Cherating Restaurants & Dining

One of the most popular east coast hotspots, Cherating is best known as the location of Asia’s first Club Med. A one-kilometre long road runs parallel to the beach and seafront chalets dot the roadside. Cherating village is home to a laidback and languid collection of residents, and businesses are scarce here; the village remains starkly bare and there are more cats, monkeys and monitor lizards than people, yet it’s the friendly band of locals that make Cherating so warmly appealing. Malay surfers hang around the shoreline, aging hipsters patronise the eateries and businesses along the strip operate at a leisurely pace.

Cherating isn’t especially known for its dining options – when you’re in the area, the charming Payung Café is one of the most well-known places to hang out. The rasta-style café serves up a good selection of food and though prices may be over-the-top at this family-run venture, the ambiance is decidedly hard to resist.

Coconut Grove

An appealing eatery if you’re in the area, this casual all-day dining venue serves a variety of local dishes that are pretty standard. The restaurant isn’t usually packed but you’re more than likely to see guests lounging around even after their meal is finished. Read More...

Duyong Restaurant

Serving up an extensive selection of seafood, steaks, poultry and vegetables, this eatery – which sits on stilts – is memorable for its uninterrupted ocean view. The food is tasty and reasonably priced; try the steamed crab and hot and spicy seafood tom yam soup.

Kedai Kopi

Located within the Impiana Resort Cherating, Kedai Kopi serves up a decent selection of western and local dishes. Starting early in the morning, the hearty breakfast selection is enough to satisfy your appetite before your day in the sun and surf. Alternatively head on over here for an after-dinner drink – there’s a live band that belts out pop hits throughout the night. Read More...

Matahari Restaurant

At the western end of town, Matahari Restaurant is another guesthouse-run eatery; open in the mornings, they serve a good breakfast selection as well as all-day meals. The grilled fish is simply mouth-watering and the friendly chef has a great sense of humour and will make the meal resoundingly pleasurable.

O’Las Restaurant

Located within the four-star Legend Resort Cherating, this eatery serves up an impressive menu of Spanish and Italian specialties. There’s nothing remarkable about the atmosphere in the restaurant but the food is good and the prices won’t burn a hole in your pocket. Read More...

Payung Restaurant

All in all, one of the best places in Cherating to chill out; the food at this eatery is unremarkable, but the atmosphere is unforgettable. Boasting great views of the riverside, there’s a definite laidback Bob Marley-esque vibe that permeates this semi-outdoor hangout. There’s a wide selection of pastas, thin-crust pizzas and local specialties – try a bowl of the reasonably-priced curry mee (yellow egg noodles with spicy coconut curry). With groovy music in the background, the rustic outlet also has Wi-Fi so you’re plugged into the modern world.

Restaurant Tong Juan Seafood

One of the most popular eating spots especially among locals, this restaurant serves up typical Malaysian fare at exceptionally reasonable prices. Try the freshly grilled spicy-yet-tasty sambal fish and the garlic lobster. The eatery is open for dinner and a typical meal will only cost you six ringgit.