Melaka City
Many of the dishes involve tea at this pleasant restaurant named after wisteria, one of the more interesting and, crucially, local chains in the Shore…
Must-see restaurants in Malaysia
Sarawak
Owned by an Iban-Kenyah family, Crystal Cafe is a good bet for a simple meal of mee goreng (fried noodles; RM4), laksa Sarawak (RM5), nasi lemak ayam …
Melaka City
This elegant affair serenades customers with classic easy-going jazz. Choose from healthy granolas, avocado on toast or a moreish brownie and wash it all…
Kuantan
Fancy trying patin (silver catfish), the local delicacy? Both wild-caught and cheaper farmed patin in a tempoyak (fermented durian sambal) sauce are part…
Kuching
A great place to try indigenous dishes such as ayam pansuh (chicken cooked in bamboo; RM10), fried tapioca leaves (RM6) and umai (a Sarawakian version of…
Kuching
Look behind the green, Milo-sponsored awnings for the half-a-dozen stalls that crank out porridge, laksa, and chicken, rice and noodle dishes. Popular…
George Town
A massive, always-packed seafood joint with big round tables inside and a few thatched huts outside, across from the waterfront promenade. The restaurant…
Kuching
This North Indian restaurant, a Kuching fixture since 1994, sports a huge menu featuring tandoori chicken and naan as well as delicious mutton, fish and…
Pulau Pangkor
Every night the main road through Teluk Nipah plays host to several hawker stalls and informal restaurants selling snack food and Malay dishes. Enjoy your…
Kuala Lumpur
Not for the faint-hearted: the intensely flavoursome broth for these noodles is drawn from a cauldron in which cows' livers bubble ominously. Ask for it…
Kota Kinabalu
Follow your nose to one of KK's best and most enthusiastic durian purveyors. As well as the domesticated 'king' variety, look for the small, rare,…
Sarawak
A good place to pick up snacks, fresh fruit and Malay favourites such as satay and nasi lemak – rice boiled in coconut milk and served with fried ikan…
Sarawak
Opposite the airport (on the other side of the runway from the terminal building), this relaxed cafe has chicken rice as its speciality. One of the cafe's…
George Town
A pocket-sized breakfast spot that draws a largely local following, despite being close to the backpacker strip. There’s a classic-rock soundtrack and a…
George Town
Fresh fish from Japan is flown in twice a week, and you can watch it get carved to perfection from the sushi counter. There's a large selection of sake,…
George Town
This open-air shack has lost the shade of the tree it was originally named after, but it remains a place where locals go for cheap and tasty seafood. Pick…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
There's outdoor and indoor seating at this biryani speciality restaurant just west of Little India in Bangsar. Choose from mutton, chicken, or even…
Melaka City
This popular pilgrimage place for Hainanese chicken rice often swarms with diners, but don't expect a menu or deferential service. The queue allows plenty…
George Town
Japanese people living in or visiting Penang head straight here for the well-prepared sushi and other authentic dishes. Sake bottles line the walls, and…
Kuala Lumpur
If you're craving pork, this ‘nose-to-tail eating’ joint specialising in ham, sausages and all things piggy is the place to go. The Sunday beer brunch…
Miri
Often packed with families tucking into a banquet of shared dishes, this breezy, open-air eatery specialises in Chinese-style dishes such as ‘braised…
Miri
Expat Indonesian oil workers in bright-yellow overalls flock to this tin-roofed shed for lalapan (tofu, tempeh, meat, spinach-like greens, raw cucumber…
Pulau Langkawi
Of the string of Chinese-style seafood restaurants in Kuah, Wonderland has been around longer than most and gets the best reviews. It’s an informal, open…
Kuala Lumpur
One of the few round-the-clock operations on this eat street. You can come here during the day for dim sum or drunken chicken mee (noodles) made with rice…
George Town
Items such as currywurst and bratwurst may carry a German accent, but fondue and rösti (Swiss-style potato pancakes) solidify Edelweiss' Swissness. The…
Malaysia
A friendly, family-run place at the Food Garden hawker centre, a 10-minute walk uphill from the clock tower. Come here for a choice of Western and Asian…
Penang
Eat any time of the day or night, with dishes ranging from murtabak (roti prata filled with pieces of mutton, chicken or vegetables) to dosa (savoury…
George Town
Though more like a bar than a restaurant, Kashmir can be relied on for delicious tandoori. Attentive service, an assertive Indian soundtrack (with live…
Pulau Pangkor
Fong Leong is a place where locals gather to knock back Tiger beer over steamed fish and fried squid. Expect brusque service but tasty food.
Kuala Lumpur
The dish at this famous street stall comes in two parts: dry, steamed noodles topped with a thick soy-sauce mince, and the chunky beef balls in a clear…
Malaysia
Hot, fresh tau fu fah (bean curd pudding) is scooped into bowls at this roadside vendor outside the 7-Eleven. Service starts in the morning and the cart…
Sabah
This is the best kedai kopi in Tuaran. It excels at char mien/mee goreng, the local, mouthwatering take on Chinese fried noodles, overflowing with…
Pulau Tioman
This bar-restaurant right next to the jetty in Juara plays classic rock and serves good-enough sambal prawns, spicy Thai tom yum soups, vegetable salads…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
This huge banana-yellow and palm-tree-green canteen serves delicious mamak (Muslim Indian-Malay) food, and is perfect for a roti or dosa and curry sauce…
Kuala Lumpur
The refreshing shaved ice and fruit jelly-based desserts here make you realise how much more there is to sweets in Asia than simple ice-cream. If you…
Kuala Lumpur
Ever-reliable Malay home cooking at an unpretentious place with some outdoor tables. Try the petai squid and prawns, crispy fried eggs and cendol (shaved…
George Town
Tired of rice? Weary of noodles? Head here for freshly baked, additive-free bread, alongside tasty breakfasts, cinnamon rolls and lunchtime meals such as…
George Town
Hong Kee Bamboo Noodle is known for its high-quality wan thun mee (noodle soup with dumplings), and at this shop you can see the noodles being handmade…
Kuala Lumpur
This hawker stall, set under the branches of a tree in the lot across from Shaw Parade, is a Pudu institution. Try the coconut herbal chicken soup served…
Miri
Of the Chinese-food purveyors selling kari ayam (chicken curry), porridge and the usual rice and noodle dishes, stall 6 (open 3.30am to 10am) is…
