Restoran Mahligai, Melaka

Alfresco dining and chilling out Malaysian-style at its best, no better place offers a more complete composition of historic sights while you eat than here. About two dozen barbecue-style wooden benches and tables arrange themselves haphazardly on a  cobbled square along the banks of the Malacca River. Within eyeshot are the St. Paul Hill, the towering Spanish galleon of the Maritime Museum, and the Dutch Square in its crimson touristy glow. Malaysian hawker food is served here in exhaustive variety at good value prices—choose from a delectable range of curries and fried seafood, noodles and rice items, and Western-style grills. Serves soft drinks, fruit juices and beers.