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Alexis Bistro
Consistently good food is delivered at this Bangsar stalwart, where Asian favourites such as laksa mix it up with more European fare. After your meal move on to the ultra-smooth Bar Upstairs for a cigar and a cognac. There are four locations, including the Bar Upstairs, across Kuala Lumpur.
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Asian Heritage Row
As well as trendy bars, Asian Heritage Row - aka Jln Doraisamy - is lined with upmarket restaurants, perfect for a pre-party feast.
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Bangsar Baru Pasar Malam
Held on Sunday evenings, the Bangsar Baru pasar malam on Jalan Telawi 4 is an institution; you'll find all manner of tempting take-away food stalls serving local treats like otak otak (spicy fish paste grilled in banana leaves) and the crepe-like apam balik . If you can't wait till Sunday, there's a permanent hawker court at the junction of Jln Telawi 4 and Jln Maroof.
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Cheong Hua
Brickfields has a number of informal hawker-style restaurants serving tasty Malay Chinese dishes for around RM2 to around RM15 . Try Cheong Hua for fish porridge and noodle soups.
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Crystal Jade La Mian Xiao Long Bao
A huge photographic menu makes ordering easy at this highly regarded Chinese restaurant at Lot 10. Specialities include steamed xiao long bao (Shanghai-style soup dumplings) and la mian (long hand-pulled noodles) fried or served in meaty soups.
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Cungdinh
Steaming bowls of pho soup and imperial dishes from Hue roll out of the kitchen at this popular Vietnamese restaurant. There's live traditional music from most evenings.
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D'Istana Jalamas Café
The café at Istana Budaya serves mamak favourites like fish head curry in classier than average surroundings.
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Devi's Corner
A pavement-café mood prevails at this foliage-drenched canteen facing the Bangsar Village malls. The tray curries are excellent, with plenty of fish, prawns and other seafood.
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Food Junction
Spic-and-span food court in the Mid Valley Megamall serving all sorts of Asian treats.
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Gem Restaurant
This is an excellent restaurant for North and South Indian cuisine. The thalis (mixed platters of rice, curry, soup and bread) are always a favourite, the chicken tikka is chunky and plentiful; there's a range of vegetarian options, including creamy Indian-style veg, and service is good.
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Gonbei
This brilliantly conceived Japanese restaurant is entered through a Zen walkway of leaning beams. There's a broad sushi and sashimi menu, including seasonal fugu (blowfish) for the brave. Diners sit around a series of open kitchens.
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Kameya Restoran Jepun
A small, cosy and authentic Japanese restaurant near Plaza Low Yat. The menu covers everything from sushi and sashimi to tempura and edamame (boiled green soya beans).
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Mangrove Food Court
Various Asian cuisines are showcased at this upmarket food court, upstairs at the souvenir market.
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Matsuba Japanese Restaurant
An unpretentious Japanese place that attracts a younger crowd with good value bento box sets (including sushi, sashimi and teriyaki).
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Medan Selera Food Court
Extensive Asian food court on the lower level of Lot 10.
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Nasi Kandar Bestari
The most popular mamak house in Desa Sri Hartamas, serving tasty snack meals and rehydrating tea and coffee to people staggering home from pubs and bars.
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Nasi Kandar Pelita in Bangsar Baru
Serves exquisite Indian Muslim food, including magnificent roti canai and hariyali tikka (spiced chicken with mint, cooked in the tandoor)
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Nasi Kandar Pelita in KLCC
This swish, fan-cooled pavilion near the KLCC is probably the flashiest of all the mamak canteens in KL.
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Purple Cane Tea Restaurant
Tucked behind the Chinese Assembly Hall, this laid-back place uses tea as an ingredient in most of its dishes. Intriguing specials include chicken soup with tea and ginseng, and beef simmered in lychee tea.
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Restoran Dragon View
Diners are lured into this partly open-air Chinese restaurant by a kitchen window hung with crisp fresh vegetables. Food is prepared in a dozen different styles with a choice of beef, pork, fish, prawns, chicken, tofu or frog meat. Open day and night.
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Restoran Edo Jo
Top-notch Japanese food served in a tasteful wooden dining room with raised banquet rooms hidden by paper screens. Japanese expats come to Edo Jo for a taste of home.
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Restoran Hameed's
Conveniently located near Pasar Seni LRT station, Hameed's has steaming trays of hot curries, biryani and fried rice. Come at lunchtime for mouth-watering swimmer crabs and prawns, fried whole in chilli sauce.
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Restoran Oversea
An unpretentious banquet restaurant that should feel comfortingly familiar to anyone who has spent time in mainland China. Specialities include pork belly, fish (cooked in various styles) and streaky bacon cooked in a pot with dried chillies.
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Si Chuan Dou Hua
For a break from Cantonese seafood and dim sum, head to this sleek modern place in the Parkroyal hotel and try fiery Sichuan dishes from southwest China. Green tea flows freely from giant long-spouted teapots.
