Penang might be known for its phenomenal take on the laksa and other popular hawker fare, but those who want something a little more upmarket will not be disappointed to find that some of the best fine dining restaurants in Malaysia are found in Penang.
Famed as the food capital of Malaysia, the island of Penang is a bold celebration of diverse Malaysian flavours. While the iconic cendol, laksa, and char kuey teow spring to mind, contemporary restaurants are pulling their own weight when it comes to the culinary scene. In Penang, you will discover a unique take on both Asian and Western food, only this time you’ll get to dress up and rediscover the exciting concepts that the island offers. Bookmark these places and make your reservations at these classy spots the next time you want a fine dining experience on the island.
The best fine dining restaurants in Penang today:
Restaurant Blanc Penang
Image credit: Restaurant BLANC Penang
Formerly known as the Dining Room, BLANC serves a French-Asian menu that’s worth exploring. Pick between the BLANC menu degustation and the Menu De Saison by Chef Benny Yeoh. The menu comprises a 3-course meal featuring the former comprises canapes, a choice of mains and desserts, while the latter presents an omakase-style gastronomic journey. Consider this a sweet surprise as the chef will reveal the courses upon your visit.
228, Jln Macalister, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia; +60 19-239 9818
Orinea Restaurant
Image credit: @orinea_restaurant/Instagram
Located in the heart of Gurney Bay at Sunrise @ Gurney, Orinea Restaurant is where you can indulge in a sensorial journey. Go ahead and make a reservation for the Ultimate Chef’s Tasting Menu. You will find that each dish is a work of art fusing technique and innovation. In addition, the restaurant offers a breathtaking view of Gurney Wharf.
Known for its iconic location, the Indigo restaurant located in the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion offers a dining experience like no other. Besides the beautiful blend of old-world charm and modern touches, Indigo is famed for merging Eastern and Western flavours. The seven-course tasting menu comprises Freshly Shucked Oysters, Bluefin Tuna Capellini, Grilled Wild Caught Jumbo Prawn, Pan-Roasted Hokkaido Scallop, Seared Foie Gras and beyond. Pick your mains between the Australian Wagyu Striploin, Lamb Rack and Pan-Roasted Atlantic Cod. If you can’t make it for dinner, try out the three-course lunch.
Discover the historical compound of the Hin Bus Depot if you’re planning a trip to the one Michelin-starred Restaurant Au Jardin. This restaurant serves Franco-Asian cuisine with the freshest ingredients available in season. Head Chef Kim Hock believes in sustainable sourcing, making your meal a satisfying experience. As for the menu, this eatery can cater to your dietary request. If you’re a vegetarian, check out ‘The Green’ Degustation with dishes such as the Russet Potato ‘Mille-Feuille’ and Kimchi Espuma. The degustation menu offers heavenly dishes like Butter Roasted Hens in the Wood and ‘Grand Caviar’ au Jardin. Discover the menu here.
If you have been wondering where to eat at Jonker Street, this article will help you in many ways!
We have got you 12 different restaurants along or near the Jonker Street that has been frequented and recommended by the locals.
These Jonker Street restaurants not only serve you local delicacies.
Instead, some offer you the hearty and wholesome Western cuisines, Malacca food and some even present you Nyonya dishes that have heavenly taste!
A meal at these restaurants could reenergize your tired body and mind before getting on the journey again.
Let check them out!
We hope you really enjoy yourself while dining here!
12 Best Restaurants In Jonker Street
1. The Baboon House
The Baboon House is a restaurant where tranquil environment meets with decent food. Greeny surrounding, big portion of food at affordable prices, scenic spots, everything about the restaurant is outstanding.
The restaurant is famous for their homemade burger. One of the most ordered dishes is their highlight, Baboon Beef burger that comes with tender and juicy beef. Served with vegetables and potato wedges, the burger is best with the sauce that adds a little spiciness to the taste. It is one of the famous food in Jonker Street.
Baboon Green Salad is another must-try too. Topped with chicken and pork bacon, the massive portion of salad is enough for 2 persons!
To quench your thirst, the restaurant offers you beverages ranging from smoothies, fresh juices, coffee, hot tea to alcoholic beverages. Each coffee and hot tea comes with Danish cookies to complement your afternoon tea.
Location: 89, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Kampung Bukit China, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +606-283 1635 Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Closed on: Tuesday
2. Salud Tapas
Being the only Spanish Restaurant in Malacca, Salud Tapas serves incredible Spanish food with nice food presentations. It is housed in an ancient heritage building and the beautiful interior creates a cosy yet romantic ambience for diners.
The restaurant features open kitchen where diners can see how the chef cooks while enjoy the delicious food. With the western environment, it makes you feel like having a dinner in Europe.
The food offered are very authentic. Every bite come with huge flavours. Whether it is paella, gambas (prawns) or calamari, the restaurant offers all of them. If you dip them in their special made black garlic sauce, it tastes even more flavourful!
Upstairs, the restaurant transforms into a casual bar filled with fun and warm atmosphere. They offer variety of drinks for you to socialise with friends.
Location: 94, Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, 75200 Malacca, Malaysia. Contact: +606-282 9881 Opening Hours:
Daily: 12:30pm – 12:00am
Closed on: Tuesday Facebook
3. Hoe Kee Chicken Rice Ball (马六甲和记鸡饭)
As the name suggested, Hoe Kee sells poached chicken in Malacca. With marble tables and wooden chairs, it offers a nostalgic ambience of traditional Chinese restaurant. For better lightning, head to the middle area with open roof.
Like the normal chicken rice we eat, the rice ball is cooked by using the chicken stock. The only difference is it is shaped into balls. It is firm and it won’t break up while picking it up.
The poached chicken is incredibly succulent, flavourful and moist! The serving is enough for 2 persons and it tastes really different from the chicken rice in KL and the bean sprouts chicken in Ipoh.
Chili sauce and dark soya sauce are available at each table. It simply just adds the chicken more flavourful.
Location: No.4, 6, & 8, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Malacca, Malaysia. Contact: +606-283 4571 Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 9:30am – 4:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 9:30am – 4:30pm Facebook
4. Poh Piah Lwee
Serving the Malaysian’s all-time favourite – Po Piah, the humble restaurant is perfect for a decent breakfast to kick start your day. They also serve Nyonya cuisines that will make you long for more.
The unique thing about Malacca’s Po Piah is they add delicious fried pork lard oil. Though they add it into Po Piah, it still comes with right texture and is not overly oily.
The jicama inside is well-marinated and boiled to the right moisture. Best of all, the amount of sweetness is just right! It is fresh, crunchy and mixes so well with other ingredients in Po Piah.
Other recommended breakfast would be Nyonya Dumpling and Nyonya Laksa. The Nyonya Dumpling that has generous fillings is very tasty and sweet while the Nyonya Laksa that comes with fragrant smell is creamy and not too spicy in taste!
Location: 14, Jalan Kubu, 75300 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +606-282 7175 / +6017-783 0986 Opening Hours:
Daily: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Closed on: Monday & Tuesday Facebook
5. Straits Affair
Straits Affair was established to preserve authentic Peranakan food. Although the ethic has been living in Malacca for over 200 years, the restaurant prides themselves in serving contemporary Nyonya delicacies and keeping old favourite at the same time.
Despite Nyonya delicacies, the restaurant is also a patisserie offering all kinds of Peranakan kuih including pastries, biscuits, cakes and cookies. Their fine kuih are made from their secret family recipe and freshly made of the day.
Fried ang koo kuih, Pang Susie, ondeh-ondeh and apom berkuah are the signature kuih at Staits Affair. Nyonya food like pai tee, Nyonya laksa and mee siam can be found here too. Besides, their Peranakan pancake with banana and Gula Melaka has a heavnly taste.
For beverages, opt for the coffee or tea with gula melaka. If you prefer something cold, their chendol is best recommended.
Location: 1, Jalan Tukang Besi, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6012-605 6490 Opening Hours:
Daily:
Monday – Friday: 11:00am – 8:00pm
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Closed on: Wednesday
6. Wild Coriander
Set in the picturesque riverside, Wild Coriander is a restaurant combining both Malaysian and Asian food and it offers exceptional Nyonya dishes too. The restaurant serves no pork so you can bring Muslims friends around.
Wild Coriander is in a traditional Malay house with beautiful interior design. The decorations on walls such as traditional plates throw you back to old Malacca times.
Both Laksa and Beef Rendang here are superb in taste. As the Beef Rendang goes very well with biryani rice, remember to pair them up while having the dish.
Other Malaysian favourite like Nasi Lemak, mutton curry and bok choi are offered here. Each has distinct flavours and all the produce are fresh.
Don’t forget to opt for their Cameron Highland tea which has a wonderful taste!
Location: 40, Jalan Kampung Pantai, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6012-380 7211 Opening Hours:
Daily: 12:00pm – 11:00pm
Closed on: Wednesday Facebook
7. River View Cafe Melaka
Located away from the hustle and bustle of Jonker Street, River View Café Melaka is one of the Jonker Street cafe that best suited for those who enjoy some quiet moments. Especially in the evening, it offers customers an amazing sunset view of Malacca River.
Even though the cafe offers both local delicacies and western cuisines, they are known for specialising in Malaysian classic food.
Beef rendang is their signature. The serving is great and the tender soft beef could just fell apart in plate. For the gravy, the taste is rich and full of spices. It is well-accompanied with pickles, cucumbers, chilli paste, fried anchovies and rice.
Other recommended dishes are chicken curry, calamari and fried rice.
For beverages, you can have their mango lassi- their highlight smoothies made with yogurt. It is extremely fresh and fruity.
Location: 82, Jalan Kampong Pantai, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6012-380 7211 Opening Hours:
Daily: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Closed on: Tuesday Facebook
8. Shui Xian Vegetarian Restaurant (水仙素食园)
Jonker Street caters to vegetarians too! At Shui Xian Vegetarian Restaurant, a variety of dishes are offered and they will come out with 1 or 2 local specials each day as the day’s highlight. Ala carte dishes are available here as well.
The Melaka chicken rice ball is their signature and it is almost sold out around 9am daily. Some people said that it tastes better than the non-vegetarian one.
It is a twist on the normal chicken rice we taste. Instead of serving a plate of rice, the chicken rice is made into big ball shape and the chicken is served separately as accompaniments.
Their Wan Tan Mee tastes good too. Customers can choose from 3 different sizes at different prices. However, there is no wantan in the dish. Instead, they serve fried wan tan skin with no fillings.
Location: 43, Jalan Hang Lekiu, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +601-635 8052 Opening Hours:
Daily: 7:30am – 2:30pm
Closed on: Sunday Facebook
9. Seeds Garden Bistro
Seeds Garden Bistro presents the best of nature food. Featuring hearty Asian and European dishes using the freshest ingredients, herbs and spices, the restaurant gives your body a healing experience in the modern city.
We have been eating meat burger for a long time but have you tried the mushroom burger before? This is the signature of Seeds Garden and it tastes delicious! The burger is quite healthy because there is not much seasoning inside.
We recommend you enjoy their Japanese Curry and Nasi Campur too. If you prefer western dishes more, you can always try their pizza and spaghetti. No worries to vegetarians as they don’t even use mock meat in preparing these dishes.
They offer fresh fruit juices as well. Carrot and apple juices are recommended here.
Location: 60, Jalan Tokong, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +6017-363 9626 Opening Hours:
Daily: 11:30am – 9:00pm
Closed on: Wednesday Facebook
10. Hard Rock Café Malacca
Almost everyone who love music will fall in love with Hard Rock Café Malacca. The restaurant is a place where classic hits and authentic cuisines mix in one.
They decorate the restaurant with musical instruments, autographed albums and costumes. And with the memorabilia and modern design, you feel cool and trendy while dining here.
Their homemade Original Legendary Burger is the dish that makes them so famous. Generously filled with cheddar cheese, smoked turkey bacon, crisp lettuce, tomato and fried onion ring, you can imagine how big the portion is!
Not to forget about their Caesar Salad too. Topped with fresh parmesan cheese and garlic croutons, the delicious romaine lettuce is tossed with their homemade dressing.
Last but not least, their giant Jumbo Combo! It consists of Tupelo Chicken Tenders, signature wings, onion rings and many more. The big plate is served together with barbecue sauce and honey mustard that goes perfect with the meat!
Location: No.28, Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +606-292 5188 Opening Hours:
Monday to Thursday: 11:30am – 1:00am
Friday to Sunday: 11:30am – 2:00am Facebook
11. Geographer’s Café
Located at the corner of Jonker Street, it is hard to miss out Geographer’s Café that has green panels and striking yellow wall. With live band performance every week, it has been attracting many tourists come over for a decent meal.
The restaurant is very famous in Jonker Street, Malacca. A popular Hong Kong movie, Summer Holidays filmed some of the scenes here.
Many people order their Chicken Satay that comes with peanut sauce. The Indonesian bean curd, Tempeh Curry which is the chef specialities are available here. Another recommended dish would be the curry ramen that mixes with Malay culture. It tastes as good as laksa.
If you enjoy drinking beers, they offer cocktails and iced beers to relax yourself. It is also one of the best nightlife spot in Jonker Street. If you come here in the afternoon, a coconut drink could beat your heat!
Location: 83, Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia. Contact: +606-281 6813 Opening Hours:
Monday to Friday: 10:00am – 1:00am
Saturday & Sunday: 9:00am – 1:00am Facebook
12. Pin Pin Hiong (品品香茶室)
Featuring an open kitchen, Pin Pin Hiong is a humble restaurant serving home style Chinese food with consistent quality.
It only has a simple one-page menu with few selections. But the food served is definitely what you will die for.
Oyster omelette here wins most people hearts. The fried egg is looks crispy outside but once bitten, it tastes extremely fluffy! The best part is it is not salty and oily yet gives off the egg aroma.
Unlike other restaurants serving flavourful Mee Suah, Pin Pin Hong’s version seems tasteless without much seasonings and ingredients. But if you keep eating, the flavour of ingredients and noodles start coming out.
Their pork chop tastes great too. It has a very crispy skin and the pork is very juicy. A few tomato and vegetables topped the dish.
Location: 786, Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia. Opening Hours:
Daily: 7:30am – 2:00pm
Closed on: Sunday
Ramadan is a time of celebration and giving. It is a time when Muslims come together to break their fast and spend time with family and friends. If you are looking for some great places to celebrate Ramadan in Johor Bahru, check out our list of the 5 Best Ramadan Bazaars and Eateries in Johor Bahru!
1. S’MART Pandan Bazaar Ramadan
The S’MART Pandan bazaar ramadan in JB is the largest and most energetic market in Johor Bahru, and it is set to be a much bigger occasion than usual this year with over 200 food stalls on offer.
The list includes Nasi Arab, Ikan Bakar, Satay, Roti John, Nasi Kerabu, Apam Balik, a slew of kuihs, and much more.
Apart from the meals, S’Mart Pandan’s Ramadan bazaar also features stalls selling clothing and accessories to assist you choose your finest Raya outfit. Baju kurung , kebaya, baju Melayu, and even children’s clothing are available for purchase. Eat while you shop!
Key Differentiators:
Over 200 outlets
Eat and shop
Mouth-watering street food
2. Tebrau Food Truck Park
Are you tired of eating in restaurants all the time? Change things up with an interesting al fresco dining concept – a food truck park in Tebrau, located on Desa Tebrau. This food truck park has over 10 food trucks selling everything from snacks to hearty meals.
A hot plate of nasi goreng udang, served with a fiery sambal on the side, or a hearty bowl of mee bakso are two delicious ways to warm up.
The D’Papas’ burger, Leleh, is a juicy beef patty topped with melted cheese and chili sauces oozing out of the burger. For sweets, try the Milo shaved ice dessert from Manggai, which includes a Kinder Bueno stick.
Key Differentiators:
Al fresco dining concept
Over 10 food trucks selling
An assortment of snacks and satisfying meals
3. The J Seri Alam
Make your way to The J at Seri Alam, a modern container-themed food court in Johor. Tuck into a wide range of cuisines, from Western cuisine to the traditional Asian foods, at this 16 restaurant complex under one roof.
Savor the Nasi Kandar from Selera Kampung or enjoy the Naan with mozzarella cheese from Naseeb Capati. Fresh seafood is available at Shell’AllOut for those who adore it.
Bakso Beranak is a delicious meal that includes bite-size bakso and eggs stuffed in a large meatball. During dinner, this outdoor dining experience also shows movies, so you can enjoy your supper while watching the newest dramas.
Key Differentiators:
New container themed-food court
16 different eateries under the same roof
Alfresco dining experience
4. Taman Suria Johor Bahru
The Bazaar Ramadan experience is a sensory delight with the excitement of belonging. Taman Suria bazaar Ramadan has multiple food stalls, including ayam golek – chicken marinated in traditional spices and grilled over charcoal fire.
Highlights include kambing golek, grilled fish and snapper dishes, murtabak sandwiches, and a variety of other foods. There are also some stalls selling nasi lemak rice cakes, as well as cookies such as putu bambu – rice flour stuffed with palm sugar and steamed in bamboo.
If you want to sample Malaysia’s rich street food culture, there is no better location than the yearly Ramadan bazaar.
Key Differentiators:
Traditional Malay and Halal dishes at the same place
Flavors of the delicious food
Feeling the spirit of the community
5. Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort
This year, Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort is bringing back a blast from the past, when you can relive cherished memories of your mother’s home-cooked meals during Ramadan.
Tanjong Puteri Golf Resort offers a delicious assortment of more than 100 dishes with a nostalgic flavor. Make sure to bring a hungry stomach!
Key Differentiators:
Experience fond memories of mum’s home-cooked food
Spacious and safe open-air dining environment
Ramadan buffet entails a delectable spread of more than 100 dishes featuring a nostalgic groove
Ramadan Bazaar and Eatery Johor Bahru
Ramadan Bazaar and Eatery Johor Bahru is the perfect place to enjoy delicious traditional Malay and Halal dishes. With a wide variety of food options available, there is something for everyone to enjoy at this bazaar. The festive atmosphere makes it the perfect destination for those looking to celebrate Ramadan in style.
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