15 Best Food In Cameron Highlands & Where To Find Them (2023)

You may already be aware that the best food in Cameron Highlands is an Asian-style steamboat! But is there more to Cameron Highlands food than meets the eye?

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 to try the best food in Cameron Highlands! However, keep your expectations low as Cameron Highlands is not known for food!

15 Best Food In Cameron Highlands

1. Restoran Ferm Nyonya

Besides their tasty Nyonya dishes, this restaurant has two things going for it – Firstly, it’s halal and secondly, it even offers vegetarian options!

They have a steamboat set that is suitable for 4 pax. But try to skip this place at 1pm and 7pm when the crowds start pouring in.

Groups in general, will be able to appreciate the large portions and wide selection of food at this long-running restaurant in Cameron Highlands.

2. Cameron Organic Produce Steamboat Restaurant

Undoubtedly, we have to mention some steamboat restaurants in Cameron Highlands in this list. In addition to the option above.

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!

3. The Smokehouse

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!

4. Misokimchi 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!

This restaurant is off to a promising start with attentive service, delicious food, reasonable prices, and a comfortable environment!

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!

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

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 personal opinion is that soup version lacks the potent flavor Malaysians associate with bak kut teh.

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. Although we dare say that the bak kut teh in Ipoh is much better!

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 a price for RM3.20 a piece!

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.

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!

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!

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.

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 Indian 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

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.

You can reserve a private BBQ or steamboat dinner for at least 2 pax as well.

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

14. MR. AISU Ice Cream Café

Besides the famous ice cream parlor, Puku cafe at Kea Farm:

There is MR. AISU Ice Cream Cafe in Brinchang!

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 really 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

15. Restaurant At Cameron Highlands Resort

Cameron Highlands Resort is a luxury resort in Brinchang. It has not one but 3 notable dining options!

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!

15.2. Jim Thompson Tea Room

This elegant tea room 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. These cost around RM150 for two to share. 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!

15.3. Gonbei Steamboat

Gonbei Steamboat is a semi-alfresco dining area at Cameron Highlands Resort which is a fitting location for a private or romantic dinner. You can order pre or after-dinner drinks too!

They use quality ingredients (including seafood) for their hotpot and different broths are available:

• Vegetarian
• Nabemono (Japanese seafood base)
• Tom Kha Gai (with chicken, lemongrass, coconut milk, and chili)

The attentive staff will even guide you on how best to cook your steamboat! Vegetables, noodles, and desserts are all free flow from the buffet table!

It’s pretty expensive to dine here though at ~RM90/pax.

Bonus: Pizzarella ~ 100% fresh ingredients Halal Western, Scones & Sourdough, Breakfast Restaurant

A bakery with open-air seating, Pizzarella claims to use no MSG or preservatives in their food!

They have cheese scones, salad, multigrain bread, rye sourdough, spaghetti, etc.

It can cost around RM30 for a pizza meant for two to share. There is also a lunch set that comes with soup and a drink!

And the Big Breakfast sets are only available on the weekends!

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
• Mossy Forest of Cameron Highlands – Don’t Miss This Scenic Hiking Spot in Malaysia!
• Lavender Garden – Must-see Lavender Farm In Cameron Highlands
• Cameron Highlands Night Market: Brinchang Night Market One-stop Guide

Getting To Good Food In Cameron Highlands

Understandably, making a decision 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 plan everything for you from morning to evening! Including the transport to Cameron Highlands too!

And with an experienced guide to lead you, you can just relax and truly enjoy your holiday!

Book a Ipoh Cameron Highlands tour by sending them a message on WhatsApp or Facebook Messenger.

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 Ipoh food up in Cameron Highlands but the cooler temperatures give you an excuse to relish food in Cameron Highlands!

Try a warm steamboat, homemade ice-cream, a British-style cream tea set, fine dining, or some spicy Indian food!