The Malaysian island group Langkawi, also known as the “Jewel of Kedah,” is famous for its beautiful beaches, lush rainforests, and exciting history. Though it is beautiful in nature, it also has a lively food market that you should check out. Langkawi has a wide range of foods for all tastes, from fresh fish to fragrant curries and tasty treats worldwide.
This blog will cover 7 Langkawi’s best restaurants and cafes, offering a wide range of famous foods and experiences. They’re perfect for a romantic dinner with a sunset view or a casual lunch break while exploring the island.
List of 7 Restaurants & Cafes for Lunch & Dinner in Langkawi
Want to go on a culinary adventure in Langkawi? “Discover Langkawi’s culinary scene with our carefully chosen list of 7 must-see cafes and restaurants, perfect for lunch and dinner.” Enjoy a wide range of cuisines and environments, ensuring you have a great time eating while on the island.
1. The Gulai House
One of the best places to enjoy traditional Malay and Indian food while in a 10-million-year-old jungle is The Gulai House at The Datai Langkawi. The design of this award-winning restaurant is based on a traditional wooden village house, and there are several outdoor eating areas.
To start, you should try the sampling plate at The Gulai House. It comes with Otak-Otak Sate Gamelan, Deep-Fried Soft Shell Crab, and Chicken Mango Salad. As a main dish, you can choose meat Rendang, which is a spicy mix of blue ginger, lemongrass, and tenderloin meat that has been slow-cooked and seasoned with local spices. If you like seafood, try Ikan Bakar Berulam, which is baking fresh coral grouper with local herbs and finely chopped vegetables in banana leaves. There are also many wines, champagnes, liquors, and beers to choose from here.
- Open daily from 6 p.m. until 10.30 p.m.
- Address: Jalan Teluk Datai, The Datai Langkawi
- Phone: (604) 959-1088
2. The Pavilion Restaurant
For traditional Thai food, go to The Pavilion at The Datai Langkawi, which is high up in a jungle canopy. This restaurant has won several awards and has both an indoor eating area and an outdoor terrace next to the hotel pool. The peaceful setting and high-quality food are things that tourists and food lovers should not miss.
At the Pavilion, you can get a lot of different kinds of Thai food, like Poh Piah Goong, which is a prawn lemongrass spring roll with Thai spicy sauce on top, and traditional Thai food like Tom Kha Gai and Tom Yam Goong. The Nuer Phad Prig Sod, a stir-fried beef dish with pepper, garlic, and Thai basil leaves, is also fantastic. For a truly Thai meal, you must end it with Mango Sticky Rice, which is the country’s beloved dessert.
- Daily opening hours are 6.30 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Address: Jalan Teluk Datai, The Datai Langkawi
- Phone: (604) 9500-500
3. FatCUPID Restaurant
In Pantai Tengah, the FatCUPID Restaurant at La Pari Pari Resort serves both Japanese and Western food. This all-white restaurant has a lovely garden with many plants, trees, and grass where people can relax and enjoy their meals. They can see the outdoor pool and cottage-style rooms at the La Pari Pari resort.
This peaceful restaurant serves various Nyonya dishes and has an open roof, making it great for families and couples. Fans of burgers, soups, and Malay food can all find what they’re looking for at this cute restaurant. They even have their famous Nyonya Laksa, a traditional northern Malaysian dish with either rice or egg noodles.
- Open from 9:00 a.m. until 10:30 p.m. (Closed on Monday).
- Address: 2273, Jalan Pantai Tengah, Kampung Tasek Anak
- Phone: (604) 955-1010
4. OMG, Restaurant by Paradise 101
The most famous place for tourists to eat in Langkawi is OMG Restaurant by Paradise 101. This restaurant looks like a beach hut and is on Paradise 101, a private island that is only for guests. It serves delicious food and drinks while looking at the beach and palm trees. This place is famous for its authentic food, and the menu has a lot of different things for you to choose from, like light bites, western dishes, and local favorites that will make your taste buds dance.
Make sure you try their well-known pizza when you go. The chef mixes three kinds of cheese: homemade pizza sauce, thin, crisp dough with organic Italian herbs, and newly blended basil pesto that will melt in your mouth. It’s the best thing about this place. They also have a full bar with various drinks, such as healthy shakes and juices.
- Open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Address: Paradise 101 Langkawi.
- Tel: + 604 965 0300
5. Langkawi Fish Farm Restaurant
This open-air restaurant in Kuah is one of Langkawi’s oldest and best seafood spots because it has a lively atmosphere, reasonable fish prices, and quick service. You can eat in either the inner or the outdoor area, which is on a deck with a great view of the Andaman Sea.
Langkawi Fish Farm Restaurant keeps mantis prawns, lobsters, groupers, clams, mussels, squid, and crabs in big tanks to keep the seafood as fresh as possible. You can expect to pay between RM9 and RM30 per 100 grams for live fish. The price changes with the seasons. Some people may find it a little more expensive, but the fish here is much better quality and fresher than most Kuah seafood places.
- Opening hours: 1 p.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
- Address: Mukim Kuah, Jalan Pantai Penarak, 1986
- Phone: (604) 966 7988
6. Kapal Layar Restaurant
Kapal Layar is on Jalan Pantai Kok, and the Century Langkawi Beach Resort is only five minutes away. At the front desk, you can leave your important things, like your jacket and big rolling makeup bag. No signpost is pointing to this spot, so look for a building with a big ship model on top of it. People who want to eat can choose between the large dining room inside and the patio area with its cool breeze and peaceful view of the Andaman Sea.
People think it’s one of the best places to eat in Pantai Kok because it has a lot of seafood options at fair prices and serving sizes since it opened in 2015. The restaurant Kapal Layar is known for its Egg Yolk Squid, Butter Prawns, and Salt and Pepper Squid, to name a few.
- Open daily from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Address: Teluk Nibong, 2187
- Phone: (6012) 495-1449
7. Happy-Happy Cenang Seafood Restaurant
Happy-Happy Cenang Seafood Restaurant has swiftly become a beloved spot in Pantai Cenang’s bustling restaurant scene with its affordable prices and delectable fresh seafood. Its prime location between Casa Del Mar Langkawi and Mali-Mali Beach Resort makes it ideal for guests.
Like most seafood restaurants in Langkawi, this one features enormous aquariums filled with live seafood, including red snappers, mussels, oysters, tiger prawns, and flower crabs. Famous dishes made in the native Chinese style include Fish Ball Vermicelli Soup, Wine Tiger Grouper, Garlic Steamed Lobster, and Salted Egg Crab.
- Open daily from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Address: 44 Jalan Pantai Cenang.
- Phone: (604) 955-3725
The Bottom Line
To sum up, Langkawi’s food market is as different and lively as the island itself. There is a wide range of restaurants, from casual beachfront cafes serving foreign food to high-end restaurants with stunning views. The restaurants and bars in this guide are just a few of the many great ones Langkawi offers.
Check also: Langkawi Sky Bridge, Malaysia: Price, Timing & Nearby Places
Langkawi has something for everyone, whether you want fresh fish, real Malaysian food, or a taste of flavors from around the world. Get ready for your own culinary adventure and find the secret gems that lie ahead on the Jewel of Kedah!
All year long, Langkawi experiences year-round heat and humidity, sporadic downpours, and overcast sky. The ideal time to schedule your trip to Langkawi is between November and April, when there is a good mix of sunlight and mild rain.
September through October will be the rainy season, but even then, there are plenty of things to do, like shop duty-free and treat yourself to a nice massage or spa treatment during your “me-time.”
One of the safest islands in Southeast Asia to drive a car or ride a motorcycle is Langkawi. The road has good paving and is broad.
Mosquitoes are a common sight in Malaysia due to the country’s warm and muggy climate. Recall to carry and use insect repellent to prevent unpleasant bites. Recall to wear appropriate clothing to avoid any stings and ask the locals or the personnel at your hotel about jellyfish forecasts.
In Langkawi, the majority of the eateries that are highly regarded have parking available for customers. However, availability may change depending on the area and time of day—especially during the busiest travel seasons. To guarantee a hassle-free eating experience, enquiring about parking alternatives when making reservations or when you arrive is advisable.