Must-see restaurants in Malaysia

  • Fatt Kee Hokkien Mee

    Kuala Lumpur

    The line of customers at this street stall confirms its status as one of KL's top purveyors of the filling, fried noodle dish.

  • Kopitiam

    Sarawak

    Several old-time kopitiam (coffee shops) can be found along Jln Maju. In the morning, locals gather to dine on Foochow specialities, read Chinese…

  • Delicious

    Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar

    Serving brunches, healthy salads, pasta, sandwiches and Asian mains such as curry laksa in a contemporary setting. Drop by for the afternoon tea (RM75)…

  • Mersing Harbour Centre

    Johor

    As well as housing a collection of stalls selling hawker food, this centre opposite the ferry terminal is where you go to book ferry tickets and resorts…

  • Khan’s Islamic Restaurant

    Miri

    This simple canteen is one of Miri’s best North Indian eateries, serving up mouth-watering tandoori chicken (RM12), naan bread and mango lassi (RM5) as…

  • Youtiao Stand

    Sarawak

    A street stall selling freshly made doughnuts and youtiao (fried Chinese churros) – perfect to bring on an upriver boat trip. Follow your nose to its…

  • Famous Mama

    Sarawak

    Famous Mama does Mamak (halal Indian-Malay) cuisine and is a popular place for quick, cheap nasi kandar (rice served with side dishes of different curries…

  • Restoran 168

    Kuala Lumpur

    Plastic tables and noodle vendors spill out on to the pavement at this rustic place selling some of the best curry mee, spicy curry laksa and wan tan mee …

  • Restoran TKS

    Kuala Lumpur

    On KL's busiest food street is this nontouristy joint serving spicy Sichuan dishes. It's all good, from the chilli-oil fried fish to the gunpowder chicken…

  • Kee Mei Siew Pao

    Malaysia

    This basic shop is a great place to pick up some of Seremban’s famous pao (golden pastry pork buns).

  • Marang Market

    Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast

    This bustling market smells of slippery fish and ripe durians, but there are plenty of more accessible produce such as bananas – fresh or fried – to munch…

  • Jaslyn Cakes

    Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar

    This tiny bakery is justifiably popular for its delectable cakes made with free-range eggs and organic flour, but its desserts and cookies are tempting,…

  • Orkid Ria

    Pulau Langkawi

    This is the place to go in Pantai Cenang for a banquet of Chinese-style seafood. It's packed out daily with families feasting on shrimp, crabs and fresh…

  • Lebanon

    Penang

    Middle Eastern visitors have brought their cuisine to Batu Ferringhi, and this is the pick of the lot. We fancy the meze platter, which brings together…

  • Koko Kitchen

    Peninsular Malaysia's Northeast

    Koko gets good reviews from campers for its small but changing menu of Asian and international dishes. You can also get a beer here, and it even has…

  • Diyana Cafe

    Sarawak

    A buzzing little place with pavement tables and views of the river that serves up tasty Indonesian fare, including nasi lalapan (rice, vegetables and tofu…

  • Restoran Bismillah

    Semporna

    This reliable stalwart caters to night owls and insomniacs, with fried noodle dishes, seafood rice and all manner of variations on the roti canai…

  • Limbang Food Court

    Sarawak

    Opened in 2018, this outdoor food court features 40 stalls handily divided into a Malay side and a Chinese side. It's a breezy and cool spot to be after…

  • Pantai Batu Buruk Night Market

    Kuala Terengganu

    The aroma from charcoal grills wafts over Pantai Batu Buruk every Friday night. It's very popular. If you are taking a taxi here on a Friday evening,…

  • Cecil Street Market

    George Town

    One of central George Town's best old-school markets, Cecil Street has a delicious selection of hawker food and a couple of stalls selling nonya kueh …

  • Enak KL

    Kuala Lumpur

    One of the better options in Starhill's Feast floor, Enak is worth searching out for its finely presented Malay cuisine with a sophisticated twist.

  • Gem Restaurant

    Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar

    A Brickfields stalwart, this calm restaurant serves good South Indian food, including specialities from Chettinad, Andhra Pradesh and the Malabar coast…

  • Canteen

    Sarawak

    The park's canteen serves simple rice and noodle dishes. If you are staying in the park and would like to eat an evening meal at the canteen, inform staff…

  • Kek Lok Si Temple Restaurant

    Penang

    Part of the Kek Lok Si temple complex, this no-frills restaurant offers buffets and set meals of simple but nourishing Chinese vegetarian food.

  • Night Market

    Kedah

    This afternoon and evening food market is the best places to eat in Alor Setar after dark, with stalls spilling out of several covered restaurant-style…

  • Annalakshmi

    Johor Bahru

    An authentic vegetarian Indian restaurant run by volunteers of the Temple of Fine Arts, with the motto ‘eat what you want and give as you feel’. Meals are…

  • Popular Corner Food Centre

    Sarawak

    If you've ever wanted to try fresh frog porridge (RM14), this is the place to come. Less-adventurous diners can choose from one of eight stalls selling…

  • Vnam Kitchen

    Ipoh

    Reliable Vietnamese fare, from lemongrass pork and crystal spring rolls to enormous soups, is served up at this efficient and friendly restaurant with a…

  • Kemuja

    Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar

    This stylish cafe and bakery is good for all-day breakfasts, sandwiches, salads and hearty mains including their own take on nasi lemak using black rice…

  • New Capitol Restaurant

    Sarawak

    A classy, old-school Chinese restaurant that locals flock to. Foochow specialities include sea-cucumber soup (RM10) and white pomfret (RM70 to RM80 for a…

  • Food Republic

    Kuala Lumpur

    An excellent choice of meals and snacks and slick design make this one of the best shopping-mall food courts in KL. It’s also surrounded by scores of…

  • Kedai Kopi Fatt Kee

    Kota Kinabalu

    The woks are always flamin' and sizzlin' at this popular Cantonese joint below Ang's Hotel. Look out for sweet-and-sour shrimp, jungle fern and oyster…

  • Sisters Noodle

    Kuala Lumpur

    The Sisters' delicious 'drunken' chicken mee (noodles) made with rice wine makes for a great breakfast or lunch on Jln Alor before the evening crowds…

  • Santouka

    Kuala Lumpur

    Slurp tasty ramen noodles in a rich pork broth at this joint in Pavilion's Tokyo Street, an outlet of a famous stall originating from the Japanese island…

  • Sunset Corner

    Pulau Tioman

    The last spot before the stairs leading south, Sunset serves beer, booze, milkshakes and deservedly popular pizza. The wildly popular happy hour is from…

  • Restoran Rinnie

    Pulau Langkawi

    Above-average nasi campur (buffet of curried meats, fish and vegetables, served with rice), including a few vegetable options, served by a friendly family.

  • Woodlands Restaurant

    George Town

    Come here for tasty banana-leaf meals (the daily set lunch for RM8 is one of George Town’s greatest food bargains), as well as the thickest mango lassi in…

  • Salang Dream

    Pulau Tioman

    This open place not far from the jetty is flushed with the sea breeze, serving decent seafood, with tables out front on the sand and barbecues in the…

  • Auntie Gaik Lean's

    George Town

    A homey, old-school dining room serving likewise Peranakan dishes. If you're intimidated by the menu, opt for the daily set lunch, which is posted out…

  • Town City Food Court

    Kuala Terengganu

    Pull up a plastic chair under the whirling fans for cheap Malay, Thai and Chinese hawker favourites and the best selection of cold beer in Kuala…

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