Place the napkin and aim your forks because you are going to sit down in the most exquisite restaurants and gobble some amazing dishes in Kuala Lumpur. Stop your stomach from growling by dining at these top 8 places.
Kuala Lumpur is on enthusiastic travellers’ bucket list and the culinary delights are one appealing reason to apply for the Malaysia visa. In the shadow of the legendary Petronas Towers, the capital has created a food haven. Malaysians are serious foodies- they boil the cuisine inspired by different cultures. It is a rich mix of the local flavours with the other influences as Indian, Chinese, Indonesian, Japanese and more.
Sauté in seasonal ingredients, tasty spices and curry mixtures, the dishes are armoured with rich fragrances and mouth-watering taste. A typical Kuala Lumpur culinary scene looks like- kick start your day with a cup of Hainan tea, kaya toast and soft boiled eggs, eat roti canai and chicken curry in lunch, try beef rendang or dim sum for dinner and have a plate of Nasi Lemak for a snack.
In search of the gastronomical affair, the Kuala Lumpur will update you with places from Michelin starred restaurants to street hawkers. Having so much to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner and in-between, the decision becomes overwhelming. Making things simpler, here we list down the 8 best restaurants in Kuala Lumpur for any taste and all budget:
1. Triloka Sky Dining
Address: Level 23A, Tower B, The Troika, 19 Persiaran KLCC, 50450 KL
Redefining innovation with its floor-to-ceiling angled glass windows overlooking the city skyline, this is a luxurious place to give your taste buds, a soothing sensation. What makes it impressive is the blend of food and sightseeing at once. This is popular among the young crowd who wants to eat and drink something from the menu of French, Italian, Greek and Spanish. Take your seats in any of the three sections, two dining areas, either the weatherproof and advanced Cantaloupe, or the wooden-floored and trendy Italian Strato, or one bar, the elegant wine bar Claret.
2. Shanghai
Address: 183, Bukit Bintang Street, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Missing those porks in Malaysia? Well, it’s not a common dish here, but this hotel Chinese restaurant has one of those and in superb quality. To keep the hunger pangs at bay, Shanghai has got your table filled with the most delectable options. The chefs are expert in what they do (and they are native to the Chinese authenticity), and the service is incomparable. In a sophisticated ambience, detailed with gold and black accents and bright light, eating here feels a laid-back job. The highlights of the menu are steamed Shanghainese meat dumplings, dim sum, steamed pork ribs and drunken chicken in rice wine.
3. Marini’s on 57
Address: Level 57, Menara 3 Petronas, Persiaran KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur,
It is obvious that you would duck inside the Petronas Towers and marvel at its beauty. And while you are roaming inside this world famous building, the appetite will knock your brains once in a while. This Italian Ristorante is the highest rooftop restaurant, bar and lounge in Malaysia. The art deco, neon lights, leather sofas, full glass windows, casual ambience, soft music in the backdrop and the artisan pasta on the plate makes you dining in a paradise. Celebrities like Tiger Woods, Ed Sheeran, Lewis Hamilton, Jimmy Choo and many others have come, eaten, clinked Champagne glasses here. So, if you are an Italian cuisine fan, this is your destination.
4. Bakti Woodlands
Address: 55, Leboh Ampang, City Centre, 50100 Kuala Lumpur
If you have had enough of the same chicken and meat in the city, here is the affordable vegetarian restaurant. This is the high-rated Indian restaurant that serves the scrumptious meal from the North and South India at prices that won’t affect your wallet. So, try the utthapam, Vadai, masala dosa, idli and upma from South and the Jain and Punjabi thalis from the North to satiate your senses and fill your stomach with the real spicy food. You can order the combos of naan and vegetables to save other few Ringgits. Treat yourself with good, fresh food and you won’t regret the decision.
5. Hakka Restaurant
Address: Jalan Raja Chulan, No. 90, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Another name in the cheap and budget restaurants is the Hakka. Welcoming over an astonishing number of guests (almost 1000), this open-air eatery is open for over 55 years now. Nothing beats this place when it comes to the Chinese-Hakka food. The menu holds the signature dishes from the native city and is cooked with utmost dedication. Instead of concentrating on the chilli and sauce, the focus of the dishes is on the authentic flavours that bring the strong and homely taste. It is a fantastic place either you are a solo traveller or want to relish in a family gathering.
6. Lafite
Address: 11, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
This is an exotic dining restaurant whose love for French food can never be questioned. For occasions, celebrations, and business meetings, the luxurious restaurant allows you to set your table with the fine food and classic wines. The structure is beautifully crafted by the world-renowned designer Adam Tihany and thus, the layout is par excellence. The menu takes in the dishes which are prepared with seasonal and unique ingredients under French cooking techniques but with a broader aspect. So, slurp some soup while you fancy the furnishing and admire the decor.
7. Cilantro
Address: 368B, Jalan Tun Razak, Taman U Thant, 55000 Kuala Lumpur
Known for classy ambience, exclusively tailored menu and has pro chefs in the background, the Cilantro is one of the must-visit restaurants. The quality of ingredients, the twist to the originality and a touch of perfection makes the dish melt in your mouth. The French cuisines are swayed by the Japanese influence form a unique identity. For people who want to have an intimate party, the private dining rooms can accommodate six to twenty people. The dining here is an absolute value for money and a steal deal.
8. Limapulo
Address: 50, Jalan Doraisamy, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
With an intriguing tagline, Baba Can Cook, as you enter the restaurant you will find an old man managing the main desk. He has won the popular award for Best Curry Laksa in the Klang Valley. He is the mind behind the cooking in Limapulo, which is an extended part of the line of restaurants and cafes in the neighbourhood, termed wholly as The Row. The neighbours are 20X Bistro and cafes like The Common Grind. With a strong reputation in the Nyonya food, Limapulo has a cosy interior and chirpy outdoor area to let you eat in the environment you feel good at. Nyonya Fried Mee Hoon, Berempah with chicken, Sate and Roti Jala are choices amongst the favourites.
Kuala Lumpur proudly owns everything from chic and well-respected restaurants to club style and rooftop bars, from expensive and outgoing outlets to cheap eateries. Keep your stomach happy!
