Ipoh
With cosy booths in a 1920s dining room full of mirrors and printed menus, this cute coffee shop serves spectacular breakfasts, including kaya toast …
Must-see restaurants in Malaysia
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
This weekly market, though mostly for fresh produce, is also a fine hawker food grazing zone. Stalls sell satay and a variety of noodles including asam…
Kuala Lumpur
Blink and you might be in a chic bistro in New York, Paris or Melbourne. The menu changes seasonally so there's always something new to try, from tasty…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Meaning strange beast in Japanese, Kaiju riffs on Godzilla and 1960s retro Japan – but with added Thai spiciness. Dishes such as tom yam ramen and…
George Town
Hameediyah dates back to 1907 and is supposedly the oldest place serving nasi kandar (curries served over rice) in Penang, though the current restaurant…
Malaysia
Seremban's main food market (1975) is a local institution, with dozens of stalls flowing out from its central wet market. Take your pick of vendors…
Kuching
Friendly cats Ginger and Serai (aka 'Lemon Grass') are feline hosts at this cool cafe, while their human underlings serve up excellent nasi lemak (rice…
George Town
Outside Kafe Heng Huat you'll find Soon Chuan Choo who, in her trademark red chef's hat, has been turning out some of Penang's best char kway teow (rice…
Sarawak
Café Café serves decent Southeast Asian fare, including Nonya-style chicken, Thai curries and Chinese noodles. There are daily specials and inventive…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
The fishmonger to some of KL's top restaurants has its own operation and it's a corker. The fish and seafood – in particular the wide range of oysters –…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
All eyes are drawn to Lisette's counter, which is laden with a veritable cornucopia of baked goods – croissants, danishes, savoury pies, curry puffs and…
Kuala Lumpur
There's round-the-clock eating at the open-sided pavilion housing the KLCC branch of this hugely popular chain of excellent mamak (Indian Muslim) eateries…
Pulau Langkawi
At Bon Ton resort, Nam boasts a well-executed menu of fusion food, from chargrilled rack of lamb with roast pumpkin, mint salad, hummus and tomato jam, to…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Meeta and Prabodh's frills-free but charming cafe is a great spot for wholesome vegetarian Ayurvedic chapatis, wholewheat naans, parathas (bread made with…
Sabah
Just steps from the beach, with terrific food ranging from hinava (local take on ceviche) to swordfish steak, curries, cheesecake, sweet-and-sour chicken,…
Melaka City
The self-proclaimed mantra of this contemporary cafe specialising in global plant-based cuisine is that it won't use MSG, artificial colouring,…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Discover the spicy and delicious cuisine of northern Sri Lanka at Yarl. Help yourself from claypots filled with spicy mutton, chicken, prawn, vegetable…
Melaka City
Nasi lemak with rendang is the speciality here. It's made with chicken or beef and incorporates a variety of local rice types if you so choose. There's…
Malaysia
Klang is famous for bak kut teh, pork stew made by simmering ribs in a fragrant broth of star anise, ginseng, orange peel and other spices. Welcoming Seng…
Sarawak
Chinese stalls (selling pork and rice, steamed buns etc) are at the southwest end of the lot, while Malay stalls (with superb satay and barbecue chicken)…
Melaka City
Specialising in Peranakan cuisine, Bulldog is a contemporary space that serves excellent food with a spicy edge – don't miss the chilli-paste-slavered…
Kuala Lumpur
With its huge open-air deck facing the Petronas Towers, this show-stopping Latin American eatery has a boisterous but convivial atmosphere and is a great…
Pulau Pangkor
Reliable and adored by backpackers, Daddy's feels like a haven by the northernmost edge of Coral Beach. Food service runs throughout the day and it's hot,…
Sarawak
Nudging the Rejang Esplanade, the Ark has an air-con interior plus outdoor seating upstairs, and is the perfect place to watch the river drift by with a…
Kuching
Housed in an old granary that has been renovated with minimalist flair, this breezy restaurant serves up burgers, pizzas and pasta, plus some pricier meat…
Pulau Perhentian
One of the top choices on Long Beach is this open-sided restaurant cooled by a sea breeze and jazz vibes. Cocktails, fresh juices and smoothies, and a…
George Town
Chefs Hong and Yen have charmed Penangites at two previous venues, with their quirky style and delicious Italian food and desserts. Jaloux is their latest…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Don't be put off by the low-key appearance of this simple joint with a few ramshackle tables under a sheet of corrugated iron. The same family has been…
Malaysia
Five-star service complements award-winning food at The Olive. It's eye-wateringly expensive by Malaysian standards, but complaints melt away as readily…
Taiping
An eclectic menu, from Malaysian kopitiam (coffee shop) classics via fish and chips to bacon bruschetta and the occasional 'paleo' option, keeps things…
Kuala Lumpur
Overlooking the koi pond and lake at Sentul Park, and very romantic at night when lit by flickering candles, Samira serves excellent Thai and Vietnamese…
Kuala Lumpur
Superb dim sum (try the barbecue chicken buns, which melt in the mouth) are served at lunch in this upmarket restaurant, and an extensive array of…
Kota Kinabalu
By far the best place in town to try authentic laksa, this place gets totally packed during lunchtime. You'll be directed to your plastic seat with…
Kuala Lumpur
Off the tourist radar but renowned locally, this hawker-stall alley comes to life at night. Evening grazing could include addictive fried chicken, chai…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Occupying a handful of stalls outside the Civil Servants Club House (PPTD), this rustic food court is rightly famed for its superb fish-head curry, deep…
Kuala Lumpur
It's quite acceptable to use your fingers to savour the sublime sushi served at the counter, one piece at a time, by expert Japanese chefs. There are also…
George Town
A famous vendor of Hokkien mee (mixed noodles in a rich, prawn- and pork-based broth) draws most folks to this open-air hawker convocation, but there's…
Kuala Lumpur
Occupying a tastefully restored old home, French Feast offers classic French bistro–style dishes including cassoulet, house-smoked sausages with puy…
George Town
Step into this classic-feeling cafe for excellent nasi kandar (Muslim-influenced curries served over rice). You can't go wrong with the tomato rice,…
Pulau Langkawi
Unkaizan serves lauded Japanese food, with seating in a cosy bungalow and on an open patio. The menu spans much that Japan is known for, but don’t forget…
