Tarbush Restaurant Genting Highlands طربوش — Restaurant in Pahang

Gosh.. I'd forgotten how much I love Middle Eastern cuisine.

Something about the spices that they use that got me hooked. The myriad of flavours as I sink my teeth into the meat or rice? Heavenly...

Tarbush has a prominent presence in city centre, particularly Bukit Bintang area where Middle Eastern restaurants are mushrooming. Then they opened an outlet in Awana Skyway Station, which you'd definitely notice on your way to the cable car station from GPO. The decor is unmistakably Middle Eastern influenced and we seemed to be the only customers of the day that day 😅 felt like VIP having the whole restaurant to ourselves.

Feeling famished but didn't want to stuff our tummy too much.. we ordered two dishes to try.

◾Hummus Meat - superb warm hummus topped with sliced sauteed lamb and served with complimentary bread. You've got to give it to them for making such a flavourful lamb meat on top of warm hummus - frankly I prefer my hummus to be warm instead of cold. The bread was perfect to spread everything on top before being devoured. ◾Lamb chops served with bread and salad on the side. I'm in love... The lamb meat was packed with all the flavours from the spices plus executed as ordered - medium! This time we skipped the complimentary bread. I'd reckon that it'd be perfect if there was a bottle of red wine. But most Middle Eastern restaurants are alcohol-free and I'm not sure if alcohol is allowed. Oh well... ◾Baklawa - traditional Middle Eastern finger pastries filled with nuts, complimentary from the restaurant. Everything was good.. perfect ending to our meal.

Do let me know if you know any Middle Eastern restaurants that allow alcohol ok? Thank...

Disappointing Experience Despite Good Food Quality ⭐☆☆☆☆

One of the hallmarks of Arabic restaurants is their generosity and warm hospitality — sadly, this was completely missing at this branch.

The food itself was delicious and well-prepared, but the portions were shockingly small for the price. We ordered a mixed grill for four people and received what can only be described as a tasting portion: half a piece of chicken kebab, half a piece of beef kebab, six pieces of shish tawook, and six small grilled meat pieces — all for around $20. For the same amount, you could buy four Big Mac sandwiches with much more meat content.

This was particularly disappointing because I have had excellent experiences at other branches, especially the one at JW Marriott in Kuala Lumpur — one of the best Arabic dining experiences in Malaysia. Based on that, I visited the Genting Highlands branch with high expectations.

Unfortunately, the difference between the two locations is staggering, not just in portion size but also in the overall sense of hospitality and value. At JW Marriott, I ordered nearly double the amount of food and still paid less than what I was charged here. The staff here were not welcoming, and the atmosphere lacked the warmth you expect from an Arabic dining experience.

Again, the food quality was good, but the poor value for money and lack of generosity left a bad impression. For us, generosity is part of the culture — even if the price is higher, you expect a sense of abundance and respect for the guest.

Would not recommend this branch,...

nice environment, decoration is very nice👍BUT cashier isnt friendly at all. didnt get my full order and didnt get my MAIN order. at first when ordering, the waiter nods AS HE UNDERSTAND AND received all our order lol. we only get our drinks and dessert (khunafa) wait for almost 30mins and the cashier doesnt even ask if we need anything and what not. how are we supposed to know if our the cashier didnt get our order?? very bad manners. price expensive totally not worth it. dessert small portion rm25. total i eat 1 main dish, 1 dessert, 4 drinks total rm159.50. our main dish is kabshah pot, rm65 yes can eat with 4 portion but no one get extra or can add more for second plate. meanwhile the meat? i barely can count it. i dont even want to order other dish cs i've been waiting for TOO long. also when i want to pay the bill, i asked the cashier if he understand english (since he looks blur and maybe he's arab or pakistani? im not sure), i told him and advice him to repeat the order for other customers so it can be double confirm and he has the audacity to throw attitude, (from impression also can see that he is mad or annoyed with us) hello im just giving u advice?? u lucky to get me as customers and not some old random karen yelling and what not. when he want to give the bills also he tarik kuat kuat like he's angry -.- u think people will go again if u got cashier attitude...