Sharing its border with Perak, Cameron Highlands remains as one of the top tourist destinations in Malaysia for offering a cooling getaway. It is especially popular amongst families with young kids as the place has got many activities to partake with breath-taking natural views. But the place is also infamous for its congested traffic and long-winding road. It is inconvenient to explore Cameron Highlands if you are not driving but the place has undergone some transformations in recent years, with new shopping mall and more eateries being introduced. The core businesses remain unchanged though, it is still the place to source for some of the freshest local produce in the entire country.
1) Water Cress Valley 西洋菜谷
Non-Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax: No
Business Hours: 11 am to 9 pm. Closed on Wednesdays.
Contact Number: 05- 496 1296
Charcoal Steamboat Package (Rm 75/ serves 2 pax)
Home-Made Water Cress Dumplings (Rm 16)
Water Cress Luo Han Guo (Rm 5)
A popular hot pot place at Cameron Highlands, the Water Cress Valley gained fame as the place specializes in serving Water Cress Hot Pot right on top of a Water Cress Farm. The restaurant is set up on a stage where diners get to enjoy their hot pot while overlooking at the green, Water Cress farm. The restaurant only serves one type of food- traditional charcoal hot pot and there is a minimum spend requirement here at the restaurant (min spend of RM35 per pax). It would be easier to just order the set meal directly and top up whatever you like. It is note-worthy to mention that diners get to request for unlimited refills of Water Cress. We recommend trying their Water Cress Luo Han Guo drink, it has a subtle sweetness with a slight herbaceous aroma.
2) The Lord's Cafe
Pork Free
Service Charge: No
Government Tax: No
Address: 1st Floor, 4, Jalan Besar Tanah Rata, 39000, Tanah Rata, Pahang.
Business Hours: 10 am to 5 pm. Closed on Sundays.
Contact Number: 019- 572 2883
Cream Scone (Rm 3.20)
Strawberry Fruit Scone (Rm 3.50)
Apple Pie (Rm 4.10)
Chicken Pie (Rm 4.50)
Banana Chocolate Cake (Rm 3.50)
Mango Lassi (Rm 6/ right) and Strawberry Milkshake (Rm 6/ left)
Long established tea house and probably the most popular breakfast spot at Tanah Rata (Cameron Highlands), The Lord's Cafe has many classics to offer- from home made Scones to Pies, Cakes and various types of Tea. The prices are affordably low, a meal here typically cost less than Rm 15 per pax. Try to visit the place as early as you can, it tends to get busy during noon and you may be asked to join the queue at the very steep stairs. The place is tucked away from the main street, occupying a space on the upper floor of a shop lot (above Marrybrown). But do not expect to get top-notch quality food here, you get what you paid for. Okay for novelty experience but not a place that I would like to return to.
3) Cameron Valley Tea House 3 (Kuala Terla)
Halal
Service Charge: No
Government Tax: No
Address: 49th Mile Kuala Terla, Cameron Highlands, 39000, Tanah Rata, Pahang.
Business Hours: 9 am to 5 pm. Opens Daily.
Contact Number: 05- 498 8180
Classic Scones (Rm 16)
Kicap Fatimah (Rm 7)
Cameron Valley is a big brand when it comes to Tea, the company runs a few tea plantation at Cameron Highlands and the best part is they are all open to public. Guests get to visit the plantation or enjoy some freshly brewed tea while admiring at the beauty of the tea valley. But Cameron Valley has 3 Tea Houses around Cameron Highlands and many are often confused on the locations/ differences. Cameron Valley Tea House 1 and Tea House 2 are geographically near to each other while Tea House 3 is at the other side of the Highlands. If you are visiting Cameron Highlands from Simpang Pulai, Cameron Valley Tea House 3 is probably the first tea plantation that you will see; likewise, it can also be the last. If you intend to visit, we recommend either making it the first destination on arrival or the last destination before your departure. To go in the tea plantation, you will need to pay an entrance fee. We did not want to visit and had their Scones instead. We chose a spot on the upper floor for better view and probably stronger breeze. The Scones were pretty good and big in size, definitely better than the ones we had at The Lord's Cafe.
4) Cameron Centrum
Business Hours: 10 am to 10 pm. Opens Daily.
Strawberry Yogurt Ice Cream (Rm 7)
The latest and only shopping mall at Cameron Highlands, the Cameron Centrum is probably the most happening place at Cameron Highlands after nightfall. It houses many international and local chain restaurants where you will find some safe options if the local dinner does not suit you. There's a grocery market and a few drug stores, most handy when you need to stock up some medicines or supplements throughout the trip. While you are there, check out Puku Cafe Ice Cream, a local Ice Cream joint that sells hand-made Ice Cream using locally sourced ingredients. There are several carts scattered around Cameron Highlands but this is probably the most convenient place to get it.
5) KEA Farm Market
Business Hours: 7 am to 7 pm. Opens Daily.
It's a norm for any visitors visiting Cameron Highlands to grab some local fresh produce before heading back home and the KEA Farm Morning Market is definitely the go-to place for vegetable-shopping. It opens early in the morning and that is the best time to visit before everyone does. Not only you get to shop for bargain and some really fresh local produce, you can also find some fresh flowers here. It is best that you arrange your visit on the day when you are hitting the road back home. There are quite some unusual items here that are rare to find elsewhere, like the heirloom Cherry Tomatoes and White Strawberries. The prices are slightly higher for these items but definitely worth it. There is a public parking space right in front of the KEA Farm Morning Market (RM4 per entry) which makes it very convenient for someone who intends to buy a lot.
6) Golden Hills Weekend Night Market
Business Hours: 5 pm to 10 pm. Only opens on weekends.
Fresh Strawberries
Dried Strawberries
Fresh Sweet Corns (Jagung Susu and Jagung Mutiara)
Grilled Sweet Corn
Sweet Potatoes
Avocadoes
Cauliflower
Honey Comb
If you need to grab something back to the hotel for snack/supper, the Golden Hills Weekend Night Market is a good choice. The place is just a short drive from Brinchang town and has a lot to offer. Not only that you get to find the usual fresh produce like Strawberries, Corns, Sweet Potatoes or Vegetables, you also get to see some unusual ones like Honey Comb, Avocado or even cooked food. Many stalls are selling the same thing but it's a good opportunity for bargain and to look for the freshest ones out there. But mind you, Strawberries do not last so it may not be a good idea to buy from the night market and to keep until next day without refrigerating.
Have Fun Exploring Cameron Highlands!
No comments:
Post a Comment