Purple Cane is located in the building where the famed Foh San dim sum place used to be and has given it a new life.   The building is rather unattractive on the oustisde with no fancy signage but once you step in, it’s a completely different world.

 In a faux al fresco environment with skinny trees, natural light shining through a covered sky well, Purple Cane is a marvelous place to enjoy a meal.

The food in Purple Cane screams ” Eat me! Eat me ! I am healthy and tasty”, where tea plays a major role in every dish.  Gary’s lunch set was fulfilling with pan-fried crispy fish and yam rice which had a bit of salted vegetable in it.

The tea pot that came with the set was not entirely tea but “tea soup” which used oolong tea as base with subtle traces of Chinese herbs.  I’ve always liked dobin mushi in Japanese restaurants though I thought the tea pots are tiny and the soup is easily finished after a few shots.  The sizable pot with substantial amount of tea soup definitely satisfied soup monsters like Gary and me !

My bak kut teh chicken noodle (RM 16.90) was light-bodied, with tea being the domineering flavor instead of Chinese herbs, as opposed to the usual bak kute teh which is much darker in color and the essence of Chinese herbs overrides the tea flavor.  The squiggly noodles are home made and added a fun texture to eating.  The chicken though, perhaps cooked too long had lost its flavor.

The sweet potato balls (RM 6.90) were deep fried so well they were hardly oily, just chewy and lightly sticky.  I was quite interested at the “green tea dipping sauce” as written on the menu, but it was more similar to green mayonnaise

Our teas – my eight treasures tea (RM 9.9) and Gary’s Puer Tea (RM4.9).

Private rooms area available with Japanese tatami floor mats.

If you enjoyed any of the teas, the tea shop is just right next door for some shopping

More Info
Purple Cane Website
Address: 2. Jalan dato Tahwil Azar (Osborne Street), 30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Opening Hours : Daily 9 am – 10 pm
Tel : + 605 253 3090

The Ray of Hope Cafe in Bercham is a cafe with a cause.  It is a community charity program which provides employment to those with learning disabilities.  They learn skills and are trained to perform work just like any normal person.  The staff in the cafe are not as speedy, but they are the most dedicated bunch of staff I’ve seen.  They are just focused and undistracted, doing one thing at a time with full concentration.  

One of the staff that took my order, he wrote down my order slowly, but clearly, looking at every single alphabet he wrote onto the paper.  I wandered around a bit in the cafe, reading newspaper clippings on the wall, the same staff came to me with such joy and pride, he pointed at a lady in the article to me and said “this is my mother”. In that moment of time, I teared up and I knew that his life moves forward despite the hindering disabilities.

The unassuming cafe is clean, immaculate clean.  In fact, they were number 1 in Ipoh’s Cleanest  Restaurant Competition in 2012.  Chairs are tucked in neatly, glass tabletops have no fingerprints and rays of of light beaming into the cafe literally made it “Ray of Hope” Cafe.

Ray of Hope Cafe’s menu consists of both local and western food, including a variety of noodles & rice, chicken chop and fish & chips.  Quite rarely I see “dong fun” in most eateries so I was quite happy to see it on the menu and jumped at the chance to give it a try.  I didn’t have high expectations but my fried “dong fun”(RM 5.5)  turned out amazingly well in terms of both taste and presentation.  The noodles were fried with plenty of seafood items like shrimps, squid and fish cake, topped with a handful of shredded lettuce.  The noodles had just the right amount of moisture; not watery at all yet cooking them longer might make the noodle too dry.

Simple mixed fruit juice (RM 5).


I took away the chocolate brownie even I was very full after the noodles and fruit juice and I simply couldn’t resist the temptation.  The chocolate brownie could have been better as it was a tad dry but I guess I could make do with it as it was only RM 6-  very reasonably priced like all the items on the menu.

More Info
Address :  24 & 26 Persiaran Bercham Selatan, Taman Sri Kurau, Bercham, Ipoh, Malaysia.
Open Mon-Fri 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Tel:+605 5488796

Buku Tiga Lima is the most unassuming cafe among the Burps & Giggles group of cafes if you look at the facade. The facade is overgrown with climbing plants, looking a bit neglected and it’s not exactly the easiest to get to.     

There’s hardly an entrance to enter the cafe from the front.  You can enter cafe from any direction except the front where the front door has an arrow that points to Burps & Giggles on the right.

You can enter it from Plan B that’s right behind it, or through holes on the walls in both Burps & Giggles that’s on the right of it or from Missing Marbles that’s on the left of it.

Well I guess all that makes it more adventurous getting to Buku Tiga Lima, where you discover other places along the way.  Buku Tiga Lima literally means “Book Three Five” in Malay, referring to the little notebooks with triple 5′s, which were used for jotting down “I Owe You’s ” before the age of the digital era, some 30, 40 years ago.

The little books along with Marilyn Monroe, outdated power switches, old motorbikes, etc, the cafe oozes an aura of yesteryear from every corner.

Intentionally kept shabby with frayed walls and uncovered ceilings, Buku Tiga Lima is shabby in chic, accentuated by the ingenious lamps draped in rainbows of ribbons or clustered with eclectic lamps.

The cafe is small, not seating more than 10 tables so when it gets too packed, you might need to look out for the corner benches to squeeze in, which can be obscured by the tables.
     

The cafe has some private dining areas; one is at the back section of the cafe with cushioned backrest and one is on the 1 1/2  floor because it is mid way between first and second floor with a hanging bicycle in mid air.

I like the cafe’s menu with crepes, bagels and hot spud – with the crepes and bagels being relatively much less common among cafes in Ipoh.
 
You can design your meals to0, choosing your own ingredients “as you like”.  The drinks menu was too zigzagged I found it tiring to read and decided not to order a drink.
 

I only had the mushu lamb savory crepe. When I tore it open, it had enough steam piping out I thought I could have done a mini facial with the steam.
 
The mushu lamb has been adapted to be much more westernized with the use of raw crisp red peppers and mushed green peas.  A vibrant dish indeed with tender lamb although it was a bit gamy and too sweet it can almost be categorized under “sweet crepes”.

The bagels from other tables looked really good – looking more like bagel burgers I think I am going to try that next time ! Enjoy more photos below

More Info on Buku Tiga Lima
Address: 93 & 95 Jalan Sultan Yussuf, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Opening Hours : 8 am – 8 pm, closed on Tuesdays.
Tel : +605 242 6188

In clashing colors of red and white, Lim Kopi is a fashionable “kopitiam” that’s hard to miss on Hugh Low Street.  The cafe has a fun name – Lim Kopi (啉咖啡), where the pronunciation of “Lim” (林) refers to the surname of the owner, at the same time the written word of “Lim” (啉) refers to the action of drinking.

I like the splendid Baba & Nyonya tiles and the use of mirrors on the wall – a feature that seems to be prominent in many old timers’ kopitiam such as Kong Heng or Yut Kee (in KL).

The kitchen is very visible to the patrons – probably one of the best ways to keep the kitchen staff on their toes. 

My favorite part of the cafe is the sky well where natural light beams into the traditional space with a small garden of greens and marvelous tiles.

The “Special 5 Noodle” is one of the signature dishes (RM 7.50) – with BBQ pork, pork skin, prawn, chicken shreds and braised chicken foot, with the choice of noodles from bee hoon, yellow mee, wantan noodle, hor fun, lai fun and lou shu fun.

Indeed the noodle is quite special, adapting from the famous “gei si hor fun” of Ipoh or shredded chicken noodles which usually comes with chicken & prawn only, and gave it a twist with the additional happy medley of ingredients immersed in a lightly herbal broth.   All the ingredients were flavorsome except for the BBQ pork which was a bit dull.  

Bathed in thick piquant curry gravy, Gary’s “Triple Meat Curry Noodles” (RM 5.50) consist of BBQ pork, roast pork and shredded chicken with his favorite noodle mix of yellow noodles and bee hoon.  The pork items though need a bit of improvement – the BBQ pork was dull and the roast pork would have been great with a crisp skin.

Simple soft-boiled eggs.

The white coffee wasn’t my favorite, thought it had a sour note, but then I am probably biased because I am hooked to the white coffee from Sin Yoon Loong.

The egg custard (RM 3.50) was light in texture, almost cheesy instead of eggy, and the caramalized sugar with a subtle bitterness made me finished the dessert in no time.

The herbal jelly (RM 2.80) was not bad, but nothing too special about it.

On a side note, Lim Kopi’s first floor is sometimes used as an art gallery for exhibitions so if you like art, Lim Kopi could be the place for you to enjoy enjoy an afternoon filled with arts, and the comfort of local food.  

More Information

Lim Kopi Facebook
Address : 10 Jalan Sultan Iskandar, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Opening Hours : 7 am – 5pm, closed on Mondays.
Tel : +605 253 2898

The Khizanat Cafe located opposite the French Hotel is a cafe / events venue / art gallery all in one.  Being on the first floor sometimes has the disadvantage of people being lazy and not wanting to walk up the stairs, the cafe has decorated its wall with funky art which might arouse the curiosity in people to explore the cafe more.  

Red lips await at the top of the stairs.

The art gallery / event menu precedes the cafe, which is an awesome space with modern arts in display.  Unfortunately, smoking probably isn’t prohibited so it was musty and smoky.  

Comics and inspirational quotes on the wall.

Khizanat has a very simple menu with burgers, maggie mee with meatballs, drinks – all very reasonably priced.  I am under the impression that maybe that they are shorthanded on weekdays because they only served drinks on the two occasions I was there, no food. Maybe more luck on weekends, later at night or when they hold events.

Check out the rest of the cafe below

More Info

Khizanat Facebook
Address:  57A Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Opening Hours : Mon – Sat, 2 pm – 12 am
Tel:  +6012 562 2352

42 Foodies is an Italian Restaurant hidden behind the Petronas gas station in Fair Park.  The homey restaurant carries a range of pastas, pizzas, burgers, salads, appetizers and main courses.   

For an Italian restaurant, the interior isn’t exactly Italian, it’s more of a mix of contemporary with abstract arts on the wall and country floral style with flowery cushions and lamp shades.  Not full-fledged hipster but almost-there-hipster with the restaurant being more spacious, warm and cozy.

Gary and I ordered a few tapas and a main course to share, starting with the deep-fried mushrooms – covered in batter which had an unusual sandy texture that I liked, the mushrooms were scorching hot within, we had to be cautious making sure we were not burnt by the hot splashing juices from the mushrooms as we happily popped them into our mouths.

The pot of mussels was immersed in a savory tomato broth; small mussels, but well cooked with plump flesh.

The chicken chowder would have passed if it was called “chicken cream soup” because that was what it really was – a light-bodied cream soup with chicken bits.  Since it was called “chowder” – it should have been much thicker, richer and heavier in taste with plenty of goodies like seafood.  The Boston clam chowder is an exemplary chowder and until today, I am still looking for a place that serves proper chowder.



The prawn aglio olio was delightful with ample amount of fresh prawns; it was lightly oiled and extremely fragrant with the use of deep-fried basil leaves.

I was a bit disappointed with the chowder as it was something that I was really looking forward to.  It wasn’t bad; I just had higher expectations.  Other than that, the meal was an enjoyable one

More Info
42 Foodies Facebook
Address : No 16 Jalan Hussein Nordin, Taman Kin Mee (Fair Park), 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Opening Hours : Tue – Sun: 11:30 am – 3:30 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm.  Closed on Monday.
Tel : +605 547 7442

The BED Cafe, short for Bread, Espresso, Dessert, is quite a cute and unusual name for a cafe.  I can imagine a bar or night club called “Bed”, and I think I remember seeing a night club somewhere on the internet which uses big beds for seating instead of the conventional tables and chairs.   If you hear a Ipohrian say “Let’s go to BED” – that probably isn’t as naughty as it may sound

The cafe’s interior is sweet, homey and permeates with the smell of freshly baked pastries.

Their coffee seems more affordable compared to other pricier cafes.  I didn’t get any coffee on that day as it was late in the afternoon and I won’t be able to sleep at night if I had any.

The smoked duck breast with carrot bun (RM 14.50) is a pleaser with glistening bread-top that is delicately crisp; and the smoked duck breast pieces plump and turgid.  The smear of mustard sauce adds an extra zing to the sandwich while there is too much mayonnaise masking the original flavors of the smoked duck, which is sweet enough to stand alone.

The Jasmine Matcha Verrine is tantalizing with colors, tasting very similar to a denser version of mascarpone cheese.  The white layer is the original unaltered flavor, the green is of course the green tea, while the pink is supposed to be jasmine, though it tasted very much like raspberry.  A fulfilling dessert that was too heavy to be finished on my own.

A few more of their dessert items in the fridge.

I took away the “bread muffin” from the range of freshly baked goodies.  I thought it would be a hybrid texture, like the cronut, crogel, and cragel; it was actually bread with chocolate chips baked inside paper muffin cups. It was nice, but I expected a novel texture.  Nonetheless, the freshly baked items are still a plus point for the cafe.  

More Info
Bread Espresso Dessert (BED) Facebook
Address : No 3, Medan Istana 6, Bandar Ipoh Raya, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Opening Hours :  11 am – 5.30 pm.  Closed on Tuesday
Tel : + 605 241 1948

The cafe scene in Ipoh is more vibrant than ever, with all sorts of new boutique cafes or hipster cafes popping out so fast that it’s hard to keep track.  In the beginning of 2012, there were barely 10 cafes in Ipoh to do a Top 10 List and now at the beginning of 2014, there are more than 30 cafes to sample.  The cafes never fail to amaze me with their individualistic, sometimes themed interior decoration such as Parisian, child’s play, Korean, nostalgia, vintage and heritage.  Some cafes have amusingly incorporated spa, hair saloon, DIY classes, ukulele lessons, art gallery, custom bikes or politics, serving more than just coffee and cakes.  As for cuisine, most of them serve western food along the lines of pasta, sandwiches and burgers with a fewer number of them serving local / Asian cuisine.  My overall experience in the cafes is enjoyable with the pricing being the least charming because they tend to be pricey, even somewhat exorbitant, considering that I find some cafes still have room for improvement on their food.  Nonetheless, dining experience is subjective and your opinions might differ so do use the list of 34 Cafes To Visit in Ipoh as a guide to choose your preference.  Click on the link for each cafe for a detailed post.

The list of cafes is in 3 parts – the first section is dedicated to cafes that commenced in 2013, the second section is for Halal cafes that commenced in 2013 and the third section is for cafes that commenced in 2012 or before.  The list will be a dynamic list, adding new cafes that open in 2014 and so on, so be back often to check out what’s new and cooking.

Happy Cafe Hunting & Bon Appetit.

Section 1: Cafes that Commenced in 2013

1.  Ben & Lynette Maison Patisserie (next to Secret Garden)

A little tucked away in the back lanes, Ben & Lynette Maison Patisserie is set in a colonial mansion serving pasta, pizzas, desserts and with a pick-your-own salad bar, you can easily customize salads and sandwiches to your liking.   Signature dishes include Sandwich Train and Charcoal Burger, big enough for 2-3 people to share.

Ben & Lynette Maison Patisserie Facebook
Address : No.42, Lorong Cheah Cheang Lim, 30350 Ipoh, Perak
Opening Hours : Daily 9 am – 12.30 am
Tel: 1 700 817773

2.  Bougainvillea City Cafe on Jalan Lau Ek Cheng (Opposite Bricks & Barrels)

Rarely, you get the chef behind the scene to come and explain to you about food on his menu, but that’s what Chef Mac does when he is not too busy in the kitchen.  Trained at Le Cordon Bleu, his food screams passion and creativity, using seasonal items, turning simple to gourmet.

Bougainvillea City Cafe Facebook Page
Address: 21 Jalan Lau Ek Ching, 31300 Ipoh, Perak (Opposite Bricks & Barrels)
Tel:  +605 241 3782

3.  Coffee At 91 in Tambun Inn Hotel

Coffee @ 91 has a Korean flair to it with its dreamy colors and k pop music in the background.  Absolutely be there if you are the greedy type that want to eat every dessert you see because you can do just that at Coffee @ 91 as the desserts come miniature sized with the price about half of other cafes too.  Do take note though if you are hungry and need a good meal, the cafe only serves two very light meals of mushroom soup and Korean Kimchi Shin Ramen.

Coffee At 91 Facebook Page
Address : 91 Jalan Raja Dihilir, 30350 Ipoh, Perak (end of Tambun Inn Building)
Opening Hours : 11.30 am – 6.30 pm.  Closed on Tuesdays.
Tel: + 6012 576 1687

4.  Espresso Lab @ Ipoh Garden

Liquored cakes are Espresso Lab‘s specialty.  The evocative combination of whisky, caramel and chocolate cake is to die for I think I could lick the plate clean if nobody is watching.  I tried the kahlua tiramisu on another occasion and it was just as enchanting with crunchy caramalized almonds adorned atop.  The food though is not as spectacular.

Espresso Lab Facebook Page
Address : 105 Jalan Canning Estate, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Opening Hours : Mon – Thurs, Sun 10 am – 7pm. Fri & Sat 10 am – 10pm

5.  Happy 8 Retreat Cafe in Happy 8 Retreat Hotel @ Ipoh Old Town

Designed with retreat and nature in mind, the earth toned cafe has many wood and forest elements.  If cafes exist in magical kingdoms, they would look like the Happy 8 Retreat Cafe.  The main courses on the menu consist of a good mix of local and western food at typical cafe pricing though the desserts are pricey, sometimes even costing more than the main course.



Happy 8 Official Website
Happy 8 Retreat Cafe Address: 46 Jalan Market, 30000 Ipoh, Perak.
Opens Daily
Tel: +605  2438388

6.  JJ Cafe on Jalan Kampar

Vibrant clashing colors and mismatched corners have merged unusually well to give you the lively JJ Cafe.  The cafe probably has the most unique chairs in town where the chairs come in velvet fabric, dalmatian dots and leopard prints.  The food is decent though I thought some fine tuning could improve the food.  The walnut mille crepe was a delightful dessert.

JJ Cafe Facebook Page
Address:  Jalan Kampar, Housing Trust, 31250 Ipoh, Perak.
Opening Hours : Mon – Tues 10 am – 6pm.  Thu – Fri 10am – 6pm.  Sat – Sun 9 am – 7pm. Close on Wed.
Tel : +605 241 2972

7.  Missing Marbles @ Ipoh Old Town

People not in the know might pass Missing Marbles thinking it’s an optical shop because the original facade and yellow signboard still remains.  With child’s play in theme, going to Missing Marbles could be taking a trip down memory lane, reigniting your memories of childhood toys like marbles, bicycles and origami fortune tellers, while enjoying noodle or rice meals at the same time.

Address :  99 Jalan Sultan Yussuf, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Opening Hours:  8.30 am – 8.30 pm.  Closed on Tuesdays.
Tel:  +605 241 1564

8.  Myth Eatery and Bar in M Boutique Hotel

A not so mythical Myth Cafe that needs to be experienced with M Boutique Hotel, or at least the lobby of M Boutique Hotel.  The hotel’s lobby depicts a safari expedition base camp, and the Myth Cafe could very well belong to the wealthy Safarian sponsoring the expedition, welcoming you into his rustic house with white-washed table mats already laid out, ready for a feast. The pricing is much more premium than the average cafes.

Myth Eatery & Bar (in M Boutique Hotel) Website
Address: No 2 Hala Datuk 5, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
Tel : +605 2555566

9.  Patisserie Boutique Cafe @ Ipoh Old Town

A Parisian cafe that might just make you think you have stepped into a cafe in Paris for a moment with its simplistic and elegant charm.  The chicken lasagna was a gorgeous dish with brilliant colors of tomato red, cream-white and salmon pink.

Patisserie Boutique Website
Patisserie Boutique Address: 103 Jalan Sultan Yusof, 3000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Daily 11am – 6pm; closed on Wednesdays.
Tel: +605 241 1385

10.  Pronto Daily Cafe @ Ipoh Old Town

A down to earth cafe that’s not too fancy but more soothing with its nature inspired interior decor.  Besides the typical cafe menu of sandwiches and pastas, the cafe becomes a fine dining restaurant at night, serving gourmet items like lobster, foie gras and Angus beef.

Cafe Pronto Facebook Page
Address:  55 Jalan Market, 3000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Opening Hours : Daily 11.30 am – 4 pm, 6 pm – 10.3 pm.
Tel: +605 241 3648

11.  Roquette Cafe @ Ipoh Old Town

Assemblyman YB Nga Kor Ming and local coffee maker Check Hup team up to bring you a somewhat peculiar yet harmonious combination of a DAP service cafe – where constituents can discuss matters with YB Nga every Tuesday and at the same time enjoy a cup of coffee. The paper drip coffee was captivating with a sweet after taste while the food was not too impressive.

Roquette Cafe Facebook
Address: 101 Jalan Sultan Yussuf, Ipoh, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Tuesday to  Thursday (9am to 6pm), Friday and Saturday (9am-7pm) and Sunday (11am to 5pm).  Closed on Mondays.
Tel: +605  241 2616

12.  STG (Sabah Tea Garden) Tea House Cafe  @ Taman Chateau

With the opening of STG Tea House Cafe, we get to enjoy organic and pesticide-free tea which hails from the highlands of Sabah in a pristine white mansion.  I enjoyed the lamb but thought the chicken was a tad dry and did not have the “smoky” flavor as it is supposed to be “Tea Smoke Chicken Whole Leg”.  The price is relatively high for the small portion served but the enchanting atmosphere did make up for the imperfections.

STG Tea House Cafe Facebook
Address: 2 Jalan Taman Kinta, Taman Chateau, 30250 Ipoh, Perak
Opening Hours : 12pm – 11pm.  Closed on Mondays
Tel: +605 255 0188

13.  The Sands Bistro & Cafe @ Kinta Riverfront


Situated along the Kinta river bank, the Sands Bistro & Cafe is a dazzling place with gem- studded neon tress to have dinner or a drink.  The menu caters to please the public with everything under one roof – barbecue, Italian, steamboat, western and Taiwanese.  There were some negative comments about the food on another blog, hopefully they have buckled up by now – but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying the romantic scenery with a drink.

Sands Bistro & Cafe Facebook
Address: Jalan Lim Bo Seng, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
Opening Hours : Mon – Thurs, Sun 5 pm – 1 am.  Fri, Sat 5 pm – 2 am.
Tel: +6010 4654954

14.  Something’s Brewing @ Medan Ipoh Bistari

While most cafes emphasize on coffee, Something’s Brewing has a stellar range of gourmet teas where the tea concoction is made from an assortment of organic spices, flowers and teas.  Take my chocolate chai for example, it has pu-erh tea, cocoa nibs, coconut flakes, roasted dandelion roots, long pepper, yerba mate and vanilla bean.  The owner is looking to increase the already comprehensive tea selections from 20 to 40 items so you will be spoiled for choice when that happens.

Something’s Brewing Facebook 
Address : 19 Jalan Medan Ipoh 1B/1,  Medan Ipoh Bistari 34000 Ipoh Perak.
Opening Hours : Mon – Thurs : 7.30 am – 11 pm.  Fri – Sat – 7.30am – 12 am.
Sun 7.30 am – 11pm.
Tel : +605 541 5900

15.  Stan & Brew Roast Coffee – in Soho Complex next to Sam Tet School

With the proliferation of cafes in Ipoh, it is becoming harder and harder for cafes to come up with unique desserts when tiramisu, macarons, cheese cakes, chocolate cakes are all over the place.  The plant cake at Stan & Brew Roast Coffee was something that caught my attention and it was fun digging through the “soil” (chocolate cookie crumbs) to find out what was underneath.  The lamb was scrumptious and reasonably priced.

Stan & Brew Roast Coffee Facebook
Address: Block C, G8, Soho Ipoh, Jalan Sultan Iskandar Shah, 3000 Ipoh.
Opening Hours : Daily 7.30 am – 12.00 am
Tel: +605 2559722

16.  Vanity Haus Boutique Cafe &  Spa Salon @ Canning Garden

The European-inspired Vanity Haus Cafe functions as both cafe and spa salon, occupying a bungalow house that was previously a hair salon.  Some mirrors from the hair salon were kept and used as part of interior decoration, echoing the past and present connection with “vanity”.   The food is homey, with the heavenly marshmallow brownie being my favorite that has completely won me over.

Vanity Haus Facebook Page
Address: No 8, Jalan Keliling, Canning Garden, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Opening Hours: 10.30 am – 10.30 pm.  Closed on Wednesdays.
Tel:  05 541 2047

17.  42 Foodies @ Fairpark

42 Foodies is a warm & cozy Italian Restaurant with a not-very-Italian interior decor.  The overall atmosphere is cafe-ish and artsy with the tree mural, chalk-board menu, so I have included this restaurant in this list.  All the dishes were well executed except the chicken chowder that was less memorable for me.

42 Foodies Facebook
Address : No 16 Jalan Hussein Nordin, Taman Kin Mee (Fair Park), 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Opening Hours : Tue – Sun: 11:30 am – 3:30 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm.  Closed on Monday.
Tel : +605 547 7442

Section 2 – Halal Cafes that Commenced in 2013.

1   El Negra Distro & Studio

I like this first-floor cafe with its huge windows, where light or darkness fills the room at ease, giving the cafe a different atmosphere depending on the time you are at the cafe.  The scenery varies too, where you get to observe Ipoh through the windows, whether it’s the roaring Ipoh by day when many lorries rumble the earth underneath during rush hour, or placid Ipoh by night.  The food is not bad in general.

El Negra Website
Address: 121 First Floor, Jalan Sultan Idris Shah, 3000 Ipoh.
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs 4 pm – 12 am.  Fri 4 pm – 1am.
Sat 12pm – 1am.  Sun 12 pm – 12am.
Tel: +605 241 2544

2.  Khizanat (Opposite French Hotel)

An artsy funky cafe with event venue / art gallery combined all in one.  An amusing and engaging space although it was a bit musty and smoky.  The cafe is supposed to serve light items like maggie mee, burgers and drinks but only drinks were available when I visited the cafe.  Maybe they cater more to weekends or when there are events.

Khizanat Facebook
Address:  57A Jalan Dato Onn Jaafar, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
Opening Hours : Mon – Sat, 2 pm – 12 am
Tel:  +6012 562 2352

3.  Old Town White Coffee Signature in M Boutique Hotel

Old Town White Coffee with its signature branch, has just become more plush under the candle-like chandeliers, with a touch of colonial and heritage elements.  The food is similar to the standard branches but it is made more wholesome with additional items such as vegetables and fishcakes, and presentation is definitely taken into account.

Address : No. 2, Hala Datuk 5, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
Opening Hours : 7am – 12am
Tel: +605 2413004, +6016 5266897

4.  Ooi & Comrades (near Ipoh Airport)

Another multitasking cafe with hair saloon, thrift shop and custom bikes all under one roof. Located in a bungalow with huge graffitied scissors on the walls, I thought there is a crazy Edward Scissorhands living inside, getting ready to play some hair.  The cafe has one of the most affordable pricing with everything under RM 6.  Light meals such as maggie mee and sandwiches are served.

O’oi & Comrades Facebook
Address : No 20, Jalan Lapangan Terbang, Kampung Melayu, 31350 Ipoh, Perak.
Opening Hours : Saurday – Thursday 12 pm – 2am.  Friday 3 pm – 12 am

5.  Plan B @ Old Town Ipoh

Transformed from an old furniture warehouse, Plan B is modern in a raw way – with the washed-out bricks and visible ceiling beams & ducts. It’s aligned with the that “old-town” feel with a contemporary twist.  When it first opened, I only had velvet cake and juice which I enjoyed but others were not so lucky, receiving burnt or cold food, calling it overrated.  I visited Plan B again few months later with a party of 7; all of us had no complaints about the food except that the service could have been more attentive.  I still think it’s a good place to go, especially when you prefer somewhere airy, spacious and uncluttered.

Address: 75 Jalan Panglima, Ipoh.
Opening Hours: Sun – Thurs 9am – 10pm.  Friday, Saturday and Eve of Public Holiday 9am – 12am.
Tel: +605 259 8286

6.  Thumbs Cafe @ Greentown

Looking very similar to a Malay kampung house, Thumb’s cafe serves a mix of Malay and Western cuisine.  Old fashioned with yellow wooden windows, vintage floral curtains and cushy couches, it’s the kind of place you would expect some comfort food.  The food is decent and very affordable, but I am under the impression that food is already prepared before you place the order as the food arrived our table lukewarm.

Address: 133 Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Opening Hours : 6pm – 1 am.  Tuesday – Sunday.  Closed on Mondays.

Section 3- Cafes that Commenced in 2012 or Before

1.  Sin Yoon Loong @ Ipoh Old Town

Till now, all the cafes have been listed in alphabetical order except for Sin Yoon Loong.  If we are talking about cafes that opened in or before 2012, it’s not possible to not mention Sin Yoon Loong “kedai kopi” at the top of the list, which was established in 1937 – who is the granddaddy of them all.  There must be a secret recipe in the white coffee that just keeps luring me and patrons alike to keep going back for the same cup of familiar taste.  The cafe serves simple items such as toast and pastries.  Yong Tau Foo, pork rice, etc can be ordered from hawker stalls stationed in Sin Yoon Loong and also from the cafe next door, Sin Yoon Fong.

Sin Yoon Loong Website
Address : 15 A Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak.

2.  Burps & Giggles @ Ipoh Old Town

Burps & Giggles is another cafe that deserves to cut the queue in the alphabetical list.  If Sin Yoon Loong is the granddaddy of them all, then Burps & Giggles would be the father of them all because ever since B&G opened the whimsical outlet with quirky murals, old tattered charm; more cafes followed path, generating an unstoppable tornado of cafe culture in Ipoh.

Burps & Giggles Facebook
Address: 93 & 95 Jalan Sultan Yussuf, 30000 Ipoh Perk, Malaysia
Opening Hours:  8.30 am – 8.30 pm.  Closed on Tuesdays.
Tel: +605 242 6188

3.  Allegra @ Ipoh Specialist Hospital
Allegra belongs to the Burps & Giggles group of cafes, which first opened in Meru Valley Golf Club in Jelapang in 2012 and shifted to Ipoh Specialist Hospital in 2013. Hospitals aren’t exactly a first choice when it comes to choosing a location for a cafe, but like what Burps & Giggle had done to old town Ipoh, revitalizing the place and attracting more youngsters, Allegra too is enlivening hospital food which is most of the time associated with boring and tasteless.  I actually haven’t been to Allegra at all as I guess the notion of going to a hospital to enjoy some good food is still daunting, but I think I will get pass that one day and go to the hospital and try their pastries.

Address: KPJ Ipoh Speciliast Hospital, 26 Jalan Raja Di Hilir, 30350 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Opening Hours : Daily 8.30 am – 6.00 pm.  Half day on Saturday, Closed on Sunday.

4.  Bread, Espresso & Dessert Cafe (BED) in Bandar Ipoh Raya

With a naughty name of BED, which stands for Bread Espresso Dessert, the cafe bakes their pastries fresh out of the oven.  The cafe is cozy with pastries available for take away, and some are used in their sandwiches.  The smoked duck breast in carrot bun was delightful with a glistening bread-top and plump duck pieces.

Bread Espresso Dessert (BED) Facebook
Address : No 3, Medan Istana 6, Bandar Ipoh Raya, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Opening Hours :  11 am – 5.30 pm.  Closed on Tuesday
Tel : + 605 241 1948

5.  Buku Tiga Lima @ Ipoh Old Town

The shabby in chic Buku Tiga Lima serves both savory and sweet pancakes which come steaming hot; and with the bagels resembling bagel burgers, they have something a little different to other cafes in Ipoh.  The little notebooks with triple 5′s set the cafe’s aura of the yesteryear with ingenious lamps and antique items.

Address: 93 & 95 Jalan Sultan Yussuf, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia
Opening Hours : 8.30 am – 8.30 pm, closed on Tuesdays.
Tel : +605 242 6188

6.  Jose & Deli Eatery in French Hotel

Jose & Deli Eatery is located on the 1st floor of French Hotel so getting to the cafe is like an adventure, where you start at the elegant staircase with chandeliers made of green wine bottles on the ceiling, then eventually making your way up to the cafe, discovering the american-ish mixed light-industrial themed cafe.  Some of the food I liked, some I didn’t, but the atmosphere was definitely superb.

Jose & Deli Facebook
Address : 60-62 Jalan Datao Onn Jaafar Ipoh, Perak 30300, Malaysia
Opening Hours : Daily 8 am – 10 pm
Tel: + 605 2413 712

7.  Josephine Cafe @ Ipoh Garden South
I visited the cafe once 2 years ago and the only thing I could remember about the cafe was the awful servitude.  Needless to say, I did not go back there again with so many choices of cafe now but the cafe is still standing today so maybe there is something nice about it which I was not fated to discover.

Josephine Cafe Facebook Page
Address: 39 Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Utara, Taman Ipoh Selatan, 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs, Sun : 10am – 11.30pm.  Fri – Sat: 10 am – 12.30am.
Tel: + 605 547 326

9.  Purple Cane Tea House on Osbourne Street (same building as the old Foh San Dim Sum)

Located in a unseeming building, Purple Cane Tea House is a marvelous place to dine with natural light shining through glass covered sky well.  Since it’s a tea house, tea is an important ingredient in all their dishes, making their meals super healthy.  The lunch sets vary daily and I just can’t get enough of the “tea soup” that is cooked in a tea-pot, and drank out of a tea-cup.

Purple Cane Website
Address: 2. Jalan dato Tahwil Azar (Osborne Street), 30300 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Opening Hours : Daily 9 am – 10 pm
Tel : + 605 253 3090

10.  Ray of Hope Cafe @ Bercham

The exceptionally clean Ray of Hope Cafe in Bercham is a community charity program to provide employment to those with learning disabilities.  The staffs in the cafe are not as speedy, but they are the most dedicated bunch of staff I’ve seen; fully focused, doing one thing at a time with full concentration.  The food turned out to be amazing unexpectedly and I would definitely return not just for the food, but for the cause too.

Address :  24 & 26 Persiaran Bercham Selatan, Taman Sri Kurau, Bercham, Ipoh, Malaysia.
Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9.00 a.m. – 4.00 p.m.
Tel:+605 5488796

11.  Zakka Loft @ Medan Ipoh Bistari

Zakka Loft serves traditional Hakka set meals and a variety of cakes with the rainbow cake being their signature, a cheerful cake that has a different flavor in every layer.  Zakka Loft started off as a cafe cum venue for DIY classes.  The first phase is the “zakka” phase where the cafe is adorned with soft toys, bags, all made from basic materials like socks and cloths. When the cafe expanded, the second phase was more “cosmic” that encourages interaction among friends and it’s one of the rarer cafes that has no wifi.

Zakka Loft Facebook Page
Address: No 2, Jalan Medan Ipoh 1C, Medan Ipoh Bistari 31400 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Opening Hours : Closed on Mondays.  Other Days 11 am – 9 pm.
Tel : +6013 488 8503

Looking very similar to a Malay kampung house, Thumb’s cafe serves a mix of Malay and Western cuisine.  Old fashioned with yellow wooden windows, vintage floral curtains and cushy couches, it’s the kind of place you would expect some comfort food.      

The cafe literally has a positive note to it – with many inspiring and positive quotes on the walls.

The interior is mostly vintage with DIY furnitures and sofas from the bygone times, made lively with the spherical chic lamps dangling from the ceiling.

Subtle travel motifs are throughout the cafe, with travel books and old suitcases lying around.

Some section of the cafe is more contemporary, with the working counter that reminds me very much of Plan B.

I ordered the extremely affordable lamb chop at only RM 13,  smothered in luscious gravy, adorned with coleslaw salad atop and cushioned with spiced potato wedges underneath. 

It was a chunky piece of lamb once I’ve swept away the salad.  The lamb was cooked well-done and it didn’t have a chewy texture like most well-done lamb would have. Unfortunately, the lamb had a lot of fat on it and I am under the impression that food is already prepared before you order, as the lamb chop and potatoes came lukewarm.

The chicken salad (RM 6) was refreshing with fried chicken bits, chunky apple slices, orange slices and a sprinkle of deep fried minced garlic.  There wasn’t much salad dressing, only the natural juices from the fruits – which I think would have been enough to carry the dish without the fried garlic, as the combination of garlic and fruit juice didn’t quite jive for me.

I enjoyed the drinks immensely – Ribena Selaseh + longan (RM 3.20) on the right and Sirap Selaseh + asam on the left (RM 1.40).  I haven’t really tried any “selaseh” drinks in Malaysia because I don’t see them much on menus so it was fun with the basil seeds.

Overall the cafe has very affordable pricing compared to most of the new cafes in Ipoh.  Food could have been fine tuned but then again, that’s probably why the dishes are priced not as premium.  The atmosphere is enjoyable in an old-schooled way, and the method of cooling is old-schooled way too with fans and only one air conditioner that seems to be working very hard with all the windows open so it was still quite warm when we visited around 6.45 pm.  I didn’t mind the warmth too much but some may find it too warm.  I think the cafe might be at its best at night, when it’s much cooler, and glimmering with all the spherical lamps .

Enjoy more photos below

More Info on Thumb’s Cafe
Address: 133 Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Opening Hours : 6pm – 1 am.  Tuesday – Sunday.  Closed on Mondays.

When I first drove past the Tea Bones Cafe on Hugh Low Street, I thought it was “T Bones” and immediately linked it to a steak house.  When I walked into the cafe, it was very oriental with a strong scent of Chinese herbs,  and obviously no sizzling steak is going to be served.  It was till I saw the menu with bak kut teh, drunken chicken, I realized it is “Tea Bones” and it is a literal translation from the two very crucial ingredients of tea  (“teh”) and bones (“kut”). 

“Poetic” isn’t a typical word to associate bak kut teh with, especially the common places of eating bak kut teh in Ipoh is in the typical kedai kopi places, but it’s a word I thought would be suitable to describe Tea Bones Cafe’s interior – with murals of sceneries, ladies dressed in dynastic costumes, drawn with the techniques of Chinese ink painting.

The soup of the drunken chicken (RM 18) is the best part – potent with the taste of rice wine and ginger, balanced with a sweet note from the goji berries.  The chicken pieces are tender and have soaked up the intense goodness from the soup.

The bak kut teh (RM 11) on the other hand, is just average. The ingredients used are all good with a copious amount of three-layered-meats, intestines and bean curd puffs immersed in a light herbal soup.  It’s too bad that the happy medley’s not communicating with each other where the meats have not taken up the flavors from the herbal soup.

A small bowl of fried “you tiao” (Chinese donuts) accompanies the two dishes.

Simple blanched vegetables are available, RM 4.50 for small and RM 6.50 for large.  The other items on Tea Bones Cafe’s menu include chick kut teh, vinegar pork trotter, chicken curry, wine chicken, eggs and tofu.

Overall, it was a decent dining experience, although ironically, I preferred the drunken chicken instead of the bak kut teh in a cafe where bak kut teh  is supposedto be the star. 

More Info on Tea Bones Cafe  * Non Halal
Address:  No. 95 & 97, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, 30000 Ipoh Perak, Malaysia. (Hugh Low Street).
Opening Hours : Daily 10 am – 3pm.  5pm – 10pm.
Tel: +605 242 8242

Tammy’s Kitchen is buried deep in the residential area in Ipoh Garden East, just a little further up the Citrus Restaurant.  It is unbeknownst to me all these years because the furthest I go in the area is Citrus.  I am glad I found this little gem, thanks to readers who suggested, as Tammy’s Kitchen serves food using all natural ingredients.   

When the salad (RM 10.90) arrived, it didn’t sparkle too much interest because you know, it’s lettuce, chunky cucumbers and tomatoes, so what can be so special about it?  It was the salad dressing that made all the difference – it had a distinctive aroma of olive oil, infused with a blend of ground herbs and balanced by a subtle sour note from the vinaigrette – probably one of the best home-made salad dressings in Ipoh.  The choice of vegetables used though could have been more colorful by adding corn kernels or shredded carrots to enliven the dish more.

The baked spaghetti with salmon (RM 18.90) was super hot, as it came out right from the oven, contained in the original vessel that was used for baking; even conducting some of the heat to the plate underneath it.  Cheesy with salmon chunks and marinara sauce; it was almost perfect if only the shredded cheese could cover the entire surface, preventing the exposed spaghetti from drying out during the baking process.

Gary’s grilled lamb chop (RM 25.90) came in a plateful, almost spilling out of the plate, with two pieces of lamb in proper thickness for grilling.  Charred lightly and not too gamey, there was no doubt in the dish’s execution, though the lamb was a tad dry, perhaps due to a an average grade of lamb used.

The blue berry cheese had a different configuration to standard cheesecakes, with a layer of sponge cake wedged between two blueberry cheese layers.  The cake was mediocre compared to other dishes; the sponge cake was fluffy, but the base was thick and the cheese layers had a faint taste of blueberry which were not too memorable (RM 7.50).

The cafe opened its doors before the influx of boutique cafes in Ipoh so the interior is not as trendy; it’s homey with a touch of Parisian paintings and oil paintings, nonetheless still a pleasant dining place.

Tammy’s kitchen may not top the list in terms of interior decor; it definitely tops the list with the almost flawless preparation of food (excluding the cake) using natural ingredients, and it’s a place for foodies to indulge in western food at reasonable prices.

More Info on Tammy’s Kitchen
7 Hala Bandar Baru Tambun 18, Desa Tambun Indah, Ipoh Perak.
Opening Hours : Wednesday – Sunday.  12 pm – 7.30pm
Tel : +6017 487 3728

With the addition of Nadia Sugar & Spice located in De Garden, there is now a chic halal cafe to hang out in Ipoh.  A mixture of Malay food and western food are served here.

The cafe has 2 seating areas.  The outside section is casual though it was warm when I was there during late afternoon.  The inside is immaculate and bright where light enters from all directions through the huge glass panels.

The cafe oozes a subtle note of English elegance, with the use of flowers, plush chairs and one thing I was surprised to see was napkins, something which goes hand in hand with fine dining.   It was a delicate moment when I wiped off the rendang sauce with a napkin – how often do you get to do that?

The exquisite corner with a bit of lush greens peeping from the garden outside is so apt for hi-tea !

The nasi lemak with chicken rendang (RM 10.90) was homely – where the rice had an energetic scent of lemak (coconut) accompanied with fiery chicken rendang.  I wouldn’t expect any less than this because nasi lemak is Malaysia’s national dish.

My lime juice (RM 4.00) was a substantial glass.

The tuna salad (RM 10.90) was a creative dish, using peanuts (lots of them) to adorn the salad; though it was a bit “complicated” with too many elements.  The peanuts didn’t quite jive with the tuna for me, and the mayonnaise was excessive when there was already lemon juice.  The same salad with no peanuts, no mayonnaise and an additional drizzle of olive oil would have been perfect.

Chocolate muffins were the only desserts available which I didn’t get to try.  But they sure looked good.

Sometimes, I spy on other people’s food, and plan for a next visit (!) The lasagna that was served on the table next to me looked really cheesy and I think I will be back to try Nadia Sugar & Spice’s western menu.  Other items on the menu include various types of spaghetti, chicken chops, burgers/sandwiches, nasi goreng  and noodles (laksa, mee rebus), at an affordable pricing ranging from RM 6.90 – RM 16.90.

More Info on Nadia Sugar & Spice
Address: No 3, G-R-21 (Ground Floor), De Garden, Persiaran Medan Ipoh, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Tel : + 6016 515 0073
Opening Hours : 12 pm – 10 pm.  The cafe is closed one day every week, though the closing day is still undecided at this point of writing.  So call ahead before going.

I’ve passed by Cafe Take a Break VIP Lounge in Ipoh Garden South a few times, and assumed it’s a (dodgy?) bar as there are lots of bars in the area.  At a reader’s recommendation, I gave it a try, and proved that assumptions are never a good thing.

  The owners are definitely travel enthusiasts with the world map and souvenirs like Korean Dolls and Vietnamese dolls on display.

The cafe is travel themed, with many posters of iconic places in the world – New York, Venice, Bangkok, Paris, San Francisco and more.

Seeing Van Gogh’s “Cafe La Nuit” or “Night Cafe” painting made me remembered our trip to Arles, in the southern part of France.  Did you know the cafe was drawn based on an actual cafe that still exists today ?

The Van Gogh Cafe is definitely touristy and a couple of euros more expensive than the surrounding cafes.  Although sometimes even referred to as tourist trap, Gary and I still had some good fun at the cafe.

The “ONA Laksa” (RM 6.90) seemed to be the most interesting on the menu – a specialty from Take a Break VIP Lounge which shares the same parentage as the conventional Penang laksa (my theory).  In pale white, the heavy flavors still reminisce Penang laksa with the use of onions, shredded cucumber and mint leaves.  Without the acidity from the reddish assam, and the tuna fish replacing kampung fish, ONA laksa is milder and a gentler.   Wanting to know about the dish, I said to the staff (owner?) “Your ONA Laksa is pretty unique in white”, she just simply said, yes, it’s our secret recipe – though I have read a much nicer story on other blogs that “ONA” comes from the owners’ names – Ong and Anna.

The cafe has interesting blends of fruit juices and smoothies.  This combination is avocado with passion fruit (RM 8.90) – where the creamy avocado neutralized the acidity of passion fruits, and the passion fruit reduced the richness of avocado, making the combination a fulfilling drink.

The tiramisu (RM 6.90) has its good and bad – rich with essence of coffee, though the base was too hard and the mascarpone part was not too fluffy for this romantic dessert.

The simple seating area.

The cafe opened its doors before the 2012 boutique cafe trend in Ipoh.  It’s not as fashionable as some of the new ones, but the food is definitely much more affordable with both Asian and western selections, ranging from RM 6.90 to RM 15.90.

More Info
Pork Free
Cafe Take a Break VIP Lounge Facebook
Address : 16 Tingkat Taman Ipoh 11, Taman Ipoh Selatan, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
Opening Hours : Daily 10 am – 9 pm
Tel:  +6012 5158970 / +60124518992

With the opening of Burger Camp in Greentown Ipoh, the love for burgers is spreading to Ipoh too with the joint being almost 100% dedicated to burgers.  You will find burgers, burgers and more burgers (with a choice of chicken or beef, or both) served in a basket with of course burgers’ best friend – French Fries.  

The restaurant’s set up is simple with a clean-cut design.

The menu board was intimidating and needed a bit of deciphering at first because I had no clue of whatever was written up there, with the exception of Eggalicious – which obviously would be an egg burger, and A La Funky Fungi – which would be a mushroom burger.

The laminated menu with some explanations came to the rescue and the names do make sense and even quite funny once you understand them.  Freshman Year is the basic burger with meat and standard vegetables like lettuce & tomato; Double Whammy is double portion of meat in the burger and Newly Weds is the marriage between chicken and beef in the burger, and there is more for you to find out.

Kickapoo kept us entertained while we waited for our burgers.

First to arrive was the P3ARL Har-Bur (RM 20.8 with soft drink and fries) – supposedly only available in chicken, and I had also asked chicken but it came with beef patty.  I am not a big fan of beef but since Burger Camp emphasizes on their burgers using Australian Beef – I gave it a try.

The black charcoal burger had a good medley of ingredients with caramalized onions, diced peppers and grilled pineapple though the beef patty was just passable, being rather bland and dull.

The Kamiaz3 burger (RM 20.8 with soft drink and fries)  fared better with a Japanese twist – where a clash of cultural ingredients gave birth to a memorable burger with tenderly grilled chicken fillet complemented by wakame (sea weed) and wasabi mayo.

The burgers can be ordered a la carte (ranging from RM 11.80 to RM17.80), or top up RM5 to make it a set which includes soft drinks and French Fries.

More Info on Burger Camp (Pork Free)
Burger Camp Facebook
Address : 20 Persiaran Green Town 6, Pusat Perdagangan Greetown, 30450 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Tel: +6016531 2958
Opening Hours : Tue – Sun: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm

Ben’s Burger in Ipoh Parade is another new place to try for burger lovers.  The menu is of course a burgers-only menu with some less common burgers like the shrimp burger.  It was a mouth-watering sight when it arrived my table – puffy bread sprinkled with sesame, generous portion of fries and a piece of shrimp was peeping out saying peekaboo.    

The prawns were drizzled with chili sauce and topped with a slice of cheese and two onion rings.  The presentation was flawless though I wish I could say the same about taste.  The shrimps had a fresh crunch but unfortunately the coating of thick batter did not bring out the full beauty of the shrimps.  The fries and the onion rings were lukewarm – lowering the overall satisfaction of the meal.

My friend’s mushroom burger (which I did not get to try) was just average as well.

The dining environment is comfortable with warm hues of yellow and wooden elements.

Ben’s burgers are in the price range of RM 15.90 – 25.90 inclusive of a burger and a choice of French fries or onion rings.  Drink is at an additional RM 4.90.

More Info
Address : Ipoh Parade 105, Jalan Sultan Abdul Jalil, Ipoh, Perak 31400.  (Ground Floor)
Tel : 1700 81 7773
Opening Hours : Daily 10 am – 12 am.

Cafe scenic is set in a vast garden ground with wooden houses and pavilions that give a bit of a kampung aura to the cafe.  The stained glass windows didn’t look too striking when I am looking at it from the outside, yet the effect that it created was a resplendent warmth when I entered the cafe.    

The wheels from the pushcart are great center pieces in various parts of the cafe.

The wheels make lovely chandeliers.  My favorite painting in the cafe is just behind the wheels, with a golden harvesting scene.

The wheel makes pretty unique patterns for the windows too.

The exterior of the cafe doesn’t seem too “scenic” so the “scenic” part must be inside the cafe – appropriately so with lots of paintings and arts on the walls.

Cafe Scenic’s menu embraces the kampung ideology too with a mixture of Malaysian food like laksa, ayam percik with nasi kerabu, nasi gulai ikan kerapu , and western dishes such as pasta, steak and lamb shanks.  Soup & salad range from RM 10 – 18, and mains range from RM 19 – RM 45.

The grilled chicken smothered with rich mushroom sauce that sat atop a bed of French fries was excellent (RM 29).  The lightly peppery skin still sizzled when my knife cut through the slices.  Would have been nice to have a bit more French fries.

The seafood aglio olio (RM 24) was average.  Seafood was fairly fresh but too bad they seemed to have been blanched in water before tossing together with the spaghetti instead of being stir fried with aromatics – I could still taste the water retained in the seafood.  The chili flakes were a bit flat in taste while it did add some prettiness to the dish.

The classic English dessert trifle was very tempting, especially when it is packed in a cute little jar like that (RM 9).  In layers of moist sponge cake, canned fruits, custard and jelly, the taste didn’t wow me too much – I think I would liked it better with the use of fresh fruits and a more natural flavored jelly.

Here are a few more details I like about the cafe – coconut lamp,

and this awesome long seat- it’s subtle, yet all individualistic with all its pores that seem to have a story behind each and every one of them.

More Info
Pork Free
Scenic Cafe Facebook
Address : Lot 49364 Jalan Raja Dihilir (Tambun Road), 30350 Ipoh, Perak
Tel : +605 5488 116
Opening Hours : 11 am – 10.30 pm.  Closed on Wednesdays.

Tittle Tattle Houzz Cafe is a lovely place to enjoy a nice cuppa with its whimsical butterflies and playful atmosphere.    Serving simple pastas, sandwiches and coffee, the pricing is slightly more affordable than other fancy cafes. 

Comfortable sofas and cushy chairs are really inviting.

The patchwork sofa has an old-schooled charm to it.

Seats at the porch.

The cafe has a few fun corners – with a heart made of comic strips behind the ordering counter,

air-conditioners camouflaged in music sheets, scrabble tiles on the wall,

and a mouse’s residence with hanging laundry.

My foamy capuccino (RM 8) was sprinkled with unsweetened chocolate powder that read “TT” (for Tittle Tattle) and I loved the Tiffany blue cup that it came in.

Two unconventional ingredients – creamy guacamole and rice cracker were put together to create an unexpected sparkle (RM 6).  Toasting the rice cracker before serving to make it crispier would have been perfect.

The quiche was also served rather unconventionally in a cup – and hence the name quiche-in-a-mug (RM 8).  It was well balanced with egginess and cheesiness, and it had bacon bits and diced onions that gave an aromatic whiff.

I left Tittle Tattle Houzz Cafe with a 95 % satisfaction – only to realize that I needed to discount the satisfaction 20 minutes later – as I felt quite thirsty, possibly from some MSG being used.  I thought the ingredients used were robust and should be able to stand alone without the help of MSG – I guess a 95 % satisfaction was too good to be true.

More Info
Tittle Tattle Houzz Cafe Facebook
Address : 17, Jalan Medan Ipoh 3, Bandar Baru Medan, Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.
Opening Hours : 11 am – 5 pm.  Closed on Mondays.

Cafe de Eight is located in a small lane in Ipoh old town that exudes a poetic atmosphere.   Its Chinese name is literary too – 8 号咖啡洞 – which translates to “Coffee Cave No. 8″, definitely a name from someone who reads too many books or watch too many movies.  Cafe de Eight is discrete with a tiny little sign and you might even miss is as it is hidden among wholesale stores.  

Besides the “old and chic” motif which is seriously a tad overused by now, Cafe de Eight has added in its own character with books and movie-inspired items and murals.  I think I am probably from the same era as the owner as I am familiar with some of the Chinese books on the shelf- with a mix of romance, thriller and history.

The movie stuff is kind of from my time too. Pulp Fiction painting, posters of Before Sunrise, and Forrest Gump ring a bell ! Only that the Forrest Gump here seems a bit confused about what coffee to drink instead of what to do about his future.

The collage made of 365 pieces of pockets of various colors is the center of attraction.  Each pocket is a particular date (indicated by dates on the x axis and months on the y axis), you drop a piece of postcard in a pocket and that postcard will get sent to the desired address on the desired date in the future.

I like the idea – a nostalgic cafe with a futuristic approach.

Postcards can be purchased from the counter.

Cafe de Eight serves some pretty affordable meals with pastas and burgers from RM 12 – Rm 14, sandwiches from RM 5- 8 and drinks from RM 4 – 12).  I just hope they won’t increase price later on.

I was glad I ordered the pork burger as it was fantastic (RM 14) ! I was expecting either pork patty or pork fillet in the burger – well it was a big chunk of deep-fried pork patty with a crispy crust, all moist and juicy inside, sandwiched with cheese, pineapple and lettuce.

The burger is easily one of the best in town with its secret weapon -crunchy deep fried pork lard.  Definitely will return for the burger.

Non-alcoholic mojito was a good choice with the burger – most likely in the combination of lemon juice, sprite and crushed mint leaves.

Enjoy more photos below :)

More Info
Non – Halal
Cafe de Eight Facebook
Address : No 8., Jalan Koo Chong Kong, Ipoh, Perak.
Tel : +605 241 2758
Opening Hours : Mon – Wed, Fri 10 am – 7 pm (closed on Thursdays), Sat- Sun 8.30 am – 6pm.

Coffee Tag is another new place to enjoy coffee in a simplistic industrial chic outlet in Ipoh Garden South.  Coffee is the main thing here with some adventurous coffee concoctions like durian coffee and nutella coffee.  There are even more choices for coffee than food.  

I had a difficult time trying to decide to go with the durian coffee or nutella coffee (alsoknown as “Naughty” Coffee in Coffee Tag).  In the end, I went with durian because it’s seasonal and nutella will always be waiting.  

Durian coffee (RM 10) is extremely intricate, with flavors of pungent and creamy durian intertwined with a fairly robust coffee brew.

Chicken curry with bread (RM 14) is not too bad.  The bread is sliced delicately with a pleasurable chewy texture, whether eaten on its own, or dipped into the chicken curry and mopping up the curry sauce.   The bread reminisces weakly of a French baguette but it’s not quite there yet as the crust still needs to be crispier.  The curry is a tad too mild with scant chicken pieces.

Banana chocolate chip muffin is all cute and lacey, presented in a cup with alternating blue strips.  It’s light and fluffy, hardly sweet with the chocolate chips being the major contributors of sweetness while almond slices add a crunchy texture.  The banana flavor could have been stronger for this otherwise lovely dessert.

Other seating areas in Coffee Tag.

Overall a pleasant place for coffee which I wold go back again considering their coffees are not too pricey within the range of Rm 5.5 to Rm 10.  The food has plus and minus points with the overall tastes and flavors being too mild.

More Info
Coffee Tag Facebook
Address : Lot 5G, Ipoh Garden Plaza, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Utara, Taman Ipoh Selatan, Ipoh, Perak.
Tel : +605 545 3426
Opening Hours : 10 am – 6pm.  Closed on Wednesdays.

 Chokodok Reggae House Cafe & Backpackers  is an eye catching piece located on Hugh Low Street just opposite the police station.  The facade is painted with representative colors of green, yellow and red, also found in the cafe itself with images of the late, phenomenal Reggae singer Bob Marley.   It’s a halal cafe so it’s good news to our Muslim friends as a good number of cafes in Ipoh are pork free or non-halal.  

With an eclectic mix of DIY wood furniture, bamboo furniture, old-fashioned floor tiles, Chokodok has that chillaxing atmosphere, like the kind you feel when you hear reggae music.

Even the dudes that work there seem to be taking things easy.  It was too bad that there was no reggae music being played to complete the whole reggae mood.

Chokodok serves a mix of Malaysian and Western cuisines like nasi goreng,  nasi kampung, burgers and chicken chop, fairly reasonably priced without any addition charges for tax and service.

I wanted to try the nasi goreng but it was unavailable during my visit so I resorted to the chicken chop (RM 19) which is a decent piece of succulent meat that’s lightly charred and topped with peppery gravy.

Milo (RM 3) can’t go wrong because it’s Milo, but I should have told them no sugar.

I was at the cafe at about 6 pm, which was still quite hot.  Other than that the experience was an enjoyable one.  Looking forward to try the nasi goreng there at night when it’s  much cooler.

Enjoy more photos of the the cafe interior below.

More Info
Halal.
Address : Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Taman Jubilee, 30000 Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia.  (opposite the police station)
Opening Hours :   5.30 pm to 12 am.