[Updated 10 September 2020] Located within a three-hour drive from Kuala Lumpur, Kuantan is the perfect destination for a short getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life. This low-key and laid back town is famous for its beautiful coastline and scenic beaches but what people often overlook is the abundance of delicious food that are just waiting to be discovered and devoured. Hop on to your nearest ride as we unveil the 10 halal restaurants in Kuantan - most of which comes with beach views.
1. Loteng
Loteng, or attic in English, is a two-storey cafe situated at the Teluk Cempedak beach. Nestled in-between Starbucks and 7Eleven, this eatery is a favourite hangout among the locals for its calming ambience and picturesque view of the expansive blue sea and sky. On top of the amazing view, they also serve great food as well. Their menu consists of a mix of western and Malay dishes such as tom yum mee hoon, grilled chicken chop, cheesy wedges, and keropok lekor, though it is their drinks and desserts that keep people coming back for more. Among popular picks are their Thai Green Milk Tea and Mango Cheesecake Bar. Halal status: Muslim-owned Opening hours: Open daily; 12PM-12AM Address: 1st Floor TC Kiosk, Kawasan Rekreasi Teluk Cempedak, Kuantan 25050, Malaysia Contact: +6017-976 1046 Facebook | Instagram
2. Mint KTN
Situated on the beachside of Balok beach, this newly-opened restaurant is famous for its gorgeous beach view and family-sized portions of food. Dishes such as mix grill (which is a mix of every type of meat imaginable), roast chicken, and seafood platter are a hit amongst those who come in big groups due to its large serving. Finish up your feast with their mouthwatering mango cheesecake and refreshing mocktails! They also offer venue rental services for events such as weddings, birthday parties, baby showers, company dinners or just a simple dinner date by the beach side ? Halal status: Uses ingredients sourced from halal-certified suppliers Opening hours: Tue-Sun; 10AM - 7PM (closed on Monday) Address: Pusat Rekreasi Air Balok, Pantai Balok, Kuantan, 26100, Malaysia Contact: +6014-840 3314 Facebook | Instagram
3. Intan Seafood
Craving for some traditional Malay dishes? Intan Seafood in Cherating is just the right place for you! A nice spot to just relax and enjoy the surrounds, this rustic village-style eatery serves an assortment of seafood dishes made from freshly caught seafood. Butter lobster, butter prawn, chilli crab, and salted egg crab are among their specialty dishes, so do give them a try! Expect to be serenaded by the calming sounds of the waves and cooled by the gentle sea breeze as you enjoy this dining experience of a lifetime! #HWWTTip: Planning to go during peak hours? Give them a call to order and book in advance to avoid the long waiting time. Halal status: Muslim-owned Opening hours: Open daily; 1PM-10PM Address: Lot 995, Kg Cherating, 26080, Kuantan, Pahang Contact: +6019-344 4847FacebookP.S. Here's 14 most romantic accommodations in Malaysia for your next private weekend getaway!
4. Ombok Cherating Surf Cafe
A famous surfers’ hotspot here in Cherating, this quaint cafe is popular with locals and tourists alike for their friendly service, good food, and chill vibes. Their breakfast dishes such as the English breakfast, fried rice, and sandwiches are such a hit with their customers that they are served at all times of the day. We also heard that their mango cheesecake is exquisite! If you don’t have a sweet tooth, then try one of their many selection of high-quality coffees. Don't forget to bring your phone or camera along as this place is filled with Insta-worthy moments everywhere you turn. They also sell art souvenirs for you to bring back home as a memento for yourself, or for your loved ones. Halal status: Muslim-owned Opening hours: Tue-Sun; 10AM-5PM (closed on Monday) Address: 1006-1 Kedai Jalan Kemamam, Kampung Cherating, 26080 Balok, Pahang, Malaysia Contact: +609-581 9275 Facebook | Instagram
5. Ana Ikan Bakar Petai
Dining by the sea would not be complete without a restaurant specialising in grilled seafood dishe, and this is what Ana Ikan Bakar Petai is known for! A galore of fresh seafood will greet you once you step into the restaurant. Pick the one you like and let them know how you want it cooked - grilled, steamed, fried, stir fried, or deep fried. But of course, the one dish that is a must-try here is their signature grilled fish with sambal petai ? #HWWTTip: This place is always packed full so do come early or make a reservation beforehand. Halal status: Muslim-owned Opening hours: Open daily; 12PM-12AMAddress: Kampung Tanjung Lumpur, 26060 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia Contact: +6013-998 9175 Facebook | Instagram
6. Warung Poksu & Moksu
Situated along the Kuantan river, this modest eatery may not be near a beach but it has a similar calming ambience as those by the seaside. Considered an institution here in Kuantan (pretty much most locals know them), this is one place you do not want to miss when in Kuantan! You will never run out of things to try here but an absolute favourite with the locals are their assortment of celup tepung (deep fried in batter) dishes. Made from fresh seafood, take a pick between the deep fried fish, prawn, squid, and many more! Get your hand on their sata too while you're at it! A type of Malaysian grilled fish cake, theirs have been deemed as one of the best in town. Pair it up with a hot cup of teh tarik to fully experience hi-tea the east coast Malaysian way. Halal status: Muslim-owned Opening Hours: Wed-Mon; 12PM-7PM (closed on Tuesday) Address: Jalan Tanjung Lumpur, Perkampungan Peramu, 26060 Balok, Pahang, Malaysia Contact: +6019-989 0261 Facebook
7. MABIQ Restaurant
Looking for a place with good tempoyak (fermented durian) dishes? Then MABIQ Restaurant is your answer. A must-try dish here is their paeh patin tempoyak, grilled catfish with fermented durian. The delicious aroma will surely tickle your senses and awaken your appetite as you open the banana-leaf wrapped fish. They also serve a variety of traditional Pahang dishes such as catfish with fermented durian (tempoyak ikan patin), smoked meat with chilies (daging salai cili api), fermented fish (ikan pekasam), and an assortment of fresh vegetables (ulam). Halal status: Muslim-owned Opening Hours: Sat-Thu; 10AM-4PM (closed on Friday)Address: Lot 29738, Kg . Peramu, Tg. Lumpur, 26060 Kuantan, Pahang Darul Makmur Contact: +6016-953 5699 Website | Instagram
8. Jaman Tory Resipi
In search for more delicious local delicacies? Jaman Tory Resipi should be next on your list! Be prepared to be amazed by not just their authentic traditional recipes, but also by their unique decor as vintage items decorate the many walls of this eatery. A hit with the locals, their famous dishes are patin bakar tempoyak (grilled catfish with fermented durian), daging salai masak lemak (smoked beef in coconut gravy), char kuey teow, and their own spin of cheese fried rice which they literally light on fire! If you’re feeling a little adventurous, try their fusion dishes such as sautéed spaghetti with patin, sautéed spaghetti daging salai, and smoked beef ribs served with plain rice and ulam! End your meal with their one-of-a-kind puding tapai berkastard (custard pudding with tapai)! Halal status: Muslim-owned Opening hours: Open daily; 12PM-1AMAddress: No A15, 2/3, Indera Mahkota 2, Bandar Indera Mahkota, 25200 Kuantan Contact: +6019-998 8212 Facebook | Instagram
9. Hutan Bandar Bistro
Craving for some cheap delicious Western dishes? Then head on over to this beachside eatery! Though their menu is rather limited, with prices as low as RM5 for a plate, it's practically a steal! Pick your favourite between chicken chop, lamb chop, chicken grill, beef steak, fish chips, and burger set. Expect a large serving with a ridiculous amount of sauce that is well worth your money! Halal status: Muslim-ownedOpening hours: Tue & Sun; 7AM-2.30PM, 5PM-3AM, Wed-Sat; 5PM-3AM (closed on Monday) Address: Kompleks Pelancongan MPK, 25050 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia Contact: +60014-514 4688 Facebook | Instagram
10. Kula Cakes
It is without saying that mango cheesecake is a local's favourite and one of the best in town can be found here in Kula Cakes. Not too overpoweringly sweet, soft, and fluffy, their signature mango cheesecake is a must-try if you are ever in Kuantan. Aside from that, they also serve quite a variety of cheesecakes such as durian cheesecake (seasonal), dark chocolate cheese cake, and white chocolate with Toblerone cheesecake. Though it's not exactly by the seaside (hence no beach view), you can always opt for a takeaway and savour it at the nearest beach! Halal status: Muslim-owned Opening Hours: Open daily; 11AM-6PMAddress: A96, Jalan Besar, 25000 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia Contact: +6017-971 1396 Facebook | Instagram
11. Lila Wadi
This must-visit eatery here in Kuantan was founded in 2011 and has since been winning the hearts of both locals and tourists alike with their simply delicious cuisine. Serving up varieties of fusion Thai and Western cuisine, their signature is the pan barbeque - a Japanese-inspired self-grill barbeque steamboat. It comes in 4 different sets - beef supreme, chicken supreme, lamb supreme, and seafood supreme, and all four are guaranteed to be good as they only use the best ingredients available. Other dishes such as spaghetti carbonara, lamb fried rice, chicken burger, and siakap mangga (sea bass cooked with mango) are also available if you prefer a la carte. As usual, don’t forget to order their heavenly mango cheesecake! It’s the same one from Kula Cakes, Lila Wadi sister's shop, so it’s sure to be delicious! Halal status: Muslim-ownedOpening hours: Open daily; 5PM-11.20PM Address: a367 Lorong Selamat 21, Taman Kerjasama, 25050 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia Contact: +6012-985 0095 Website | Facebook | Instagram
12. Mee Tarik Warisan Asli
Overlooking the beautiful Teluk Cempedak beach, stands a well-known Chinese Muslim food chain here in Malaysia. They are popular with both locals and tourists for their freshly made hand-pulled noodles. Mee soup with braised beef, scallion noodle, lamen soup with sliced beef, and fried lamen with beef are among popular picks. Do order their special Ba Bao Tea, a refreshing drink made from a healthy concoction of red dates, lychee, wolfberry, longan, apricot, and chrysanthemum! Halal status: Muslim-owned Opening hours: Open daily; 10AM-10PMAddress: Menara Tinjau Teluk Cempedak, 25050 Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia Contact: +603-8964 9444Facebook So there you have it! If there are more eateries with stunning beachside views in Kuantan that we have missed, do let us know in the comment section below!