James Brooke Bistro & Cafe — Restaurant in Sarawak

Did actually think a lot about whether to dine here because I was actually more interested in trying local food than dine in a western restaurant, but actually in Kuching the options at night are rather limited as most of the local place close very early. I had a look at the menu and saw some interesting options so decided to give it a try. Located along the promenade and a very convenient location, though its quite dark at night you couldn't see much happening at the promenade other than people. Service of the staff could be improved. Was a little slow getting them to take orders. One walked to me to say he would come take my order and he forgot. The other I asked for recommendations and he just said don't know. There were a few different kinds of laksa, and I just went with my gut feel to randomly pick one. The other was the dish which made me sat down was the sweet potato fries. And I also ordered a lemongrass drink. First came the lemongrass drink. Tasted pretty okay but for 15RM its definitely on the expensive side. Then came the laksa and bang, it was exactly the flavours I liked and they really executed it very well with the right taste and the right noodles. Very satisfying bowl of noodles and because it was so satisfying it was value for the money. The sweet potato fries was a little disappointing. Didn't expect them to sprinkle black pepper on top of the fries, which tasted so weird and they gave me tomato sauce as a dip. Looked like they cut a whole sweet potato and it was just too much for me after the bowl of noodles. That bowl of laksa saved the meal else the rating might have been even lower. If you ask me that might be one of the best bowls of laksa I have tasted in Kuching. Hits and misses but overall satisfying meal. It would be worth a 3.5...

We recently visited James Brooke Bistro & Cafe and had a mixed dining experience. The cafe boasts a variety of menu featuring both local and Western dishes. However, I found the prices to be somewhat overpriced, especially considering the overall quality and taste of the food, which didn’t quite live up to expectations for the premium cost. Tourists may found it great, but there are better restaurants around for real local Sarawak cuisine with reasonable price!

The setting of the cafe, while potentially charming for the tourists, unfortunately detracted from the experience. The tables, chairs, and furnishings, including the tablecloths, appeared tired and old, needing a refresh to match the vibrant energy a ‘bistro’ is expected to have.

On a positive note, the location of the cafe is convenient, making it accessible for a quick stop along the waterfront broad walk. However, the ambiance and the cost-to-quality ratio of the food could be improved to enhance the dining experience. Given the current state, I would hesitate to recommend James Brooke Bistro & Cafe without some updates and adjustments to...

I noticed mixed review about this place.. Considering the location, I think it's normal if they have a bit expensive compare to what so called more-price reasonable places..

But we had a great time.. It didn't take long time for food to arrive.. We ordered garlic bread toast, sarawak laksa, green curry and carbonara pasta.. Garlic bread was toast on the pan, so there's some bitter part/over cooked area, green curry tasted good but for my wife it's too sour.. So it depends on your own preference.. Sarawak laksa tasted superb.. It's milky and rice vermicelli was just cooked very well, with 2 pcs of big prawns.. And lastly, carbonara tasted unique.. Because we could taste fragrance of the herbs..

And to close this review, we are impressed with the staff who are very helpful in helping us to order a grab/maxim, in which we had trouble ordering due to heavy rain.. And even lent us umbrella.....