Jacob’s Top Five Yum List Picks of 2023
Having had the privilege of covering almost 40 exceptional bars and restaurants in Kuala Lumpur in 2023 — without really a bad word to say about any of them — it was a tough and slightly guilt-ridden task to choose my top five picks.
I’ve been lucky enough to try everything from fine dining tasting menus to boozy brunches, masterfully mixed cocktails to quality comfort food, and every single one has its merits — and every single one is making KL’s F&B scene that much better.
In picking my Top Five, I’ve gone for the slightly less obvious choices (Joloko, I love you, but you’ve been consistently one of the best spots in the city for a few years now!) and avoided restaurants that frankly don’t need me to tell everyone how great they are. Instead, I’m highlighting some of the newer kids on the culinary block who are daring to do interesting and exciting things with their menus, their ambience — even their location.
In no particular order …
Jacob’s Top Five Yum List Picks of 2023
Muska
Innovative Indian-style dining with a few creative twists in a casual setting that belies the quality of its food, Muska really impressed me with its approach to home-cooked recipes and regional specialities that you won’t find elsewhere in KL, never mind Mont Kiara. A great all-day spot for a quick coffee, a cold beer, or a delicious, filling, flavourful meal, there’s enough on the menu to surprise you over and over again.
Pyro
The minute you walk into Pyro, you immediately get a sense that this is somewhere you want to hang out for a while — and as soon as you take a seat at the sleek countertop facing the open wood fire, you know it to be true. The quality of ingredients is excellent, the standard of cooking sublime, and the depth of the menu superb. The international pedigree of Head Chef Louis is on full display.
Rahsia
I really admire Rahsia and what they’ve managed to achieve in this quiet corner of SS2, a stylish New York-style speakeasy bar with brilliant cocktails at incredible prices. We’re talking proper mixology, unique recipes and quality ingredients for less than RM35 a pop — with an excellent food menu to boot. It’s welcoming, unpretentious, has great Happy Hour deals, and generally a great meeting spot.
MeatMore
Malaysia’s first meat specialist is unsurprisingly outstanding — it’s helmed by Chef James Won, after all. There’s an electric energy about the place, from the jazzy neon lighting to the charismatic cocktail show, and the food is absolutely top-quality. I’m always a sucker for steak, which was as good as expected, but some of the side dishes, such as the Mamak Tail Bone Broth and Macaroni Cheese, were a highlight of my Yum List adventures this year as well.
Jacob’s Top Five Yum List Picks of 2023 – Sohl
Solh is a beautiful open-air-courtyard concept restaurant that looks like it belongs in Bali — but has graced a little corner of Ampang instead. A brilliant spot for a boozy day session or a large group dinner (or both?), there’s a real feel-good factor about the place. Could be the outstanding and thoughtful menu, the creative cocktails and craft beers, the laid-back alfresco setting, the warm welcome and great service; I reckon it’s the expert combination of all of them.
How many have you been to on the list? Where do you recommend we visit this year?
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