanic red rock, now inert between plain white walls. And ultimately, in the space and trust that exist between the chef and his guests at the 6.5m long counter.

This is where the MA experience is attuned and FILIPE ALVARO focused to create the project, choose the name MA, idealize the concept and visual identity for the Japanese restaurant. See the all project here.

MA is the invisible and essential element that measures the time and space between everything.

The space between margins, between the beginning and the end filled with nothing but energy and feeling. It is the intentional empty space in a work of art as important as the object, inviting the viewer to focus, allowing interpretation. It is the momentary pause in speech that connects words to give them meaning, and the silence between notes that creates music.

In March 2024, MA restaurant made The Michelin Guide.