Guide to the Best Things to Eat, See & Do in Ipoh
Photo Credits: @nazsyash
Ipoh is Malaysia's charming sleepy town with an exciting food, culture, and arts scene. Besides good old Ipoh white coffee, tau fu fah, and murals, Ipoh is also home to beautiful limestone karst mountains, caves, and serene hot springs.
Whether you're craving adventure or relaxation, you're bound to find something up your alley here. Check out our guide to the best things to do in Ipoh, including must-visit attractions and the best restaurants, cafes, and local food in town!
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How to go to Ipoh
Planning for a short getaway to Ipoh? Good news! 🤩 You only need to take a 1-hour flight from Singapore or you can also take a private car charter to Ipoh if you are heading there from Singapore or extending your holiday from other parts of Malaysia!
Must-visit spots
1. Concubine Lane & Market Lane
Photo Credits: @ronantjw
These two vibrant streets are must-visits when in Ipoh. Stroll through alleys lined with cute boutique shops, laid-back cafes, dessert spots, and walls splashed with murals and street art.
Photo Credits: @cocoleekaher
Get your camera ready to snap pictures against the many pretty backdrops here, and keep your eyes peeled in case you come across shops of your liking - you can get anything from knick-knacks to local snack souvenirs, tau fu fah, rainbow cheese toast, and ice cream along the streets.
2. Kong Heng Square
Photo Credits: @gina.phillips
Photo Credits: @rafidaaaaaaaah
Located within walking distance from Concubine Lane, Kong Heng Square is a rustic, charming space that is home to a handful of eateries (including the anchor restaurant, Plan B cafe), fashion boutiques, and trinket shops. The area was previously an abandoned space but has since been rejuvenated into a fun and trendy hangout in the heart of Ipoh. Most people pop by to check out the Kong Heng Square Artisan Market where you can find booths and little stalls selling souvenirs, crafts, food, and more!
- Address: 75a, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
3. BookXcess Kong Heng
Photo Credit: @keesymh
Nestled in Kong Heng Square, BookXcess Kong Heng only opened its doors in April 2019 and has since become a lovely addition to the quirky area. What makes it so unique is that this space used to be home to one of Ipoh's busiest banks! Lovingly transformed into a brand-new bookstore, books are today placed within the old bank's vaults and safety deposit boxes.
Much of the bank's elements that date back to the 1980s remain preserved in their original state, providing visitors with a unique browsing experience.
- Address: 91, Jalan Sultan Yusof, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
4. Yasmin Ahmad Museum
Photo Credits: @jelajournal
For those who've watched (and love) the films directed by the late Yasmin Ahmad, consider popping by the Yasmin Ahmad Museum, a small, unconventional museum (currently located in the basement of BookXcess Kong Heng) built with the aim to educate and inspire visitors to create films and commercial scripts of their own, just like Yasmin did. While it's a small space, it's filled with nostalgic poetry, films, and photography - you can easily spend an hour here just taking everything in.
- Address: 91, Jalan Sultan Yusof, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
5. Mural-spotting across Ipoh Old Town
Photo Credits: @dhnshg
Ipoh's old buildings were beautified with a series of unique, local-style murals by Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic in 2014. His masterpieces are dotted across the town, in stray alleys, and at the back of buildings. Obtain a map from the Tourist Information Centre that will show you where to find them!
Here are some of our favourites you shouldn't miss:
- Kopi O Ikat Tepi (carpark on Jalan Tun Sambanthan)
- Old Uncle Drinking Coffee (opposite Ipoh Tourist Information Centre)
- Man With Trishaw (at the corner of Jalan Market)
- Yellow Hummingbird (on Jalan Panglima)
- Kids Riding Paper Plane (on Jalan Tun Sambanthan)
6. Lost World of Tambun
Photo Credits: @zahidahzulkiffli_
Those who have a soft spot for theme parks should not miss out on Lost World of Tambun when in Ipoh! Known as one of the best family-friendly attractions in Malaysia, Lost World of Tambun offers a wide range of indoor and outdoor activities and rides set amidst beautiful natural landscapes.
Scream your lungs out on the roller coaster, have an hour-long soak in the hot springs, and float down the lazy river. We recommend dedicating a full day to explore all that the park has to offer! You can also stay till night to watch the space transform into something different after nightfall, complete with fire performances and a mysterious luminous forest.
- Address: 1, Persiaran Lagun Sunway, Sunway City, 31150 Ipoh, Perak
7. Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat
Photo Credits: @kylieewongg (Instagram)
Photo Credits: @qcy_seeteing (Instagram)
Not a fan of theme parks? Opt to relax and rejuvenate in the arms of nature instead. The Banjaran Hotsprings Retreat is a peaceful health and fitness sanctuary nestled in a 22.7-acre valley surrounded by limestone caves that have been standing proud for over 400 million years.
Get yourself a day pass that will give you access to all the facilities at the retreat without having to spend a night here. This includes the beautiful geothermal hot springs dipping pools, steam cave, crystal cave, ice bath, freeform swimming pool, and more.
8. Gunung Lang Recreational Park
Photo Credits: @johnlmc_
Gunung Lang Recreational Park is located 5km from Ipoh town and is an otherworldly limestone area with unique limestone formations that provide a scenic backdrop for photos. There's a beautiful lake, lookout towers offering great views of nature, a cascading waterfall, as well as other facilities like a playground, campsite, and a mini zoo! Put on your comfortable shoes and head over for an adventure amidst nature.
- Address: Jalan Damai, 30100 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
9. Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village
The Qing Xin Ling Leisure and Cultural Village is a somewhat hidden gem in Ipoh. Its name translates to "serene hill" in Mandarin, and the vibe and landscape of the area definitely live up to the name it was given.
This recreational park offers a range of fun activities suited for people of all ages, you can ride around the park on a trishaw or bicycle, take photos at art installations scattered all over the space, marvel at antiques on display, have a picnic, make a wish at an ancient Banyan tree, and more. We'd recommend allocating at least two hours of your time for a calming and enjoyable visit.
- Address: 22A, Persiaran Pinggir Rapat 5a, Taman Saikat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
10. Kellie's Castle
Photo Credits: @ynn.b
Photo Credits: @ryanmohamad
Continue your exploration by popping by Kellie's Castle, a famous Ipoh attraction that is a combination of beauty, mystery, and tragedy. The castle was built by a Scottish planter for his beloved wife (just like the story behind the Taj Mahal!) but was unfortunately left unfinished following his death. This castle's grounds have raised mystery over the years, three secret tunnels were discovered, and there have been spooky tales and rumours of supernatural sightings here.
- Address: 31000 Batu Gajah, Perak
11. Gua Tempurung
Photo Credits: @hannahliliplatt
If you're up for more adventure, head to Gua Tempurung next! This cave is one of the largest limestone caves in Peninsular Malaysia, located in Gopeng, approximately 24km south of Ipoh. It is popular amongst caving enthusiasts and you can join in a range of tours of varying lengths and difficulties. The cave is made up of large domes, a narrow river passage, huge chambers, and some fantastic rock formations that can only be found in this part of the world.
- Address: Pusat Pelancongan Gua Tempurung, 31600 Gopeng, Negeri Perak
12. Sam Poh Tong Temple
Photo Credit: @hanlibubu
Located slightly out of town on the southern edge of Ipoh, Sam Poh Tong Temple is a beautiful cave temple set within a natural limestone hill. It is said to be one of the biggest cave temples in Malaysia and was discovered by a Buddhist monk from China in 1912.
Explore the beautifully decorated pavilion, carefully landscaped garden, large fish pond, and an altar area available for prayers, and climb up a fleet of stairs to get an open view of Ipoh from the top! Besides Sam Poh Tong Temple, you can also check out other cave temples in Ipoh such as Perak Cave Temple, Kek Lok Tong, and Ling Sen Tong Temple.
- Address: Kampung Gunung Rapat, 31350 Ipoh, Perak
Day Trips destinations & pit stops close to Ipoh
13. Gopeng
Photo Credits: @hijauadventures
Gopeng is Perak's former tin-mining town located just 17km (a 30-minute drive) southeast of Ipoh. This laid-back town is perfect for nature lovers who're up for exploring its majestic rainforests, rivers, caves, and limestone cliffs.
Go white water rafting at the Kampar River, hike the thrilling Bukit Batu Putih, or learn about the history of Gopeng at the Gopeng Museum which houses over 300 antiques from the town's tin mining glory days.
14. Taiping
Photo Credit: @beerforbreakfastvlogs || 📍 Taiping Lake Gardens
Photo Credit: @virus1119 || 📍 Taiping Lake Gardens
Taiping is the second-largest city in Perak, often overshadowed by Ipoh yet offering just as much to see and do. This charming old town is blessed with well-preserved colonial architecture, historical buildings, fine gardens, the oldest hill resort in the country, and even the oldest museum in Peninsular Malaysia.
Pop by Taiping for a relaxing time at the Taiping Lake Gardens, befriend over 1,200 animals at the Taiping Zoo, visit the 89-year-old Antong Coffee Mill, and marvel at the iconic Taiping Clock Tower.
Best cafes, restaurants & local food in Ipoh
15. Nam Heong White Coffee
Photo Credits: @nxwxxjxx
Start your day right with some egg tarts and Ipoh white coffee at the rustic Nam Heong White Coffee Shop! This humble kopitiam is one of the pioneers of Ipoh white coffee and is the inspiration behind the now-popular Old Town White Coffee.
The coffee here is foamy and has a great balance of sweetness and bitterness - pair it with some egg tarts or kaya and butter toast for some simple goodness.
- Address: 2, Jalan Bandar Timah, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
16. New Hollywood Canning Garden (halal)
Photo Credits: @nazsyash
This is the best place to get halal, authentic Chinese food in Ipoh. New Hollywood Canning Garden is known for its Hong Kong chee cheong fun made fresh with juicy prawns or chicken. Other yummy dishes here include wonton noodles, cakoi, and curry mee. Make sure to come by early before the crowd builds up, or be ready to wait in line for a seat!
- Address: Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh, Perak
17. Funny Mountain Tau Fu Fah
Photo Credits: @mafara86
Tau fu fah (soya beancurd) is a must-have dessert when in Ipoh! It is said that the tau fu fah here is made with spring water in Ipoh, giving it its unique taste and texture. Our favourite spot to satisfy our tau fu fah cravings is Funny Mountain, a family-run store that has been serving good old tau fu fah for over 60 years. You can even "drive-thru" to get your tau fu fah and enjoy it in your car!
- Address: 50, Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakri, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
18. Kedai Biskut Sin Eng Heong
Photo credit: @solycutema
Photo credit: @solycutema
Don't leave Ipoh without getting some kaya puffs from Sin Eng Heong! Sin Eng Heong is one of the oldest biscuit shops in Ipoh that has been around for 60 years now. Their legendary kaya puffs (fondly known as Kaya Kok by the locals) are sweet, flaky, and baked fresh daily with traditional baking methods.
Besides kaya puffs, you can also get your hands on other snacks and pastries such as sesame balls, peanut candy, siew bao, and biscuits filled with pandan paste, bean paste, red beans, and meat floss.
- Address: 64, Jalan Mustapha Al-Bakry, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak.
19. Kedai Kopi Yong Suan (halal)
Photo Credits: @amsyarzakwan
Nasi Ganja is technically Nasi Kandar, a term coined by the locals because it's so addictive. Start your day with the best nasi ganja in town at Kedai Kopi Yong Suan, a rustic coffee shop that has been in business for over 60 years. Though it gets crowded here sometimes, service is quick and efficient so don't worry too much if you spot a long queue (in fact, most people in line are actually there to bungkus their meal). Enjoy a hearty plate of nasi ganja with ayam merah, salted egg, veggies, and topped with flavourful curries.
- Address: 2, Jalan Yang Kalsom, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
20. Ipoh Tuck Kee Restaurant 德记炒粉专门店
Photo credit: @karhingc
Be prepared for a queue here as Restoran Tuck Kee is a half-a-century old restaurant that is almost always crowded with hungry patrons. The signature dish here is definitely the Yu Kong Hor (also known as Moonlight Hor Fun) which is arguably the best in town and a must-try when in the vicinity. You can also order other bestsellers such as War Tan Hor Fun, braised chicken feet, baby octopus in soy sauce, fried bee hoon, and more to complete your wholesome meal.
- Address: 61, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Taman Jubilee, 30300 Ipoh, Perak
21. Paris Restaurant Hakka Mee
Photo credit: @paulynzz.j
Indulge in a bowl of simple yet delicious hakka mee at Paris Restaurant located along Hugh Low Street - the springy noodles here are topped with minced meat and typically served with a side of yong tau foo. Customize your bowl of yong tau foo by taking your pick from a selection of items such as meatballs, stuffed tofu, and fried beancurd skin! If you're looking for a yummy, affordable meal that even the locals would recommend, here's the spot to be.
- Address: 190, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, Taman Jubilee, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
22. Thean Chun Coffee Shop 天津茶室
Photo Credit: @gnilray
Photo Credit: @kyutogary
Thean Chun Coffee Shop is another popular restaurant for a taste of good local food. Dishes to order here include chicken kuey teow soup noodles (also known as Kai See Hor Fun), satay, chee cheong fun, and their iconic egg caramel custard (apparently so smooth it'll melt in your mouth). It's best to come by with your friends or family so you can order a bit of everything to share!
- Address: 73, Jalan Bandar Timah, 31650 Ipoh, Perak
23. Mee Kari Kak Yah (halal)
Photo Credits: @fidzhamzah
Restoran Mee Kari Kak Yah is a popular halal breakfast spot in Ipoh, loved for its wide variety of yummy food choices. Whether you're craving for mee kari, bihun sup, cheong fun, nasi lemak, roti bakar, or kuih-muih, you'll find something for you at this humble restaurant. Come here hungry and leave with a satisfied tummy!
- Address: Jalan Jelapang Selatan 1, Kampung Tengku Husin Hujong, 30020, Ipoh
24. Lou Wong Bean Sprout Chicken
Photo Credits: @breadetbutter
End your day on a yummy note by feasting on some fragrant chicken rice at Lou Wong Bean Sprout Chicken. This is one of the most popular chicken rice places in Ipoh! If you're a taugeh (bean sprouts) lover, make sure you order a big plate of taugeh to enjoy with your chicken rice. You can also opt for hor fun (flat white noodles) if you prefer that over rice.
Other popular bean sprout chicken spots in Ipoh include Yoon Kee Bean Sprouts Chicken, Cowan Street Ayam Tauge & Koitiau, and Restoran Onn Kee Tauge Ayam.
- Address: 49, Jalan Yau Tet Shin, Taman Jubilee, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
24. Purple Moon Lover Cafe
Photo credit: @evalc_25
Photo credit: @moppity
Purple Moon Lover is crowned one of the prettiest cafes in Ipoh (unofficially, by us *winks*). Besides a minimalist, white-themed interior paired with huge floor-to-ceiling windows, you'll find a beautifully maintained garden that's perfect for taking that #OOTD shot.
Photo credit: @eileen_eats_alot
The cafe specializes in super cute mini cakes available in various adorable designs - our personal favourite is definitely the Totoro-shaped Black Sesame Mousse. Savoury items on their menu are mostly Japanese dishes such as curry rice, chicken katsu udon, ramen, teriyaki chicken set, and more.
- Address: 53, Jalan Lee Kwee Foh, Taman Canning, 31400 Ipoh
25. Platf9rm Coffee Café
Photo credit: @missharon
Photo credit: @dylahamzah
Fans of Harry Potter, you'll definitely not want to miss out on this cafe when in Ipoh. Tucked away in Concubine Lane, Platf9rm Coffee Cafe has attracted throngs of fans since its opening, all thanks to its dreamy interior that looks straight out of a Harry Potter movie (our personal favourite photo spot is the Diagon Alley window front!). They even provide props such as wands, broomsticks, and books for you to take photos with.
Photo credit: @platf9rmipoh
While you're there, make sure to get yourself a glass of butterbeer made with a delicious combination of caramel and butterscotch (0% alcohol, 100% halal!) - perfect for beating the heat.
- Address: 22, Lorong Panglima, Concubine Ln, 30000 Ipoh, Negeri Perak
26. Fujiwara Tofa Shop
Photo Credit: @paulynzz
Photo Credit: @paulynzz
There aren't many themed cafes in Ipoh, but besides the Harry Potter cafe listed above, Fujiwara Tofa Shop was the second themed cafe that made waves upon its opening. Themed after the famous Japanese street racing manga series Initial-D, Fujiawara Tofa Shop pays homage to tau fu fah, the iconic Chinese dessert that Ipoh is known for.
The shop opened its doors in October 2020 in the midst of the pandemic and is definitely worth a visit if you love cars, tau fu fah, the Initial-D series, or all of the above. The tau fu fah at Fujiwara Tofa Shop is made fresh daily and they also sell a variety of other food, snacks, and beverages.
- Address: Palo 101 Lot 189-E, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
27. Seong Man Teahouse
Photo credit: @hannathediva
Looking for a relaxing spot to enjoy a cup of tea with your friends or family? Seong Man Teahouse is a hidden gem with a vintage, oriental charm and zen vibes. The teahouse specializes not just in tea but also vegetarian dishes.
Photo credit: @yunapng_
Cool down with humble bites such as steamed red bean cake, chilled bowls of tang yuan, agar jelly, and home-baked cheesecake. They also offer a variety of vegetarian mains such as stews, rice sets, noodles, and more.
- Address: 124, Jalan Sultan Iskandar 30000 Ipoh, Perak
28. De Cafe & Rest House
Photo credit: @decafeandresthouse
Photo credit: @decafeandresthouse
Photo credit: @decafeandresthouse
De Cafe & Rest House is sorta a hidden gem in Ipoh - you'll have to walk through an unasssuming narrow alley to get here. All the cakes at the cafe are home-baked with love by the owner and taste as good as they look - we heard they also have weekly specials, so you might be caught by surprise everytime you come here. Space-wise the cafe is brightly-lit, rustic, and spacious, with a collection of different-sized tables, including a huge one that can fit up to eight pax in case you're travelling with a big group.
- Address: 35, Jalan Sultan Iskandar, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
29. Patisserie BoutiQue
Photo credit: @kahonnlee1015
Patisserie BoutiQue has been around for a while but is still a popular and iconic cafe that's centrally located in Ipoh Old Town. Satisfy your sweet tooth with highly-raved desserts such as berry lychee pavlova cake, oreo matcha cheesecake, caramel chocolate velvet cake, vanilla caneles, and more.
Photo credit: @tiffanyyliew
They also offer sandwiches and mains such as pasta and big breakfast. Do note though that the cafe is almost always full due to its popularity and limited seating, so make sure you call in advance to place a reservation!
- Address: 103, Jalan Sultan Yusuff, 30000 Ipoh, Perak
30. Asow Eatery Station
Photo Credit: @shyechean
Seek some calm and tranquility at Asow Eatery Station, the first glasshouse cafe in Ipoh. The cafe looks like a plant nursery on the outside and is well-decorated with hanging greens, a brick-wall backed counter, and huge glass windows on the inside.
Photo Credit: @valvieding
They've got a pretty good selection of food and beverages on their menu, great for tea time, a coffee break, or even a full-fledged lunch or dinner.
- Address: PT 188913 Jalan Tambun Baru, Ampang Baru 6, Ampang Baru New Village, Ipoh, Perak
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