For those who have not set foot in Langkawi in a while, and are planning for great culinary adventure on the island, you are in for a treat.
Make yourselves welcome at Pantai Tengah, just south of Pantai Cenang, at the south-west tip of main island of Langkawi. Pantai Tengah today now hosts trendy, unique up-and-coming restaurants and bars.
The night is always young in this district. When asked “Where can I go for a great dinner?”, or “What can I do later tonight?” the answer just might be “Head to Pantai Tengah”.
And off with a steady piece of this action is Sungroup of Langkawi (http://www.sungroup-langkawi.com), boasting the best and trendiest eatery and bars ever to hit this island. An enticing variety of restaurants under this chain is Sun Café, Matahari Malay Restaurant, Sunvillage Grill and Sunsutra. For a night of lounging or chilling, head to Sunba Retro Bar or Sunkarma Chillout Lounge.
And let’s not forget other remarkable establishments under the Sungroup chain. There is the very beautiful and secluded boutique resort Sunset Beach Resort, aside from the Sunflower Handicrafts Shop for you to peruse for that souvenir to take home.
Let’s check out their individual styles and identity.
All Day Dining at Sun Café - http://www.sungroup-langkawi.com/suncafe
Sun Café will become your favorite place to have great food all day everyday. Boasting (and quite frankly, tales have been told) of great service and atmosphere, the truth lies not far behind. Indeed, Sun Café has a casual feel about it, allowing you to be comfortable in shorts and flip-flops. The selection of dishes is superb, both in presentation and taste – and does not choke you budget-wise.
Have a try of their house specialty, the Grilled Fillet of Barracuda. The sweet and lemony taste of the grilled Barracuda atop sautéed spinach and cream sauce is simply delicious with potato gratin at the side. To finish off the meal, try the succulent and creamy Crème Brulee for dessert. You won’t be disappointed.
Another unique feature to Sun Cafe is its open-air concept for a restroom area. Within a short distance, along a nicely landscaped walkway, you will get to see and utilize this amazing his-hers toilets overlooking the same glass pond. You might ask, “How is that possible?”. It is possible, and it is an out of this world experience!
Tasting Tradition at Matahari Malay Restaurant - http://www.sungroup-langkawi.com/matahari
This is Sungroup’s award-winning restaurant, serving authentic Malay cooking by local kampung (read: village) ladies. A favorite Langkawi eatery for foreign and local tourists, you will experience a blend of local herbs and spices in their specialty platter called Nasi Campur Kampung. The selection of dishes in this platter is delicious, and might even be a new experience for Malaysian or regional guests.
This restaurant is set in an amazing landscaped property, along with its sibling restaurant, the Sunvillage Grill.
‘It’s So Fresh!’ Seafood at Sunvillage Grill Restaurant - http://www.sungroup-langkawi.com/sunvillage
Famous for its freshly caught seafood, this restaurant offers guests outdoor patio dining or under a large gazebo. The variety of dishes and accompaniment is scrumptious and very tasty, and are prepared made to your order. If seafood isn’t your choice of ‘meat’, try the chicken and beef tenderloin dishes. They look so mouth-watering, accompanied with vegetables and potato salad.
Repeat customers have returned to enjoy more of what this delectable eatery has to offer. Open from 6.00pm to midnight, every night, your Langkawi dining experience is sure to be a satisfying and full one.
Sunsutra’s Unique Dining Experience - http://www.sungroup-langkawi.com/sunsutra
A unique restaurant, reviewed as avant-garde for its cuisine and settings, Sunsutra offers a great atmosphere for dining. Open from 6pm to midnight, this restaurant is where you should head for a delectable 3-course meal. Be comfortable in its open-air concept restaurant, where you might even sit in a table and look up to see stars in a clear night sky.
Dishes are competitively priced, with acceptable portions that are superbly presented. Sunsutra claims the best dessert experience you can ever imagine – their Chocolate Lava Cake. With a warm, melted chocolate core in chocolate cake, this is the dessert that will make you come back for more.
Fun, Adventurous Night at Sunba Retro Bar - http://www.sungroup-langkawi.com/sunba
They claim, the night is still young when you come through Sunba’s rustic doors. Oh Boy, you are in for an adventure! The staff is so friendly, so engaging; you’ll feel right at home and come by again the next evening.
There’s lively retro (the 60s to the 80s) music played by the resident DJ and when you’re in at the right time, a live local band will groove you with raw musical talent. Sunba Retro Bar isn’t just hailed to be a favorite place to head after dinner, it simply IS the place to be!
Friends gather together for drinks, have fun, relax and unwind. The pool table seems to be a popular retreat for some ‘Let’s Beat ‘Em’ healthy games and the bar is so inviting, you’ll want to sit there and lounge all night. Another great feature of Sunba, the interior resembles old Malay traditional village houses from yesteryears, even the décor of its restrooms. You’ll be struck by its contrast to the fun you’ll experience within Sunba’s walls.
Chilling Out at Sunkarma - http://www.sungroup-langkawi.com/sunkarma
Music in the background: Modern chill-out music. Choice of décor, furniture and artwork: Modern and contemporary. Initial reaction: Cool and amazing hangout place!
This chill-out bar is the place to head for a night to unwind and relax with friends. Come over for great conversation and drinks, be it coffee or wine, and enjoy it outdoors at the patio area or indoors at the cool black sofas or the bar. Sunkarma will become a favorite place of yours to unwind till midnight.
Privacy, Seclusion and Beauty at Sunset Beach Resort - http://www.sungroup-langkawi.com/sunset
If you are returning to Langkawi for holiday or vacation, forget checking into those 5-star resorts or hotels. Opt for a more ‘Closer to Home’ environment. A place you won’t feel like just an ordinary hotel guest.
Instead, choose the intimate setting of Sunset Beach Resort in Pantai Tengah. The moment you arrive, the reception staff will make you feel so welcome, you’ll be smiling with anticipation of your entire stay. You’ll feel like part of the family already.
You’ll have a lovely stretch of private, secluded beach to lounge and enjoy the Andaman Sea. A great complimentary breakfast is made for your day, available from 8 to 11am. And housekeeping will be a great service to you, making your stay a cherished occasion.
Enjoy the public open-air concept loo and shower area. You’ll be captivated by its artful design and style. In fact, the whole compound is captivating – lush tropical trees with fragrant flowers, winding walkways, and lotus ponds – a tropical paradise! You will never regret a minute of your stay, and will surely hope to return once you head home.
For That Special Souvenir to Take Home - http://www.sungroup-langkawi.com/sunflower
Saving the best for last, a visit to Sunflower Handicrafts Shop is a must. You will find two of these sibling shops at Sunmall area (next to Sun Café) and at the Sunvillage compound. Open from 3pm till midnight, you’ll have ample time to walk along the shop aisles for a special gift to bring home.
Sunflower Handicrafts at Sunvillage is housed in a traditional wooden structure. So, true to its exterior, the objects found within follow the same natural flow. Wood carvings and masks, lovely fabric of throws and cushion covers, diningware and cutleries are items to be found. Incense is a popular item, and can be found in soothing scents like Sandalwood, Rose and Frangipani.
Sunflower Handicrafts at Sunmall has a more contemporary, modern look and feel to it. Bright colors lure you in, and the crafts you’ll find are very modern and exotic. There’s silver, pearl, glass, bamboo, wood – objects can be miniscule in size, or up to art that will be checked onboard as an oversized item.
Whichever Sunflower outlet you visit, you will find that special souvenir you just have to bring home. A remembrance of your long-awaited trip to Langkawi.
For more information on Sungroup of Langkawi, please visit http://www.sungroup-langkawi.com.
Ani Razale is a freelance SEO copywriter for Stampede Design of Malaysia ( www.stampede-design.com).