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Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka

Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka

jonker-cafe-ice-kachang-nasi-lemak Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka

Jonker Street Dessert Cafe is one of the most famous stops for tourists visiting Melaka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Malaysia. This unique cafe, also called Jonker Dessert 88 Cafe, doubles as a museum and serves one of Melaka’s best local Baba-Nyonya desserts and food.Almost everyone who passes Jonker Walk would have stepped into the Jonker Dessert Cafe, which is located right in the middle of the famous Main Street.

Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka

jonker-cafe-street-restaurant-ent Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka
Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka
Jonker 88 Dessert Museum Cafe was formed back in 1997 by the Yoong Family, who are all native Melaka people, and it is located in the famous heritage district called Jonker Street (Jalan Hang Jebat).
A local favourite, this quaint little cafe serves local Melaka desserts, noodles, and rice, which are part of the Baba-Nyonya or Peranakan Cuisine. As you should know, the heritage city of Melaka was awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2009.

jonker-cafe-street-laksa Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka
Baba & Nyonya Curry Laksa

The trick is that when you enter the Jonker Cafe, you need to place your order with the stalls located just outside the 200-year-old pre-war building entrance. There are 2 stalls opposite each other. One serves desserts, and the other serves noodles and rice dishes.

The famous dishes here are the homemade Peranakan Nyonya Asam Laksa, Baba Curry Laksa, Baba Nasi Lemak, and the desserts, which are the Baba Ice Kachang, Baba Cendol (Chendol), and Durian Cendol with Gula Melaka (Palm Sugar).

On weekends or long holidays, the place can get a little chaotic, so you have to be patient. I got in on a Sunday afternoon, and the line to order had already reached onto the street. But it can move quickly so you will not have to wait ages.

jonker-street-cafe-inside Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka
Jonker 88 Museum Cafe Interior

The next tip is to have someone go in and get a table while you place the orders out front. Trust me, you do not want to walk in holding a food tray with no place to sit. Once you get your food, head inside this living museum cafe. The seating extends into the back portion of the shop. If you are a couple, you can also ask to share a table.

jonker-cafe-street-museum-restaurant Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka
Museum Cafe in Melaka

Inside the museum cafe, you will notice many antique pieces displayed throughout the cafe. Aged wooden display cabinets hold priceless antiques and memorabilia in the front portion of the cafe.

Various items, such as pineapple tarts, cookies, and some other local cookies, are being sold. I once bought a unique edition postcard set of old Malacca from inside here. So, those interested in some of the pieces can inquire about some of the items for sale there.

jonker-cafe-street-airwell Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka
The back portion of the museum cafe

While the back portion of the old shophouse is a general seating area, it is divided by a wooden bar window and doorway. The washrooms are at the back. Looking around, you will also notice old Chinese and Baba-Nyonya paintings and some antiques mounted on the walls, along with various vintage items such as irons, cash registers, telephones, and many other interesting items carefully placed around the area.

jonker-cafe-street-asam-laksa Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka
Nyonya Asam Laksa

The food and desserts served at the Jonker Cafe are an absolute must for anyone visiting Melaka. Here, you will get a taste of the famous Melaka Peranakan Baba and Nyonya cuisine.

I must say that in the last two years, I have visited this place four times at Jonker Walk. Every time I make a trip to Melaka, I must make it a point to stop here for the addictive food and desserts sold there.

jonker-cafe-ice-kachang-nasi-lemak-peranakan Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka
Nyonya Nasi Lemak and Ice Kacang

One of my favourite combinations would be the Nyonya Nasi Lemak with the Baba Ice Kacang and my Iced Teh Tarik (Iced Tea with Milk). The food never goes wrong on my visits; it’s just that the crowd gets bigger every time I go there.

I will not discuss the food and desserts here, as they speak for themselves. After multiple visits and still tasting good, I can assure you they have a pretty good standard here.

My conclusion to Jonker Street 88 Cafe:

  • Must visit for the local food, desserts and ambience
  • It does get super crowded on weekends
  • Overall charm was spoilt by the cheap utensils used
  • One of the overtourism places in Melaka
  • Turnaround time is pretty quick as people eat and leave fast
  • Value for money

Price Range: RM 2.50 to RM6.00  for food

Address for Jonker Dessert 88 Cafe;
Jonker Dessert 88 (Museum Cafe)
88, Jonker Walk
Jalan Hang Jebat 75200
Melaka.

Opening Hours:
Daily – 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
Saturdays and Sundays – 10.00 am to 10.00 pm

Note: The place may have changed owners over the years. But it’s still here, serving tourists.

Jonker Street Map in Melaka


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Conclusion

Please note that some of the pictures here were taken from my iPhone 1 in 2009, so please excuse the quality of the photos. Eating at the Jonker Street Dessert Cafe in Melaka is one of the main highlights of my visit to this old historical city. But remember, this was in 2009, and now, this place is part of the overtourism in Malaysia. 

I recommend visiting this place from Tuesdays to Fridays, as the Jonker Street Dessert Cafe can get really crowded on weekends and long holidays.

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Dessert Cafe in Jonker Street

0 comments

comments user
Stanley

I remember that place! One does not easily forget a restaurant with such a catchy name lol. Melaka is definitely one of the food hubs in Malaysia.

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Yes Stanley, this is the one place that everyone would pass or see when in Melaka. Actually, one of my favourites too.

David

comments user
Ken Wooi

my favourite!
they have lots of good food there! =D

kenwooi.com

comments user
Nicholas Leong

The cendol is nice but I prefer the other stall. A small lil stall that you can go upstairs and sit and eat. Lol cant remember the name but its around the Jonker area.

Both different version, I'll go to Jonker 88 if I crave for the thick gula melaka.

comments user
Catherine

that's one of my fav in Melaka. best laksa… yummy~

comments user
Lyne

Next time, you should try the morning dim sum place, right opposite the masjid/temple (parallel to Jonker St)Love this place, you get to see the true Malaysian cultures in one street. Also, look for a dish called Ba Kee Teng at Jalan Kampung Pantai. It's an Authentic Malaccan-Hokkien dish. Do not leave without having the Taiwanese Beef Noodle + Pork strips in Bachang area. Yum yum 🙂

comments user
shloke

Excellent review! The interior setting is simply unique and attractive.

Gosh! I missed Malacca food! You are making me HUNGRY 🙂

Cheers!
mylo

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Ken – Awesome stuff here always. Never fails to satisfy.

Thank you Francis 🙂

Nicholas – You got to let me know where the other is.

Catherine – Agree with you 🙂

Lyne – Ok, you've given me more places to try out on my next trip there. Thanks.

Mylo – When you visiting Melaka?

Regards,
David

Ps. By the way, I visited Melaka in Dec and had about 10 different types of local food but I am not going to blog about it here. Too much local food doesn't work with my site. So maybe I may start a food blog soon 🙂 Stay tuned, food lovers!

comments user
Robo

Tasted the Cendol before, excellent! Even some said, the Cendol seller at Studhuys is better…but I like this one with a proper sitting area.
Thanks for sharing.

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Hello Robo, thanks for the comment and to be honest, I have also tried the Studhuys and also the old man in town. They all have individual taste and are all equally nice.

Seriously, I have all the info and pictures of a lot of places for food in Melaka but I would not be featuring them here as I want this to be a full travel blog and not too food related. Maybe one day when I have some extra time, I would launch my food-travel-blog 🙂 Unless someone wants to buy my info hehehe.

Regards,
David

comments user
Harv Kay

This is a very good site with lots of review on places to visit and food to eat. It definately drives the point on Malaysia being a food destination. The wonderful culninary array of food is a great way to bring cultures together. Food is a powerful way for children to understand geography and culture.

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Thank you Harv, Melaka is indeed one of the popular choices for KLtes and Singaporeans, especially for the weekends and it is truly a great way to introduce cultures via food as you mentioned.

David

comments user
Malaysia Asia

Bess Kopitiam, well, after I deleted your initial postings, you should know that I am not allowing linking or cheap-free-promotions on my site, especially on to an article who is your competitor. Either you don't get it or I'm just speechless on how some Malaysians don't get it. If you want to advertise your cafe, you can always contact me or get someone to write about your place. Please stop doing this.

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