Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Occupying the top level of a multistorey car park overlooking the Perdana Botanical Garden, flamboyant celebrity chef Ismail's restaurant is one of KL's…
Must-see restaurants in Malaysia
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…
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)…
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…
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…
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…
Kuala Lumpur
Barack Obama visited this worthy project run by Dignity, a Malaysian foundation providing education for the poor and refugees. Students gain work…
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…
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…
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…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
Behind the raw concrete and timber facade of the old Mah Lian Hotel is this restaurant and teashop with a plant-filled courtyard and the original hotel…
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…
Pahang & Tioman Island
The excellent restaurant at the resort is open to nonguests and serves a fantastic range of foods, from local dishes such as satay (RM26) to salads,…
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…
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…
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…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
You're not going to meet anyone in KL as passionate about sourdough and baking as Tommy Lee, aka Tommy Le Baker. Trained in Paris, he bakes amazing…
Annalakshmi Vegetarian Restaurant
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
The quality of the lunchtime buffet at this upmarket vegetarian restaurant is exceptional, with an extensive and constantly replenished array of freshly…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
Kuching
Lepau translates as 'farm hut', and organic and free-range ingredients feature at this atmospheric restaurant showcasing the cuisine of Sarawak's…
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,…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
This hidden-away alley of hawker stalls is best visited for breakfast or lunch. Among its standout operators is one offering 10 types of yong tau fu …
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…
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…
Kuala Terengganu
In a delightful heritage building in the heart of Chinatown, Madame Bee turns out excellent renditions of Peranakan dishes with local Terengganu…
Sepilok
This open-sided restaurant makes the most of its lakeside setting with the dark tropical timbers complementing the lush garden and carriage lighting. Pan…
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…
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…
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 …
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
