Cameron Highlands is more than tea-plantation views. The year-round cool climate — hovering around 17°C — makes every dish and every drink taste sharper and more satisfying. Charcoal steamboat in an open-air evening chill, BOH tea brewed from leaves picked the same morning, and strawberries that ripen sweeter here than anywhere else in Malaysia: these are the three reasons travelers drive up the mountain specifically to eat. Leave room in your bag for jam, honey, and boxed tea to bring home.
#1 BOH Fresh Brewed Tea
BOH is Malaysia’s largest tea brand, founded in 1929, with its main growing estate here in Cameron Highlands. Drinking BOH at the Tea Centre on the estate itself is a different experience entirely — warm tea in 17°C air, surrounded by rolling rows of green bushes, is one of the quiet highlights of any visit. The on-estate shop sells multiple varieties in beautifully packaged boxes.
- Order the Original Blend or Cameronian Gold Blend if it’s your first time.
- The Tea Centre terrace overlooks the entire plantation — arrive before midday for a terrace seat.
- Boxed tea bought at BOH shops in town is slightly cheaper than buying on the estate.
#2 Charcoal Steamboat
Traditional charcoal hot pot is the signature dining experience of Cameron Highlands. A copper pot with a central charcoal chimney keeps the broth at a rolling boil throughout the meal — travelers dip fresh prawns, tofu, fish balls, vegetables, and squid into it at the table. In cool highland air, few things are more satisfying. Well-known spots like <strong>Silverstar</strong>, <strong>OK Tuck</strong>, and <strong>Kwan Kee</strong> in Brinchang open from evening until late.
- Order the split-pot version — half clear broth, half tom yum — for more variety.
- Arrive before 18:30; popular spots fill up on weekend evenings without fail.
- Steamboat for 2–3 people runs around RM 50–80 — very good value.
#3 Fresh Strawberries and Strawberry Treats
Cameron Highlands strawberries are notably sweet because the cool climate lets sugar accumulate in the fruit more fully. You can eat them straight, with cream or chocolate, as a fresh blended drink, in ice cream, as jam, or in a smoothie. Roadside stalls and farm shops sell fresh strawberries at prices far lower than in the city.
- Buying directly from the farm is always cheaper than roadside stalls.
- A fresh-blended strawberry drink runs RM 5–8 per cup — good value in the cool air.
- Jam and frozen strawberries are available at farms and the night market to take home.
#4 Scones and Afternoon Tea
British colonial history lives on in Cameron Highlands through the afternoon tea tradition. Warm, soft scones served with clotted cream and fresh strawberry jam — this is the classic set worth trying at least once. <strong>Jim Thompson Tea Room</strong> serves a three-tier spread, and <strong>The Lord’s Cafe</strong> in Tanah Rata offers a quieter, more relaxed atmosphere.
- Popular shops sell out fast in the afternoon — book a table or arrive before 14:00.
- Scones taste best paired with hot BOH tea, not coffee.
- The Lord’s Cafe and Jim Thompson are close to each other in Tanah Rata, both walkable.
#5 Kopitiam Malaysian Coffee Shop Breakfast
Breakfast at a kopitiam is about as authentically Malaysian as it gets. Kaya toast — grilled bread spread with kaya (coconut-egg jam) — alongside a hot Hainanese coffee and soft-boiled eggs drizzled with light soy sauce, all for under RM 8 per set. <strong>Uncle Chow Kopitiam</strong> in Tanah Rata is well known for this spread, plus laksa and nasi lemak at equally reasonable prices. The atmosphere is lively but easy-going.
- Kopitiam open early — arrive by 07:00 for fresh-off-the-grill toast.
- Order kopi-o (black coffee) or teh tarik (pulled milk tea) with the kaya toast set.
- Uncle Chow opens Monday–Saturday and closes Sundays — worth checking ahead.
#6 Ee Feng Gu Honey Products
<strong>Ee Feng Gu Honey Bee Farm</strong>, established in 1980, is the oldest honey farm in Cameron Highlands. Entry is free: watch the bees at work, see the production process, then sample various honeys in the shop. Pure honey, Royal Jelly, and honey-based skin-care products make strong gifts to bring home. The pure honey here has a solid reputation across Malaysia.
- Admission is free — no obligation to buy.
- Pure honey starts from around RM 10 per bottle, much cheaper than supermarket equivalents.
- Free tastings of multiple varieties are offered before you buy — always try first.
Where to stay in Cameron Highlands for this trip
A well-located hotel means less commuting and more sightseeing. Here are real, top-rated stays in Cameron Highlands — compare Agoda · Booking · Trip.com in one click.
Peony Apartment @ Cameron
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Hotel De' La Ferns, Cameron Highlands
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Little Rabbit Apartments
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Copthorne Hotel Cameron Highlands
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Tours, tickets & activities in Cameron Highlands
Day tours, attraction tickets and travel essentials for Cameron Highlands — book ahead on Klook with mobile e-tickets.
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Before You Pack
The food in Cameron Highlands is not fancy, but it is distinctly good — fresh ingredients, fair prices, and an atmosphere you cannot find anywhere else. If you only have one visit, make sure it covers steamboat, tea, and fresh strawberries.