Langkawi’s food blends traditional Malaysian flavours with influences from across the region: night-market satay, seafood by the beach, fine dining over the water. Here is what to order and where. Jom makan!
1. Street food and night markets
Nasi lemak, satay, rojak · Kuah Town ↗
The night markets move around the island through the week and are the best place to taste local dishes at local prices. Look for nasi lemak (coconut rice with spicy sambal, anchovies, peanuts and egg), satay skewers with peanut sauce, and rojak, a fruit and vegetable salad in a sweet and tangy shrimp-paste sauce. Kuah Town has street food and fresh seafood every day.
Good to know
The night market changes place with the day of the week: ask your hotel where it is that evening.
2. Seafood
Order grilled stingray with sambal, tom yum with prawns, or butter prawns with curry leaves.
Orkid Ria Seafood Restaurant
Fresh seafood, casual, family-friendly · Pantai Cenang ↗
On Jalan Pantai Tengah near Pantai Cenang: a wide choice of fresh seafood in a relaxed setting.
The Cliff
Seafood and local dishes with a view · Pantai Cenang ↗
Known for its views and elegant setting: a good choice for a special night out.
3. Fine dining
Kayuputi at The St. Regis Langkawi
Book online ↗ · The St. Regis Langkawi, Jalan Pantai Beringin ↗
Contemporary Asian cuisine, beautifully presented, in a dining room over the water.
The Planters at The Danna Langkawi
Local and international cuisine · Telaga Harbour ↗
Fresh seafood and fusion dishes with attentive service. For more, see our note on luxury experiences in Langkawi.
4. Sweets and desserts
Cendol, kuih, roti john · Langkawi Fair, Kuah ↗
Try cendol (green rice-flour jelly with coconut milk and palm sugar over shaved ice), kuih such as kuih lapis and kuih ketayap, and roti john, a sandwich of egg and minced meat with a sweet and savoury sauce. Langkawi Fair Shopping Mall in Kuah has several cafes and stalls.
5. Dining with a view
SkyBistro
Coffee and light meals at the top of the cable car · Gunung Mat Cincang ↗
At the SkyCab top station: coffee, drinks and light meals with a view over the island.
Dinner on a sunset cruise
Dinner on deck as the sun goes down: a buffet of local and international dishes on a shared sunset cruise, or your own yacht, crew and menu on a private sunset dinner cruise.
Good to know
Book fine dining and popular restaurants ahead, especially at weekends and in the high season.
From street stalls to fine dining, Langkawi rewards curious eaters. For more ideas, see things to do in Langkawi.