Top Things to Do and Best Restaurants to Eat in Melaka

There are numerous tourist destinations in Malaysia that attract tourists from all over the world. This Southeast Asian country remains on the radar of visitors from not only Asia but also Europe and America.

One of the dilemmas that most tourists (including me) face is which region of Malaysia to visit for the ultimate experience. While travel is highly subjective, there’s one part of Malaysia that I had the pleasure of visiting, and I truly enjoyed every moment of my stay. The place is Melaka! A beautiful travel destination, which, I believe, offers the best in food, culture, and shopping. It is perhaps the strategic location of the place or the influence of Portuguese, Dutch, and British colonization that Melaka has a unique flavor that you will remember for a long time. So, here’s the lowdown on what to do in Melaka, best places to eat, and planning an itinerary that leaves you feeling relaxed. It is also important to check out requirements and process for visiting Malaysia on a travel visa. Thanks to online Malaysia visa application centers, the whole process has now become smooth.

5 Things to Do in Melaka

1. The Stadthuys

The Stadthuys Melaka is an active cultural institution and a living monument of Melaka’s rich past, more than just a historical structure. The Stadthuys offers a distinctive and enlightening experience, irrespective of your interests—history buff, culture vulture, which or just searching for a nice place to go. When in Melaka, take full advantage of the chance to see this reddish jewel!

2. Jonker Walk

It is a contemporary kopitiam that is well-known for its delicious and creamy durian and cendol. The flour from rice is used to make a sort of confection called cendol, which is served with red beans, ice shavings, and plenty of milk made from coconuts and palm sugar syrup. In addition to its cendol, Jonker 88 is well known for its superb Nyonya Laksa.

3. Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum

The three restored homes that make up the Baba Nyonya Heritage Museum at Jalan Tun Tan Ching Lock reflect the typical 19th-century Chinese-Malaysip (Baba-Nyonya) home. The Peranakan Museum, renowned for its beautiful woodwork, ceramics, and furniture, was created from Chinese Palladian constructions. There are tour groups at regular intervals, but guests are also welcome to enter on their own. I was a part of the tour group and will recommend taking this option, as it is important to know how this family came to live in Melaka.

4. St. Paul’s Church

A Portuguese captain named Duarte Coelho built the cathedral as a memorial to the Virgin Mary for saving his life at sea. Perched atop St. Paul’s Hill, the former church’s ruins are a part of the Malaccan Museums Complex, which also comprises Stadthuys and A Famosa fort, in addition to other historical buildings. The St. Paul’s Church complex has retail shops close by, and tourists are drawn to the building to take pictures, peruse the cemetery’s inscriptions, and take in the amazing panorama from the summit.

5. Sultanate Palace in Melaka

Located at the foot of St. Paul’s Hill in Malacca, Malaysia the Melaka Sultanate Palace is a wooden growth of the palace constructed by Sultan Mansur Shah in the fifteenth century. It was diligently built in 1985 with traditional building methods and supplies, drawing on details found in the 16th-century Sejarah Melayu (Malay Annals) literary works.

The seven-tiered palace of Sultan Mansur Shah was allegedly constructed completely without the use of nails, supported by carved wooden pillars, and had a copper and zinc roof. Eight rooms spread across the top three floors inside this museum contain a range of guns, artistic creations, conventional apparel, gemstones, and additional items.

[Also Read : Top 5 Penang Museums]

5 Best Restaurants in Melaka

After reading this far, you probably believe that Melaka is all about its history and legacy, which is accurate, although since it’s a well-liked tourist destination, there are many eateries to satiate your hunger. Some of Melaka’s renowned dining establishments will tantalize your palate and keep you mulling over the cuisine for a while. In my personal view, these are the best dining establishments out there.

(Note: I haven’t been to every restaurant mentioned here – the list has been compiled on the basis of word-of-mouth of my fellow travel nomads and online ratings)

1. Nancy’s Kitchen

Arguably the most well-known Malaysian restaurant in Melaka is Nancy’s Kitchen. Nancy’s Kitchen aims to create standard Malaysian cuisine utilizing fresh local herbs, spices, and vegetables to deliver an outstanding Peranakan culinary experience. Nancy’s Kitchen is located in Taman Kota Laksamana, 1.2 kilometers from Jonker Walk. Rendang, also Chicken, Pai Tee, Spring Rolls, Fried Prawn Tamarind, Fish in Tamarind Dressing, and Nyonya Fried Rice Sambal Belacan—a dish containing Prawn, Squid, and Anchovies—are some of the specialties.

2. Capitol Satay Celup

A Portuguese captain named Duarte Coelho built the cathedral as an offering to the Virgin Mary for saving his life at sea. Perched atop St. Paul’s Hill, the older church’s ruins are a part of the Malaccan Museums Complex, which also comprises Stadthuys and A Famosa fort, in addition to other ancient structures. The St. Paul’s Church complex has retail stores nearby, and tourists are drawn to the cathedral to take pictures, peruse the cemetery’s inscriptions, and take in the breathtaking view from the summit.

3. Geographer’s Café

Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are offered at Geographer Diner, an event space located in a pre-war restaurant, including both Western and local food. Some of the must-try dishes at Geographer Cafe event spaces are Curry Vermicelli, Tom Yam Coconut Vegetable Soup, Geographer Platter, Jonker Fried Rice With Satay, Curry Ramen, Nasi Lemak, and Vegetarian Specialty, Nasi Impain—which consists of kangkung fried rice and veggie satay, Vegetable Nasi Lemak, Veggie Salad Rolls, and Tempeh Curry. All of the dishes have reasonable prices and match well with a selection of wines and beers, as well as with a delicious cup of iced lemon green tea, pineapple juice, sour plum lime drink, or Melaka coffee. Smack dab in the center of the bustling populace of Jonker Street is this vibrant meeting place.

4. The Daily Fix

Jonker Street is the Daily Fix Cafe’s address. It is situated behind a heritage building and is owned by Julian, a young man who visited an Australian university. City Cafe’s interior decor has been done carefully to preserve the historical significance of the structure. Rather, it offers an alternative perspective on the preservation of such a structure. In a throwback atmosphere, the guests can have brownies, ice cream, sandwiches, pancakes, beverages, and other sweets while admiring the creative arrangement. The coffee shop is quite new, hence its daily hours are somewhat limited, and its menu is quite limited.

5. Donald and Lily’s

Slightly outside the tourist center is not where you’re likely to discover the Donald & Lily restaurant. But finding it is quite simple. When you reach the point where Christ Church Melaka is located, keep walking out of town parallel to the water. You will eventually come to a large intersection wherein the large letters #LITTLEINDIA will be seen. It’s the entrance to the Littel India neighborhood. At this juncture, you are about to turn on Jalan Bendahara; continue walking along the road, and finally, you will see the dining establishment on your left.

This was our travel guide on best things to do in Melaka, and top restaurants to visit. Let us know about your Melaka experience and add to the discussion on why Melaka remains such an immersive experience.