Food in Melaka is seriously underrated.
Malaysia as a whole is filled with mouthwatering bites, and on my first visit, I naively thought that Penang and Kuala Lumpur were the only places I needed to visit to experience the local cuisine.
That changed after a lengthy stay in Melaka.
There’s a lot to try here, including Nyonya-style cuisine with its wonderful Chinese influence, and Kristang food with its Portuguese influence. You’ll also find some familiar favorites if it’s not your first rodeo in Malaysia. And, if you haven’t experienced the open-air, multiple-stall setting of a hawker center, you’re in for a treat!
Here are some of my favorite restaurants in Melaka, plus a list of some awesome hawker centers and cafes. I also cover a few unique food experiences and, of course, the beloved Jonker Street Night Market.
This is my Melaka Food Guide.
Note | While there are a few higher-end places mentioned in this article, I often ate at more budget-friendly venues and restaurants in Melaka.
POPULAR DISHES AND FOOD IN MELAKA
A list of some well-known local dishes around the city. Unless you’re here long-term, you won’t be able to try everything, but here’s a good start for those looking to dive into Melaka’s food scene.
Durian Cendol | A variation of the sweet, creamy dessert known as cendol. Durian fruit is added to the typical base of shaved ice, green rice flour jelly, coconut milk, and palm sugar. Sometimes, sweet red beans are added to the topping as well.
Chicken Rice Balls | Sticky, tender rice balls cooked with chicken stock and rice. Their size and shape resemble that of a ping pong ball, and they are normally served with a side sauce.
Satay Celup | Assorted skewers of meat, local vegetables, and semi-cooked seafood. They are meant to be dipped in a hot pot of gravy.
Nyonya Laksa | A version of laksa with a coconut milk base. This makes the typical broth of fish, tamarind, shrimp paste, and spices less sour and more creamy and rich. The broth is usually poured over noodles and served with chicken, boiled egg, puffy tofu bits, and fresh garnishing.
Klebang Shake | Frozen coconut shake, usually served as a dessert. It consists of blended coconut flesh, coconut water, and ice.
Asam Pedas | A sour and spicy stew dish that is cooked using a whole fish or just its head. It’s typically cooked with vegetables, tamarind, and peppers.
Tandoori Chicken | Chicken marinated in spices and yogurt and cooked in a big vase-like clay oven known as a tandoor.
Oh Chien | Pan or wok-fried oyster and egg omelet is often cooked with spices or garnishes. It’s a traditional and beloved Hokkien-style street food.
Char Siew Rice | Cantonese-style barbecue pork over rice. You often have the choice of juicier, stewed pork bits or crispier pork belly.
Duck Noodles | Succulent duck served with either egg or rice noodles and bean sprouts. You usually have the option of dry or in a soup.
Pie Tee | Bite-sized pastry snacks often cooked with spicy, sweet, and thinly-cut vegetables and shrimp. It’s a staple of Peranakan cuisine and a type of savory kuih.
Nyonya Kuih | Small, sweet pastry snacks usually cooked with ingredients like glutinous rice, pandan, coconut milk, and palm sugar.
Popiah | Fresh spring rolls fried on a hot plate with cooked vegetables and sometimes meat as filling. They are often small, occasionally have a sweet sauce on the exterior, and are served with chili dipping sauce.
Nasi Lemak | One of Malaysia’s most popular dishes. Coconut rice is served alongside sambal (a spicy chili shrimp paste), boiled egg, fried anchovies, roasted peanuts, and cucumber slices. A popular variation adds fried chicken.
HAWKER CENTERS AND NIGHT MARKETS
Convenient, cost-effective, and cultural.
Hawker centers and night markets are essential parts of Malaysia’s food scene. Melaka happens to be an excellent representative, with one of the best weekend night markets in the country and dozens of hawker centers to fill up at all other times.
Here are some of the best spots for food in Melaka:
Jonker Street Night Market
An essential add for any Melaka food guide. The Jonker Street Night Market is Melaka’s famous weekend night market that transforms Jonker Street in the city’s old town into a festive pedestrian-only walkway when the sun goes down.
You’ll find everything from kids’ toys to souvenirs to entertainment. But, the main draw (in my eyes) is the food!
All the classic Malaysian dishes can be found in one of the restaurants or at the various lit-up stalls along the crowded lane, including handheld bites and sweet pastries. I came here every weekend night during my Melaka visit, and even though I tried, I didn’t come close to eating everything that’s offered.
The best way to approach the dining experience at the Jonker Street Night Market is to just try anything that looks tasty. Some of the sit-down dishes I had were prawn mee, assam laksa, and a hearty veggie noodle soup. I didn’t try it here, but the oh chien (fried oyster) seems to be a favorite amongst weekend visitors from Kuala Lumpur.
As for quick bites, there’s plenty to choose from. Every other food stall has satay meat sticks, fried fishballs, popiah, and grilled quail eggs. My partner is from the Czech Republic, so she couldn’t help getting the grilled sausage as well. We also tried corn on the cob, a delightful beef murtabak, and some tasty Korean fried chicken.
The warm nights and constant shuffling meant we treated ourselves to nightly juices and smoothies. I was particularly fond of the mango smoothies and passionfruit juice, but the Jonker Street Night Market is also a great place to try a klebang shake. You’ll find various fresh tropical fruit juices too, like watermelon, guava, and more.
I didn’t have much of a sweet tooth on this trip, so I passed on most of the desserts and sweets. But you can find pastries, candies, ice cream, durian cendol, and ais kacang or ABC cendol.
Hours | Friday to Sunday (6 pm to late)
Jonker Street Kopitiam
Jonker Street Kopitiam (maps) isn’t actually on Jonker Street, but a few minutes walk away. There are about a dozen stalls here, with about half of them running at any given time. The cuisine is typical of Malaysia, with a single pasta kiosk that stands out.
I had a massive, tasty portion of wonton mee one night. The broth for the wontons was simple, but the wontons themselves had a nice flavor, and the pickled peppers were delicious.
It’s worth mentioning, the pasta place is highly rated, so if you’re looking for an alternative to the local cuisine, give it a try. Some other dishes of note at the kopitiam are the fried oyster and chicken chop.
Hours | 11 am – 12 pm
Lock Ten Food
The smaller kopitiam is just a few shops down from Jonker Street Kopitiam and only has a few stalls. It was also closed almost every time I walked by (maybe because of Ramadan), but when I finally visited, I found the food very nice.
I tried the fried Hokkien Mee here, which had large, tasty noodles and a delicious sauce. My partner had the Mee Siam, which looked plain, but had a decent flavor too. I didn’t try it, but the chicken from the Nasi Lemak stand looked really good too.
Hours | Lunchtime and maybe breakfast?
Pahlawan Walk Night Market
A lively night market near Melaka’s famous Red Square. When I visited, it was combined with a Ramadan night market, so I’m not sure exactly how big it is. But there were a lot of handheld food options. Think fried meats on a stick, grilled chicken, and kebabs.
It’s worth grabbing something like this and wandering around the clothing and souvenir shops. There were also plenty of grilled seafood options and a couple of stands with fresh shucked oysters.
Hours | 6 pm – 12 am
More Options
Newton Food Court | A bit outside of the old town, but with a nice collection of stalls. Some of the go-to eats here are satay celup, oyster omelette, and ikan bakar.
Rasa Sayang Food Paradise | A large food court with authentic Malaysian food and some international favorites. You can find some great Nyonya laksa and Vietnamese pho here.
Cheng Ho Hawker Centre | Opened from early morning until around 2 pm, this hawker center has some great breakfast dishes. The nasi lemak and food from the bibimbap stand are well-loved.
Boon Leong Food Corner | A smaller ‘food corner’ with a few stands near Chinatown. Unsurprisingly, you’ll find some good Chinese food here.
STANDALONE RESTAURANTS IN MELAKA
Despite numerous hawker centers, you’ll still find more than a handful of standalone restaurants in Melaka worth trying.
Here are some recommendations for restaurants in Melaka:
Pak Putra Restaurant
It would be hard to make a Melaka food guide without including Pak Putra. It’s one of the city’s most renowned establishments and frequented by locals and tourists alike. Which also means it’s not uncommon to see a long queue for tables in the evenings.
They serve typical North Indian and Pakistani cuisine with generous portions and reasonable prices. My partner and I tried the go-to meal here: a tandoori chicken and naan, plus a serving of vegetable makhani.
The tandoori set lived up to the hype. The chicken was moist and tender and had the perfect amount of char. It was packed with flavor and spice, while the mint sauce was an ideal complement. The naan was very nice too and comes with a simple dal curry.
The vegetable makhani was sweet and aromatic, which normally isn’t my cup of tea, but this was an exception. While I preferred the tandoori to it, I found the contrasting flavors worked well as a whole.
Atlantic Nyonya
There are a handful of Atlantic Nyonya restaurants in Melaka, so you’ll almost always find one around where you’re staying. As the name implies, the small chain of restaurants is best known for their delicious Nyonya dishes.
The flavors here are quite authentic, and the prices are indicative of the quality you get. It can get very busy at all locations during the lunch and dinner rushes, so keep that in mind. There aren’t any specific meals I’ll mention here, just go with whatever sounds good, because it’s all quite tasty.
If you’ve never tried Nyonya food, this is a great start.
Kopitiam Tanka
Koitiam Tanka does uncomplicated, budget-friendly, delicious Chinese noodles and fish balls. I’m not quite sure if that’s the only meal they do here, but it was the only option while I was there.
This was my first experience with this particular dish, and I was pleased. If you’re not a big fan of fishy flavors, you could maybe give it a pass, but otherwise it’s worth a try.
Bonus points to the manager/workers here. They explained the proper way to eat the noodles and soup, which might not sound like much, but was appreciated. They were also super friendly!
Restaurant BABA KAYA
Baba Kaya is a popular breakfast joint directly on the riverside. The views and vibes here are immaculate, and the food is excellent. They seem to take pride in the presentation, too, which only enhances the dining experience.
Some of the recommended items are the kaya toast breakfast and nasi lemak rendang. It’s also a great spot to try Nyonya curry laksa if you haven’t already.
Make sure to give yourself some time when coming here, there’s often a wait, although the tables seem to turn at a quick pace.
The Kappan House Restaurant
This is a hidden gem in the heart of Melaka’s Old Town. They serve a few wonderful, authentic Nyonya and Hakka-style dishes at great prices.
My partner and I ordered the Vegetarian Fried Bee Hoon and Hakka Stewed Pork, respectively. Both of these were amazing, with generous portions and superb taste. The pork, in particular, fell right off the bone. It was tender, juicy, and oh so flavorful. I haven’t craved a pork stew like that since my first run-in with cochinita pibil on the Yucatan Peninsula.
They also do a nice specialty cendol and handmade lemonade for those looking to fend off the humidity.
Low Yong Moh Restaurant
A nice, old-school dim sum place with a decent variety. The prices are a bit high here, but the quality is good, and it feels authentic.
I enjoyed the glutinous rice and pork bao buns, which pair well with a morning cup of tea. My partner also got a red bean paste bun, which she said was really nice.
It’s a breakfast place, so it gets busy starting early in the morning. While it’s tempting to wait until the crowds die down, I suggest staying until a table opens up, or else you run the risk of a limited selection.
MORE RESTAURANTS IN MELAKA
Restoran Choo Kim Hup Dim Sum
HONG SHENG WTM
Jonker 88
Wild Coriander Melaka
Peranakan Mansion
LeQUE Steak & Smoked House
Ah Ma Ho Liao @ Jonker
Nancy’s Kitchen
Popiah Ta Chong
The Kam Cheng
Ee Ji Ban Chicken Rice Ball
Restoran Baba Ang
CAFES IN Melaka
The coffee scene in Melaka is vast and vibrant, with a mix of classic kopitiams and western-style cafes. My favorite cafes in Melaka lean more towards the western-style, mostly because that’s where you’ll find espresso-based drinks as opposed to instant and filter-bagged ones.
Along with decent coffee, most of the cafes I list have a nice selection of good food. Here are some recommendations for cafes in Melaka:
Sin See Tai
I came across Sin See Tai while looking for a place to grab a pastry in town, and a week later, found out that it made a list of the World’s Top 100 Coffee Shops. The coffee, while a bit pricier, was the best I had in town.
I’m a more casual drinker who prefers a smoother, less-acidic roast, so if you’re looking for something stronger, definitely ask if they have a bean that caters to you. The baristas take their job seriously here, so don’t hesitate to ask them questions.
Along with a pair of Americanos, my partner and I shared a blueberry cinnamon roll and a Thai milk tea cinnamon roll. The rolls were simply fantastic, I’m just disappointed I couldn’t try more. They have very imaginative pastries here, including some excellent-looking donuts and croissants.
A must-visit if you’re looking to try the best cafes in Melaka.
The Daily Fix
If you want a solid cup of coffee and a breakfast menu that caters more towards Western dishes, The Daily Fix cafe is a great option. The food and coffee here are quite pricey for Malaysian standards; however, it’s of high quality and standards.
They have fluffy, delicious pancakes as well as some other nice breakfast items like Eggs Benedict and an array of sweet cakes. I give bonus points for the cozy atmosphere and having a nice variety of salads to choose from on the lunchtime menu.
Vintage Green Cafe @ The Daughter
Vintage Green Cafe is a family-run coffee shop that’s half cafe and half second-hand store. This place is really cool, with hundreds of used English-print books and tons of vintage items to rummage through as you’re waiting for breakfast. Everything you see here is for sale, so if you find something you like, don’t hesitate to ask the friendly staff about it.
The coffee here was pretty simple. I wasn’t sure if it was just filtered, but they were for sure using stronger-tasting Malaysian coffee beans. I had an iced coffee and enjoyed it nonetheless, and the price was very budget-friendly.
I have to say, this was one of the better breakfasts I had in town. My partner and I ordered the mushroom toast and traditional kaya toast, respectively. The mushroom toast was tremendous, and the kaya toast was as good as any we had. Closer to lunchtime, you’ll find some amazing Melakan dishes that the owners’ father cooks.
Locahouz
A wonderful cafe with nice food, excellent teas, and a relaxing atmosphere. The interior decor in Locahouz is super photogenic, set inside an old Peranakan house in Chinatown that’s oozing with charm.
They have a small set menu along with different daily specials. Everything is presented nicely at Locahouz and, it seems, they are one of the few cafes in Melaka that are pet-friendly!
The Baboon House
The Baboon House is one of the more popular restaurants in Melaka. A former abandoned building turned bohemian restaurant, the interior reminded me a bit of the ruin bars in Budapest.
There are unique artifacts placed all around the walls, a jungle-like courtyard, and tons more greenery that gives an urban exploring vibe. The only reason I mention Baboon House in the cafe section as opposed to the restaurant section is that I came here for drinks alone.
The prices are on the higher end for Melaka, but the aesthetics and creative menu make the restaurant worth visiting, even if it’s only for a drink.
My partner ordered one of the homemade juices, which was very refreshing, and I had their homemade tepache. I never thought I would find tepache in Southeast Asia, but this one compared to some that I had in Mexico.
The Geographer Cafe
A touristy spot on Jonker Street that feels like a pub and a cafe had a baby. If you want a more social atmosphere, it’s a great place, especially at night when customers tend to order a beer and listen to live music.
While the food isn’t anything to write home about, they do have a solid list of vegetarian/vegan dishes.
More From Melaka's Coffee Scene
Calanthe Art Cafe
The Old Station Cafe
Ban Kheng Cafe
175 Gallery Cafe
The Coffee JAR
Coffeebar125+
The Same Place Cafe
The Stolen Cup
MORE FOOD IN MELAKA
Here are some of the more unique options when it comes to food in Melaka. These don’t really fit in any of the above sections.
Portuguese Settlement
There is one simple reason to visit the Portuguese Settlement–the seafood.
It’s located a few kilometers outside of the Melaka Old Town, and while there are plenty of spots closer in distance that have Malaysian seafood dishes, the Portuguese Settlement is unique in that the stalls here serve Kristang food. That’s because a majority of the population in this family neighborhood belongs to an indigenous group with mixed Malay and Portuguese heritage known as the Kristang people.
The set-up is much like a hawker center, with about a dozen stalls. A few of these are in a courtyard, while a handful more are lined up facing the sea. Most places serve similar items, with the baked dish in red sauce being a popular bite.
Travel Tip | Some of the vendors here reminded me of the seagulls that say “Mine” from Finding Nemo. They are in constant sales mode until you pick a stall to eat at, so if you’re a bit shy, do some research beforehand or tell them a stall number (even if you’re not going there) to get them to stop following you around.
Once you’ve picked your food, the place is really laid-back. I suggest coming just before sunset, so you can enjoy the views while you’re eating.
Klebang Shake
Klebang shakes are a go-to dessert in Melaka, with dozens of places serving them around town. Unfortunately, the two most popular shops, Klebang Original Coconut Shake and Coconut Shake Batu Berendam, are a bit outside of the tourist area.
If you have you’re own vehicle, it’s worth stopping at one of these spots. Otherwise, it’ll be difficult unless you’re willing to take a taxi or wait for a bus. Some options around the Old Town are Bikini Toppings ice cream shop or one of the stalls at the Jonker Street Night Market.
Durian
I’m not the biggest fan of durian, so I’m afraid I don’t have any personal suggestions on places to try. However, it was durian season when I was here, and others were going wild for it. Durian cendol is also a local treat, so if you’ve never tried the exotic fruit, this may be the way to go about it.
Jonker Street, in particular, has a few popular durian shops running along it. You’ll find durian cendol here, along with durian pastries, fried durian, and fresh durian fruit.
If you’re a fan and want to do a deeper dive into the fruit, I know LAIFA Durian Land (maps) does a 9 in 1 dessert platter, where you can try ice cream, cendol, tarts, sticky rice, and a handful of other durian-based sweets.
Mamee Jonker House
Malaysia’s beloved instant noodles, Mamee, started in Melaka, and you can see its influence all around town. Most street stalls use the pre-packaged noodles in their dishes, and street art with the Mamee Monster mascot can be seen all around the city.
One of the more unique foodie things to do in the Old Town is to head to the Mamee Jonker House to make your own instant noodle cup. They have a DIY workshop that lets you create the flavors for your own soup and design the cup package.
If you’re traveling with kids or just want a fun activity, it’s worth stopping by!
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