Pulau Langkawi
Langkawi is home to heaps of Middle Eastern restaurants and this Syrian place is one of the best. Expect friendly staff, slightly less fluorescent…
Must-see restaurants in Malaysia, Singapore & Brunei
Kuala Terengganu
This restaurant is constantly packed. There’s ice-cold beer aplenty and one of the finest Chinese seafood menus in town. Fresh fish, squid and prawns are…
George Town
There's a reason this place is always packed: it's one of the tastiest, most consistent Chinese restaurants in town (and in a place like George Town, that…
Kuala Lumpur
Stalls pack out the length of Lg Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the alley between Jln Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Masjid India. Amid the headscarf and T-shirt sellers…
Pulau Langkawi
This is where locals go for nasi campur (Malay-style buffet). Serve yourself from trays holding dishes such as rich rendang, fiery sambal, a coconut milk…
George Town
Serve-yourself, buffet-style restaurants generally opt for quantity over quality, but the Padang-style Indonesian curries, stir-fries, soups, salads and…
Taiping
Creamy and sweet with generous amounts of green noodles and gula melaka (dark coconut-sugar syrup), shaved-ice desserts have been dished up at Ansari…
Bandar Seri Begawan
'Coffee is always a good idea' announces a poster on the wall of this funky cafe, and we concur. It's good coffee, too; locals come here for the caffeine…
Kota Kinabalu
A chorus of welcomes greets you as you walk into this minimalist Japanese place and a joyful call-and-response from the staff conveys your order to the…
Pulau Langkawi
This sophisticated, air-conditioned snack stop serves excellent French desserts – croissants, tarts and eclairs – as well as light salads, sandwiches,…
Kota Kinabalu
Particularly good for its veggie thalis, this unassuming spot serves its spread of Indian dishes on banana leaves in a busy, cafeteria-like setting. Get…
Chinatown & the CBD
One of Chinatown's most accessible hawker centres, Maxwell is a solid spot to savour some of the city's street-food staples. While stalls slip in and out…
Kota Kinabalu
The dining here is as simple as can be, just plastic tables under tarpaulin, and the air is smoky and redolent of grilling seafood, glazed chicken wings…
Kuantan
If it’s authentic you’re after, look no further than this huge open-air seafood restaurant across the river on the island of Tanjong Lumpur. On any given…
Pahang & Tioman Island
Run by charming Abid and Zubidah (with their delightful young son cavorting about), this adorable cafe occupies a large greenhouse-like building tacked…
Malaysia
Since the 1930s the Shariff family has been serving up refreshingly sweet bowls of cendol (an icy dessert made with pandan noodles, coconut milk and…
Sandakan
A hidden treat at the top of the Nak Hotel, this stylish restaurant-bar has wicker swing-chairs and swallow-you-up couches. Eat on the pot-plant-shaded…
Cameron Highlands
Former military barracks rarely look this idyllic, with marble tables set among flower gardens. The hipster-pleasing menu offers Indian and British dishes…
Pulau Tioman
This castaway-chic restaurant with bed and breakfast rooms (RM150 to RM280) is right on the beach, steps from the lapping waves. On the menu are excellent…
Perak
This cheerful riverside food hall is largely devoted to laksa dishes and cendol, a shaved-ice dessert lavished with coconut milk, pandan pasta, beans and…
Little India & Kampong Glam
These guys have been here since 1908, so they know what they're doing. Tenure hasn't bred complacency, though – the touts still try to herd customers in…
Sabah
Behind a facade of bamboo and greenery, this Filipino joint is primarily a temple to pork, and we love its crispy lechon kawali (pork loin), adobo (pork…
Miri
This very popular cafe-bar serves inexpensive drinks and excellent food in a casual, open-sided restaurant. There's an indoor air-conditioned section, but…
Pulau Tioman
The wi-fi signal may be weak, but that's no problem with the sea views, tasty food and deep mugs of coffee that are served at Bushman. The pizza and…
Kuantan
This fun, vibrant and often packed sit-down street market kicks off in the evenings just south of the floodlit padang. Find everything from spaghetti to…
Sarawak
For fresh fish, squid, crabs and prawns either fried or steamed with the garnish of your choice, head to this bright cafe, one of several boisterous…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
Carnivores will be salivating over the menu at this nose-to-tail restaurant where meat reigns supreme. Chef Drew Nocente artfully plates up pretty much…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
This restaurant with a retro vibe is a vestige of 1970s KL, promising a trip to yesteryear with its signature mun fan (braised rice). The dish is served…
Chinatown & the CBD
The most popular claypot rice stall in Chinatown Complex, and the only one cooking over charcoal stoves. Get the mixed claypot rice, which comes with…
Colonial District, the Quays & Marina Bay
With a perfect harbourside location and twinkling string lights, this Mexican restaurant injects a laid-back vibe into Singapore's supercorporate CBD…
Chinatown & the CBD
Join gossiping uncles and Gen-Y hipsters for a little Cantonese soul food at Ah Chiang’s. The star turn at this retro corner kopitiam (coffeeshop) is…
Kuala Lumpur
The vendors from old Imbi Market – demolished to make way for Tun Razak Exchange – can be found at this modern food court and market serving the same…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
The only crime these thieves are guilty of is stacking their all-day brunch menu with so many delicious options that one visit here is simply not enough…
Ipoh
With cosy booths in a 1920s dining room full of mirrors and printed menus, this cute coffee shop serves spectacular breakfasts, including kaya toast …
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
This weekly market, though mostly for fresh produce, is also a fine hawker food grazing zone. Stalls sell satay and a variety of noodles including asam…
Kuala Lumpur
Blink and you might be in a chic bistro in New York, Paris or Melbourne. The menu changes seasonally so there's always something new to try, from tasty…
Singapore
With its old-world charm – complete with crisp linens – and its famed steaks, Gordon Grill, housed inside a colonial-era hotel, is a step back in time…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Meaning strange beast in Japanese, Kaiju riffs on Godzilla and 1960s retro Japan – but with added Thai spiciness. Dishes such as tom yam ramen and…
George Town
Hameediyah dates back to 1907 and is supposedly the oldest place serving nasi kandar (curries served over rice) in Penang, though the current restaurant…
Chinatown & the CBD
Meat lovers will love the Asian-inspired creations by chef-owner Andrew Walsh, formerly of tapas haven Esquina, in this dimly lit shophouse grill and bar…
