Semporna
Let's be clear about this: Fat Mom's is Semporna's go-to place for some of the tastiest, freshest seafood around – so fresh that your dinner might be…
Must-see restaurants in Malaysia
Kota Kinabalu
This cosy bijou cafe is run by a Hungarian chef and is a real fave with travellers thanks to its eclectic, well-thought-out menu. The Middle Eastern…
Kuala Lumpur
One of the best places in the greater KL area to sample authentic Malay cuisine, served in the traditional buffet style. At lunchtime more than 50 dishes…
Pulau Langkawi
Langkawi is geographically closer to Thailand than the Malaysian mainland, so you can expect some blisteringly authentic Thai food at this hugely popular…
Tawau
Though some locals complain about consistency, we find the seafood here almost impeccable. The extensive menu features such delights as steamed clams with…
Tawau
One of Tawau's best seafood restaurants, this Chinese emporium with shiny fish tanks is always packed. Find a table and order either from the specials…
Pulau Pangkor
The best dining experience in the Teluk Nipah area, this beachfront restaurant combines generous portions of mostly Malaysian home cooking with views out…
Pulau Perhentian
BuBu’s Santai restaurant offers laid-back views that may see you opting for a second beer or cocktail before your candlelit dinner kicks off. Lighter…
Melaka City
A lovely place for a scrambled egg breakfast, smoothie bowl or moreish lunch, the food at this small cafe is tops. Dishes regularly change, but stewed…
George Town
The excellent seafood and unique location of this basic hawker centre – seemingly hidden in a Chinese temple complex looking out over the North Channel –…
Sandakan
Black sesame bean curd, braised shiitake mushrooms with yam, laksa with handmade noodles and tender steamed dumplings, bursting forth with crunchy, fresh…
Lahad Datu
Sakura doesn't look like much at first glance – a few plastic tables and chairs scattered under an awning. But then the food arrives: succulent butter…
Penang
Locals come here for laksa asam – thick rice noodles in a tart, herbaceous fish-based broth, with mint leaves, pineapple slivers, onions and fresh…
Kota Kinabalu
El Centro is understandably popular – it's carnivore- and vegetarian-friendly and drinks are reasonably priced. Choose from Tex-Mex and Mediterranean…
Pulau Langkawi
Langkawi is home to heaps of Middle Eastern restaurants and this Syrian place is one of the best. Expect friendly staff, slightly less fluorescent…
Kuala Terengganu
This restaurant is constantly packed. There’s ice-cold beer aplenty and one of the finest Chinese seafood menus in town. Fresh fish, squid and prawns are…
George Town
There's a reason this place is always packed: it's one of the tastiest, most consistent Chinese restaurants in town (and in a place like George Town, that…
Kuala Lumpur
Stalls pack out the length of Lg Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the alley between Jln Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Masjid India. Amid the headscarf and T-shirt sellers…
Pulau Langkawi
This is where locals go for nasi campur (Malay-style buffet). Serve yourself from trays holding dishes such as rich rendang, fiery sambal, a coconut milk…
George Town
Serve-yourself, buffet-style restaurants generally opt for quantity over quality, but the Padang-style Indonesian curries, stir-fries, soups, salads and…
Taiping
Creamy and sweet with generous amounts of green noodles and gula melaka (dark coconut-sugar syrup), shaved-ice desserts have been dished up at Ansari…
Kota Kinabalu
A chorus of welcomes greets you as you walk into this minimalist Japanese place and a joyful call-and-response from the staff conveys your order to the…
Pulau Langkawi
This sophisticated, air-conditioned snack stop serves excellent French desserts – croissants, tarts and eclairs – as well as light salads, sandwiches,…
Kota Kinabalu
Particularly good for its veggie thalis, this unassuming spot serves its spread of Indian dishes on banana leaves in a busy, cafeteria-like setting. Get…
Kota Kinabalu
The dining here is as simple as can be, just plastic tables under tarpaulin, and the air is smoky and redolent of grilling seafood, glazed chicken wings…
Kuantan
If it’s authentic you’re after, look no further than this huge open-air seafood restaurant across the river on the island of Tanjong Lumpur. On any given…
Pahang & Tioman Island
Run by charming Abid and Zubidah (with their delightful young son cavorting about), this adorable cafe occupies a large greenhouse-like building tacked…
Malaysia
Since the 1930s the Shariff family has been serving up refreshingly sweet bowls of cendol (an icy dessert made with pandan noodles, coconut milk and…
Sandakan
A hidden treat at the top of the Nak Hotel, this stylish restaurant-bar has wicker swing-chairs and swallow-you-up couches. Eat on the pot-plant-shaded…
Cameron Highlands
Former military barracks rarely look this idyllic, with marble tables set among flower gardens. The hipster-pleasing menu offers Indian and British dishes…
Pulau Tioman
This castaway-chic restaurant with bed and breakfast rooms (RM150 to RM280) is right on the beach, steps from the lapping waves. On the menu are excellent…
Perak
This cheerful riverside food hall is largely devoted to laksa dishes and cendol, a shaved-ice dessert lavished with coconut milk, pandan pasta, beans and…
Sabah
Behind a facade of bamboo and greenery, this Filipino joint is primarily a temple to pork, and we love its crispy lechon kawali (pork loin), adobo (pork…
Miri
This very popular cafe-bar serves inexpensive drinks and excellent food in a casual, open-sided restaurant. There's an indoor air-conditioned section, but…
Pulau Tioman
The wi-fi signal may be weak, but that's no problem with the sea views, tasty food and deep mugs of coffee that are served at Bushman. The pizza and…
Kuantan
This fun, vibrant and often packed sit-down street market kicks off in the evenings just south of the floodlit padang. Find everything from spaghetti to…
Sarawak
For fresh fish, squid, crabs and prawns either fried or steamed with the garnish of your choice, head to this bright cafe, one of several boisterous…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
This restaurant with a retro vibe is a vestige of 1970s KL, promising a trip to yesteryear with its signature mun fan (braised rice). The dish is served…
Kuala Lumpur
The vendors from old Imbi Market – demolished to make way for Tun Razak Exchange – can be found at this modern food court and market serving the same…
Lake Gardens, Brickfields & Bangsar
The only crime these thieves are guilty of is stacking their all-day brunch menu with so many delicious options that one visit here is simply not enough…
