This seems to be the most popular English tea house in Tanah Rata, probably because it is referred to by the Lonely Planet. The place has a lovely ambiance, almost English like. On one side, it has a beautiful scenery but on the other side there is a newly constructed monstrosity in the form of a bus terminal. Arrived at the restaurant at it’s peak hour where almost all of the tables are occupied. Service was rather slow at that time.

The T-Cafe Signboard

The apple pie came first. I opt not to take it with ice cream and have the pie as it it. It came on a plate with a sprinkle of icing sugar on the top. Biting in to it, the apple seemed too lumpy and lack sweetness. The apple was rather dry too. Was a little disappointed with the apple pie.

Apple Pie

The fish and chips came next. The fish is very flat and coated with crumbs; I thought I had ordered fish chips. It did not look appealing and it does not taste appealing either. The fries were overdone and lack salt. Had a vegetarian curry next, this was quite good, good combination of spices and it went well with rice and the fruit chutney.

Fish & Chips

Vegetarian Curry

Had a scone for dessert; it came rather well presented. The scones were still hot and crumbled easily and they tasted good. There was enough cream, strawberry jam and butter to go around.

Scones

Rating:

Food 6/10
Service 6/10
Value 6/10

Remarks: Most House Specialty seems to be vegetarian or have vegetarian variations. Would recommend going for House Specialty and avoid those that are not labeled so. For my case, the fish and chips was not a house specialty and everything else was.

Update on Jan 2009: When I went back in December 2008, they now serve Strawberry Scones, which they claim to be the "first in Cameron Highlands". I also tried one of their specialties, Vegetarian Lasagne. It was only average, and the serving is quite small.

Location: Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang

GPS Coordinates: N 04° 28.2540' E 101° 22.7383'

Getting there: At the end of Tanah Rata town, beside the hospital, on top of Marybrown.

Originally published at tasek.net on the 13th of February, 2006. Re-published with permission.