You may already be aware that the best food in Cameron Highlands is an Asian-style hot pot meal!
But there’s surprisingly a variety of different cuisine up here like Indian, Japanese, Western, Thai, Malay, and Chinese!
Bring your appetite to any of these 15 locations. Just keep your expectations low as Cameron Highlands is not known for food!
1. Sister Chee’s Food Stall
This is small family-run coffee shop in a corner lot in Brinchang town. There is limited seating here and it’s hard to spot the stall from the road since they don’t have a large signboard.
The food is decent (average for Ipoh standards), and you can get noodle dishes like wanton mee, char kuay teow, and curry noodles.
They do have some common kopitiam drinks as well (the coffee is not bad), but not many options for non-caffeinated drinks (that are not from cans too).
Pricing was fair here. In fact, this was one of the cheapest eateries we’ve tried in Cameron Highlands.
- Address: Jalan Bandar, Brinchang, 39000 Tanah Rata, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 7:30am to 3pm
- Contact: +6012-5987330
- Remark: Not halal
2. Cameron Organic Produce Steamboat Restaurant
Cameron Organic Produce Steamboat Restaurant utilizes traditional charcoal steamboat stoves and organic vegetables fresh from their garden!
You can order a steamboat set with seafood that’s just right for 2 people. Choose either the chicken or vegetable soup base – supposedly MSG-free.
Take note that this restaurant in Brinchang fills up quick during dinner time!
- Address: 10, Bandar Baru, 39100 Brinchang, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 12pm to 10pm
- Contact: +605-491 4807
- Remark: Not halal
More options for steamboat restaurants in Cameron Highlands.
3. The Smokehouse Hotel & Restaurant
The Smokehouse is a Cameron Highlands resort that has a British-colonial theme throughout. That includes a quaint café at the front.
Patrons can sit in the lovely garden at the terrace or inside the hotel with its English-style decor.
The food is pricey and you are paying mostly for the environment. Depending on what time you get here, they have lavish English-style or European breakfast, lunch, tea, and dinner sets!
Note: If you see a lot of customers, you better move on to the next location to avoid long waiting times.
- Address: By the Golf Course, Tanah Rata, 39000 Tanah Rata, Pahang
- Contact: +605-491 1215
- Hotel: Check price on Booking.com or Agoda
More options for cafes in Cameron Highlands.
4. Pizzarella & Misokimchi At Tanah Rata – Japanese & Korean Restaurant
A relatively new restaurant with an unusual concept that is hardly seen in Cameron Highlands:
At Misokimchi, you can get classic Korean and Japanese dishes like bibimbap, bulgogi, bento boxes, tempura ramen, army pot, and a curious blend of kimchi and miso soup that is ideal for a cold night.
Different spiciness levels and vegetarian options are available too! We like their pizza and mushroom soup.
We will come back for the attentive service, delicious food, reasonable prices, and a comfortable environment!
Remark: Halal-certified. Vegetarian options may include egg – do double-check with the staff.
- Address: Cameron Fair, C-G-9, Jalan Camelia, Tanah Rata, 39000 Cameron Highlands, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 12pm to 9:30pm
- Contact: +605-485 1249
5. Yong Teng Café
Yong Teng Café is a humble stall run by an elderly deaf couple. Write down your orders from their menu. Be patient as the food is worth it and inexpensive too.
Their pancakes make them a must-try spot for breakfast! The pancakes are more like crepes, and you can have them with berries, fruit, and ice cream of your choice!
Aside from these, they have western, Chinese, and Malay dishes too. All affordable and tasty!
- Address: Stall #4 at The Majlis Daerah Stalls, 72A, Persiaran Camelia 4, Tanah Rata, 39000 Tanah Rata, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 7am to 4pm (Closed on Thursdays)
6. Restaurant Tringkap (直能甲海鲜饭店)
Restaurant Tringkap (直能甲海鲜饭店) looks like a typical kopitiam (coffee shop in Malaysia) with its plastic chairs and no-frills décor.
However, the food is some of the best in this area! The reasonable prices are partially the reason why this place is often full on the weekends and public holidays.
If there is no more parking in front of the restaurant, you can park at the apartments close by.
Dishes they have:
- Steamed free-range chicken with ginger & soy sauce (signature dish)
- Deep-fried Tilapia fish (signature dish)
- Deep-fried abalone mushrooms
- Vegetables stir-fried with belacan (pungent local chili not for the faint of heart)
- Clay pot braised lamb
- Address: 14 Taman Puncak, Taman Tringkap, 39000 Brinchang, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 12pm to 9pm
- Contact: +605-496 2324
- Remark: Not Halal
7. Xin Teh Bak Kut Teh 心德肉骨茶
At the very back of Cameron Square (inside the mall):
You can find this new restaurant that specializes in bak kut teh – both the soup and dry versions.
Our opinion is that soup version lacks the potent flavor Malaysians associate with bak kut teh – that said, you might like this bak kut teh if you prefer a milder taste.
The proprietress is nice and rather chatty. Expect to fork out around RM50 for 2 pax.
It’s empty at this side of the mall. And if it’s an off day, it’s quiet in addition to being clean and comfortable.
That, along with the amiable staff makes this new restaurant in Cameron Highlands a wonderful stop on a rainy day. But we still feel that the bak kut teh in Ipoh is much better!
- Address: Lot G-18(B), Cameron Square, Jalan Aranda Nova, Greencow, 39100 Brinchang, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 12pm to 9pm (opens at 11:30am on Weekends); Closed on Tuesdays
- Contact: +6012 – 636 8884
- Remark: Not halal
8. The Lord’s Café
Tea houses at the tea plantations can be pricey. So, if you’re looking for somewhere to have breakfast or tea that doesn’t put a hole in your wallet:
This cute hidden café above the Marrybrown outlet in Tanah Rata serves some of the best scones at reasonable prices.
Their apple pies, banana crepes, and banana chocolate cakes are good too.
But for these prices, you can’t expect fresh clotted cream, fancy tea or homemade jam so do set your expectations accordingly.
And for other places in the Cameron Highlands that serve scones, check out our best scones in the Cameron Highlands article for more options.
- Address: Jalan Besar, Tanah Rata, 39000 Tanah Rata, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 10am to 5pm (Closed on Sundays)
- Contact: +6019-572 2883
- Remark: No WiFi; 30 cents to refill your cup of tea with hot water; Very busy on weekends; No outdoor seating
9. BOH Sungai Palas Tea Centre
Anyone who goes to Cameron Highlands will likely have this attraction in their Cameron Highlands trip itinerary!
Because after you’re done admiring the tea plantation up close, you can make your way up to the BOH Sungai Palas Tea Centre to try their tea and have cakes on the side!
PS: We don’t like their scones but their nasi lemak is delicious.
The new seating area (Tristan’s Terrace) is beautiful and airy.
It’s hard to beat the astounding views you can get from the center too! Which is why this place is usually filled to the brim with visitors every weekend and public holiday!
Read more about our experience dining at BOH Sungai Palas Tea Centre.
- Address: BOH Sungai Palas Tea Centre, 39000 Brinchang, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 8:30am to 4:30pm (Closed on Mondays)
- Contact: +605-496 2096
10. Cactus View Restaurant
Cactus View Restaurant will do the trick if you just want a casual steamboat lunch or dinner to share with friends and family in a rustic outdoor setting outdoors that is still sheltered!
The dual charcoal steamboat and barbeque set is reasonably priced, and they do not go overboard with seasoning! We really enjoyed having dinner at this restaurant.
PS: They no longer open for lunch
Besides the steamboat, you can get some delish ala carte dishes on the side like steamed fish or dry bak kut teh as well.
Bookings are absolute necessary during weekends and public holidays.
- Address: Pekan Lama, Brinchang, 39100 Brinchang, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 5pm to 9:30pm
- Contact: +6012-261 8599
- Remark: Not halal; Alcohol and pork are served here; Reservations are required
11. Singh Chapati Urban Restaurant
If you can catch them at a time when the simple family-run restaurant is not full of people, you’re in for a great dining experience!
They may have a small menu, but the fantastic and flavorful food keeps bringing customers back! Everything is cooked fresh, so some waiting time is inevitable.
We really liked their mutton curry. Do let them know your spice tolerance before they head to the kitchen with your order.
Wash down your meal with comforting masala tea or their homemade hot almond milk!
Favorites:
- Vegetable biryani
- Masala chicken or mutton
- Paneer
- Capati
- Butter chicken
- Mutton biryani
- Address: No 1, Brij Court, Tanah Rata, 39000 Tanah Rata, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 1:30pm to 4:30pm and again from 6:30pm to 9:30pm
- Contact: +6017-578 6454
12. The Lakehouse Restaurant & Bar
Chances are that if you are staying at Lakehouse Cameron Highlands, you’ll be here at least once since there are no other places to eat in the immediate vicinity.
Even if you’re not a guest, you can have afternoon tea here although it’s quite far from other attractions in Cameron Highlands.
But location aside, it is a very charming restaurant with British-colonial elements.
There is an ala carte menu featuring western and local cuisine for both breakfast and dinner. And a delightful selection of wine besides.
We think their high tea set is alright, but the high tea set at the Jim Thompson Tea Room (Cameron Highlands Resort) is better value for money.
You can reserve a private BBQ or steamboat dinner for at least 2 pax as well.
- Address: 30th Mile, Jalan Ringlet Sungai Koyan, Sungai Khazanah, 39000 Ringlet, Pahang
- Opening Hours:
- Breakfast: 7am to 10:30am
- Lunch and afternoon tea: 12pm to 6pm (The Lakeview Terrace)
- Dinner: 6:30pm to 10pm (last order at 9:30pm)
- Contact: +605-495 6152
- Hotel: Check price on Booking.com or Agoda
13. Delicious & Happiness Kitchen
From first impressions, you may just take this for an ordinary restaurant, but Delicious & Happiness Kitchen certainly knows how to run a business efficiently!
Notwithstanding that they are often full on weekends, their wonderful Chinese dishes still come out fast and hot in generous portions.
Pricing is considerably low, and their staff is friendly and helpful! Moreover, their dining space is clean.
Specialty dishes:
- Mantis prawn
- Butter chicken or squid (sotong)
- Assam fish
- Steamed salted chicken
- Stir-fried salted egg vegetables
- Salted egg tofu
- Bitter gourd omelet
- Marmite chicken
- Sweet and sour pork
- Address: No.16, Bawah Jalan Angsana 1, Brinchang point Cameron Highlands, 39100 Brinchang, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 12pm to 2:45pm and again from 6pm to 9:30pm
- Contact: +6011-5914 9110
- Remark: Not Halal
14. MR. AISU Ice Cream Café
Besides the famous ice cream parlor, Puku cafe at Kea Farm:
Mr. AISU Ice Cream Café serves homemade soft-serve ice cream that isn’t too sweet! Order a waffle to go with your ice cream.
AISU serves homemade soft-serve ice cream that isn’t too sweet! Order a waffle to go with your ice cream.
Maybe even try their in-house pumpkin dough waffle if you’re curious!
Their mains menu is limited but the pasta is alright. And they do have some sandwiches and pizza as well. On an especially cold day, it’s nice to sit by their heater!
This is one place you can visit after your dinner too as they close late at 10pm.
Flavors of ice cream:
- Almond
- Dark chocolate
- Belgium chocolate
- Mango
- Pistachio
- Cheesecake
- Green tea
- Teh tarik
- Durian (seasonal)
- Lemon
- Tiramisu
- Ipoh coffee
- Strawberry
- Address: No. 5, Gerai Berhampiran Pasar, 39100 Brinchang, Pahang
- Opening Hours: 11am to 5pm and again from 6:30pm to 10pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
- Contact: +6011-2624 5616
15. Restaurants At Cameron Highlands Resort
Cameron Highlands Resort is a luxury resort in Brinchang and it has a few dining options on-site.
- Address: Cameron Highlands, Pahang, 39000 Tanah Rata
- Contact: +605-491 1100
- Hotel: Check price on Booking.com or Agoda
15.1. The Dining Room
Have breakfast or dinner at this beautiful restaurant which has classy furnishings and big windows that look out to the surrounding greenery and golf course!
You do have to mind what you wear for dinner though as only smart casual attire is allowed to complete the fine dining experience!
And every Saturday, a chef will personally come to prepare and serve your food right beside your table!
Opening Hours: 7am to 10:30am and again from 7pm to 10pm
15.2. Jim Thompson Tea Room
This elegant tearoom takes its name after Jim Thompson who was a key figure in the Thai silk industry.
Ala carte lunch and a classic English tea set are on the menu. The tea set costs around RM150 for two to share (4 small eaters could share this, we think). The premium prices tend to keep the crowds away so you can really savor your time here!
We adore their homemade scones with genuine clotted cream! The sandwiches and other treats on the top level are not bad either.
But it’s the classy environment that makes having high tea here an exceptional experience. Sometimes there’s a pianist playing too!
Opening Hours: 12pm to 6pm (3pm to 6pm for English Afternoon Tea)
Further reading:
- 15 Best Hotels In Cameron Highlands (Budget to Luxury)
- 29 Best Things To Do In Cameron Highlands
- 11 Best Strawberry Farm In Cameron Highlands
Getting To Good Food In Cameron Highlands
Understandably, deciding on where to eat can be a headache after a long day of exploring.
Finding the places and subsequently somewhere to park, only adds to the confusion and unnecessary stress.
Instead, you can leave it to a private tour service (like RayTheTour) to handle transport for you from morning to evening! Including the transport to Cameron Highlands from Ipoh too!
And with an experienced guide to lead you, you can just relax and truly enjoy your holiday!
Book a Ipoh Cameron Highlands tour with RayTheTour by sending them a message on WhatsApp.
Further reading:
- How To Get From Ipoh To Cameron Highlands
- How To Go To Cameron Highlands From Singapore
- How To Go To Cameron Highlands From Kuala Lumpur
Conclusion
You may not have any access to yummy Ipoh food up in Cameron Highlands. But the cooler climate makes dining outdoors and hot food an enjoyable experience in Cameron Highlands!
Try a warm steamboat, homemade ice-cream, a British-style cream tea set, or spicy Indian, Thai or Korean cuisine!
Other posts you might like:
- 4 Top Rose Gardens In Cameron Highlands
- Lavender Garden – Must-see Lavender Farm In Cameron Highlands
- Cameron Highlands Night Market: Brinchang Night Market One-stop Guide
- Mossy Forest of Cameron Highlands – Don’t Miss This Scenic Hiking Spot in Malaysia!
- Ipoh Itinerary: Food Trip, Ipoh Day Trip, 2D1N & 3D2N
