MELAKA: 6 BEST Nyonya Restaurants to try, 14 Nyonya restaurants listed!

My monthly trips to Melaka for both business and leisure gave me much opportunities to explore the bustling historically rich city, both culturally and much of its culinary offerings.

I’ve published an article on the best Nyonya chang, the best Nyonya kuih you can find in Melaka, the best cafes to hang out at and now, the best restaurant to satisfy your Nyonya cuisine cravings, which is of course, synonymous with the Melaka state.

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After all, one of the frequently asked question is “Where is the best Nyonya restaurant in Melaka?

I for one, won’t be able to say for certain which is BEST, though I can however, share what I think it’s best based on what I’ve eaten.

As with all food, bear in mind that taste is subjective and all outlets will experience ups and downs.
Constructive feedback/reports (if the food standards has dropped, service was bad on your visit) and recommendations are most welcome so drop me a message here (under comments) or fb.com/wackybecki or fb.com/RebeccaSawBlog.


I PAID FOR MY MEALS


I would like to add that I dined at these places with local Malaccan friends, I paid for my food and for some, I’ve visited a few times.

So here goes, 6 Nyonya restaurants that you should try, and another 8 that I’ve visited before and thus I’m including them as my own record.


My personal picks:


My top choice (as of April 2016) goes to Samfu, Unicorn Cafe, Bulldog Cafe, Wok and Pan, Aunty Lee and for economical meals; Kafe Lin‘s.
For HALAL, there is only one which is Seri Nyonya at Equatorial Hotel.

The rest – Makko, Nancy’s Kitchen, Donald and Lily, Amy Heritage, Aunty Lee, Ole Sayang, Nyonya Sayang, Song Nyonya Cuisine are the ones that didn’t impress us (based on what we had), though as foodies, we wouldn’t mind revisiting since food/chef could have changed since our last visit.

If I do revisit any, I’ll update on the verdict.
Last but not least, any arguments of “our family’s home-cooked version is better” doesn’t count (unless you are inviting me over for a meal lol!).
It has to be something available commercially to the public.


1. Samfu Restaurant at Hotel Mimosa


SERVES PORK.
Hotel Mimosa, Jalan Bunga Raya,
75100 Melaka, Malaysia.
Waze: “Mimosa Hotel”
Tel: + 606-282-0113
Hours: Wed to Sun for lunch: 12pm – 2:30pm.
Dinner: 5:30pm – 9:30pm.
Close on: Mon & Tues.
What’s good: Pongteh, Itik Tim, Pork Ribs Balinese, Babi Chili Garam.
SERVES PORK.
626 JALAN MR 10, TAMAN MELAKA RAYA,
75000 MELAKA, Malaysia
Waze: “Unicorn Cafe”
Tel: 0163425365
Hours: Mon-Wed: 10:30 am-4:30 pm.
Fri-Sun: 10:30 am-4:30 pm

What’s good: Nyonya Popiah, Nyonya Laksa, Babi Asam, Pongteh Babi, Kuah Lada Ikan, Seh Bak, Lemak Sayur, Chendol, Nasi Lemak with Chicken Rendang.Full story: https://www.rebeccasaw.com/unicorn-cafe-melaka-might-be-the-best-nyonya-restaurant-in-melaka/

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3. Wok and Pan


SERVES PORK.
46, Jalan Melaka Raya 23, 75000
Melaka, Malaysia.
Waze: “Wok n Pan Restoran”
Tel: +60 17-673 8896
Hours: 11:30 – 3:30 pm, 6:00 – 10:00 pm
Close on: Mon.

What’s good: Chicken Pongteh, Chap Chye, sweet and sour pork, oyster omelette, pork ribs, burgers and pasta.

Full story: https://www.rebeccasaw.com/good-nyonya-restaurant-in-melaka-wok-and-pan/

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4. Seri Nyonya Restaurant (halal)


HALAL.
Hotel Equatorial Melaka
Bandar Hilir, 75000, Melaka. Malaysia
Waze: “Equatorial Hotel Melaka”
Tel: 606 282 8333 Ext 3380
Hours: 12pm to 2.30pm
6pm to 10.30pm.
What’s good: Everything was just so-so.
However, for HALAL Nyonya, this is the best you can get in Melaka for now.

Full story: https://www.rebeccasaw.com/halal-nyonya-food-in-melaka-seri-nyonya-hotel-equatorial-melaka/

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5. Bulldog Cafe (pork free)


PORK FREE.
145, Jalan Bendahara,
75100 Malacca City, Malaysia
Waze: “Bulldog Cafe Melaka” .
Tel: +6016 303 3970 (Gene)
Hours: Mon – Sat : 11.00 am to 2.00 pm, 6.30 to 10.00 pm
**On Fri and Sat it is open til 12:00 midnight but only serving drinks after 10pm as there is a live band playing.

What’s good: Nyonya Laksa, fried fish, pongteh, Ayam Limau  Purut, cendol, Beef Lada Garam.

Note: We went on our own accord but the boss decided to treat us the meal when we called for the bill.
So this is the sole review here that I didn’t pay for.

Full story: https://www.rebeccasaw.com/good-pork-free-nyonya-food-in-melaka-bulldog-cafe/

bulldog

 


6. Kafe Lin’s


SERVES PORK.
73, Jalan Kristal 1
Taman Limbongan Indah
75200 Melaka.
Waze: “Kafe Lin’s”
Tel: 016 – 222 7762 (lin) 016 – 626 5681 (raymond)
Hours: 11:30 am – 8:30 pm
Close on Wed.

What’s good: Chilli garam babi (pork), Rendang Pai Kut (pork rib), Buah Kelauk Babi and stewed jicama.
This is an economical option for Nyonya food so please adjust your expectations accordingly.

Full story: https://www.rebeccasaw.com/lins-cafe-melaka-nyonya-dishes-chap-fan-economy-rice-style/

lin

 


** EDIT: Dec 2017 – Aunty Lee Restaurant with new owners.
7. Aunty Lee Nyonya Restoran


PORK FREE.

Jalan Ujong Pasir, Taman Sinn,
75050 Melaka, Malaysia.
Waze: “Aunty Lee Nyonya Food Restoran”
Tel: +60 6-283 1009
Hours: 11.30am-3.00pm, 6.00pm-10.00pm.
Close: Tues.

What was good:
We had this meal in November 2016. It is currently run by capable Chef Anthony who trained under Aunty Lee before she passed away.

The meal was excellent though one should not expect the food is be identical to Aunty Lee’s cooking simply because even if the recipe is the same, different cooks will yield different results.

My personal recommendations goes to the pai tee, the ayam purut, the bendi (okra) and the calamari.

pai-tee

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THE NOT SO GOOD (just based on my personal taste buds):

Next, the nyonya restaurants which wasn’t memorable (with the exception of Nyonya Sayang and Donald & Lily) to us but I’m still open to revisit in the near future should there be changes in the menu/standards.


8. Restoran Nyonya Makko


PORK FREE.
123, Jalan Merdeka, Taman Melaka Raya,
75000 Melaka.
Waze: “Restoran Nyonya Makko”
Tel: 06 – 284 0737
Hours: Lunch : 11.30am – 2.45pm, Dinner : 6.00pm – 9.30pm.
Close: Tuesday.

What’s good: Nothing was particularly outstanding.
The chendol was diabetic-ally sweet, the vegetables oily, the keluak curry no hint of kelauk and the cincalok egg has no taste whatsoever of cincalok plus it was salty and soggy!

Full review: https://www.rebeccasaw.com/chendol-in-melaka-donald-lily-makko-jeta-groves-nancys-kitchen-justberrys/

makko

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9. Restoran Nyonya Sayang


PORK FREE.
45 & 47, Jalan TMR, 21,
Jalan Melaka Raya 9, Bandar Hilir,
75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Waze: “Restoran Nyonya Sayang”
Tel: +60 17-368 1207
Hours: 11.00am-2.30pm, 5.30pm-9.30pm.

What’s good:
Our meal was satisfactory actually but it’s been 2 years since I was here so I’m unsure of the current standards hence I’m not shortlisting this as one of my top picks.
**Visit was in Jan 2014.

restoran nyonya sayang - melaka - review nyonya food-002

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10. Restoran Ole Sayang


PORK FREE.
198, Jalan Merdeka, Taman Melaka Raya,
75000 Melaka, Malaysia
Waze: “Ole Sayang Nyonya Food”
Tel: +60 6-283 1966
Hours: 11.30am-9.30pm
Close: Wed.

What’s good: The fish curry (Jenak) was good as we got thick and fresh but it cost us RM36 back in June 2015.
The pongteh was plainly sweet and the fried rice borderline edible.
**Visit was in June 2015.

Iphone - MELAKA STraits visit

Ole Sayang Nyonya Restaurant Melaka review-002

 


11. Donald and Lily Restaurant


PORK FREE.
No 16 (Ground Floor), Jalan KSB 1,
Taman Kota Shahbandar,
75200, Malacca.
Waze: “Donald & Lily’s Nyonya Food”
Tel: +60 6-284 8907
Hours: 7am-4.30am
Close: Mon.

What’s good: We only liked the chendol though we prefer the ice to be finer.
The Melaka version rojak (with fishcakes) was weird to us while the Nyonya Laksa was so-so.
I’ll have to try the other Nyonya dishes soon.
**Visit was in Oct 2013.

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Melaka - donald lily

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12. Nancy’s Kitchen


SERVES PORK.
13, Jalan KL 3/8, Taman Kota Laksamana,
75200 Melaka, Malaysia.
Waze: “Nancy’s Kitchen”
Tel: +60 6-283 6099
Hours: Wed-Thurs 11am-5pm, Fri-Mon 11am-9pm.
Close on Tues.

What’s good: Both the pork pongteh and nyonya laksa were acceptable but I’ll recommend Bulldog Cafe or Unicorn Cafe’s version anytime.
The nyonya chang was really bad.
**Visit was in Oct 2013.

nancy

Melaka - donald lily1

donald and lily nyonya chang

 


13. Song Nyonya Taste Cuisine


SERVES PORK.
15 Taman Kota Laksamana
Jalan TKL 3/11
Seksyen 3 75200 Melaka
Waze: “Nyonya Taste Cuisine”
Tel: 0126389915/0146615170.

What’s good: The 5 of us didn’t like our meal at all as almost all the dishes bordered on the bland side.

The chicken curry is a unique version cooked in rempah but without coconut milk. Sadly the flavour of the gravy didn’t permeate into the chicken leaving us with bland meat.
The Pork tonghey with the addition of cincalok, daun limau & lemongrass fared better though the flavours were again, mild.
The Pong teh was sadly insipid as well, below par from Nancy’s or Nyonya Sayang. Our ladyfingers was fibrous and slightly chewy.
Last but not least was a dish of liver and bamboo shoots which was an acquired taste. We gave up on it.

Thankfully the guys were firm believers of “no food wastage” so they finished everything (minus the liver dish); a good thing since I paid almost RM100 ++ for this meal.
The upside for this outlet are the availability of unique dishes that are not commonly available in other Nyonya restaurants such as Kari Kambing Buah Keluak and Pork Tonghey.
**Meal was back in Jan 2014.

Melaka - Nyonya Taste Cuisine

Nyonya Taste Cuisine, Kota Laksamana Melaka
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** As above – updated – Restaurant Aunty Lee is under new management


PORK FREE.
Jalan Ujong Pasir, Taman Sinn,
75050 Melaka, Malaysia.
Waze: “Aunty Lee Nyonya Food Restoran”
Tel: +60 6-283 1009
Hours: 11.30am-3.00pm, 6.00pm-10.00pm.
Close: Tues.

What was good:
We had this meal in May 2011 when Aunty Lee was still the queen of the kitchen and in control of the wok.

The meal was excellent.
Right now the reviews of Aunty Lee haven’t been too stellar so I’m not sure if I should pay her a visit. Anyone has any comments?

EDIT: November 2016 – food was good:  https://www.rebeccasaw.com/aunty-lee-nyonya-restaurant-melaka-the-story/

auntylee

Rest well Aunty Lee. We hope you recover soon.

Aunty Lee Nyonya food Melaka-04

Just for my records:
Prawns – RM22.00
Fish Assam – RM14.00 (S), RM28 (B).
Cincaluk Omelette – RM11.00
Kangkung (water convulvus) – RM10.50
Ayam Cili Garam – RM10.00
Ayam Pongteh – RM10.00

Aunty Lee Nyonya food Melaka-16

 


14. Amy Heritage Nyonya Cuisine


PORK FREE.
Bandar Hilir 75, Jalan Melaka Raya 24,
Taman Melaka Raya,
Melaka, 75000, Malaysia
Waze: “Melaka Amy Heritage Nyonya”
Tel: +60 6-286 8819
Hours: 11.30 am  – 2.30 pm, 6.00 pm – 9.30 pm.
Close: Mon.

What’s good:
We had watery Ayam Pongteh (RM18), passable Ayam Kari (RM18), decent Masak Titik Lemak (water convolvulus, cabbage & sweet potatoes in coconut milk) which for sure wasn’t worth RM14 and forgettable Nyonya Mee Siam at RM5/plate.
The otak shocked us with a thick chunk of fishcake right in the middle of the paste. That was RM5 and frankly we had expected actual pieces of fish.
The sambal is good, the chendol (RM2.80) ok and the RM2.50 Tai Bak (colorful rice noodles dessert in sugar water) was well, rice noodles in sugar water.
**Meal was back in Nov 2014.

amy



So there we have it!
My thoughts of 14 nyonya restaurants in Melaka.

I must have spent over RM1000 for this post. It was certainly an expensive journey in the search of Melaka’s best nyonya restaurant. LOL! 🙂

No doubt there are many more that I haven’t tried so please do send suggestions my way by commenting here or drop me a message me via fb.com/wackybecki / fb.com/RebeccaSawBlog .

** Constructive criticism welcomed. Rude comments or insults will not be tolerated, especially those by coward keyboard warriors hiding behind anonymity.

This Post Has 5 Comments

  1. Susan

    Hi.How about dropping by OUR PLACE Nyonya Cafe, Bkt. Beruang, Melaka. It has been operating for about a year and a half. Set Nyonya lunches are served fr Tuesdays to Sundays 10.30a.m to 3p.m.

  2. Born in Malacca

    The nyonya restaurant at equatorial hotel is the worst ever I have tried & I am a Malaccan.
    Are you sure you have eaten at all the places listed in your blog?
    Wok n Pan has the rudest boss & customer service in town by the way!

    1. Rebecca Saw

      Hi Born in Malacca.
      I’ve PAID and ate in every restaurant listed here. And please read carefully – I “Everything was just so-so.
      However, for HALAL Nyonya, this is the best you can get in Melaka for now.”

      It is listed because it is halal-certified and that is a good choice for our Muslim friends. MY blog does not only cater to Chinese readers.

      As for your experience in Wok & Pan, I’ve dined there many times without a problem.
      And yes, I paid for my meals.

      For the 6 that I favour, I’ve returned again and again with friends.
      The rest I’ve not bothered.

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