COFFEE SHOPS FEATURED:

1. LOCAHOUZ
2. SIN SEE TAI
3. KAFE TUJU
4. THE COFFEE JAR
5. MODS
6. THE DAILY FIX
7. VINTAGE GREEN

1. LOCAHOUZ

Chinatown Vibes overload! Highly decorated spot with loads of red lanterns welcoming you in, a dramatic wooden staircase, vintage furniture, a waterfall of hanging jungle plants and a small garden in the back. So many opportunities for an Insta-worthy shot in this place, it’s overwhelming! All I can say, you will be sipping your mocktails in style, my friends. 

And check out my Happy Crouching Tiger Pose, which is on point.  

2. SIN SEE TAI

Very cozy spot with a seating area located on the second floor, just don’t miss that stairway tucked away in the back. Order downstairs and proceed up to a chill space that feels like your cool bohemian friend’s attic. I could definitely see myself working on my next blog post here and its decor is just perfect for Instagram-worthy retro atmospheric shots. My matcha looked Instagram ready as well.

3. KAFE TUJU

Spotted this little, quintessentially old school Chinatown coffee shop on its opening day, but it felt like it has been here for the last 40 years or more. Nothing about it seems new, it has a vibe of a local laid back cafe that passed from one generation of hard-working Chinese to another.
Was on my way to Jonkers Street, but had to pause everything and check this place out. I can definitely see myself coming here every day to get a bit of “me time”: coffee + good book or maybe something even sexier - a newspaper.

I really appreciate its location right next to the picturesque canal and within a walking distance of the touristic Jonker Street, but you will hardly see any tourists on this quiet street. Grab a seat in the shade outside to see and to be seen, in the best traditions of all small coffee shops of the world, it’s a social affair after all.
Location: No. 5, Lorong Jambatan

4. The COFFEE JAR

Such a gem! One of the very few places in Malacca which roasts their own beans. Run by a super friendly and chill couple who really care about quality coffee, this is a must-visit place for coffee addicts.

There are cakes too! They sell out, well, like hot cakes though, so come early to get the crowd’s favorite cheesecake and tiramisu.

Very vintage and very cozy vibes here: music still comes out of the cassette player and there is a fabulous collection of tapes to choose from. Check out the roasting machine as you enter on the left, which is one of the many cool vintage pieces bringing rustic industrial ambiance to this cafe.

I love coffee shops with local regulars and not just tourists which will never visit again: it creates a special kind of atmosphere of authentic friendliness. And this is one of those places with a solid reputation, Instagram-worthy interior and delicious beverages.

5. MODS

Dubbed by the locals as “The Best Coffeehouse in Malacca”, this place deserves a head nod from serious coffee lovers and yet, it is Instagram-worthy as well. Peek inside and you will find a cute little Hippie Mobile parked inside.

Coffee was absolutely superb and I haven’t even tried the more expensive varieties available here (Flat White: 11 Ringitts). Locals come to Mods specifically to sip that high quality, 50 ringgits a cup coffee in good company and they bring the whole family. A secret of such success is in the state-of-the-art roasting machine hidden in the back, combined with the owner’s expert knowledge of all things coffee. “He knows everything about coffee” is what an owner of another Melaka cafe exclaimed when recommending this spot to me.

It was delightful to hear a Russian folk song playing in the background when I came in. Not the tunes I expected in the Malaysian coffee shop and it felt so refreshing and so chill, I instantly felt that this place is very different from the rest. There is a certain eccentric quality to this shop which can not be replicated.

Oh and that neon glow! The bright orange owning outside gives the whole place a bit of luminescence, which is just perfect for good selfies. Adding a touch of pink to the ceiling is actually one of the best-kept secrets by celebrity house stylists: good skin with a healthy glow in all your photos guaranteed.

6. THE DAILY FIX

Tucked away behind the Next KK shop, this western style cafe with local vintage vibes is an excellent place to do both: get a bite and take atmospheric selfies.

This cozy and comfy cafe full of rustic charm is always busy but doesn’t feel crowded. Make sure to take a picture in the hanging rattan chair, which gives this place an ambiance of local authenticity.

With items on the menu like the Oatmeal Banana Smoothie, Matcha Latte, pancakes, burgers, Eggs Benedict and much much more, even the pickiest customer will find something special and very delicious to try.

However, the Pandan Pancake is the trademark dish here and of course, the signature Salted Gula Melaka Coffee is a must try.

This place is a bit pricy though.

7. VINTAGE GREEN

One of my favorite cafes to have a quiet morning at with a cup of Black or White Americano and a Fried Egg on Toast, with old style jazz tunes in the background.

The owner is a very chill lady who is also an avid collector of vintage items and an enthusiastic plant grower. The entrance full of lush tropical plants is what made me check out this coffee shop in the first place.

Everything you see on display in the cafe is actually for sale including books, postcards, vintage toys and much much more random cool stuff. I thought the selection of books for sale here is pretty impressive, still regret not purchasing the thick tome filled with oriental fairytales.

I don’t come here only for coffee though. Vintage Green is my favorite place for a refreshingly delicious Apple Lemonade, Fresh Juices and Aglio Olio. Everything in this cafe is made with fresh and healthy ingredients.

The floor above the cafe is actually for rent on Airbnb. The OLD SOUL STUDIO is one of the most beautiful minimal vintage interiors I’ve seen in Malaysia and I would highly recommend staying in here to experience authentic Malacca vibes.

BONUS: BACKLANE COFFEE

A good place for Digital Nomads as it is spacious, air-conditioned and relatively quiet with light French music setting the tone. It is also a perfect space for catching up with friends or for informal meetings: there is a large communal table available to accommodate a big group.

Maybe because this place is a bit hidden and you have to go through the clothing store to get here, it stayed relatively empty when I was there. Which is exactly what I am looking for when need to get stuff done. I also love that it is full of natural light in the afternoon, making it a perfect space to read a book on a comfy couch and take photos in an industrial minimalistic interior.

"If it wasn't for the coffee, I'd have no identifiable personality whatsoever."