Perhentian food and drink: restaurants, bars and Long Beach

Where to eat and drink

Long Beach (Pasir Panjang), Perhentian Kecil

Wikivoyage says Long Beach has no hawker stalls and only one buffet, breakfast at Bubu’s¹. It also warns that Long Beach restaurants are slow, taking 30 minutes to 1.5 hours¹ to bring food.

BuBu Resort’s on-site restaurant, Santai Seafood Restaurant (Santai), serves European and Asian food¹⁰. Other Long Beach places in the table below include Daniela Cafe, A’da Cafe Long Beach, Adawiyah cafe long beach, Monkey Hut Cafe & Bed, Mimie’s Shop and Panorama Chalet. OhLaLa Divers’ PADI Travel listing says its packages include a food and alcohol voucher for its bistro¹¹.

Coral Bay, Perhentian Kecil

Wikivoyage says Coral Bay has a few restaurants¹. Ombak Cafe, Ocean Boys Cafe and Rose and Sunset are on that side of the island.

Fishermen’s Village, Perhentian Kecil

Medan Selera, right next to the Fisherman Village pier, has a dozen or so stalls¹ serving cheap local food. Yatie Kitchen, Warung Pak Jokong, MARIS at Perhentian, Amanda Cafe and Azilla cafe are in the village too.

Golden Sand Beach

Wikivoyage describes Rosemary Cafe on Golden Sand Beach as a beachside restaurant established in 2010¹.

Perhentian Besar

Besides the roti canai and banana fritters above, Wikivoyage says the night-time BBQ fish at Mama’s Restaurant¹ is not to be missed. On the west coast, the table lists Phim Cafe, Nia Cafe, Cozy Chalet Restaurant, Hi RelaxAtion, Beach kiosk and The Barat Perhentian. Fauna Café and Moonlit Cafe are at Teluk Dalam.

Resort restaurants and meal packages

Many of the smaller resorts only offer meals as part of an all-inclusive package¹. Mimpi Perhentian’s RASA restaurant serves a daily buffet breakfast, and western and local food at lunch and dinner¹². Mimpi’s 3 Days 2 Nights¹³ Exploration Package includes three meals a day¹³ and one snorkelling trip by boat¹³.

See packages that include meals, or book a full-board resort package on Klook. To pick a base near the food you want, compare the resorts on the Perhentian Islands.

Practical

Paying: bring cash

Tuna Bay Island Resort says the islands run mostly on cash, with no ATM¹⁶. It says most restaurants, boat taxis and shops take only cash¹⁶. Wikivoyage says few places accept credit cards¹, and some add a 3–6% surcharge¹, so ask before you order.

BuBu accepts cash, Visa and Mastercard¹⁷. Alunan Resort takes Visa and Mastercard at reception². Abdul’s Chalet adds 3%¹⁸ to card payments.

Alunan Resort tells guests to withdraw cash at Kota Bharu Airport or in Jerteh, which is 20 minutes² by car or taxi from Kuala Besut Jetty. Tuna Bay warns that the ATM at the 7-Eleven near the jetty can run out of cash¹⁹. The booking site pulauperhentian.com.my says the nearest bank to the jetty is 1 km away²⁰, near the bus stand. Plan that stop into getting there.

On Kecil, cash advances are available at Bubu Long Beach Resort and Senja Bay Resort on Coral Bay¹, both charging 10%¹. Change travellers cheques on the mainland: Wikivoyage says no one seems to change them¹ on the islands.

The New Straits Times reported in June 2026²¹ that 63 traders²¹ on Perhentian could accept cashless payments. Bernama reported on 28 June 2026²² that Agrobank had introduced DuitNow QR payments. Agrobank said more than 60²² merchants were ready, which is not proof that any given shop takes QR.

Agrobank planned an ATM and cash deposit machine as early as July 2026²¹, at the Fire and Rescue Department premises²¹. No report confirming installation was found. Agrobank also runs agent banking through a local trader²¹, so tourists can withdraw cash.

Monsoon and seasonal closures

The islands have a heavy monsoon from November to February³. Wikivoyage says many restaurants and all shops close¹ in the off-season. Most resorts are usually closed from the end of October to the end of February²⁰, the booking site pulauperhentian.com.my says.

BuBu closes its properties every year from 1 November to 28 February¹⁷. Tuna Bay Island Resort says the island is closed from November to early March²³. In November 2019²⁴, the Terengganu Tourism Department said all but four²⁴ Perhentian resorts had been closed since October.

For the weather side of this, see monsoon closures month by month.

Ramadan and eating in the daytime

Awal Ramadan, the first day of Ramadan, is listed for Monday 8 February 2027²⁵. eCentral gives the same date²⁶. Hari Raya Puasa, at the end of Ramadan, falls on 10 and 11 March 2027²⁵. Both dates are subject to change²⁵. Ramadan lasts 29–30 days²⁷, and its exact dates depend on local astronomical observations.

During Ramadan, nothing, including water, is supposed to pass the lips from dawn to sunset²⁷. Wikivoyage says many restaurants in Malaysia close in the daytime²⁷, and most stay closed until the fast breaks at dusk²⁷. Non-Muslims are exempt from the fast but should avoid eating or drinking in public²⁷, and are expected to be considerate of those fasting²⁷.

Terengganu’s state government monitors eateries to stop sales of food to Muslims who aren’t fasting²², including non-Muslim eateries²⁸. Traders must keep to the set operating hours²². Breaking the law carries a RM3,000 fine²² and two years’ imprisonment²². A 2024²⁹ CNN report says Muslims caught eating in the daytime face fines of up to RM1,000²⁹. Non-Muslims selling them food during fasting hours can also be penalised²⁹.