Best Nyonya Restaurants in Melaka

Restoran Aunty Lee may not be the prettiest place to dine, nor is it the most outstanding. The entrance is a balance between purple and white, which makes it really striking from afar. If you missed this, then you better well be on the way to a doctor. Anyway, the interior of this place truly brings you back in time, perhaps similar to when you're at your grandma's house. Apart from that, even the cooking is quite traditional as everything is served as it is. No added presentation, just love and passion for food. Lots of flavour, affordable and definitely a great place for a family dinner!

Nyonya Makko is one of those special restaurants that have been around for a long period and loved by both locals and tourists. It is also a true traditional Nyonya crib, where even the exterior is decorated to imitate a traditional Peranakan house, complete with paper lanterns hanging on the entrance. Most of their dishes (like the Sambal Petai and Asam Fish) looks incredibly red-hot spicy but don't be fooled. It's actually leaning more towards the sweet and spicy flavour instead of the full-blown spicy kick you're expecting. But still pretty alright if you're a keen spicy-eater.

Nancy's little hub is rather low profile but ask any Melakan about it and they'd be glad to guide you to it. It's more of a small and crowded restaurant so you might have to be prepared to wait in line and even share a table with strangers and tourists. Their sweet and sour fish is especially popular as it isn't clogging with sweetness but spicier instead. If you're feeling adventurous, the buah keluak ayam is a challenge you should take up on. Tame down the heat and spices with a bowl of refreshing cendol. All the recipes are handed down generations after generations, ensuring that it doesn't go forgotten. 

Samfu Restaurant is a place where everything local has been elevated into something a little more internationally accepted. The dishes are all plated really nicely, while the ambience certainly set at a more prestigious range. Some of their best dishes include the Pork Ribs Balinese, Chicken Pongteh, Mantao with Rendang Beef and of course, the cendol as well. All of these contributes to a whole lot of flavour as well as texture you will enjoy. In any case, a meal here is pretty affordable, so do not worry about it. 

With an encouraging name, this casual eatery is another strong contender in the Nyonya cuisine scene. The menu here is pretty straight-forward and simple although not exactly filled with variety. Portions are also smaller than usual but no fret, as they are packed with big flavours, which matters most. Their Sambal Sotong with Petai aka spicy chilli squids with stinkbeans tastes fresh and extremely spicy. On the other hand, their Otak-Otak is strongly influenced by the Northern style otak-otak. It's an acquired taste as the heavy scent of lemongrass is slightly overwhelming. Wrap up your climax with a bowl of cendol. 

Restoran Ole Sayang may look odd and well, a little too greenish from the outside. But on the inside, it's bright, warm, well-designed and spaced from table to table. The service here has also been receiving good response from various customers over the years, and the food is absolutely amazing. The array of seafood that is available here, as well as their different cooking methods are great reasons to order additional rice. Oh, don't forget to try out their Ayam Ponteh too as it packs in a whole lot depth and flavour.

Right across the street from Nancy's Kitchen is actually Kocik Kitchen which bears a similar resemblance in both name and menu style. While Melaka is full of Nyonya eateries, you can somewhat know that Kocik is Nancy's strongest competitor. Anyhow, their food is actually more affordable and less tourist-friendly but the main highlight is that it is HALAL. The place also felt more home-like instead of a heavily-decorated restaurant. Their otak-otak is also distinctively different from the usual as it is shaped more like a fish ball. You have a choice of the "soft" version, using fish fillets, or the "hard" version which uses fishcakes instead.

Wok and Pan truly is a unique one. It's a Western and Nyonya fusion restaurant that specialises in pork ribs and chops. For some amazing reason, the ribs that they offer are incredibly well marinated and grilled, giving that really rich, savoury and finger-licking good taste. On the other hand, you can also enjoy something a little more local like the oyster omelette. Despite their best sellers, they pull out really good Nyonya food too. However, many have spurred their dissatisfaction with the service here, so do visit at your own risk.

The bubbly owner, Amy takes large pride in her Nyonya cooking. The wait for your food can be a bit lengthy, but that's so that Amy and her kitchen team can prepare the best of their cooking to you. Their memorable dish is the Ikan Cili Garam; which is basically a deep fried fish fillet complimented with a generous topping of flavoured fresh chilli paste. The fish is actually lightly-seasoned but goes hand-in-hand with the chilli paste which already packs a punch. Oh yes, be sure of leaving some stomach space for their well-regarded pai tee.

Jonker 88 is famed for one thing - cendol. There will always be a line there, and during the weekends, it gets worst. Apart from that, they do have several other stalls that offer delicious Nyonya laksa and assam laksa. The only downside to this place is probably the seating arrangement as most of the time, they're packed. And if that wasn't the case, stains of cendol or curry would be evident. All and all, if you don't mind any of those, then Jonker 88 is a pretty solid place to be. 

Get ready to fight for seats as Restoran Nyonya Sayang is always packed during lunch and dinner hours. It's an incredibly simple place with nothing much to offer in terms of its aesthetics, but the food here is really good. It's also voted as one of the better places to enjoy a decent Nyonya meal in Melaka. From the Chicken Pongteh to the Lady's Finger, they're all cooked beautifully and deliciously. Don't forget to try out their anchovies with petai and sambal, one that is unique only to Restoran Nyonya Sayang.

Yes, the name is odd. But one thing for sure is that the food here is absolutely delicious. Possibly one of the best there is within this range. From their signature Pongteh Babi to Kuah Lada Ikan, everything here is incredibly well seasoned and cooked to perfection. The dishes does not only possess a depth of flavour, but the presentation is simple and honest as well. Nothing too fancy, just plain ol' good Nyonya dishes. One that you will definitely bring your family over for. Oh, don't forget to try out their popiah as well!

Since dominating the “Baba Nyonya” local television sitcom series and being featured in various other on-screen dramas is never enough, this celebrity expanded his brand to a restaurant, known as Big Nyonya Restaurant. Churning out his Peranakan dishes with recipes passed down for seven generations up to date, if authenticity is what you’re looking for, this is the place to be. All you need is to get a portion of white rice to go with any signature dishes here, such as “Pong Teh Chicken”. With a concoction of ingredients that include Chinese dried black mushroom, chopped potatoes and chicken, this stew is robust with flavours and every mouthful is just heavenly! To top it all off, cleanse your palate with the Sago Gula Melaka afterwards.

The name is definitely odd as it doesn't even relate to what they're serving or the theme behind the restaurant. Having said that, it is catchy enough for people to remember, and the sign on the facade of the shop certainly sparks an interest in passerbys. Inside, you'll find quite an edgy, modern and contemporary looking place with a menu that dates back to the 90s. Not that it's a bad thing, but the contrast is evident. Food here is pretty good but a little pricey, and if you're willing to pay that differences, then you're gonna enjoy yourself here.

486 Baba Low isn't exactly a restaurant nor a cafe, but rather, an interesting eatery with much to offer besides its decor. What's great about this place is the open kitchen, or rather lack of it. Everything is done right in front of your eyes; from the preparation to the execution, all of it is done on the spot. Most of what is available, Nyonya Laksa, Popiah and even their cendol taste well above what you'll find in most places. They're also incredibly affordable, seeing as the place is pretty bare. 

Be prepared to be amaze by Our Place Nyonya Restaurant's home cook Peranakan food that was brought down from traditions. A place where it feels like home, from their interior to the warm dishes they serve. True foodies would not doubt a place like this as it is not commercialised but actually cooked with care.

Wild Coriander not only serves good Nyonya cuisine but does it in a beautifully restored shophouse right along the Melaka river. Among their specialty must surely be the Nasi Dulang, which they use to decorate their outer dining area. There's also an inner dining area that needs to be seen to be appreciated.

Jeta Groves is a place to bookmark in your head if you’re looking for authentic Nyonya food with reasonable price tags. Nothing to shout about the ambience, it’s rather simple and commonly filled to brim during lunch hours. Among the crowd pleasers are mee siam, mee rebus, laksa, Nyonya curry mee and lontong. To make your meal a whole lot better, be sure of ending your meal with durian cendol – the best seller here. The generous haystack of shaved ice is drizzled with coconut milk, thick Gula Melaka, red beans and fresh durian. If the King of Fruit isn’t really the king to your palate, opt for a scoop of vanilla ice cream instead. 

Many have spilled their concerns regarding the owner of Restoran Indah Sayang, and that he was being quite 'difficult'. Taking that aside, it's understood that the reason why people keeps coming back is simply because the food is great. Not only that, they offer quite an extensive array of delicious Nyonya dishes such as the assam fish, stewed chicken and assam prawns. They're all done by the lady-boss herself, and is guaranteed that each dish that comes out from the kitchen is not only delicious, but worth ordering another bowl of rice for. 

Donald & Lily is all about simplicity and closeness to home. Dishes that are available here are what they would consider as comfort food, and one that they've grown up eating. From the curry mee to rojak and toasts to mee rebus, everything here is done with plenty of love and passion. Additionally, their cendol has been voted as one of the best in town, going head to head with Makko, Nancy's Kitchen and Jeta Grooves. In short, Donald & Lily isn't just a place to reminisce the past, but rather, a place that brings you forward with simple cooking. 

Affordability and variety are two of Kafe Lin's forte. The restaurant is relatively small, so the ideal would be to take-away. Now, they're only famous for one thing - the economy rice. A vast array of Nyonya dishes that are cooked beautifully are displayed on multiple trays placed along the entrance of the shop. You can pick anything you like from fish to chicken and tofu to vegetables. They're incredibly well seasoned and flavoured, and some might even say it's a little too salty. All and all, it's a pretty decent place if you're in the mood for some mixed rice.

Located in Alor Gajah, Restaurant Atlantic One Nyonya Food serves Peranakan and Nyonya cuisine. If you’re craving for genuine nyonya food, you will not be disappointed in their dishes, since they are prepared by their experienced lady boss. Some of their signature dishes includes Ponteh Chicken, Lemak Nanas Udang, Pineapple rice, Steam Pandan rice and their best-selling dessert, Dynamic cendol!

Because of this restaurant’s hidden location, not many people might have heard about this place. This restaurant serves delicious Nyonya food that is worth going and trying! As you can tell by its name, Kedai Kopi Juat Lye is a coffee shop. However, even though it is a coffee shop, the most famous dish here is their Nyonya foods and the Penang Style Prawn Mee. 

Nyonya cuisine are the definition of Malacca. Nyonya Taste Cuisine is situated at the end of Kota Laksamana, hidden in the shop lots in the area. It is also very near to the Jonker Walk shopping district. Nyonya Taste Cuisine serve simple yet flavourful food that will make you feel like you’re eating home-cooked meals! Their menu span from chicken, fish, duck, chee cheong fun and many more! When you decide to come here, make sure to try out their Cendol gula Melaka to finish off your meal.