10 Restaurants I Take Visitors to in KL
Monica Tindall
I visit a new restaurant on most days of the week, yet when put on the spot, as I often am, to name a place to take visitors, my mind goes blank. There are too many options! Kuala Lumpur, a city of diverse cultures, is a treasure trove for food lovers. From traditional Malaysian dishes to international cuisine, the city has many options. So, to avoid those on-the-spot-mind-goes-blank moments, I’ve curated a go-to list of 10 restaurants I take visitors to in KL. These establishments provide a teaser of the city’s rich food culture and warm hospitality.
10 Restaurants I Take Visitors to in KL
Adu Sugar
Finding great Malay cuisine has been a challenge for my health-loving preferences. I find many commercial dishes too heavy, sweet, spicy, oily or unbalanced. However, Adu Sugar delivers traditional recipes with elegance and finesse. Using only local, high-quality ingredients, flavours are fresh and shine a light on just how delicious the local cuisine can be. They also have a comprehensive vegan menu, making it easy to share with diverse diners.
Chocha Foodstore
A must on any Chinatown gourmet tour is Chocha Foodstore. The team showcase recipes from Borneo, putting a spotlight on traditional jungle ingredients. The setting is charming, too, in a refurbished old shophouse with lovely natural light and lots of greenery.
OpenHouse Conlay
The team behind OpenHouse have a mission to revive Malaysian heritage recipes and preserve the sustainable production of native ingredients. They’ve gone from strength to strength over the years, and their latest opening in a free-standing bungalow on Jalan Conlay is an impressive lesson in preservation, culture and sophistication.
Beta KL
For foodies wanting a contemporary taste of Malaysia with Michelin standards, Beta KL is unbeatable. Celebrating local flavours, the team takes guests on a journey around the country with innovative recipes, each with a story to tell. The setting is beautiful, and the service is exceptional.
10 Restaurants I Take Visitors to in KL – Suzi’s Corner
On the junction between Jalan Ampang and the Ulu Klang, Suzi’s Corner has been a hangout for locals and expats for decades. It’s a covered stall experience with multiple vendors selling satay, naan, biryani, wok dishes and some Middle Eastern recipes. However, the drawcard here is the namesake Suzi. They serve tenderloin steak on a sizzling hotplate for RM 45 and salmon for RM 30. Both come with fries, stir-fried veg and a soft white bun. It’s one of the (if not the) best-value steaks in the city. We also like ordering cheese and garlic naan, mixed stir-fried veg, Tiger beer and fresh coconuts.
Valentine Roti
You may have guessed by now that our favourite locations are not too far from our home, as is the case with Valentine Roti, a few blocks away on Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra. We come here for late-night carb fixes, loving their plain roti canai as well as their roti pisang (sweet banana roti).
Blue at EQ
There are several rooftop bars in KL with fantastic views, but the one most convenient for us is the Blue on the 51st floor of EQ Kuala Lumpur. There’s indoor and outdoor seating, and it’s perfectly positioned to capture the sunset. On overcast days, sometimes the clouds are below you. Great service team, too.
Le Mirch Avenue K Rooftop
Local food and drinks with a view are a hit with our visitors, so Le Mirch on the rooftop of Avenue K is another win. They have a fantastic selection of both veg and non-veg Indian recipes. We always order the chaat trolley and cocktails. Service staff wheel out a portable kitchen and make Indian street food snacks right in front of you. Pair that with a bevvy and Twin Tower views, and guests are impressed.
PS150
There are so many great hidden bars in KL that it’s hard to choose just one. (We often don’t; instead, opting for a full bar hop if our visitors don’t mind a tipple or ten.). However, one of the originals, which is hard to beat in terms of vibes, service, and quality of craft cocktails, is PS150 in Chinatown. Look for the small “toy storefront” on Jalan Petaling across the road from Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur.
Fuego
Awesome views, setting, cocktails, menu, and service—Fuego ticks all the boxes for a fantastic night out. Located in Troika Sky Dining, the Latin-inspired menu is backed up by craft cocktails and a well-chosen wine list. It’s so popular that they have two seatings, one at 6 p.m. and one at 8 p.m. They’re currently upgrading, with the new experience set to be ready by October.
I’d love to know your go-to 10 restaurants to take visitors to in KL. Be generous; share your top spots below.
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