12 Cafés & Restaurants we Tried in Langkawi
“From delicious local cuisine to international flavours, Check out this curated list of 12 Cafés & Restaurants we tried and loved during our recent trip to Langkawi.”
After living in Malaysia for almost eight years now, Langkawi never appeared to be high on my radar when it came to planning short island escapes; I couldn’t compare the beaches of Langkawi to Redang Island, with its crystal clear waters, however; Langkawi has grown on me over the last couple of years and truly has plenty to offer, on top of it being a tax-free island, not wildly commercialised, affordable, accessible, public and private beaches, Rainforest walks, mangrove cruises, snorkelling, the most beautiful beach sunsets and of course, the food!
On our last couple of trips to Langkawi, we indulged in the foodie experience by trying various restaurants each day, sadly some didn't quite cut the mustard in making it onto this list, and I still have more to check off on my next visit to Langkawi, so watch the space.
In no particular order:
1. PizzaHills
Cuisine: Outdoor brick oven pizza, Napoli-style
Highlight: A small open-air space in the hills, is a unique experience; there is no menu, and the server will ask you what toppings you like, what you don't like, allergies etc.; then all is left up to the chef to work his magic.
The staff are friendly, cosy ambience; we thoroughly enjoyed our pizzas, so much so; we ended up ordering another one to share!
Lowlight: It is thirty minutes drive from Pantai Cenang and up a steep hill. I highly recommend you take your car/driver or motorbike, as It's not easy to order a grab (local taxi app) from there and keep in mind if you go in the evening, it's located in a forest area, once you leave the main road there are no streetlights.
Opening Times: Tuesday to Sunday, 3:30 pm - 9 pm
Walk-in / Reservation: Reservation WhatsApp/ Call 0175288539
2. Cili Kampung
Cuisine: Authentic Negeri Sembilan Malay
Highlight The perfect spot to try local dishes, which is flavourful and explains why there is always a queue to come here; a quick and friendly service.
Lowlight: Not one for the zero chilli tolerance or if you’re in a rush.
Opening Times: Wednesday to Monday, 11 am – 2:30 pm, 6 pm – 8:30 pm
Walk-in / Reservation: Walk-in
WhatsApp/ Call 019-743 2177
Photo Credit www.anakpakcikmail.blogspot.com
3. Tayfun’s Kitchen
Cuisine: Mediterranean food
Highlight: A family-owned restaurant with homemade style dishes and again, a cost atmosphere. We have been here a few times now and the food has been consistent. A warm friendly place and easy to get to.
Lowlight: I don’t have any!
Opening Times: Tuesday to Sunday, 6 pm – 10 pm
Walk-in / Reservation: Both
Contact: 019-616 8602
4. Restoran Rt Langkawi
Cuisine : Chinese Seafood
Highlight: All the dishes were deliciously fragrant, especially the fish with the sauce. Affordable seafood, friendly and helpful staff.
Lowlight: It is in Kuah town, not a fancy place; you're coming here purely for the food.
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 11 am – 3 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm
Walk-in / Reservation: Both
Contact: 04-966 6989
Photo Credit www.facebook.com
5. Smiling Buffalo Cafe
Cuisine: All-Day-Breakfast & lunch, Local and Western menu
Highlight: Now, I have to be honest and mention; the first time I came here was for lunch, and I was not impressed with the dish I ordered, though the following time I came was for breakfast, and all four of us fully enjoyed our food. The staff are friendly, the place gives you laid-back, tropical island vibes, and it's easy to get to.
Lowlight: Although my experience has not been consistent, I would go back again for breakfast.
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 8 am – 4 pm
Walk in / Reservation: Walk in
Contact: 011-3592 0786
Photo Credit www.facebook.com
6. Pia’s The Padi
Cuisine: Asian fushion
Highlight An indoor/outdoor style restaurant, a great place to come and try local food without being too spicy; I enjoyed the beef rendang I had and would be happy to come back here again.
Lowlight: My husband had the opposite experience to me; he was not impressed with the food. Also, there is one misleading point, as the name of the restaurant entails; it is facing a padi field, but your view from the table; is sadly obstructed by fencing and the structure of an incomplete building.
Opening Times: Wednesday to Monday, 12 – 3 pm, 6 pm – 10 pm
Walk in / Reservation: Walk in and Reservation
Contact: 012-493 3713
7. MY French Factory
Cuisine: French Crêperie (thin type of pancake)
Highlight: To fulfil your sweet tooth cravings, or, if you have more of the savoury palate, they've got you covered. When I'm in Langkawi next, I will be back for the banana and chocolate crêpe!
Lowlight: None
Opening Times: Saturday to Thursday, 11 am – 11 pm. Friday, 11 am – 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm – 11 pm
Walk in / Reservation: Walk in
Contact: 04-955 5196
8. Koffeemilia Langkawi
Cuisine: Café
Highlight: A welcoming, friendly owner passionate about his coffee and island reggae vibes. This one is for coffee lovers!
Lowlight: I have not been since they moved location; from the map, they are much closer to Pantai Cenang now, which is a plus.
Opening Times: Tuesday to Sunday, 8 am – 6 pm
Walk in / Reservation: Walk in
Contact: 04-9555681
9. Arts Café Langkawi
Cuisine: Coffee shop serving western and Asian food
Highlight: If you are searching for a lunch spot in Kuah town and want something light and familiar to the western pallet; or a coffee and dessert pit stop like me, look no further.
Lowlight: It's out of the way if you are staying in the Pantai Cenang area.
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 9:30 am to 9 pm
Walk in / Reservation: Walk in
Contact: 04-963 0113
10. Straits & Co
Cuisine: Malaysian and Western menu
Highlight: I had to throw at least one bougie place in the mix. Located inside a 5-star hotel, The Danna, you can expect quality food and service in exquisite colonial-style furnishings, overlooking the pool and beach.
Lowlight: For Langkawi, it is on the pricey side.
Opening Times: Lunch & Snacks - 11:00am to 6:00pm & Afternoon Tea - 3:00pm to 6:00pm.
Walk in / Reservation: Both
Contact: 04-959 3288
Photo Credit www.thedanna.com
11. The Kelapa
Cuisine: Breakfast and Lunch café
Highlight: Sitting on the rooftop enjoying a good coffee.
Lowlight: It is part of a resort; you would need a car/motorbike to get here as it's approx. 30min drive from Pantai Cenang.
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 9 am – 5 pm
Walk in / Reservation: Walk in
12. Palm View Seafood Restaurant
Cuisine: Chinese Seafood
Highlight: the food we ordered was tasty, has a great selection of dishes and is all reasonably priced, plus it's on the Pantai Cenang strip.
Lowlight: Is it better than Restoran Rt Langkawi? No. Despite that, I would go back there knowing the food is decent and all the above. You can't really go wrong by coming here.
Opening Times: Monday to Sunday, 12 - 2:45 pm, 6 pm - 10:30 pm
Walk in / Reservation: Walk in
Contact: 017-585 0005
Photo Credit: www.google.com
If you have any other great eateries that are worth a visit, especially seafood would love to have your suggestions.
Till Next Time
xx