Lion's guide to Cameron Highlands (Part 4)- Food

There is no shortage of places to eat in Cameron Highlands when it comes to food. At night (especially during during weekends & holidays) restaurants are packed since there's very little to do after the sun goes down.

You can get everything from Western, Chinese, Indian and Malay food to Thai and Japanese food here. Most restaurants are located in Tanah Rata and Brinchang however you could also find some good restaurants in Tringkap and Kampung Raja where the locals usually dine.

There is no food which is unique to Cameron Highlands however dining out here can be a great experience especially with to the cold weather and freshness of the greens.

Here are a few stalls that are rather famous:

~Gerai Opah~
Gerai Opah is located among the food stalls in Tanah Rata. It has the most delicious kampung nasi lemak in Cameron. Unfortunately, they only serve nasi lemak early in the morning for breakfast. In order to taste this delicious nasi lemak, you will have to wake up very early in the morning. Once you are late, you will not be able to taste it for it is very fast selling. However, you have to bear in mind that it only does business in the morning. In addition, you will have to be very aware for you might just miss out this stall.

~Gerai Zainab Sam~
Gerai Zainab Sam is also located among the food stalls in Tanah Rata. This stall can be found easily compared to Gerai Opah for it has a big prominent signboard. It offers fantastic Malay food such as ulam and sambal belacan. They also serve special beehon goreng with seafood and chicken. Their prices are reasonably fair and their foods are simple yet pleasant.


Beside these two recommended Malay stalls, they are still many other Malay stalls that sell delicious local food. You can even find some local food in other stalls beside Malay stalls.


Chinese
There are many Chinese restaurants in Cameron highland. You can see them wherever you go. From Ringlet to Tanah Rata and even more in Brinchang. All these Chinese restaurants have their own specialty. The most famous food in Cameron is steamboat. You can practically see everyone eating steamboat in all the stores. The steamboat price may range from RM 10 to RM 15 per head. As usual, Peak season with a higher price due to the price hike in raw materials. You will be able to throw in anything into your pot. If you would like to add in anything else other than those provided, you might have to add some money as well. However, one thing for sure, you will be able to feel the satisfaction of eating steamboat. The cold weather there is definitely perfect to eat steamboat. You will never sweat when you are eating!

Western
Many western restaurants can be found in Cameron especially in Tanah Rata and Brinchang. It can be fast-food restaurant or even hotel's restaurants. There are Marrybrown and KLG, a new fast-food restaurant selling fried chicken. If you would like to eat western food, you may proceed to the hotel's restaurant. They certainly provide magnificent western food.

Others
There is a southern Indian restaurant that is rather popular with its banana leaf rice. The name of this restaurant is Restaurant No. 14 . It is located on the main street of Tanah rata. You should never miss out the banana leaf rice and the local style roti canai. It is very different from the rest. It is very tasty and outstanding. Besides this stall, you can also find many other stalls selling roti canai, capati, naan and other southern Indian food

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A delighful variety of food is available at hotels, restaurants and street stalls. Most Chinese restaurants offer a wide selection of dishes or your may opt for the very popular "Steamboat" where diners actually cook their own food in a specially disgned soup urn. A variety of uncooked sliced meats and seafood items with lots of farm fresh vegetables are served and diners put the various pieces in the soup until cooked.

Malay food in Cameron Highlands is usually spicy and rich as galaxy of spices are used to give it its characteristic piquant flavour. The most important of these are "Belacan" (prawn paste), chilli, coriander, cumin, ginger root, lemon grass, tamarind, turmeric,saffron and star anise.

All Indian cooking is characterised by tis complex use of spices to make its staple curries but is not always spicy. Dishes such as "Kurma" have a base of coconat milk. Yoghurt is also frquently used. In some restaurants, food are seved on a banana leaf. Fishhead curry is another popular favourite.

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BUNGA SURIA RESTAURANT
66A Jalan Camelia 3,
39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4914343
Business Hours: 6.00 am - 10.00 pm
Cuisine: Authentic South India
(Served on banana leaf)

CAMERON TANDOORI RESTAURANT
Jalan Besar, 39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4911516
Business Hours: 7.00 am - 9.00 pm
Cuisine: Indian Tandoori

CHOP & STEAK HOUSE
50, Bangunan KLNP
Tel: 605-4912652
business Hours: 10.00 am - 12.00 mn
Cuisine: Indian / Western

COFFEE TERRACE
Strawberry Park Resort
P.O. Box 81, Lot 195 / 196,
39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4911166 / 174
Business Hours: 7.00 am - 10.30 pm Cuisine: Local / Western

COUNTRY LODGE RESTAURANT
Lot 47, Section 3 , 39100 Brinchang
39100 Brinchang
Tel: 605-4911940

DOWNTOWN RESTAURANT
41 Jalan Besar, 39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4912868
Business Hours: 8.00 am - 10.00 pm
Cuisine: Ice-Cream / Fresh strawberries

EAST GARDEN RESTAURANT
Lot 13, Section 2, Main Road,
39100 Brinchang
Tel: 605-4912380
Business Hours: 10.00 am - 11.00 pm
Cuisine: Chinese

EXCELLENT FOOD CENTRE
G-19, Main Road, 39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4914026
Business Hours: 7.00 am - 4.30 pm
Cuisine: Malaysian/ Continental/ Western

FERNS RESTAURANT
Rosa Rassadena, P.O. Box 8,
39100 Brinchang
Tel: 605-4912288
Business Hours: 7.00 am - 12.00 pm
Cuisine: Local / Western

GOLDED SHIP RESTAURANT
39, Main Road, 39200 Ringlet
Tel: 605-4956048 / 190
Business Hours: 11.00 am - 12.00 pm
Cuisine: Chinese / Western

HONG KONG RESTAURANT
5 Jalan Besar, 39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4911722
Business Hours: 7.00 am - 2.00 pm / 4.00 am - 10.00 pm
Cuisine: Local / Chinese / Western

JASMINE CAFACHOUR KARAOKE
45 Jalan Besar, 39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4911703
Cuisine: Local / Chinese/ Western

KUMAR RESTORAN
26 Jalan Besar, 39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4912624
Business Hours: 7.00 am - 10.00 pm
Cuisine: Indian / Claypot

KWAN KEE RESTAURANT
8 Jalan Besar, 39100 Brinchang
Tel: 605-4911293
Business Hours: 7.30 am - 10.00 pm
Cuisine: Chinese

MAY FLOWER RESTAURANT
22, main Road, 39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4911793
Business Hours: 8.00 am - 3.00 pm / 6.00 pm - 10.30 pm
Cuisine: Local / Chinese/ Highlands Steamboat

NO. 14 RESTAURTANT
Jalan Besar, 39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4912280
Business Hours: 7.00 am - 9.30 pm
Cuisine: Indian

PALM LEAF GARDEN KAFE
3, Bandar Baru Brinchang
39100 Brinchang
Tel: 605-4914208
Cuisine: Authentic Malaysian / Thailand/ Western

RICH BAKE CAKE & COFFEE HOUSE
54-A Jalan Persiaran Camelia 3,
Bandar Baru Tanah Rata,
39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4911071

ROSELANE COFFEE HOUSE
44 Jalan Besar, 39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4911419
Business Hours: 8.00 am - 10.00 pm
Cuisine: Local / Western

SHAL'S CURRY HOUSE
25 Jalan Besar, 39100 Brinchang
Tel: 605-4912408
Fax: 605-4912408
Business Hours: 7.30 am - 10.00 pm
Cuisine: Authentic South Indian
(Served on banana leaf)

SILVERSTAR RESTAURANT
10 Jalan Besar, 39100 Brinchang
Tel: 605-4911387
Business Hours: 9.00 am - 10.00 pm
Cuisine: Chinese

STRAWBERRY COURT
Strawberry Park Resort
P.O. Box 81, Lot 195 / 196,
39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4911166 / 174
Business Hours: 11.00 am - 2.30 pm / 6.30 pm - 9.00 pm
Cuisine: Chinese / Steamboat

STRAWBERRY VIEW CAFE & RESTAURANT
MDCH 187, Kea Farm,
39100 Brinchang
Tel: 605-4911940
Business Hours: 11.00 am - 11.00 pm
Cuisine: Chinese / Western

THANAM RESTAURANT
25, Main road, 39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4911645
Business Hours: 7.00 am - 10.00 pm
Cuisine: Tradisional India / Western

THE HIGHLANDERS JOHN'S GRILL
59B, Persiaran Camelia 3,
39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4911715
Cuisine: Western

THE SMOKEHOUSE RESTAURANT
by The Golf Course
Tel: 605-4911214 / 215
Business Hours: 7.00 am - 10.00 pm
Cuisine: English

TUDOR GRILL
Strawberry Park Resort
P.O. Box 81, Lot 195 / 196,
39000 Tanah Rata
Tel: 605-4911166 / 174
Businss Hours: 6.30 am - 10.30 pm
Cuisine: Western