Kuala Lumpur - Dining

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Kuala Lumpur

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Asia Malaysia Kuala Lumpur Dining

Overview

Dining The guide was updated: 2024-05-03

Head to Jalan Alor for an al fresco meal at one of the many tables lining this KL street food hub, or try one of these similar spots favoured by locals: Pudu Wai Sek Kai (also known as 'Glutton Street'), an area referred to as Lucky Gardens (here, restaurant or cafe-type establishments are a good bet in terms of both quality and variety), plus eateries around Brickfields, home to KL's Little India, which translates into the dominant type of food offerings here.

Malaysian cuisine is a fusion of cultural influences. For instance, 'nasi lemak' is historically Malay, 'rojak' is Indian Muslim, 'char kuay teow' is Chinese and the spicy-hot 'laksa' is Nyonya (a mix of Malay and Chinese). Each culture emphasises different ingredients and flavours; for example, the Malay curry tastes tangier compared to the Indian.

Here's a list of the best places to eat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia:

Bijan

Bijan

Bijan is a chic restaurant and bar, serving the upmarket version of traditional regional Malay fare. The recipes are a mix of generation-old classics combined with new influences.

Jalan Alor

Jalan Alor

This is the street that runs parallel to Jalan Bukit Bintang, jam packed with Chinese restaurants and hawkers, street stalls serving everything from barbecued seafood to local desserts. Good food at a good value.

Yarl Restaurant

Yarl Restaurant

Yarl is a rare gem in a foodie city such as KL: it's the only place for north Sri Lankan (Jaffna) food in the area, and arguably among the highest ranking Sri Lankan eateries in town. Yarl is famous for its generous, incredible value lunch buffet spread, but it's a great place to eat for breakfast and dinner, too. Jaffna cuisine includes both vegetarian and meat-based dishes. Some items are only available at particular times of day: the 'putu mayam' rice noodle dessert, for one, is served at breakfast and early dinner.

Chynna

Chynna

Chynna is a funky Cantonese and Shanghainese restaurant, serving a mixed range of Cantonese dim sum and traditional Chinese herbal cooking. This restaurant is authentic yet innovative with a focus on healthy eating, with attention to detail that extend to include tea service by a dressed-up master dispensing the drink to diners using a traditional kettle with a metre-long spout. Located at Hilton Kuala Lumpur.

Limapulo: Baba Can Cook

Limapulo: Baba Can Cook

Look no further for the best place in the city to tuck into a piping hot bowl of curry laksa, a potent dish originating from the Nonya culinary tradition which – in the words of late Anthony Bourdain – "hurts so good" due to its rather extreme levels of heat. Baba (or Uncle John) will deliver on the promise of the restaurant's name regardless of whether you try your luck with the signature laksa or other Nyonya/Malay specialities.

Dining in the Dark KL

Dining in the Dark KL

The first restaurant in total darkness in Malaysia, Dining in the Dark, offers a completely new experience. A specifically designed three-course menu sends your palate on an adventure like no other. This unique experience presents the ultimate taste test, as it forces you to really engage your sense of taste, unsupported by vision.

Pinchos Tapas Bar

Pinchos Tapas Bar

Enjoy delicious tapas in a lively and friendly atmosphere at this authentic Spanish restaurant right in the city centre. Pinchos Tapas Bar is a must-visit when you long for some Spanish tidbits and cooling Sangria.

Din Tai Fung Pavilion KL

Din Tai Fung Pavilion KL

This is one of four Din Tai Fung outlets in Kuala Lumpur. Din Tai Fung is a restaurant chain originating in Taiwan, which now has multiple branches across Asia and beyond (the fact it remains largely unknown in the West is a tragic shortcoming). They are famous for their steamed dumplings (xiao long bao), which are some of the world's best: each move of the dumpling chefs is executed with careful precision in the open kitchen. It was once named among the top ten restaurants in the world by The New York Times. The service is truly impeccable, and the price-quality ratio needs to be experienced to be believed.

Betel Leaf

Betel Leaf

For a spicy Indian culinary experience, head to Betel Leaf. They started their business in 2009, and their focus lies on cooking flavourful food made from fresh ingredients. To ensure the quality of products, they use vegetables and meat from their own farm in Mantin, Negeri Sembila.

Bara on Six

Bara on Six

As the name reveals, this restaurant has its focus on grilled dishes. Steaks and seafood are cooked to perfection and efficient and professional waiters are there to serve guests. This is a good place to go when you long for typical Western-style cuisine.

Loco Mexican Bar & Restaurant

Loco Mexican Bar & Restaurant

Tacos, tortillas, burritos and margaritas, all of these Tex-Mex delicacies are found on the menu of Loco. The fish tacos are said to be one of the specialities and the margaritas come in 25 different flavours.

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