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Hours
Mon
11:00 am - 3:00 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Tue
11:00 am - 3:00 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Wed
11:00 am - 3:00 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Thu
11:00 am - 3:00 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Fri
11:00 am - 3:00 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Sat
11:00 am - 3:00 pm5:00 pm - 9:00 pm
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Details
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CUISINES
Malaysian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
features
Is this location primarily known for Bars & Pubs?
Details
About
Serving Malaysian street foods alongside with stir fry rice & noodles. Popular dishes includes nasi lemak, fish curry, chicken curry, mi goreng, nasi goreng, char kway teow & lots more.
CUISINES
Malaysian
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
Meals
Lunch, Dinner
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards
Contribute
4.5
410 reviews
Excellent
257
Very good
121
Average
26
Poor
4
Terrible
2
benny p
Kingston Beach9 contributions
Aug 2024 • family
This is a review that spans over 10 years. Now I cannot begin to say this is the most realistic review from a local who has eaten there from their 8th birthday to their 18th.
The food, staff, and atmosphere has never changed. It’s like a dog being fed the same food everyday and loving it. I order the same dumplings or dishes and occasionally try things hoping it’s as good as the rest, it is!
Every single dish I have now officially eaten and can say it’s the best Malaysian cuisine. I’ve been to Malaysia myself and sat on the side of a highway and tasted just like Sawak Cafe.
The staff are so friendly and go the extra mile every single time. The owner knows every time I walk in whether it’s with my dad or partner that I want dumplings. That’s a good thing I hope.
The atmosphere is simple and isn’t over the top, it’s clean, not too noisy and you can see how your food is made. It’s like sitting in your kitchen at home feeling comfortable and you know how your food is being made.s
I have recommended this place to every single tourist I meet and even friends and family.
If you want to try authentic Malaysian street food, no where better…
Written 15 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stan H
Beaumaris211 contributions
Dec 2022 • none
This small restaurant is extremely busy and it pays to book a table as seating is at a minimum. Very friendly staff and all of them worked extremely hard. as they also do many takeaway meals as well as the dine ins.
Meals are quite large and come out piping hot with not a very long wait. My wife had a noodle dish and I had a stir fry and we both enjoyed them. The price was extremely reasonable. Also BYO is free. Would recommend without hesitation.
Written 6 December 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PleasePleaseMeOhYea
Wellington62 contributions
Nov 2022 • none
You kind of know when you arrive at Sawak and see its packed full of customers who several already waiting for tables, that this is going to be good. The food is excellent Malaysian, we sampled the Mee Goreng and the Nasi Goreng as well as a melt in your mouth roti and curry puffs. Food was quick, really well priced, served by pleasant and friendly waiters. When are in Hobart next, we'll be at Sawak.
Written 18 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rob C
New York City1168 contributions
Nov 2023 • couples
Got takeaway from this very busy Malaysian on Collins St. The device was fast and efficient, while no one came to pick up the phone when zoom had tried to phone in an order, just showing up and placing an order in person I was out of there with my food within 20 minutes. The nasi lemak with Sambal fish had nicely done rice, excellent anchovies, but the fish appeared to be frozen, a curiosity in this port city, and the Sambal bland not spicy enough
Written 28 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
diablodetasmania
45 contributions
Mar 2023 • solo
I have been eating at Sawak Cafe for at least 10 years, every time I visit Hobart. I have probably had most things on their menu and everything has been great. The service is always friendly and you are made to feel welcome. I highly recommend Sawak Cafe for an authentic taste of Malaysia.
Written 13 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
blinkybillWhistler
Brisbane1627 contributions
Oct 2021 • solo
I had takeaway here. Didn't wait long. The restaurant had one couple dining in, but 3 tables were reserved and it was only 5:45pm. I can recommend the seafood mee goreng. The chicken rice was served with chicken breast which was a bit dry but the rice was lovely. The staff were efficient and the restaurant was clean.
Written 22 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Russell
Melbourne773 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
For a quick delicious meal, this is the place. Traditional Malaysian food cooked in an open kitchen with Fabulous flavours. Just yum. Great menu to choose from . Service was quick, polite and efficient. And BYO too.
Highly recommend. We will definitely be back.
Written 25 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer L
Sydney153 contributions
Apr 2024 • solo
I actually had takeaway as the Cafe is small and when i arrived it was full. The food is freshly cooked in an open kitchen. It is quick, excellent quality Malay food. Staff were friendly and helpful. The food is very reasonably priced and great value.
Written 21 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon B
North Lakes18 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
Ordered hokien mee and nasi lemak beef rendang and was so looking forward to our meal. However, our meal portions were small, the hokien mee was so far from your usual Singapore hokien mee taste, the rendang was also unfortunately below par. Yet to try their other dishes though. However, it seemed well liked by the many patrons.
Written 15 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TonyTonyC16
Swan Hill72 contributions
May 2020 • none
I’m not usually a fan of noodles, so it was with a little trepidation that I eyed the menu in this unpretentious Malaysian hole-in-the-wall café. Thankfully, the menu was illustrated, and my spicy Sambal Udon was everything it said on the box, a gorgeous combo of flavours and textures with just the right crunchy bite. I went home with the takeaway menu, a free home delivery leaflet, and a delightfully quirky new discovery – dried anchovies (which provided the added salty crunch to my meal). Sawak has already earned rave reviews for its authenticity and value, and it has now earned a brand new fan.
Written 1 June 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
anonymous708934
51 contributions
Mar 2021 • none
This small, unpretentious, informal place is superior in value in quality. Pan-fried vegetarian dumplings, followed by spicy noodles made for a superb meal. Guests order and pay at the counter, and the meal is brought to the table by friendly, efficient staff. The menu is extensive, the food, inexpensive. Sawak is BYO and did not charge corkage. The brisk take-away trade is further testimony to Sawak's popularity. Lovers of traditional Malaysian cuisine should not miss the experience. Newbies should also give it a go! Seating is limited, so booking in advance would be wise.
Written 10 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Walter Betty
Melbourne13 contributions
May 2021 • none
Came across Sawak cafe and it was packed at 5.30pm. Obviously that spoke volumes to us as to the food being served even though it was nana hour.
The cafe is basic and serves traditional Malaysian stir fry, rice, etc. The staff are really friendly and greet you with a wide smile.
The cafe decor may be basic but the food definitely isn’t. The food comes out quick and hot and is full of flavour. We’ll definitely be going back.
Written 6 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tassietaste
Hobart35 contributions
Sept 2022 • none
We went here for dinner with a group of 10 people and everyone loved the experience and the food. Staff were friendly and helpful. Everyone commented that it was the best Thai food that we had experienced in Hobart and everyone was keen to go back again. I have organised 3 more visits in the next 3 weeks as it will be our place to go.
Great prices, fabulous food, excellent service BYO. Also caters for vegetarians. 6 hour slow cooked skewer was sensational
Written 19 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Irene B
Trentham21 contributions
May 2022 • none
Given the overall strong reviews and because Trip Advisor said this establishment had the best laksa in Hobart, I was most underwhelmed by the Chicken Laksa. Some coconut soup, vermicelli noodles, bean shoots and sliced chicken breast and that was it. Boring looking and boring tasting. So message is don’t bother with the laksa.
Written 27 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hans928
Huizen80 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
This small restaurant serves fantastic Malay (oriëntal) food at very affordable prices. Very friendly staff and large choise of dishes. Open kitchen which adds to the ‘streetfood’ atmosphere. No long waiting times. Everything tastes delicious, will eat here again. A true gem in Hobart!
Written 17 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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