Tag: makan

The Ultimate Guide To Cafe Hopping In Melaka – 17 Hipster Cafes That Will Give You #Goodvibes

Bored of the sights and sounds of Singapore, and frankly need a short getaway from everything? The understated charm of Melaka awaits, just a bus ride away!

More than just a UNESCO World Heritage Site with a vibrant historical past and beautiful architecture, Melaka is undoubtedly a foodie’s paradise – whether it be street snacks, cafe grub or quick eats by the roadside.

The list of tastebud teasers is growing as we speak, so we’ve wasted no time in bringing you this list of cool cafes that’ll surround you with all kinds of #goodvibes.

1. Calanthe Art Cafe (Pork-free)

Tucked away in a quiet alley, stepping into this cafe is akin to entering another world.

A master of revival, this is where television sets are reborn as aquariums, antique furniture is given a new lease of life, and timeless quotes artfully adorn the walls.

Must-try: Baboon Beef Burger, Oriental Chicken Burger, Pork Belly Burger, Terriyaki Porkchop Burger, Cheese Burger, Mango Smoothie, Fresh Juices

The Baboon House
Address: 89 Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock, Kampung Bukit Cina, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 5pm; Closed on Tue

3. Geographer Cafe (Halal)

Must-try: Unique and tasty coffee blends

Mods Cafe
Address: 14 Jalan Tukang Emas , 75200 Malacca, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily, 10am – 6pm

5. The Daily Fix Cafe and Restaurant (Pork-free)

The cafe’s retro decor with painted blinds, wooden sofas and potted plants all add a touch of je ne sais quoi that makes this cafe stand out. Together with their delicious pancakes and mean cups of coffee, The Daily Fix has us pledging our loyalty for a long time to come.

Must-try: Pandan Gula Melaka Pancakes, Durian Pancakes, Salted Egg Pancakes, Durian Cheesecake, Duck Aglio Olio

The Daily Fix
Address: 55 Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 9am – 11.30pm; Sat – Sun: 8.30am – 11.30pm

6. Locahouz Breakfast and Brunch Restaurant

An oasis of cool comfort away from Melaka’s hot and busy streets, the sister cafe of Baboon House offers a Western-style menu too, albeit with greater emphasis on desserts.

An antique shop that doubles as a port-of-call for hungry diners, here is where you can enjoy simple, authentic Malaysian fare in a cosy and homely environment.

The friendly pakcik and makcik prepare the food on the spot, ensuring that the ingredients are fresh and each dish is piping hot. If you’re vegan, this place offers tofu options as well.

Must-try: Laksa, Lontong, Nasi Lemak, Nasi Ambeng

Sayyid Antique & Cafe
Address: 74 Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 8.30am – 5.30pm; Closed on Tue

8. The Stolen Cup

A quaint hole-in-the-wall coffee stop along Jonker Walk, The Stolen Cup has stolen our hearts with its rustic interior decorated with wooden planks, old clocks and posters.

Besides the barista specialty of iced gula melaka coffee, enjoy their freshly-toasted, crispy croissants which go down with a buttery crunch.

Must-try: Iced gula melaka latte, croissants

The Stolen Cup
Address: 21A Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Malacca, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed – Sun: 9am – 9.30pm; Closed on Tue

9. Backlane Coffee

Must-try: Mr Owl Coffee (owl-shaped coffee ice cubes), Pesto Pizza, Teh Tarik Macaron, Passionfruit Surprise Macaron, Salted Caramel Tart, Raspberry and Praline Mille-Feuille, Backlane Passion (passionfruit cream with chocolate mousse on a white chocolate base)

Backlane Coffee
Address: 129 Jalan Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon – Thu, Sun: 9.30am – 11.30pm; Fri & Sat: 11am – 12am

10. Ola Lavanderia Cafe

Well-located within walking distance of the heritage site, this all-white, minimalistic cafe is perfect for a pop of caffeine.

What’s best is it doubles as a launderette – at only RM 4.80, pop your feet up while your clothes get washed, folded and ironed. Cue Instagram hashtag #taitailife.

While you’re here, be sure to order their famed cheesecakes.

Must-try: White Melaka Cheesecake, All Day Breakfast

Ola Lavanderia Cafe
Address: 25 Jalan Tukang Besi, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon – Sat: 8am – 5pm; Sun: 8am – 1pm

11. Handmade Bakery Cafe (Halal)

Upon entering this cafe, you’ll be hit with the ridiculously yummy fragrance of freshly baked breads, pastries and cakes.

Sweet treats aside, the cafe serves up a large range of savoury dishes such as pizza and salad which will please your growling tummy.

Must-try: Chocolate Guinness Cake, Baked Polish Cheesecake, Tunisian Orange Cake, Oreo Volcano

Handmade Bakery Cafe
Address: 77 Jln Kota Laksamana 3/8, Taman Mahajaya, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily, 10am – 10pm

12. The Coffee Jar (呷珈琲)

A quaint little coffee shop with its own mini roaster, its specialty, lightly roasted coffee, will tickle the tastebuds of third wave cafe-goers. Apart from coffee, The Coffee Jar also stocks a selection of pies and cakes for you to munch on while you sip away.

Must-try: Coffee, Earl Grey Tea Cheesecake, Jar of Pie (a unique in-house rendition of Shepherd’s Pie)

The Coffee Jar
Address: 38 Lorong Hang Jebat, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily, 10.30am to 6pm; Closed on Tue

13. Plat Kitchen

While it may be a coincidence that Plat rhymes with “fat”, this is where we wouldn’t mind piling on the calories at.

For those with more adventurous tastebuds, you’ll find the ingenious play on local ingredients very intriguing and tempting indeed.

Keeping up with the Joneses has never been this fun.

At this family-run music bar, kick back with their wide selection of freshly-squeezed health juices and alcoholic mixes. The music is the highlight here, so don’t drop by on an empty stomach! Come jam with the owner, Hawk, and his wife, Joan, as they sizzle up this vibrant, energetic bar with music ranging from blues to rock-and-roll.

Must-try: Freshly-squeezed health juices

Me & Mrs Jones Cafe
Address: 3 Jalan Hang Kasturi, 75200 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily: 7pm – 1am; Closed on Wed

16. TPC Home Cafe

At this cafe that’s housed in a homestay, you’ll truly feel like you have balik kampung. 

Retro wooden tables, paper lanterns and old-style Chinese swing doors adorn the establishment. Unlike the modern Western dishes served in most cafes, their home-style dishes are a refreshing change.

Sample their signature crystal dumplings, roast pork and egg over rice, and handmade noodles or ban mian.

As a added perk, they serve yummy cups of coffee too, with some even adorned with cool latte art.

Must-try: Crystal dumplings, handmade noodles (ban mian), roast pork rice with egg

TPC Home Cafe
Address: 35 Jalan Bukit Cina, Kampung Bukit China, 75100 Melaka, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tue – Sun: 12pm – 12am; Closed on Mon

17. Halia Inc. (Halal)

Located right next to the river and at the heart of the historical district, Halia Inc. is the perfect pit stop for a casual brunch.

The atmosphere is tranquil and restful, elevated by the spacious cafe’s high, open ceiling which gives it a touch of industrial chic. This cafe is much larger than most, so it’s the perfect stop if you’re touring with a big group of friends.

(Header Image Source: Nitalovestoeat Wordpress)

Welcome To The Dark Side – These 13 Black Foods Will Surely Soot Your Tastebuds

Black – we love to wear it, we love it on makeup, we love to… eat it?

Black coloured foods seem to be the next big food trend and we think you’ll be seeing more of these dark, moody foods all over your Insta-feeds. From sinful desserts to devilish mains, with foods as black as our hearts, we’re not going to say no.

We’ve rounded up some of the blackest foods in Singapore, so let your inner goth come alive with these cold, black treats.

1. 黑 “Hei” Rice ($22) – Paddy Hills

This signature dish consists of the OG black food, squid ink pasta, tossed with a generous amount of crayfish, scallops, prawns, clams, and squid. The pasta is infused with the natural taste of the sea from the squid ink, and the sauce is briny and flavourful. While squid ink pasta is not hard to find across our little island, this is one of the better squid ink pastas you can get in Singapore.

Pasta Brava
Address: 11 Craig Road, Singapore
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 11.45am – 2.15 pm (lunch), 6.15pm – 10.15pm (dinner); Closed on Sun & PH

4. Squid Ink Panini with King Crab and Prawns ($14) – Dolcetto by Basilico

Black Magic[/caption]

You may have chanced upon this all-black dessert before. Now, it’s back again in all its glory. The magic unfolds in an intricately designed medley of black sesame panna cotta, squid ink profiterole, crispy charcoal biscuit, lace tulle, black berries, with a chocolate wand. A tasty and quirky combination that works wonders!

Platform 1094
Address: 1094 Serangoon Road, Singapore 328192
Opening Hours: Tue – Fri: 11am – 10pm; Sat & Sun: 10am to 10pm; Closed on Mon

10. Foie Gras Macaron ($12) – Hashida Garo

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To beat the heat, come to the dark side with KokoPanda’s black frozen yoghurt, made with charcoal and roasted coconut husk.

It’s a tangy, refreshing and absolutely yummy alternative to ice cream. What’s more, it’s also a much healthier choice as it comes topped with superfoods. These include dried strawberry, apple, pear, persimmon and Jeju tangerine, as well as caviar bubbles made with real fruit juice.

A single topping with the base froyo will cost $4.90, while a froyo with 3 toppings will cost $5.90, with additional toppings priced at $0.80 each.

KokoPanda
Address: 68 Orchard Road, #B2-60, Plaza Singapura, Singapore 238839
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 10pm

12. Homemade Black Soy Ice Cream ($4.90 for Regular, with 2 toppings) – Dofu

This grand tower consists of fine milk shavings topped with a generous layer of black sesame and kinako powder, a heap of red beans, and a scoop of ice cream. Feast your eyes on the Black Sesame Bingsu, a slayer at Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Café that for good reason, has garnered its own fan club.

Nunsongyee Korean Dessert Café
Address: 534 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188749 | #02-25 Century Square, 2 Tampines Central 5, Singapore 529509 | 227 Upper Thompson Road Singapore 574359 | The Midtown Singapore, 1187 Upper Serangoon Road #01-14, Singapore 534785
Opening Hours: 24 hours daily (North Bridge Road branch) | Mon – Sun: 12pm – 10pm (Century Square branch)

It seems when it comes to food, black is now the new black. With all the multi-coloured and ombre foods and drinks we’ve been seeing lately, this is definitely a refreshing and much welcomed change.

If you’re in the mood to try something new, check out these deliciously dark eats. And of course, make sure to bring a mirror with you–you don’t want to be out in public with black stuff all over your teeth!

Also read 8 Instagram-Worthy Drinks That Will Have Your Followers Spamming The Like Button

These 15 Hipster Cafes In Johor Bahru Are Worth Braving The Customs For

Love discovering new cafes?

So do we! Over the past couple of years, we’ve seen a surge of new cafes popping up all over Singapore, and it seems the cafe scene has grown across the border too. With plenty of hipster cafes with cool, unique decor and delicious brunch-fare in JB, there’s one more reason to cross the border.

If you live for decadent brunches, chill vibes and lazy, care-free afternoons, you’ll fall in love with these hipster cafes. Not only do they have their own distinct aesthetic, they also have signature foods (and drinks!) you won’t find in Singapore.

Here are 15 hipster cafes in JB we think are worth crossing the border for.

1. Bev C (Halal)

Housed along the street, along with a string of other hipster cafes is this nook that’s easy to miss if you’re not looking for it. With its entrance bedecked in rustic, earthy tones of wood and brick, it certainly has a homely quality to it.

With its in-house boutique merging seamlessly with its cafe, Bev C proves that one can master both the crafts of coffee and fashion with finesse. Check out its clothing label here.

Feast your eyes on their Chocolate Mint Pies that you’ve probably squealed over a thousand times on Instagram. For fans of Windowsill pies, you’ll love this one as well.

Yummy pies aside, this cafe offers the renowned Ice Cube Espresso with Milk and Caramel, which ensures diluted coffee will not be an issue as you sit and chat with your pals.

Must Try: Charcoal Croissant with Smoked Salmon, Chocolate Mint Pie, White Chocolate Truffle Pie, Ice Cube Espresso

Bev C
Address: 54 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Tue – Fri: 1 pm – 11 pm; Sat & Sun: 12 pm – 11pm, Closed on Mon

2. B.LO.C. (Halal)

B.LO.C, short for The Banana LOver Cafe, will take your goreng pisang love to new heights.

Situated opposite Taman Sentosa, at B.LO.C, you can drown your crispy goreng pisang in cheese or dark chocolate; you can even dunk it into creamy ice cream! Better yet, coat it with crunchy golden cereal, drizzled with hot caramel sauce. The flavour combinations are limited only by your imagination.

Handcrafted artisan teas with 5 bases, 15 flavours (e.g. saffron rose, pure yoghurt, winter melon) and a selection of 9 different toppings (e.g. coffee jelly, pearls, nata de coco), these customisable drinks are the perfect pick-me-up as you go on your cafe hunt.

Must Try: Thai Iced Milk Tea, Iced Chai Latte

Chaiwalla & Co. Honest Tea
Address: Lot 2810, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, 80000 Bandar Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Mon – Thu: 9.30am – 6.30pm; Fri – Sun: 9.30am – 6.30pm, 8pm – 1am

4. Coffee Signature

It’s raining, it’s pouring Sweet Little Rain. As its name would suggest, expect a large, poofy cloud to deliver melted droplets of cotton candy into your piping hot black coffee or tea.

Other beverages served here include Green Tea Latte served in a big light bulb, and their unique Huevos Rancheros egg dish that’s more than just a run-of-the-mill Eggs Benedict.

In Mini Sunshine Brilliant, you’ll find a crispy ham bowl bearing a yummy mixture of eggs, cream and cheese.

Must Try: Sweet Little Rain, Huevos Rancheros, Mini Sunshine Brilliant, Ice Blended Green Tea

Coffee Signature
Address: 53, Jalan Serampang, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 12pm – 10pm; Fri – Sat, 12pm – 11pm

5. Coffee Valley (Halal)

The feasting doesn’t end there; their waffles are pretty sensational too.

Must Try: Egg Slut, Four Seasons Waffle, Mixed Berries Waffles

Coffee Valley
Address: 12A Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru 80000 | L2-550A, Sutera
Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Thu – Sun: 11.30am – 8pm; Closed on Wed

6. EH HE Art Cafe

Stepping through the doors of this cafe is almost like entering the home of a quirky collector who’s obsessed with art in all its forms. Everywhere you turn, you’ll be greeted with one-of-a-kind sculptures and paintings.

If you’re craving something a little different, give the coffee here a shot. You’ll notice their coffee has a distinct aroma, for they use traditional beans that are homegrown in Johor, unlike the trendy Arabica beans brewed in countless other cafes.

Besides their old-timey drinks, EH HE serves up wonderfully old school nosh too. Red Bean Soup, Chendol, Nasi Lemak and Curry Chicken are some of the items that make an appearance on their menu.

Must Try: Chendol, Kopi-O, Fried Mee Siam, Red Bean Soup

EH HE Art Cafe
Address: No. 1, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru 80000, Johor Bahru (Around the corner of Hiap Joo Bakery)
Opening hours: 12pm – 11pm daily

7. Faculty of Caffeine (Halal)

Great interior decor aside, this cafe offers food and drinks that’ll exceed most expectations. Sink your teeth into Madam Lim’s chewy chocolatey brownie, and feast on their waffles for some great food therapy.

Must Try: Dark Churros with Salted Egg Yolk Dip, Curry Soft Crab Waffles, Friendly Eggs Benny

Faculty Of Caffeine
Address: 33, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm daily

8. Flowers in the Window  

Brought to us by the same team behind the famed Roost cafe, this two-storey cafe is lush with greenery and overflowing with flowers from every nook and cranny.

If you’ve ever fantasised about stumbling onto a Fairies’ Tea Party in the woods, this comes very close.

In keeping with its theme of flora and fauna, this cafe sells flowers and plants, and incorporates edible greenery and flowers in its food. That makes for some pretty whimsical food which will no doubt gain you several more Instagram followers.

Their cakes, freshly-baked daily, come in a bunch of unique and yummy flavours, such as their Rose Pistachio Cake, Pina Colada Cake and Pomegranate Brownie.

For a real surprise, try the Rosemary, Chilli and Lemon Drink. It’s unexpectedly tasty! Who knew these flavours would work so well together?

Must Try: Rose and Pistachio Cake, Lemon Meringue Tart, Pina Colada Cake, Rosemary, Lemon and Chilli Drink, Watermelon Strawberry Juice

Flowers in the Window
Address: 9, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: 10am – 9pm daily

9. The Ice Cream Project

It turns out that the secret to creamy, delicious ice cream is liquid nitrogen, as we learnt at this cosy, yet roomy cafe.

The Butterscotch Ice Cream is a silky dollop of milky cream and smooth butterscotch–an utterly tasty combo. While savouring the ice cream, sip on some of their many teas for an interesting flavour contrast.

Must Try: Butterscotch Ice Cream, Brownies & Cream Ice Cream

The Ice Cream Project
Address: 31 Jalan Dhoby, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Sun – Thu: 1pm – 10pm; Fri & Sat: 1pm – 12am

10. Kafuka Cafe & Music Studio

At this quaint little space, you’ll be able to find refuge from the busy, modern cafes and their ubiquitous hipster decor.

Inspired by Japanese elements, the cafe space doubles as a music studio where instruments are displayed, complementing the serenity of the place. Here and there, mini potted plants add a touch of life to the otherwise zen space.

Not only do they offer plenty of matcha-flavoured foods for those who love their matcha, their menu features a wide variety of good ol’ cafe nosh too.

Must Try: Matcha Red Bean Pancake, Crushed Oreo Belgian waffle, Chocolate and Banana Pancake, Matcha Latte

Kafuka Cafe & Music Studio
Address: 16A, Jalan Bendahara 12, Tmn Ungku Tun Aminah, Skudai, Johor
Opening hours: Sun – Wed: 11am – 10pm; Fri – Sat: 11am – 11pm; Closed on Thursday

11. Maco Vintage

Started up by Singapore pastry chef, Maco, this cafe is famed for its mille crepe cakes.

As photogenic as they are tasty, the cakes come in flavours ranging from Trio Chocolate to Musang (mao shan wang 猫山王) durian flavour. You won’t have trouble finishing a slice all by yourself, as the cream is light and not overly gelat like some cakes can get. 

If you’re thinking of having it to go, their dry ice sachets will keep the cakes chilled for about an hour.

Besides the cakes, you’ll find a satisfying selection of appetizers, mains, desserts, and hot and cold beverages served here.

Must try: Matcha Azuki, Bailey’s, Rainbow, and Musang Mille Crepe Cakes

Maco Vintage
Address: Jalan Ibrahim, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 12.30pm – 11pm; Sat: 11am – 12.30am; Sun: 11am – 11pm

12. Miyakori Cafe (Halal)

Coffee with cute, stenciled animals and cakes with faces–these are some of the things you’ll find at this lovely cafe. It was an immense struggle deciding on the animals for our cakes and drinks. Not to mention, having to destroy these cute works of art killed us a little bit inside.

Sip on a cute kitty with this “Cat-puccino”, a brew with a nutty, chocolate-y aroma and a lingering sweetness. If you’re wondering, Miyakori’s coffee beans are imported from El Salvador, Sumatra, and Brazil.

Their cutesy image is backed up with substance, for the cafe serves pretty good cheesecake and brownies. The cheesecake is warm and light, while the brownie leaves no chocolate lover in want with its rich and dark aftertaste.

Must Try: Oreo Cheesecake, Brownie, Strawberry Shortcake, Matcha Latte, Cat-puccino

Miyakori Cafe
Address: 41, Jalan Indah 22/14, Bukit Indah 2, Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm daily

13. Monsta Cafe

Old school meets cute-slash-psychedelic at this cafe. Retro school lockers, carpet grass and cloud motifs on the walls… We love the eclectic vibe of this coffee spot. At the entrance, look out for a large pink behemoth, the guardian of this 2-storey cafe.

Try their much raved about Cold Brew coffee, and sip on one of their lattes, which come with customisable latte art. Pick your design, or let the barista surprise you!

Dig into their Monsta Espresso Chicken Chop that comes with a shot of Espresso, lending the sauce a unique kick of flavour. The Monsta Mamee Burger is also crunchy and addictive, but we advice eating it deconstructed, as it’ll fall apart after a bite.

Must try: Cotton Candy Affogato, Cold Brew Coffee, Monsta Mamee Burger, Monsta Espresso Chicken Chop

Monsta Cafe
Address: 157 Jalan Bestari ⅕ Taman Nusa Bestari Skudai. 81300 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 10am – 12mn; Fri – Sun: 11am – 1am

14. Roost Repurposed & Recycled

An old beer crate, a plastic container and empty glass bottles are given a new lease of life at this cafe that really knows how to turn waste into wonder.

Not only are they pros at recycling, they’re just as adept at serving tasty grub. Share a plate of chicken meatballs and mashed potatoes with your friends. After that, have a bowl of their signature frozen yogurt for dessert.

Must Try: Frozen Yogurt, Chicken Meatballs with Mashed Potatoes, Smoked Salmon Salad, Eggs Benedict

Roost Repurposed & Recycled
Address: 14 Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 12pm – 4pm, 6pm – 12am; Sun: 6pm – 12am

15. Victoria Rossa English Tea Room (F.K.A. The Teavana)

In this English princess-themed cafe, you’ll can’t help but lift your pinky while taking a sip of your latte.

With its porcelain tea sets, pastel colour scheme and floral printed furniture and crockery, dining here will awaken your inner princess.

Not only do they serve delicious mains, their deserts and pastries do not disappoint. Choose from cakes, scones or muffins, and a selection of coffees and teas.

Must Try: Pasta Sampler, Korean Beefy Cheesy Fries, Cloudy Toast, Lavender Latte

Victoria Rossa English Tea Room
Address: 128 Jalan Dato Sulaiman Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 12pm – 10pm daily

If looking at these pictures worked up an appetite, there’s only one thing left to do: cross the border for some delicious, wallet-friendly eats! Plus, there’s no better time than now, with the KTM shuttle charging ridiculously lows prices and taking you to JB in under 10 minutes.

Also read 8 Instagram-Worthy Drinks That Will Have Your Followers Spamming The Like Button

(Header Image Source: @bevccafe)