The hills are alive, and they come with a meal. There’s nothing better than soaking in the Malaysian landscape when you dine at a hillside restaurant or cafe. (Left: Image by @pinkpi050124. Right: Image by @davidbrownsrestaurant.penang.)
There is no doubt that Malaysia is a great place for food. And when the meal comes with a view, we cannot help but feel well and truly spoiled. Taking our tummies and our hearts to great heights (literally), we offer you a list of Malaysian hillside restaurants you should visit when planning your next meal with a view.
1. A Little Farm On The Hill, Bentong, Pahang
Make reservations at Malaysia’s beloved farm-to-table restaurant, A Little Farm On The Hill. Located on the hills of Janda Baik, a 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur, this restaurant serves the freshest plates of food made with organic ingredients.
Dine in a farmhouse set amongst the lush green backdrop of the farm and forest hills. A meal here will cost an average of RM300+, and there are no walk-ins available. So, plan ahead and book a table for you and your party in advance.
Address: Lot 161 Tanarimba, Persiaran Enderong, Kampung Janda Baik, 28750 Bentong, Pahang
Contact: +609 233 0194
2. Hornbill Restaurant & Cafe, Kuala Lumpur
Tucked away in Kuala Lumpur Bird Park is a cafe that invites you to dine with the friendly locals, including Malaysia’s national bird, the Rhinoceros Hornbill. Open daily from 9am to 6pm, the Hornbill Restaurant & Cafe is a delightful spot to grab breakfast and lunch where the feathered friends of the park make a regular appearance. Entrance to the restaurant is free and separate from the bird park entrance.
Address: Perdana Botanical Garden, 920, Jalan Cendrawasih, Perdana Botanical Gardens, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2693 8086
3. Little Salty Cafe, Ampang, Selangor
Bukit Ampang is home to the Little Salty Cafe, a small restaurant perched on the hills with views of Kuala Lumpur’s cityscape. Have a cup of joe with a warm waffle, something they are famous for, or order a hearty plate of carbonara or fish and chips. You will want to arrive early and grab a table for the best views, as they have limited seats in the cafe.
Address: Lot 9270, Bukit Ampang Permai, Bukit Ampang, Off, Jalan Hulu Langat, 68000 Ampang, Selangor
4. Pizza Hills, Langkawi, Kedah
For a one-of-a-kind experience, we urge you to book a flight to Langkawi Island just to have a slice of pizza on a hill. That’s right! Pizza Hills is a unique and delicious experience every foodie needs to try at least once.
A short 10-minute drive from Kuah Town, then up a narrow and steep hill, will reward you with one of the best slices of pizza you’ve ever had. The view from the top of the hill also makes the journey worth it. Advanced booking is required for this small restaurant.
Address: 6, Kampung Buluh Penyumpit, 07000 Langkawi, Kedah
Contact: +6017 528 8539
5. David Brown’s Hilltop Garden Restaurant, Air Itam, Penang
Two things tug at a Malaysian’s heartstrings like no other—cool weather and a hot cup of tea. Head to Penang’s David Brown’s Hilltop Garden Restaurant. This British colonial restaurant and tea house on Strawberry Hill, upon Penang Hill, is a great way to spend the evening with family on the island. Enjoy a spot of tea along with a selection of little sandwiches, cakes, and pastries, or have dinner with a view of the Penang skyline.
Address: Strawberry Hill Penang Hill, Bukit Bendera, 11300 Air Itam, Penang
Contact: +604 828 8337
6. BOH Tea Centre Cafe, Cameron Highlands, Pahang
Keeping in theme with sipping tea on the hills, we’d be silly to forget the BOH Tea Centre in Cameron Highlands. Both the tea plantation and cafe are well-loved tourist spots for the perfect cup of freshly brewed tea and scones paired with Cameron’s famous strawberry jam. We can have the cream over jam or jam over cream debate all day, but one thing we’ll agree on is that the BOH Tea Cafe wins the number one spot in our tea-loving hearts.
Address: Brinchang, 39100 Brinchang, Pahang
Contact: +605 496 2096
7. The Views Glass House Cafe, Cameron Highlands, Pahang
Another Cameron Highlands gem is found in Flora Park, a stunning garden showpiece displaying some of the most beautiful local flowers and plants. The Views Glass House Cafe is a cosy spot at the top of the park that serves delicious food, garden-themed sweet treats, and a view to match. Take note that you will need to pay an entrance fee to the park to dine at the cafe.
Address: Cameron Highlands Flora Park, CX6+XP, Brinchang, 39100 Brinchang, Pahang
8. The Hilltop Container Cafe, Rawang, Selangor
Make your way to Rawang’s best-kept secret, The Hilltop Container Cafe. As its name suggests, it is quite literally a container cafe sitting on the top of a hill. Hearty meals and decadent desserts make up the cafe’s menu, with the Vietnamese-inspired drip coffee being one of its star offerings. Lesser known, it has a modest appearance but spares no expense when it comes to sunset views of the town from atop the hill.
Address: Jln Sg Samak, 48000 Rawang, Selangor
Contact: +6012 690 6761
