Must-see restaurants in Malaysia

  • Isabel

    Kuala Lumpur

    Isabel is pure charm and a great addition to KL's dining scene. Both in terms of its menu and contemporary tropical decor, the restaurant provides a…

  • Nadodi

    Kuala Lumpur

    The recipes and ingredients of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Sri Lanka are the foundation for the sensational tasting menus served at Nadodi (which means nomad)…

  • Nightlife Kuala Lumpur Food

    Jalan Alor

    Kuala Lumpur

    KL's biggest collection of roadside restaurants and street food vendors sprawls along Jln Alor, just north of Jln Bukit Bintang. While a few restaurants…

  • Lorong Baru Hawker Stalls

    George Town

    Ask locals where their favourite hawker stalls are and most will pick this night-time street extravaganza. It's a great spot for ikan bakar (grilled…

  • China House

    George Town

    You can't really say you've been out in George Town until you've stepped inside China House. This block-wide amalgamation of shophouses is packed with hip…

  • Eat X Dignity

    Kuala Lumpur

    Barack Obama visited this worthy project run by Dignity, a Malaysian foundation providing education for the poor and refugees. Students gain work…

  • Dyak

    Kuching

    This elegant restaurant, 2km southeast of Old Chinatown, was the first to treat Dayak home cooking as true cuisine. Classically trained in a Western style…

  • Payung Cafe

    Sarawak

    At this delightful cafe diners feast on healthy local food such as mushroom rolls, spicy otak otak barbecued fish, deliciously fresh herb salad and…

  • Todak Waterfront

    Kota Kinabalu

    Flaming woks, crowds of customers and tables of glistening fish and squid, crabs, prawns and lobster, all within a few metres of the fishing boats bobbing…

  • Top Spot Food Court

    Kuching

    This neon-lit courtyard and its half-dozen humming seafood stalls sits, rather improbably, on the roof of a concrete parking garage. Don't be pressured…

  • Tjantek

    Kuantan

    With soft lighting, a jumble of antiques, odds and ends, curios and vintage paintings, and an enticing choice of tables, this superb, eclectic and very…

  • Anjung Gurney Night Market

    George Town

    Penang's most famous hawker complex sits just past the Gurney Plaza mall, cooled by breezes wafting in off the sea. It buzzes with stalls serving Muslim…

  • Dewakan

    Malaysia

    Darren Teoh heads a team of exciting young chefs at this innovative restaurant based at the KDU University College in Shah Alam. Chefs get playful with…

  • Funny Mountain Soya Bean

    Ipoh

    Local and visiting foodies scramble to this legendary Ipoh food stall, which has been serving fresh, warm, silky bean-curd pudding (tau fu fah) since 1952…

  • Summit Café

    Miri

    If you’ve never tried Kelabit cuisine, this place will open up whole new worlds for your taste buds. Queue up and choose from the colourful array of …

  • Singh Chapati

    Cameron Highlands

    On a lofty perch above Tanah Rata's main drag, Singh's serves the most authentic Indian food in town, with a strong Punjabi flavour. Dig into fragrant…

  • Restaurant Lou Wong

    Ipoh

    Ipoh's signature dish, tauge ayam (chicken and bean sprouts), has been honed to perfection at perennially popular Lou Wong: velvety-smooth poached chicken…

  • Madli's Restaurant

    Miri

    A long-running family business that started off as a satay stall in the 1970s; read the history on the wall above the kitchen. Madli's is open on two…

  • Lepau

    Kuching

    Lepau translates as 'farm hut', and organic and free-range ingredients feature at this atmospheric restaurant showcasing the cuisine of Sarawak's…

  • The Replacement

    Johor Bahru

    With a fantastic brunch menu, this good-looking, elegant but minimalist restaurant is overseen by attentive staff serving a host of trendy lunchers,…

  • Nonya 63

    Melaka City

    The amiable chef at this upmarket Nonya eatery set in a handsome 19th-century house will come to your table and explain specialities such as chicken…

  • A-Square Night Market

    Kota Kinabalu

    Part of KK's food revolution, this night market consists of around three dozen food containers, all selling some kick-ass edible. Standout stalls include…

  • Madame Bee’s Kitchen

    Kuala Terengganu

    In a delightful heritage building in the heart of Chinatown, Madame Bee turns out excellent renditions of Peranakan dishes with local Terengganu…

  • Restaurant Seafood Sim Sim 88

    Sandakan

    Located in the heart of the stilt village of Kampong Buli Sim Sim, 3km east of the centre, this large, breezy terrace strung with fairy lights is a…

  • Roost Juice Bar

    Johor Bahru

    Super salad and quinoa bowls, avocado and salmon bagels, fresh juices and great coffee are on offer at this chilled cafe/bar, where recycled wood and…

  • Pulau Tikus Hawker Centre

    George Town

    This small lane off Jln Burma is crammed every morning with locals filling up for the day on char koay teow (fried noodles with seafood), nasi lemak …

  • Wai Kei Cafe

    George Town

    This unpretentious roast pork and chicken rice specialist sits just yards from the greatest concentration of travellers in George Town, yet is somehow…

  • Kedai Kopi Ambassador

    Kota Bharu

    Just inside the red archway entrance to Chinatown, the flaming woks and beer advertising of this outdoor restaurant draws in the crowds on balmy evenings…

  • Kee Ann Food Street

    Melaka City

    Forget about the touristy Jonker Street Market – if you are keen to sample the best street food in the city head to this strip near Little India, where…

  • Siti Fatimah

    Pulau Langkawi

    This is possibly Langkawi’s most famous destination for Malay food – and it lives up to its reputation. Come mid-morning, dozens of rich curries, grilled…

  • Kocik Kitchen

    Melaka City

    This unassuming but lovely little Nonya restaurant is a real find. Try the creamy udang lemak nenas (prawns with pineapple and spicy coconut) or the rich…

  • Joloko

    Kuala Lumpur

    Wall murals by local tattoo artist Apoh Apoh adorn the walls, DJs and live reggae bands entertain the crowds on weekends, and barman Rick concocts kick…

  • Fat Mom's

    Semporna

    Let's be clear about this: Fat Mom's is Semporna's go-to place for some of the tastiest, freshest seafood around – so fresh that your dinner might be…

  • Yap Kee

    Malaysia

    This spartan banana-leaf restaurant in an old shophouse, two blocks to the right as you leave the train station, usually has only a couple of choices…

  • Chilli Vanilla

    Kota Kinabalu

    This cosy bijou cafe is run by a Hungarian chef and is a real fave with travellers thanks to its eclectic, well-thought-out menu. The Middle Eastern…

  • Sambal Hijau

    Kuala Lumpur

    One of the best places in the greater KL area to sample authentic Malay cuisine, served in the traditional buffet style. At lunchtime more than 50 dishes…

  • Wan Thai

    Pulau Langkawi

    Langkawi is geographically closer to Thailand than the Malaysian mainland, so you can expect some blisteringly authentic Thai food at this hugely popular…

  • Santai

    Pulau Perhentian

    BuBu’s Santai restaurant offers laid-back views that may see you opting for a second beer or cocktail before your candlelit dinner kicks off. Lighter…

  • Navy Cafe

    Melaka City

    A lovely place for a scrambled egg breakfast, smoothie bowl or moreish lunch, the food at this small cafe is tops. Dishes regularly change, but stewed…

  • Sea Pearl Cafe

    George Town

    The excellent seafood and unique location of this basic hawker centre – seemingly hidden in a Chinese temple complex looking out over the North Channel –…

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