C&R Café

C&R Café (Rupert Court) | Malaysian

Nestled in Rupert Court’s narrow passageway, C&R Café transports all the flavours of Malaysia to its Chinatown locale.

After relocating to London from Penang in the 1980s, owner Rosa was unable to find any authentic Malaysian cuisine anywhere. Homesick for the rustic tastes of her childhood – and her favourite street food, laksa (a fragrant rice vermicelli soup cooked in coconut milk) – she set up C&R Café with her husband in 1998. The aim? To satisfy their nostalgic longing for delicious Malay fare, and to share the food they love with London.

Initially proving a hit with Malaysian expats, what was the community’s best-kept culinary secret soon spread by word of mouth like wild fire, and now people from all over the world flock here. It’s even passed muster with harsh food critic Jay Rayner.

C&R Café showcase the finest of laksa’s tasty regional remixes – from the North’s Sour Assam Laksa to the South’s sweeter Curry Laksa, with more coconut and tamarind. And their to-die-for home-made broth in their Penang Prawn Mee is also a hit with devoted fans.

At C&R Café you can drink like a local, too, by sampling their house-blended drinks including sweet chrysanthemum teas, Barley Ice Tea, La Chai and superior Luo Han Guo (a juice made from monk fruit containing awesome healing properties). Healthy and delicious, what’s not to love?

Despite C&R’s striking London skyline mural that dominates the wall, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’re right in Rosa’s home, courtesy of her lovingly-cooked, authentically-aromatic dishes permeating the air.

Heavy on the taste buds, but light on the wallet – all dishes at C&R Café are low-cost and great value for money.