Sultan Abdul Halim Airport

Sultan Abdul Halim Airport is a small regional hub, and its dining scene reflects the honest, unfussy character of Kedah itself. Airside options are limited but genuinely worthwhile — the food court near the departure hall is where most travellers end up, and rightly so. Expect steaming bowls of laksa utara, the tangy, tamarind-spiked noodle soup that Kedah does better than almost anywhere else in Malaysia. Grab a table early; the space fills up fast during morning rush hours.

For something more substantial before your flight, the nasi campur stalls are a reliable highlight. Piled-high rice with braised chicken, fried anchovies, and a generous scoop of sambal is the kind of meal that reminds you why Kedanese home cooking has such a devoted following. A few café-style outlets also serve decent roti canai with dhal if you're catching an early departure and need something quick, warm, and thoroughly satisfying without spending much at all.

Don't leave without trying a cup of teh tarik if you haven't already — the airport's mamak-influenced beverage corners pull a frothy, caramel-sweet glass that rivals anything you'd find downtown Alor Setar. Packaged local treats like dodol and keropok are also available at the small retail kiosks near the gate, perfect for edible souvenirs. The dining here won't dazzle, but it will feed you well and send you off feeling like you've genuinely tasted the north.