# 20 Best Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur

> We've rounded up 20 of the best restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, spanning cuisines from around the world. Discover where to find the boldest flavors of Malaysia's capital.

- URL: https://langandtrip.com.ua/en/article/20-luchshykh-restoranov-kualalumpura/
- Language: en
- Published: 2025-08-16
- Categories: Culture, Leisure, Restaurants, Malaysia, Food & Drinks, Relaxation

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Kuala Lumpur may be better known for its brutal traffic jams and sky-high humidity, but the food scene here is heating up too.

Fancy masala thosai for breakfast, dim sum for lunch, sticky date pudding with homemade vanilla ice cream in the afternoon, then coq au vin or beef rendang for dinner?

Here's our top list.

## 1. Cilantro

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Cilantro is arguably the finest fine-dining restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. Chef Takashi Kimura crafts refined modern French cuisine with Japanese influences.

Picture a rack of grain-fed lamb with houba miso and eel, paired with foie gras.

Classic French dishes get a clever contemporary twist, such as the beef tartare with a bright quail egg yolk and the thinnest, crispiest Parmesan.

The tasting menu lets you sample his signature dishes for just $51.50 (220 ringgit) across three courses, which is a genuine bargain given the high caliber of the cooking.

Cilantro Restaurant & Wine Bar, MiCasa All Suite Hotel, 368-B, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur; +60 3 2179 8000

## 2. Shanghai

Kuala Lumpur may be better known for its Cantonese cooking, but Shanghai serves up delicious, refined Shanghainese fare.

The specialty here is braised pork belly in a rich, savory sauce, best enjoyed with plenty of rice to soak it all up.

Another standout is the xiao long bao, or steamed pork dumplings, filled with piping-hot broth and tender minced pork.

For dessert, the Shanghai layer cake and glutinous rice balls are the highlights of the menu.

Shanghai Restaurant, 183, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur; +60 3 2715 9000

## 3. Bijan

Bijan sits in one of Kuala Lumpur's prime spots, at the top of the ever-popular Changkat Bukit Bintang strip.

It's one of the few upscale Malay restaurants in town, and a very charming one at that.

You can sit outside among the greenery and sample traditional Malay dishes like rendang and ayam percik (barbecued chicken).

There's also a pretty decent wine list.

Bijan is popular, so booking ahead is recommended.

Bijan Bar and Restaurant, No 3 Jalan Ceylon, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, + 60 3 2031 3575

## 4. Enak

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Enak is another refined Malay restaurant, tucked away in the very chic Starhill Gallery.

Diners can try homestyle Malay dishes, many of them based on recipes handed down through the generations in the family of owner Sherena Razally.

The presentation may be modern, but the flavors are all traditional in signature dishes like sambal tumis udang (chili-fried prawns) and ayam goreng lengkuas (chicken fried with galangal).

Enak Restaurant, LG2, Feast Floor, Starhill Gallery, 181 Jalan Bukit Bintang; +60 3 2141 8973

## 5. Oriental Pavilion

It's set in a suburban shopping mall, and some evenings it hosts wedding banquets.

But the food at Oriental Pavilion, a mid-range Cantonese spot, is undeniably good, so most days it's packed, especially on weekends.

Regulars come here for the dim sum and excellent roast meats, particularly the char siu (barbecued pork) and siu yoke (roast pork) with its crispy, unbeatable crackling.

Oriental Pavilion, P1-04, Level 1 Podium, Jaya 33, No.3, Jalan Semangat, Seksyen 13, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan; +60 3 7956 9288

## 6. Fukuya

Manicured gardens, minimalist decor and delicious Japanese cuisine come together to make Fukuya feel like a Zen sanctuary.

It's an especially welcome stop amid the frantic bustle of central Kuala Lumpur. Fukuya also has a few semi-private rooms overlooking the gardens, which makes it very popular for private dinners and corporate events.

Beautifully presented multi-course kaiseki meals are the specialty of chef Takao Ando.

Fukuya, No 9 Jalan Delima, 55100 Kuala Lumpur +60 3 2144 1022 / 1077

## 7. My Elephant

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Thai soups, rich curries and refreshing salads top the hit list at My Elephant.

This laid-back Thai restaurant started life as a neighborhood joint in PJ and has since expanded to a second, more stylish outlet in Sri Hartamas.

The pork-free menu has stayed the same, though, and the food is as good as ever.

Recommended dishes include the duck curry with tender roast duck and a scattering of lychee, grapes or pineapple. There's no wine list, though you can bring your own, and beer is always available.

My Elephant Thai Restaurant, Section 17, Sri Hartamas Aman Suria, USJ 9 Ampang; +60 1022 01283

## 8. Devi's Corner

A favorite for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Devi's is the place to go for tasty local Indian food.

There are several branches around town, including a very popular one in Bangsar, but our top pick is the Taman Tun outlet for its consistently good and fresh food.

The vibe is relaxed, the service friendly, and the prices very reasonable: a little over $2 (10 ringgit) gets you a pretty decent meal.

As for the menu, it's simply vast, from fluffy roti canai and masala dosai to mee goreng, tandoori chicken and a whole counter lined with plates of fried vegetables, curries and rendang to dig into.

It stays open until the early hours, a real blessing if you're after a late-night snack.

Devi's Corner, Cnr Jln Telawi 1 & Jln Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur 59100; +60 12 267 6714

## 9. Sri Nirwana Maju Banana Leaf

It gets lively at lunchtime. Good luck finding a seat if you show up late.

This is a must-know spot if you're after traditional banana-leaf food: rice, vegetables and other dishes of your choosing, served on a banana leaf alongside pickles, papadums and various curry sauces.

Try the fried chicken and the incredibly light battered squid rings, which are especially moreish.

Sri Nirwana Maju Restaurant, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur, +60 3 2287 8445

## 10. Bistro a Table

Scallop cannelloni with Indonesian black-nut tapenade.

The traditional French bistro gets a stylish makeover at Bistro a Table, with chic furnishings and a cleverly updated menu from former food stylist and private chef Isadora Chai.

The place seems to have gathered a loyal, well-heeled following.

The menu changes daily, though most of the signature dishes, including the scallop cannelloni with Indonesian black-nut tapenade, are fixtures.

Bistro a Table, 6 Jalan 17/54 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor; +60 3793 12831

## 11. Wong Kee

There's only one good reason to settle into this old-school coffee shop right at noon, and that's the siu yoke, or roast pork, from Robert Wong.

He roasts it himself in repurposed oil drums in the alley behind the shop and scrapes the skin by hand to guarantee a crisp crackling.

The results are stunning: tender, flavorful meat topped with a layer of pearly fat and golden crackling, turning a humble plate of meat and rice into something quite extraordinary.

Wong Kee, 30, Jalan Nyonya, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur; +60 3 2145 2512

## 12. Sambal Hijau

Well off the tourist trail in Kampung Penchala, Sambal Hijau is where you'll find genuine Malay favorites, including ikan bakar, freshly grilled fish served with sambal and a wedge of lime.

An impressive spread of dishes is laid out fresh by around 11:30 a.m., so early birds get the best pick.

The Malay mains include a richly spiced beef rendang and chicken curry, plus more exotic dishes like fried paru (beef lungs).

Sambal Hijau, Lot 2990, Jalan Sungai Penchala, Kampung Sungai Penchala, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur; +60 3 7731 2045

## 13. Kim Lian Kee

This Petaling Street institution is famous for its Hokkien mee, or black mee, thick wheat noodles stir-fried with seafood and pork in a rich, inky sauce.

There are actually two Kim Lian Kees: a modern, air-conditioned, three-story restaurant with an extensive menu that includes butter prawns, chee cheong fun (steamed rice rolls) and more, and the original old stall, which sits right across the street, complete with wobbly wooden stools and tables.

Unlike the new stall, here the noodles are cooked over charcoal stoves, giving them an enchantingly smoky wok hei.

Kim Lian Kee, 92, Jalan Hang Lekir, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur; +60 3 2032 4984

## 14. Erawan

Erawan is a real find for lovers of refined Thai cuisine.

The menu is a world away from the usual Thai fast food, focusing instead on elegant dishes that are hard to find outside of Thailand.

To guarantee absolute freshness and a personalized experience, guests who book ahead can choose their dishes from the extensive menu available on the restaurant's website.

By comparison, walk-in guests get a noticeably more limited selection.

Erawan, Lot L1-17 & L1-18, First Floor DC Mall, Plaza DC, Damansara City, 6, Jalan Damanlela, 50490 Kuala Lumpur; +60 3 2788 4180 / 4181

## 15. Dancing Fish

The signature dish at Dancing Fish is, predictably, the dancing fish: a fresh, whole fish, deep-fried so it looks like it's leaping out of the water.

Served with sambal terasi and soy sauce, it's an Indonesian favorite.

The Malaysian and Indonesian specialties include excellent satay and kerabu (salad).

Beyond the food, Dancing Fish's friendly service and pleasant, air-conditioned setting have earned it a loyal, well-heeled following.

Dancing Fish, Lot T120, 121 & 122 285, 3rd Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, Jalan Maarof, Bukit Bandaraya, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur; +60 3 2095 6663

## 16. Ben's General Food Store

Thin, crispy pizza, bistro dishes like fried chicken and plenty of very tempting ready-made salads make up the laid-back menu at Ben's.

They don't take reservations, and many of the tables are communal, so you'll be sharing with strangers.

But its cheerful atmosphere has struck a chord with the city's diners.

Homemade desserts include an excellent sticky date pudding with vanilla ice cream.

Ben's has two branches in the city, the newest of which is in Publika.

LG13 (AL), Lower Ground, No. 699, Glomac Damansara, Jalan Damansara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur; +60 3 7733 6044

## 17. Frangipani

Frangipani has proven its staying power and resilience, no small feat when you're on the competitive Changkat Bukit Bintang strip.

Chef and owner Chris Bauer offers a menu that's modern, French and refined, with dishes like black "rice" risotto with grilled freshwater prawn, baby squid and oysters.

First-time visitors will be wowed by the stunning courtyard setting around an inky-black pool.

The Frangipani Langkawi Resort & Spa, Jalan Pantai Tengah, 07100 Langkawi Kedah, +60 3 4952 0000

## 18. Lafite

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Lafite is a fine-dining institution in fickle Kuala Lumpur.

Lafite draws Kuala Lumpur's elite and is widely regarded as one of the city's best restaurants since it opened back in 1985.

Chef John Nash joined the kitchen late last year and offers a modern European menu, including signature dishes like the Wagyu beef mille-feuille.

Lafite, 11 Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur; +60 3 2074 3900

## 19. Tamarind Springs By Samadhi

Set in the natural forest reserve of Ampang, about a 15-minute drive from the city, Tamarind Springs serves traditional Indochinese cuisine.

The kitchen at this award-winning restaurant is headed by Thai chef Somjuhan Wandee, who takes pride in using only the freshest, most authentic ingredients, both local and imported.

The menu's mains include Vietnamese pan-fried pesto and crispy snakehead roe, Phnom Penh Wagyu lok lak with lime and black pepper, and Laotian deep-fried perch in a tangy Tamarind Spring sauce.

Tamarind Springs, Jalan 1, Taman Tun Abdul Razak, 68000 Ampang, Selangor; +60 3 4256 9300

## 20. THIRTY8

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Located on the 38th floor of the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, THIRTY8 looks out onto the Petronas Towers and showcases panoramic views across the whole city.

Executive sous-chef Stefan Beck is at the helm of the kitchen, offering a menu that blends Western, Chinese and Japanese cuisine.

The Australian Wagyu steak and the Szechuan chicken come especially recommended.

THIRTY8, 12 Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 50450; +60 3 2074 3900