Penang
Back in the 1940s, the bungalow that this beachside restaurant partly occupies was the hub of the Lone Pine Hotel, one of Batu Ferringhi's most historic…
Must-see restaurants in Malaysia
Kuching
Sells over 40 varieties of kek lapis – a colourful layered cake made with wheat flour, egg, prodigious quantities of butter or margarine, and flavourings…
Kuala Lumpur
Neapolitan-style thick-crust sourdough bases topped with San Marzano tomato sauce and Italian mozzarella di bufala (buffalo-milk mozzarella) are the…
Kuala Lumpur
Dim sum is given a contemporary spin at this fun chain restaurant where you can gorge on steamed buns, egg tarts and other dainty delicacies all day long…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
Justifiably popular for its range of breads, croissants and tarts, Yeast is the best place in town for French-style baked goods. As well as selling…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
This well-run vegetarian restaurant serves Indian delights such as idli (savoury, soft, fermented-rice-and-lentil cakes) for breakfast and masala dosa …
Kota Kinabalu
The crowded tables and queues of hungry patrons ready to pounce on any vacant seat speak volumes for the popularity of this place after sunset. If you…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
Established on Lg Pangung in 1956 and relocated here in 2019, this atmospheric kopitiam (coffee shop) is known for its breakfast treats of nasi lemek and…
Kuala Lumpur
The name of this appealingly designed restaurant, conjoining Malay and Western ingredients, hints at its game plan: offering Malay and Western tapas-sized…
Kuala Lumpur
One of KL’s best Malaysian restaurants, Bijan offers skilfully cooked traditional dishes in a sophisticated dining room that spills out into a tropical…
Vinny Jeyaa Banana Leaf Curry House
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
A bustling and colourful showcase of South Indian street food, this cavernous curry house opposite the Pasar Seni bus exchange is great for breakfast –…
Kuching
This place gets consistently good reviews for cuisine, service and lovely river views. Local dishes such as Sarawak laksa (RM12) and its own invention,…
Kuala Lumpur
Its tag line is 'baba can cook', the baba being genial Uncle John who is often found greeting guests at this atmospheric and justly popular restaurant…
Melaka City
One of Melaka's great bargains, this well-loved banana-leaf restaurant has helpful and efficient staff. Generous servings of aromatic chicken biryani are…
Kuching
This popular nocturnal eatery specialises in lok lok (skewers, eg of fish, prawn, cuttlefish or bean curd; RM2.50 to RM3) that are boiled or deep-fried…
Kuantan
Located in Parkson Kuantan City Mall, this restaurant has all manner of tasty Korean goodies, from mandu (dumplings) to bibimbap (rice bowls), jajanmyeon …
Dharma Realm Guan Yin Sagely Monastery Canteen
Kuala Lumpur
Join office workers for a tasty vegetarian lunch of various fried rice and noodle dishes, dumplings and delicious yong taofu (vegetables stuffed with a…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
The city's famed colonial-era hotel hosts a daily English-style afternoon tea in three spaces within its elegant heritage wing. Choose between the…
Johor
Running since 1953, busy 434 Kopi is the best cafe in town, its marble-topped tables overlooked by a large copy of the Mona Lisa. Delicious coffee (brewed…
Melaka City
A feast of fiery Peranakan specialities are served at this large and pleasant restaurant, with ikan gerang asam (fish in a spicy tamarind sauce) and…
Kota Kinabalu
Below Borneo Backpackers this blue joint with parasols and bikes on the wall features dishes such as ikan basung, poke bowls, fried mackerel with spicy…
George Town
This is your chance to sample Peranakan-influenced cuisine in a setting that the Baba-Nonya elite of yesteryear would have approved of. The stately dining…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
This restaurant inside Central Market has an upscale, Shanghai-1930s look, with lacquered chairs and pricey porcelain on display, and serves similar,…
Chinatown, Merdeka Square & Bukit Nanas
Stairs lead up from a semi-concealed doorway to this high-ceilinged cafe. Staff nurture an easygoing vibe and customers are united by enthusiasm for…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
The classics of the Peranakan (Nyonya) menu such as laksa, pong teh (chicken stew) and otak otak (spicy fish paste cooked in palm leaves) are served at…
Malaysia
Cendol, the alien-looking dessert of shaved ice, coconut, green noodles and jaggery, takes a variety of colourful forms at this roadside dessert shop:…
Ipoh
This popular restaurant is the place to come for variations on nasi lemak (rice in coconut milk with fried ikan bilis – dried anchovies – peanuts and a…
Sabah
Tiara Labuan's Chinese restaurant has good reports for its seafood (though scallops and mussels are imported and cooked from frozen). For the freshest…
Kuala Lumpur
In business since 1928, this beloved kopitiam serves classic Hainanese and colonial-era food: on Friday, Saturday and Sunday its famous roast pork …
Kuching
A popular all-day haunt for both locals and visitors, Commons features mains including excellent pasta, burgers and Asian dishes, and a very tempting…
Gunung Mulu National Park
This cafe-restaurant serves excellent breakfasts (eggs, pancakes, muesli), and lunch and dinner with a few Western items, Indian curries and local dishes…
The Kraken Grill @ The Waterfront
Sabah
The owners picked a pirate theme and decided to run a few miles with it, hence the pirate-map menu and references to the Black Pearl and Jack. Come happy…
Kuching
A one-stop blend of cool neighbourhood cafe, cooking-class venue and hip art space, Indah is one of Kuching's best cafes. Menu highlights include tasty…
Sarawak
This restaurant below the Sibu Heritage Centre dishes up authentic North Indian curries and tandoori-cooked breads and meats. This is a different cuisine…
Kuala Lumpur
There's no shortage of restaurants in Bukit Bintang serving Middle Eastern food, but few are as consistently good as Al-Amar. Choose from a tasty range of…
Melaka City
Scarlet tikka chickens rotate hypnotically on skewers, luring diners to this frills-free Pakistani restaurant. With aromatic vegetarian dishes, seafood…
Melaka City
If gourmet burgers with fillings such as Greek-style spicy lamb, teriyaki pork chop or portobello mushroom sound like a pleasant change from taste bud…
Malaysia
A fairly standard shopping mall, albeit with grand entrances flanked by bamboo, Alamanda has an above-average food hall. Take your pick of roti canai …
Cherating
Doubling as a surf school when the monsoon winds blow and run by seasoned surfer staff, this enjoyable spot is a great choice for breakfast, brunch or…
Melaka City
The inner courtyard of this tapas restaurant is a cooling place to sip a sangria, beer or glass of Spanish vino. The chef is Spanish and imports…
