Cafe Mai | Hackney Wick — Restaurant in London

WOW! I'm not sure what the all encompassing power that rules the universe was thinking when it gave Jo and Conner the secret to constructing the porchetta sandwich they serve here but it's absolutely astounding.

It is without doubt the best sandwich I have eaten in 2024, I can't recommend it highly enough.

Everything is made in house and the quality of ingredients is superb. The pork joint is a pork middle, which is pork belly wrapped around the loin, its seasoned inside with sage, rosemary, garlic and fennel wrapped around with the belly and oven cooked until perfectly tender with an amazingly crispy, dare I say perfect crackling!

The bread is freshly baked daily focaccia, prepared and baked in house. The sandwich is served with dressed rocket, a little mayo, olive oil and capers.

I arrived at around 6pm and the bread and pork were fresh out of the oven, pork still sizzling whilst resting. The smell was astoundingly good, which prompted me to buy the porchetta sandwich.

The final result is divine, the flavour combination gave me all over body tingles and was a delight to eat beginning to end. The sandwich also contained surprise crackling bites which added texture and crunch.

It was so good that I was inspired to write this review and order a second one!

Cafe Mei is a hidden gem, located in unit 4 Schwartz wharf down the alley from whitepost Lane, there is a second entrance on the sideof the Hackney wick cutsuper canal to the south opposite Omega works. The cafe has a really chilled friendly vibe and the staff are lovely.

I didn't treat it but there is a varied menu antipasti and pasta that I'll be returning to taste.

All in all I'm not sure 5 stars is enough. I can't recommend it enough and you should gy check it out.

Update:

I've since eaten both the roast pork and roast beef Sunday lunch options, as to be expected they were superbly cooked and seasoned with no need for any additional seasoning. Both were served with a selection of greens, skin on roast new potatoes and a personal gravy boat! I forgot to take photos but both meals were excellent, service was quick and friendly and the atmosphere was a described above.

Still can't...

Well, where do I start? Cafe Mai, a hidden gem in the heart of Hackney Wick! Warm, welcoming and fabulous atmosphere, great music, friendly, attentive staff. And the food.. incredible! Relatively small yet carefully prepared menu, you can tell the chef is extremely passionate about food from how well this is curated. Between the table we ordered most dishes and every single one that came out looked delicious. Lovely wine list to accompany the food and all other drinks / cocktails looked equally appealing. Prices were extremely reasonable for London and the high quality of food and service. I would love to visit again during the day time and cannot wait for summer on the outside terrace area overlooking the canal. I would highly recommend for anyone considering visiting, you...

Walking along the canal and my Jack Russell dog Cali sniffed the amazing aroma coming out of Cafe Mia and she ran inside I rushed in to retrieve her and saw the most amazing stuffed porchetta fresh from the oven and loaves of fresh home made focaccia other dishes also looked amazing. I grabbed my dog, apologised, and headed for the door embarrassed…. The chef and George (manager) reassured me that dogs were welcome anytime with “well behaved owners” 😂 went Back to my boat but with the porchetta focaccia aroma still on my mind … both Cali and I returned within the hour ordered the aforementioned sandwich and thoroughly enjoyed it ( the crackling on the pork was to die for) I have been back twice since, last time was for Sunday Roast …. Go see...