2023 Top 10 Must-Try Delicacies for Your Malacca Trip
2023 Top 10 Must-Try Delicacies for Your Malacca Trip
After exploring the culinary delights of Malacca, we can categorize them into four main categories: Nyonya Cuisine, Coffee House Dining, Street Food, and Other Local and Asian Flavors. Let's embark on a journey to discover the 10 must-try Malacca foodie hotspots.
When it comes to the historic city of Malacca, often referred to as the 'Food Paradise,' it's not just a dream destination for travelers, but also renowned for its colonial-style architecture. However, Malacca is also a culinary hub, boasting a wide array of authentic flavors, whether sweet, sour, fragrant, or spicy, found throughout the city's streets and alleys. For food enthusiasts, Malacca is a haven for a gastronomic feast. In this article, let's embark on a journey to discover 10 must-try foodie hotspots in Malacca, Malaysia!
1. Donald & Lily Nyonya Restoran
Donald and Lily's is a Nyonya restaurant located in Malacca, established in 1980 and even featured in The New York Times, a remarkable honor for a local cuisine eatery. However, behind this honor lies a commitment to meticulously crafting each traditional Nyonya dish. As a result, customers flock to the restaurant, often forming long queues, making it one of the most popular dining spots in Malacca.
At Donald and Lily's, you can savor an array of mouthwatering dishes, with some of the most beloved ones including:
- Laksa: A rich coconut milk curry infused with a variety of spices, offering a deep flavor and a satisfying texture.
- Tauhu Rendang: This rendang dish combines pineapple, cucumber, tofu, fish balls, and homemade sweet and spicy sauce, delivering a delicious blend of flavors with a subtle sweet and spicy twist.
- Chicken Curry Rice: A delightful serving of chicken curry paired with fragrant rice, an irresistible classic dish that tantalizes the senses.
At Donald and Lily's, the prices are quite affordable, with menu items ranging from RM4 to RM25. Whether you prefer breakfast, brunch, or lunch, you can find options to satisfy your taste buds. The restaurant's delectable dishes have drawn a multitude of customers, making it an indispensable culinary gem in Malacca.
- Operating Hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays (except public holidays)
2. Restoran Nyonya Makko
Restaurant Makko is a beloved culinary hotspot in Malacca, and we believe you'll be captivated by it too. This restaurant offers a diverse range of culinary choices, making it a favorite among Malacca locals and tourists alike. It has been selected as one of the city's best Nyonya restaurants.
Here are some must-try signature dishes:
- Asam Pedas Mackerel
- Salt and Pepper Squid
- Beef Rendang
- Red Bean Ice Jelly
- Nyonya Tofu and Chicken with Fermented Soybeans (Highly Recommended!)
Restaurant Makko offers both lunch and dinner services, and if you plan to host large gatherings here, it's advisable to make reservations in advance to ensure your needs are met. The food here is not only budget-friendly but also generously portioned, with dishes costing between RM5 to RM10, allowing you to savor delicious Nyonya cuisine without breaking the bank. Whether you're a local resident or a tourist, you'll find a variety of flavors to suit your palate here. We hope you have a wonderful dining experience at Restaurant Makko!
- Opening Hours: Daily from 11:30 AM to 2:45 PM and from 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Closed on Tuesdays
3. Nancy’s Kitchen
Nancy's Kitchen, located on Jonker Street in Malacca, is hailed as one of the finest dining establishments in the area, and it's easy to see why. This eatery not only provides a friendly and comfortable dining environment but also offers you the chance to savor the most authentic cuisine and top-notch service.
Here are some highly recommended dishes you must try at Nancy's Kitchen:
- Pork Belly in Soy SauceSambal Squid with Stink Beans
- Pancakes
- Nyonya Laksa
- Cendol
- Sour Plum Juice
And don't forget to order a bowl of steamed rice to complement your meal perfectly!
Nancy's Kitchen offers reasonably priced dishes, though it's worth noting that it may not be the most suitable place for dining with young children or large groups. However, for couples or small families, it's an excellent opportunity to savor authentic flavors. Whether you're looking to dine for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, or supper, Nancy's Kitchen welcomes you. We hope you have a delightful dining experience here!
- Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Friday, Saturday, and Public Holidays: 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM
- Closed on Tuesdays
4. Jonker 88
Jonker 88, despite its small storefront, is one of the most popular restaurants in Malacca! It's not just a cafe but also holds the charm of a small museum. It offers a cozy and pleasant dining atmosphere, featuring a menu that covers a variety of delicious options, all reasonably priced and served with great attention.
On the menu here, you'll find a wide array of Nyonya cuisine, with customers strongly recommending trying each dish.
Here are some of the most representative delicacies:
- Cendol: A refreshing traditional dessert made with coconut sugar, green beans, and ice cubes, an excellent choice to beat the heat.
- Malacca Coconut Sugar: Authentic coconut sugar with a rich coconut aroma and sweet flavor, one of Malacca's specialties.
- Nyonya Laksa: A rich coconut milk curry infused with various spices, a classic Nyonya dish.
Jonker 88 offers budget-friendly prices, making it especially suitable for families with children or budget-conscious tourists. The average prices range from RM5 to RM10, allowing you to savor delicious food without breaking the bank. The restaurant serves breakfast, brunch, lunch, supper, and desserts, so you can come at different times to taste various culinary delights."
- Sunday to Thursday: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM
5. Cottage Spices Restaurant
Cottage Spices Restaurant, despite its limited dining space with seating for only about 8 large tables, is a place where you'll be enchanted by the aroma of Nyonya cuisine as soon as you step in, whetting your appetite.
The delectable dishes offered at this restaurant include:
- Coconut Milk Sotong
- Salted Prawn Paste Omelette
- Asam Pedas Fish
- Malay Scenery
Asam Pedas Fish is a unique signature dish that you won't forget, while Coconut Milk Sotong delights with its mild spiciness, leaving a lasting impression.
The combination of Sambal Sotong with Stink Beans, also known as chili squid with stink beans, offers a fresh taste with a rich spicy flavor. The Udang Udang is known for its lemongrass aroma. In summary, Cottage Spices Restaurant is definitely the perfect place to savor Nyonya cuisine.
The restaurant offers budget-friendly prices, with main dishes ranging from RM10 to RM25. Here are the operating hours for Cottage Spices Restaurant:
- Daily:Lunch: 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM
- Dinner: 6:00 PM to 8:30 PM
- Closed on Tuesdays
6. Putu Piring Melaka
In addition to upscale restaurants, sometimes we crave quick, delicious, and simple snacks. Putu Piring Melaka on Jalan Tengkera is the perfect place to satisfy your taste buds.
This snack stall is carefully run by a couple who handle all aspects of their business themselves! It's best to taste the Putu Piring when they're fresh out of the steamer, but once you experience the soft and delicious texture, you'll eagerly finish them in no time!
Price Range and Menu Options:If you're in a hurry, aside from Putu Piring, you can also choose from two other types of snacks, namely Putu Mayam and Putu Buluh. These mouthwatering treats will surely lift your spirits! Most importantly, they are very reasonably priced, and the preparation takes just a few minutes. Furthermore, in addition to these three types of snacks, you can also purchase Malacca coconut sugar and Nyonya curry powder here.
- Operating Hours: Daily from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Closed on Sundays)
7. Klebang Original Coconut Shake
The coconut shake from this stall is highly praised and widely considered the best choice, known for its freshness, deliciousness, and budget-friendly price that both tourists and locals find hard to resist.
Price Range and Menu Options:A glass of coconut shake with vanilla ice cream costs only RM2.00. While enjoying the coconut shake, you can also try other delicacies such as coconut rice, pancakes, and curry puffs.
Operating Hours:
- Daily from 11:00 AM to 6:30 PM, and on Fridays from 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM.
8.Popiah Stall @ Jalan Bunga Raya
On Jalan Tengkera, there are two pancake stalls that are said to offer the most delicious and freshest Chinese snacks in Malacca! The exact location of these two stalls is right in front of Madam's King Emporium.
Here are some must-try dishes:
- Pork Lard Pancake
- Grilled Sotong
- Squid Kangkung
- Fish Balls
- Stir-fried Bean Curd Skin
- Prawn Fritters
These stalls sell pancakes and various Chinese snacks at very budget-friendly prices, with each roll costing only RM3.00 to RM3.50.
- Operating Hours: Daily from 5:30 PM to 11:00 PM (Closed on Wednesdays)
9. Longkang Siham
Trying blood cockles and clams in the back lanes of Malacca can be an unforgettable experience! Imagine sitting on small stools, savoring the deliciousness of fresh cockles, with people sitting close to each other, and motorbikes constantly passing by behind you – doesn't this experience sound exciting? Indeed, this unique experience can only be found here!
Why is it worth trying?The stall owner only needs two buckets of hot water, a few sieves, and a chopping board to win the hearts of customers. While waiting for the fresh cockles, you can taste different sauces or other seafood. For tourists, this is definitely a unique way of dining!
What are the must-try dishes?The signature dish of this stall is squid kangkung, which you can choose to have either boiled or grilled, and of course, the juicy and delicious fresh cockles!
Price Range and Menu Options:The prices are very budget-friendly, allowing you to indulge in various seafood. The price for each plate of cockles or clams is only RM1.50.
- Opening Hours: Every evening starting at 7:30 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
10. Geographer Café
The famous Geographer Café in Malacca is an excellent destination for dining, sipping drinks, or unwinding. This café has won the hearts of many customers with its warm and attentive service, pleasant music, and comfortable ambiance, earning it the prestigious TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence award twice.
While the ginger beer and pasta here are excellent, I highly recommend trying their entire range of dishes because they are all incredibly delicious!
Price Range and Menu Selection:The prices here range from RM4 to RM20. The most expensive dish is priced at RM15, with an average meal cost of RM12. Geographer Café offers a variety of Asian and Malaysian cuisine, as well as vegetarian options and a bar.
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 1:00 AM
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM to 1:00 AM
If you plan to visit Malacca, be sure to try these must-eat delicacies. They will be the highlights of your journey. Whether you savor traditional dishes or venture to taste new flavors, you'll fall in love with this food paradise. Come with an appetite and explore this amazing culinary city, where your taste buds will indulge in a feast!
When you savor these delicious dishes, don't forget our excellent service. Additionally, if you require convenient transportation, TOPTAXI SERVICE is always here to provide comfortable travel options, ensuring a delightful journey.