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    Mei Mei, Restaurant in London
    Restaurant300Points
    Opinionated About Dining 2026

    Mei Mei

    Southeast Asian · Borough, London

    Restaurant in London, United Kingdom

    SaveMark VisitedBook with Pearl

    The Read

    Singaporean Counter Cooking

    Chef

    Elizabeth Haigh

    Dress

    Casual

    Why go

    Mei Mei is worth choosing for a casual Borough Market lunch or date when Southeast Asian cooking is the priority and a formal dinner setting is not. It is easier to plan than many high-demand London tables, with the strongest use case being two people who want a focused, chef-led daytime meal near the market.

    About Mei Mei

    Mei Mei is a London restaurant for Southeast Asian cooking from chef-owner Elizabeth Haigh. It is closed on Monday, open Tuesday to Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM.

    Choose it for casual Southeast Asian cooking in London

    The clearest reason to choose Mei Mei is the combination of Southeast Asian cuisine and Elizabeth Haigh's involvement. The dress code is casual, so it is best framed as a relaxed meal rather than a formal occasion. It also suits plans built around daytime hours, since the schedule does not include dinner service.

    Mei Mei also has recognition from Opinionated About Dining, including Casual in Europe in 2025 and Casual in Europe Recommended and Newly Added European Restaurants in 2026. That gives it a useful point of distinction for diners comparing casual London options, without turning it into a formal fine-dining destination.

    Where it fits in London

    Against other London choices, Mei Mei is the Southeast Asian pick for diners who want Elizabeth Haigh's cooking in a casual setting. Rambutan and Kolae are other named options to consider when comparing plans, while Brindisa Shop at Borough Market, Wright Brothers Borough Market, El Pastor may also make sense depending on the craving and occasion.

    For planning, pay close attention to the hours: Mei Mei is closed on Monday, opens from 10 AM to 5 PM Tuesday through Friday, from 9 AM to 5 PM on Saturday, from 10 AM to 4 PM on Sunday. For wider planning, use the London restaurants guide, if the day needs a broader itinerary, pair it with the London bars guide.

    The takeMei Mei is best approached as a daytime destination: it thrives during Borough Market’s mid-morning through mid-afternoon peak, making it especially suited to brunch and lunch visits. The space rewards people who want a high-quality, unfussy meal without the advance planning required for fine-dining reservations, so it’s ideal for casual hangouts, quick solo lunches, and informal meet-ups. Because the kitchen operates in an accessible, counter/market-oriented economy, it’s also a good pick for anyone exploring Borough Market who wants a reliably strong plate amid the market energy.
    Venue detailsTrendy
    Recognition and awards1 source
    Also considerAlternatives
    Restaurant contextLondon, United Kingdom

    Planning details

    Location
    Mei Mei, Unit 52 Rochester Walk, London SE1 9AF, United Kingdom
    Website
    meimei.uk
    Explore LondonNearby
    Around this placeMore Pearl picks
    The take

    The Take

    The Vibe

    Mei Mei positions itself squarely in a middle register where technically confident Southeast Asian cooking meets informal, no-ceremony service. The writing highlights a room that prizes clarity of flavor and consistent quality without the ritual of fine dining; that combination reads as relaxed and unabashedly casual. Recognition on Opinionated About Dining’s Casual in Europe list underscores its sustained standards in an accessible format. Set inside Borough Market, the restaurant leans into daytime bustle—it feels like a market-focused spot that serves serious food without fuss, aimed at diners who value skill over pomp.

    Best For

    Mei Mei is best approached as a daytime destination: it thrives during Borough Market’s mid-morning through mid-afternoon peak, making it especially suited to brunch and lunch visits. The space rewards people who want a high-quality, unfussy meal without the advance planning required for fine-dining reservations, so it’s ideal for casual hangouts, quick solo lunches, and informal meet-ups. Because the kitchen operates in an accessible, counter/market-oriented economy, it’s also a good pick for anyone exploring Borough Market who wants a reliably strong plate amid the market energy.

    Ordering Tips

    Keep orders straightforward and centered on signature items: the Hainanese chicken rice, nasi lemak, and fried chicken are cited as standouts and convey the kitchen’s focus. The piece emphasizes that the format favors diners who want cooking of conviction without months-long booking windows, so plan for mid-day service when the market is at its liveliest. Given the market-counter rhythm, expect an unfussy ordering experience—opt for the house specialties to get the clearest sense of the restaurant’s approach and value.

    Venue details

    Ambiance

    Casual counter seating in an open Borough Market stall with lively market atmosphere under a noisy railway bridge.

    Tags

    Vibe

    TrendyLivelyModern

    Best For

    Casual Hangout

    Experience

    Open Kitchen

    At the Table

    Dress Code
    Casual
    Noise Level
    Lively
    Service Style
    Counter Service
    Meal Pacing
    Quick Bite
    Capacity
    Intimate

    Signature Dishes

    • Hainanese chicken rice
    • nasi lemak
    • fried chicken
    Planning details

    Location

    Mei Mei, Unit 52 Rochester Walk, London SE1 9AF, United Kingdom · Directions

    meimei.uk

    Recognition and awards
    Also consider

    Where to go if Mei Mei is not the right fit

    Pick Rambutan if Sri Lankan food is the specific target and the group wants a fuller restaurant format. Pick Kolae if Thai cooking and a more dinner-friendly plan matter more than staying close to the market-counter feel.

    Restaurant context

    How It Compares

    Choose Rambutan if the priority is Sri Lankan cooking in a fuller restaurant setting; choose Mei Mei when Southeast Asian food, a tighter counter-style feel, a daytime Borough Market plan are the point. Rambutan has the clearer listed price signal at ££, while Mei Mei works better for diners who care more about chef identity and market convenience than a predictable spend category.

    Kolae is the better alternative for Thai food and a more conventional lunch-or-dinner plan. El Pastor is stronger for a lively Mexican meal with a group, especially when the table wants tacos and drinks rather than a chef-led Southeast Asian meal. For a date or small celebration, Mei Mei is the more focused call; for a louder group meal, El Pastor is easier to justify.

    Brindisa Shop at Borough Market and Wright Brothers Borough Market are better for quick market grazing or a seafood-led stop. Mei Mei is the pick when the meal itself needs to feel more intentional, not just convenient to Borough Market.

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    Unlock the full Mei Mei guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.

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    Compare Mei Mei
    Mei Mei London and similar venues
    VenueLocationCuisineAwardsPrice
    Mei MeiLondonSoutheast Asian
    2026 OAD Newly Added European Restaurants2026 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended2025 OAD Casual in Europe
    		;
    Brindisa Shop at Borough MarketLondonNo published awards; ;
    RambutanLondonSri Lankan
    Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2026The Good Food Guide 20252025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate
    		££
    Wright Brothers Borough MarketLondonNo published awards; ;
    KolaeLondonThai
    Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 20262026 OAD Casual in Europe Recommended2026 OAD Newly Added European Restaurants2025 National Restaurant Awards Top 100 · #33The Good Food Guide 20252025 Michelin Bib Gourmand2024 Michelin Bib Gourmand
    		££
    El PastorLondonTaqueria, Mexican
    2026 Michelin Plate2025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate
    		££

    How Mei Mei London compares with similar nearby venues.

    FAQ

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Is lunch or dinner better at Mei Mei?

    Mei Mei is better suited to daytime plans, because the hours do not include dinner service. It is closed on Monday, open Tuesday to Friday from 10 AM to 5 PM, Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, Sunday from 10 AM to 4 PM. For another London option, Wright Brothers Borough Market is a useful comparison.

    What should a first-timer know about Mei Mei?

    Go in expecting Southeast Asian cooking in London with a casual dress code. Elizabeth Haigh is the named chef-owner, Mei Mei has Opinionated About Dining recognition in 2025 and 2026. If you are comparing other London restaurants, Kolae is another option to look at.

    How far ahead should I book Mei Mei?

    Booking difficulty is best checked directly before you go. The most important planning detail is the daytime schedule, especially because Mei Mei is closed on Monday and does not list dinner hours. Brindisa Shop at Borough Market can be considered as another London stop depending on the plan.

    Is Mei Mei good for a special occasion?

    Mei Mei can fit a casual special occasion, especially for diners interested in Southeast Asian cooking from Elizabeth Haigh. It is not best described as a formal dinner choice, because the hours are daytime only and the dress code is casual. For another London option, El Pastor is a useful comparison.

    Does Mei Mei handle dietary restrictions?

    If dietary accommodations are important, contact Mei Mei directly before visiting and confirm what the restaurant can support on the day.

    What are alternatives to Mei Mei in London?

    Rambutan, Kolae, Brindisa Shop at Borough Market, Wright Brothers Borough Market, El Pastor are London options to consider depending on the occasion and craving. Mei Mei's identity is casual Southeast Asian cooking from Elizabeth Haigh.

    What should I order at Mei Mei?

    Check Mei Mei's current menu before you go or ask the team when you arrive. The reason to visit is Southeast Asian cooking from Elizabeth Haigh in a casual London setting. If you want to compare another restaurant, Rambutan is a useful option.