Pulau Pangkor
Tourists come here for a seafood splurge and beers galore (we suspect they carry every local brand). The dry chilli chicken, served with a rich, spicy…
Must-see restaurants in Malaysia
Sarawak
Malaysia’s largest fruit-and-veg market has more than 1000 stalls. Upstairs, Chinese-, Malay- and Iban-run food stalls serve up local specialities,…
Perak
Part of a slew of Chinese restaurants in tiny Tanjung Tualang, Luen Fong is popular for its steamed fish, freshwater prawns sizzled in garlic and ginger,…
Kuala Lumpur
The stream running between Jln Perak and Jln Pinang has been buried beneath this recently revamped alley of small food and beverage outlets, mainly…
Johor Bahru
This airy, old-school corner coffee shop and teahouse with delightful mosaic-tiled flooring is very popular with locals and tourists alike. Take a seat…
Mt Kinabalu & Kinabalu National Park
The cheaper and more popular of the two options in the park is this canteen-style spot directly below the park visitors centre. It offers basic but decent…
Ming Xiang Tai Pastry Delights
George Town
What started as a Chinese egg-tart business run from a trishaw in the 1970s has blossomed into a mini-empire of pastry shops around George Town. You can…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Providing a ringside view of the feathered inhabitants of KL Bird Park, the Hornbill serves Asian and Western dishes. Go local with its nasi lemak (rice…
Kota Kinabalu
Nagisa exudes class and refinement but the service and food quality are inconsistent. There's a wealth of sushi dishes, from California temaki (crab stick…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Nam Chuan Coffee Shop is the name of this food court – inside are many individually run stalls, including one serving kolok mee (a Sarawakian version of…
English Tea House & Restaurant
Sandakan
More English than a Graham Greene novel, this beautiful stucco-pillared villa, with its manicured croquet lawn, bay views and wicker chairs parked under a…
Melaka City
This lively white-tiled hole in the wall has one specialist cook preparing delicious Hokkien-style popiah (lettuce, bean sprouts, egg and chilli paste in…
George Town
Traditional local dishes such as laksa and nasi goreng (fried rice) with chicken satay are made with high-quality ingredients and served in generous…
Kota Kinabalu
This silk-festooned waterfront restaurant looks promising, but its northern Indian cuisine is hit-and-miss. The naan bread is pillowy-soft, vegetarian…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Although not exclusively vegetarian, this arty, rustic place is where you can sample inventive and well-prepared veg-only dishes such as vegan laksa. They…
Kota Kinabalu
Santan has waterside seating and features an extensive menu of Southeast Asian dishes ranging from beef rendang to chilli crab. There is also a good range…
Medan Selera Dato’ Tawhil Azar
Ipoh
Surrounding a children’s playground, this hawker centre has mostly Malay stalls ranging from roti canai (flaky flatbread) to satay, icy desserts and nasi…
Kuala Lumpur
A KL offshoot of the original Bali Mama San, this stylish joint occupies a prime position overlooking the KLCC park's fountains. The menu is peppered with…
Sarawak
Stalls selling quick, flavoursome bites such as kolo mee (noodles cooked with pork lard; RM6), wonton mee (noodles with dumplings; RM6) and fresh juices …
George Town
Although in a rather charmless setting in a mall, the food here is good, and ranges from several kerabu (salads) to staples such as inche kabin (deep…
Pulau Pangkor
Towards the northern end of Coral Beach, this friendly eatery has seats spilling onto the sand, allowing pancakes with a view. We're not sure the hot dog…
Melaka City
Famous for its satay celup (a Melaka adaptation of steamboat with satay sauce), this place is often packed with tourists, even when late, so you may have…
George Town
The name here is Chinese for 'roots', a contrast with the sleek, modern dining room and likewise cuisine at this new restaurant. Sit at the counter for…
Penang
Run by friendly folk, this pleasantly decorated cafe serves a very tasty range of local dishes including a delicious laksa, Hakka rice and noodles and…
Pulau Langkawi
The comfortable dining room, pleasant outdoor seating area and efficient service here belie the reasonable prices. It's a good place to go for authentic…
George Town
All visitors to Fort Cornwallis can claim RM10 off the bill at this stylish but somewhat forlorn restaurant within the complex. There's some tempting…
Sandakan
Regarded by many as the best of the gaggle of casual eateries that line the waterfront, the Harbour Bistro menu lists plenty of Asian options using beef,…
Kuala Lumpur
You can watch French TV or leaf through a French book or magazine while dining at this relaxed cafe in the residential bungalow that houses the Alliance…
George Town
Don't be put off by the fact that this restaurant is part of a gambling club. Many locals swear by the quality of their Chinese cuisine, and we can attest…
Sarawak
Lundu's location at the edge of Sungai Stamin and just a few kilometres from the ocean makes for delicious fresh fish from both river and sea. This…
Sepilok
Friendly Mama Wati's is set up in a ramshackle contrivance beside the road just outside the SORC entrance. There's usually a gaggle of guides and drivers…
Johor Bahru
An excellent South Indian restaurant with some of the best chicken you've ever had, served on a banana-leaf plate. Ask for the 'vegetarian chicken' – tofu…
Johor
This place – named after the famous Taoist mountain Hua Shan in China's Shaanxi Province – looks like it's been going forever and is best known for its…
Pahang & Tioman Island
The round-the-clock hours are a major draw to this busy open-sided restaurant which offers tasty, filling and crowd-pleasing servings of over 30 varieties…
Cherating
Don’t Tell Mama is best known for its legendary burgers but there are plenty of other options on the menu including vegetarian ones. With its cool…
Sandakan
Located in what looks like a multi-storey car park, this is the best spot in town for cheap eats and food stalls. Upstairs you'll find strictly halal food…
Sarawak
Malay and Chinese food stalls fill the upper floor of this blue-coloured fruit-and-vegetable market. The cone-shaped roofs of Pasar Utama and the next…
Perak
Food stalls swarm the riverbank just north of Recreation Park; point and pile your plate with chicken chop, morning glory (veggies with shrimp), South…
Johor Bahru
Come late afternoon, the little food stalls crammed along this alley (parallel to Jln Meldrum) start frying up everything from ikan bakar (grilled fish)…
Pulau Langkawi
At Putumayo the cuisine ranges from across Asia, looping from Malaysia through Thailand to China with fresh fish and seafood (including prawns the size of…
