Kuala Lumpur offers a delightful blend of contemporary and traditional dining establishments, catering to a diverse range of international and ethnic groups. Throughout my visits to the city, I have had the pleasure of exploring a variety of restaurants spanning different price points. An intriguing aspect of Kuala Lumpur is the affordability of its food compared to other global cities.
Many shopping malls feature food courts where you can savor local cuisine at pocket-friendly prices. Additionally, several upscale hotels boast a selection of restaurants serving up international and fusion dishes. Below, you'll find a compilation of intriguing dining spots I've had the pleasure of experiencing during my travels to Kuala Lumpur. This curated list includes a mix of traditional and modern eateries showcasing Malaysian, Indian, and Chinese culinary delights.
Best Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur
1. Bijan: $$$ - Best Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur
Food type: Malay Fine Dining
3 Jalan Ceylon, Kuala Lumpur 50200 / Monday to Sunday: 430pm to 11 pm
Back in 2014, my first encounter with Bijan Restaurants left me enchanted by the blend of Malaysian flavors on their menu. The restaurant has garnered a reputation as a go-to spot for special occasions, evident by the frequent birthday parties and festive gatherings.
Situated in the heart of Bukit Bintang, Bijan beckons with a diverse menu of local delicacies, refreshing drinks, and delectable desserts. For a taste of the countryside, I recommend delving into Kampung classics like Masak Lemak and Ikan Panjang. Indulge in Australian lamb infused with local spices or dive into a seafood extravaganza featuring sea bass, prawns, and squid for all the seafood aficionados out there.
Returning to Bijan in July 2023 only reinforced my admiration for their consistent top-notch service and flavorful offerings.
Visiting with a couple of friends we ordered various meat, seafood, and vegetarian dishes. Try lamb shanks cooked in sauce and tiger prawns cooked with spices and coconut milk. The vegetable selection includes deep-fried eggplants as well as asparagus cooked in prawn paste.
The local desserts are a must after a gracious serving of spicy food. The food is cooked to perfection and the ambience of the restaurant is comfortable and modern. A bar near the entrance serves a wide range of cocktails and drinks.
2. Sek Yu-En $$
Food Type: Chinese/ Asian
Jalan Pudu, Pudu 50100 Kuala Lumpur
The restaurant, with its two buildings catering to different clientele, exudes an air of old-world charm. The modern building, equipped with air conditioning, tends to be bustling with activity. It was Jack Lee, the owner of Yut Kee Restaurant in Jalan Kamunting, who first introduced me to this hidden gem. Known for its delectable Chinese and Cantonese dishes, this establishment stands out as the only one in Kuala Lumpur that serves up crispy-skinned duck cooked over charcoal.
Stepping into its nostalgic ambiance, one can almost transport back to a bygone era when the Chinese elite savored exquisite meals in this very spot during the pre-Merdeka times.
Surprisingly the restaurant does not carry a menu and the waiting staff makes recommendations on the food you want to eat. I ordered the braised lamb and roast duck. The food tasted great and was priced reasonably. Other interesting dishes to order include lang phone (cold appetizers including seafood) and steamed village chicken served with choy sum. Pudu is an interesting neighbourhood adjoining Bukit Bintang. I stayed in Pudu several times and realized the number of quite affordable hotels in this locality including:
- Pudu Sentral Hotel - 2 Star
- Hotel Beltif - 2 Star
- Furama Bukit Bintang - 4 Star
- D'Majestic Palace - 3 Star
There are surprisingly several small corner restaurants offering a wide array of Chinese/ Malay dishes. A nice and affordable restaurant in the area is Restoran 68, offering a massive range of local and Chinese dishes. A plate of rice with 3-4 dishes costs around RM10. I tried several vegetable and tofu dishes and enjoyed my meal thoroughly.
3. Yut Kee $
Food Type : Chinese/ Malay
Jana Kumunting, Off Dang Wangi, Kuala Lumpur 50100
Yut Kee is an interesting restaurant in Jalan Kumunting. To access this restaurant using public transport get off at Dang Wangi train station and walk for approximately 10-15 minutes. Yut Kee is an everyday restaurant attracting regular customers for lunch dinner as well as a coffee break. The atmosphere is nostalgic with chequered floor and ceiling fans trying to beat the summer heat. I explored Yut Kee during my foodie adventures in Kuala Lumpur City in 2018.
I ordered famous chicken chops with sauce and vegetables. I must say the chicken was quite tender with a nice blend of sauce of vegetables. The second dish on my menu was tender beef with clear noodles in soup. The restaurant was packed at lunchtime with regulars.
On my way out I bumped into the owner Jack Lee who is a very friendly figure and provided some interesting insights into changing trends in Kuala Lumpur. He offered a nice cup of coffee and homemade cake.
Yut Kee is a great family-run business trying to survive with high maintenance costs while keeping the prices as low as possible. This restaurant is a must-visit for food lovers exploring the culinary flavours of KL.
4. Restoran Sri Nirwana Maju - $
Food Type: Indian
43 Jalan Twlawi 3, Bangsar Baru, 59100 KL
Sri Nirwana Maju is a must-visit restaurant if you are a fan of Indian food. The main dishes are served on banana leaves followed by several curries and deep-fried vegetables. The restaurant attracts plenty of food lovers and is normally full of people at any time of the day. The restaurant is centrally located next to Bangsar Shopping Mall. You can catch a taxi from KLCC costing around 15 RM which will drop you next to the Shopping Mall. This restaurant is surrounded by a number of uptown cafes, bars, and coffee shops.
The food is served on a banana leaf with the first serving of rice, followed by a variety of pickles, deep-fried onion pokara, curries, and meats. You can pick and choose what you like on your banana leaf. The side order includes deep-fried marinated spicy fish and chicken. The menu is extensive and you can choose what you like from various kinds of meats.
The vegetables including okra and green beans are cooked to perfection. The curries are nice and go well with deep-fried side dishes. Sugarcane juice complements spicy
5. Restoran Pelita Nasi Kandar $ - Best of Local Malaysian Cuisine
149 Jalan Ampang, KL, 50450
This restaurant has branches located all around Malaysia. The KL branch is located on Jalan Ampang across from Corus Hotel. The location is quite central and easily accessible by train and taxis alike.
Pelita prides in Malay Indian food and Nasi Kandar. Popular dishes include Sambal Udang (tiger prawns in curry), Daging Kicap (Meat sauce made out of thick soy sauce, and Burung Puyuh (quails). You can find a wide range of local Malay dishes at very reasonable prices.
The best thing about this restaurant is it is open round the clock and you will find plenty of people sipping tea Tarek and chatting even at 4 in the morning.
6. Precious Old China Restaurant $$ - My favourite Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur
Food Type: Malay, Nonya
Central Market, Kuala Lumpur
This is probably one of the most interesting finds with plenty of authentic Nonya Flavors . The restaurant is located on the first floor of the Central Market. The staff is efficient and friendly.
During my first visit, I ordered an entree of puff pastries with an assortment of ingredients giving a refreshingly sweet and spicy flavour. Mains include Devil curry chicken, Belachan Lady Fingers, and Lemak Nenas Prawns. I was lucky to visit the restaurant during the Durian season. Don't forget to order an amazing durian dessert topped with sweet cream.
For one person the average bill will range from RM 20+. I highly recommend this restaurant and neighbourhood if you want to explore some historical areas of KL. Interesting areas near this restaurant include Kasturi Walk and Petaling Street.
7. Knowhere - $$ A must-try restaurant in KL
Bangsar Village, Kuala Lumpur
Knowhere is my latest find in July 2022. Kuala Lumpur's food scene is going through a renaissance with many trendy bars, cafes and foodie joints opening up with new fusion dishes and experimental food.
The bar is quite popular with the local Indian crowd as you can hear many tacky Indian tracks playing at the bar. The venue is packed over the weekend and a reservation is a must.
The menu is impressive with a good mix of bar food, grilled meats, pizzas, and appetizers. I settled with grilled mushroom meze with tuna salad and fiery seafood pizza. The choice of drinks was impressive.
I loved the location and the great ambiance of Knowhere.
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