Cafe Mai | Hackney Wick

Great little spot I stumbled on by accident. Tasty well-seasoned food, the chef clearly takes a lot of pride in (he brings it to your table). Very good portion sizes - not your usual Hackney "small plates". Excellent natural wine options too. Highly recommend. I will be going back.

Table for two, delicious wine selection, outstanding beans, fluffy foccaccaccia, two pasta dishes on nom nom. Sunny day by the canal. Feels like you're winning at life with the people you love. So full, satisfying. Small menu but veggie friendly and they got diet cokes also. Excellent friendly service. Good for family, dates and larger groups too even. 10/10 would recommend.

I love this place. Both times I've been, the food has been delicious. The pork ragu and porchetta foccacia are unreal. The menu is quite short, which I see as a positive as the chef seems to be focusing on getting everything perfect. The wine I've had both times has been the perfect accompaniment. It's a bit cold in there in the winter, but the food and wine make up for it. The only real downside is the toilets, which are outside the bar and not great.

Porchetta things… get em! Delicious sandwich at lunch! And chicken salad is a beauty too. 2 lunchtime visits in 1 week! A simple menu, with a few variations each visit. I’m excited to return for other more substantial plates. Updated: sixth visit in six weeks… still great value for lunch!

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 recommend it enough.

stopped for lunch around 430, told kitchen was closed until 5 pm. Second server said there is food just starters available - service was a bit confusing. We ordered sausage and beans, antipasti, bread, olives and tried the orange wine £9 a glass (not recommended) The table was never checked. Food was fresh and nicely served. Great views over the canal.

Wow. Just wow. I only regret of not knowing this place before. Small menu, meaning all in there is delicious. This sandwich could be shared but I have by myself, if two can combine with cheese or ham. Olives were great too. All’s organic and tasty.

Absolute 10 out of 10. Visited Cafe Mai for the first time for a friends birthday and I was blown away by the incredible food, wine and service. I haven’t stop dreaming about the squash pasta & focaccia. I will be back very soon to try more delish dishes.