By car, Malacca or Melaka is just 3 hours away from Singapore and a very popular weekend getaway spot. You don’t get much time during such a short weekend getaway, so we are really here to make your life a tad bit easier with a comprehensive food guide.
Our team went forth to try out Malacca’s famous Jonker Street eats and beyond, curating only the best and compiling into our very own ultimate Malacca food guide. We managed to hit a couple of bars along the way too.
We stayed at Jonker Boutique Hotel during this trip, which was situated at the heart of Malacca’s Jonker’s street for the most efficient eating experience.
This Malacca food guide is split into cafes, street foods, local restaurants and even late night drinking spots. If you’re wondering where to eat in Malacca, feast on.
— Malacca Cafes—
1. Bikini Toppings
Ice Cream (RM6.90). If you’re in need of cooling refreshment after pounding the pavements of Melacca, Bikini Toppings will provide a welcome break. Serving an array of ice creams that come served in a coconut alongside refreshing coconut shakes, this is exactly what’s in order on a hot day.
We opted for a scoop of yam, a scoop of chendol and a garnish of fresh lychee, though there are numerous other ice cream flavours and toppings to choose from.
We couldn’t resist joining in with the ‘graffiti’ on the chalkboard walls whilst we were there. Let us know if you go and spot our tag!
Bikini Toppings: 46 Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia | Facebook
2. The Daily Fix
We loved the old fashioned vibe of The Daily Fix. It’s quirky, fun and serves a mean coffee. Old school music hums in the background of this spacious cafe, whilst a young, cool crowd make up most of the clientele.
Famed for it’s pancakes, we were not disappointed with some of the unusual flavours on offer. Whilst we were tempted by the Durian and choc chip flavours, we eventually opted for Pandan (RM 13.90). The pancakes were soft and fluffy on the inside with a nice crunch on the outside.
Pumped full with gula melaka (which we are now officially addicted to) these were a naughty but nice treat.
The Daily Fix: 55 Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia | Facebook
3. Calanthe Art Cafe
Serving a signature coffee from each of Malaysia’s 13 states, this is a Malacca must visit. Unsurprisingly, the most popular coffee served here is that from – you guessed it – Melaka. Containing 70% coffee beans, and 30% sugar, salt and margarine, the end result is a strong, sweet cup of joe.
The cafe itself is so cool we could easily spend a few hours working our way through the rest of the 12 Malaysian state offerings. The interior is an eclectic mix of vintage meets traditional Malay meets coffee hipster.
Be sure to walk through the main cafe area at the front to check out the nooks and crannies of the spaces at the back. You’ll find a treasure trove of Instagram worthy backdrops.
Calanthe Art Cafe: 11 Jalan Hang Kasturi, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia | Website
4. Backlane Coffee
Salted Caramel Tart (Rm13.00), White Surprise (Rm13.00). If you’re looking for a hipster cafe hangout, this is most definitely it. Exposed brick walls, an industrial vibe, cool lighting fixtures, home brew coffee – this place has got it all.
Whilst they do serve pizza – which, by the way, looked delicious – we couldn’t resist the choice of cakes and sweet treats that were on offer. We opted for a ‘white surprise’ (white chocolate mousse, raspberry coulis, hazelnut croustillant & praline string) and the ‘salted caramel tart’ (chocolate ganache, salted caramel, chocolate pastry).
Though both were delicious the bitter, salty, sweet caramel tart come out on top in this round of dessert wars.
Backlane Coffee: 129, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia | Facebook
5. Ola Lavanderia
Ola Lavanderia is a small, minimalist cafe that is perfect for a coffee break. We’re also a fan of their white Melaka cheesecake. It’s light, a little zesty and has a delicious blueberry centre.
My favourite thing about this place? It doubles up as a launderette. A mere RM4.80 will get you 1kg of clothes, washed, ironed and folded. Bargain! Sit back and put your feet up whilst someone else does all the hard work for you.
Ola Lavanderia: 25 Jalan Tukang Besi, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia | Facebook
6. Mods Cafe
Piccolo (RM9.00), Espresso (RM7.00), Cheesecake (RM10.00). Mods Cafe will definitely win your heart over with their cute and vintage interior. Hola hipsters, this is your den complete with a Volkswagen caravan as their cashier and coffee brewing site, vinyls as decor and cute little vintage trinkets.
Here’s the catch though, there is a minimum of one order per person. We had a cheesecake, espresso and piccolo. The espresso was more on the acidic side and it isn’t hot, which is puzzling since it is extracted on site.
The cake was rather gelatinous in texture and it is more milky than cheesy but the piccolo was well balanced, saving the day.
Mods Cafe: Jalan Tokong, Melaka, Malaysia | Tel: +60 12-756 4441 | Website
7. Nadeje
If cake is your thing head on over to stuff your face on the mille crepes at Nadeje. Made with alternating thin layers of sponge and cream, these bad boys are dangerous. It tastes so light you may as well be eating a cloud, though we’re sure one slice alone must contain at least a million calories. Oh well, YOLO.
We opted for a slice of the rum & raisin mille crepe (RM 12.60) from their ‘alcoholic’ range. It’s a seriously indulgent slice of creamy, boozy goodness. A great place to head for a lunchtime treat or dessert after dinner.
Nadeje: G-23 & 25, Jalan PM4, Plaza Mahkota, 75000, Melaka, Melaka, 75000, Malaysia | Website
—Malacca Street Food—
8. Loi Satay – Lung Ann Refreshments
Satay (RM0.70 / stick). Along the streets of Jonker is Lung Ann Refreshments and you wouldn’t be able to miss it because the aroma of freshly barbecued satay skewers will lead you there. Much like a coffeeshop, Lung Ann Refreshments focuses on only selling satay and well, refreshments.
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The meat used in the satay skewers here is pork, unlike the usual mutton and chicken. Though it can get slightly salty, it is definitely something interesting and unlike the usuals. There’s a slight difference in texture and the peanut sauce pairs well. It opens from 1pm till 4pm and is closed on Thursday.
Loi Satay Lung Ann Refreshments: 93/807, Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia | website
9. Kedai Kopi Chung Wah
Half Chicken (RM24.60), Rice Ball (RM0.40). Famed for their chicken rice balls, Kedai Kopi Chung Wah is the most popular Hainanese Chicken Rice on Jonker’s Street – Day after day, lies a snaking line right outside the stall, all in hopes of getting their famous chicken rice ball.
So if you’re looking to try it, I’d definitely suggest that you go down real early before lunch to beat the crowd because that’s what we did and we didn’t have to queue. Sleep is for the weak my friends.
While the Kampong chicken is pretty average, their chicken rice balls are worth the try. Glistening balls of chicken rice, packed with flavour and because of its petite size, it’s really convenient to pop them incessantly before knowing you’ve had one too many.
Do remember to have it with the chilli sauce because no chicken rice is complete without it.
Kedai Kopi: 18, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
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10. Jonker 88
Baba Durian Chendol (RM5.00).
Hard to miss, Jonker 88 sits amidst the busy Jonker Street that Malacca is famous for. What we first noticed is its crowd, beckoning us in as it piqued our curiosity as to what this stall entails to render such a crowd.
Casual and packed, Jonker 88 is an eatery that offers up local fare like assam laksa, chendol and many more.
Who could ever get enough of chendol really, so we ordered a serving of chendol with durian because durian is really quintessential in our lives. The durian chendol came fully adorned with red bean and peanuts. The durian tasted more like the paste sort instead of fresh durian flesh and it isn’t too sweet.
The other dish we had was the assam laksa and we highly recommend it. The broth is sour and spicy with the addition of tamarind, making it very appetising and I couldn’t stop myself even when I was pregnant with a food baby.
The noodles used aren’t the usual laksa noodles, think glass noodles but thicker, which makes for an excellent accompaniment to the light broth with its silky texture.
Jonker 88: 88, alan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia | Tel:+60 19-397 5665 | Website
11. Pin Pin Hiong
Do not overlook this great little restaurant serving awesome Hainanese food. With just one old Uncle doing all of the cooking, you might have a bit of a wait for your lunch to arrive but it’s totally worth it.
It was packed when we visited with a completely mixed crowd and, it would seem, young or old locals cannot get enough of this delicious home cooked food.
We recommend their oyster omelette, Mee Sua soup and the pork chop. The Mee Sua was seriously good, we could not get enough of the salty, savoury broth. The pork chop was soft, meaty and smothered in the most delicious gravy. Whilst our omelette was thin, crispy and packed with tiny, juicy oysters. The ultimate comfort food pit stop and one of our favourites.
Pin Pin Hiong: 786, Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
12. Cristina Ee Nyonya Cendol shop
On the outside, Cristina Ee Cendol shop will probably just look like any other snack shops that you can find along the way but do not be fooled, it actually serves up quite a kickass bowl of chendol.
The chendol is pretty to look at with its myriad of colours and of course delectable to have with its strong gula melaka flavour pairing well with the coconut milk and jelly, proving to be a worthy way to cool down from the sweltering heat.
Cristina Ee also sell square-shapped pineapple tarts that are extremely aromatic and buttery. They are also the distributor of it nationwide, so why not have a try and bring home a pack or two when you’re around the area.
Cristina Ee Nyonya Cendol Shop: 8, Jalan Hang Lekir, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Credit: SethLui @ https://sethlui.com/malacca-best-food-guide/
