KL’s 9 Hotel Buffets So Good, You’ll Think You’re in Foodie Heaven!
A huge part of my criteria when I’m looking for a hotel to stay in the city is if it offers a buffet restaurant. Call me old-fashioned or frugal but if I’m staying somewhere expensive I might as well get a full tummy during my stay.
Fast forward to a couple of business meetings and family staycations later, and I’m glad to report that Kuala Lumpur doesn’t disappoint with its hotel buffets. There are plenty of choices out there, but not all of them are worth checking out—hence the point of this list!
From international delights to local favourites and more, the food served in these buffets doesn’t fall short in variety and quality. So before you plan your next trip to Kuala Lumpur, consider staying in these hotels or at least include visiting them in your to-do list in the capital.
Mosaic at Mandarin Oriental
— Media credit: mo_kualalumpur
Address: Mandarin Oriental, City Centre
Contact details: +60 3-2179 8881
Operating hours: Daily from 7:00 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
When it comes to showmanship, Mosaic at Mandarin Oriental is definitely up there among the greats. From the elegant interior walls and floors to the low-hanging lights and interactive live cooking stations, everything screams luxuriousness.
It isn’t just a looker as well, as it offers one of the most impressive buffet spreads in Kuala Lumpur. Whether you’re looking for international dishes like pasta, pizza, steaks or local classics like tandoori chicken, murtabak and more, you’ll find everything here!
Meanwhile, if you’re an Asian cuisine lover like me, you’ll have a blast when you reach their sashimi station! Plus, they also boast an impressive selection of dim sum and stir-fried rice for those Chinese cuisine lovers out there.
Pro tip:
Before or after indulging in this buffet’s delightful dishes, be sure to visit the Petronas Twin Towers, as it’s only a couple of minutes away. It’s one of the most famous buildings in the country, and a visit here wouldn’t be complete without an obligatory tourist photo.
Lemon Garden at Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumpur
— Media credit: shangrilakl
Address: Shangri La Hotel, 11, Jalan Sultan Ismail
Contact details: +60 3-2786 2378
Operating hours: Daily from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Seafood lovers will get a kick out of Lemon Garden at Shangri La because of its impressive array of freshly-caught delights. You’ll immediately be in awe when you see its table of sea critters, most notably the king crab legs that are sitting upright in a pile of ice.
They also offer lobsters, mussels, prawns, squid—you know, the works. Also, if you’re like me and you’ve seen those freshly shucked oyster mukbang videos on the internet, you’ll be pleased to know that they also offer them here!
Aside from seafood, the buffet features tons of other local and international dishes. These items rotate depending on the time of day, but regardless of which time you choose, you’ll be guaranteed a one-of-a-kind gastronomic experience.
Pro tip:
If you’re looking to splurge and want to try something special, we recommend ordering their ribeye beef! Meanwhile, if you need some more kick out of your meat, you can use their authentic Thai chilli to spice up your dining experience.
Contango, The Majestic Hotel
— Media credit: themajestickl
Address: 5, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin
Contact details: +60 3-2785 8000
Operating hours: Daily from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Contango is one of those places where you can explore the world’s different cuisines without leaving your seat. Under one roof, you can enjoy a plethora of well-known international dishes from the sushi rolls of Japan, to the steaks of America and everything in between.
They also feature a solid seafood collection that I think is worth mentioning because of its beautiful orange prawns alone. The meat in these gigantic prawns is as tender and sweet as they come, and it gets far better when you add a splash of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
You can also indulge in a wide selection of delicately made sushi made by their renowned chefs. Trust us, these aren’t the typical rolls that you’d find in so-called “Japanese” restaurants in the city!
Pro tip:
If you’re planning on commuting, the best thing to do is ride the train and drop off at the Kuala Lumpur Railway Station. Not only will you beat the traffic, but you’ll also see one of the city’s oldest and most iconic attractions!
Nook at Aloft
— Media credit: aloftkls
Address: 5, Jalan Stesen Sentral
Contact details: +60 3-2723 1154
Operating hours: Daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Nook at Aloft may just take the cake for being the most sleek hotel buffet in Kuala Lumpur because its monochromatic and simple interior is something else! It also boasts a bunch of artwork that gives off a sudden pop of colour amongst the sea of whiteness—but I digress.
I’m not here to critique its looks (though it may as well pass with flying colours) but I’m here to talk about its offerings, and quite frankly, it’s just as good! One of our favourite parts about this buffet is its amazing selection of local delicacies.
It features Malaysia’s finest dishes such as nasi lemak, assam pedas, Sarawak laksa and more. Furthermore, they feature carving stations for various types of meat—pretty cool!
Pro tip:
Consider this buffet if you’re coming with kids! They offer special slashed rates on children aged 12 years and below.
Dondang Sayang Coffee House at Corus Hotel Kuala Lumpur
— Media credit: wan_tying
Address: Corus Hotel, Jln Ampang, Hampshire Park
Contact details: +60 3-2161 8888
Operating hours: Daily from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $
Dondang Sayang Coffee House is one of the cheapest hotel buffets in the city so it’s a no-brainer to include it here. Its cheap price doesn’t mean that it cuts corners on quality though, as everything offered here is up to par with classier hotels!
You can’t go wrong with any of their offerings but if you want our advice, we highly recommend their Hainanese chicken rice, as it’s what they’re mostly known for. It’s not hard to see why too, with the chicken’s silky smooth texture and the unmatched fragrance of the steamed rice.
The place is a looker too, featuring beautiful neon lights that dazzle the otherwise old-school hotel look of the buffet restaurant.
Pro tip:
We recommend visiting on weekends to enjoy the buffet kopitiam, which is where you’ll be treated to amazing local delicacies and continental favourites.
Nipah at EQ
— Media credit: eqkualalumpur
Address: Ground Floor, EQ, Equatorial Plaza, Jalan Sultan Ismail
Contact details: +60 3-2789 7839
Operating hours: Daily from 6:30 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$$
You can consider Nipah at EQ as one of the best when it comes to blending local delicacies with international staples. It’s not always you can pair a delicious slab of steak with roti canai, one of Malaysia’s street food staples.
Speaking of seafood, you can also help yourself to satay while you’re here! These are delicious skewered meat that is grilled to perfection and coated in this type of peanut-y sauce that’s just to die for.
If you’re one to indulge in seafood, you’ll also get a kick out of this buffet, as it features a jaw-dropping seafood table. Here, you’ll find tiger prawns, mussels, oysters and more that are freshly stored in blocks of ice.
Pro tip:
If you want to end your meal on a sweet note, we highly recommend their baked cheesecake. Everything about this dish, from its soft texture to its mild sweetness is nailed to perfection!
Makan Kitchen
— Media credit: makankitchen.doubletreejb
Address: 348, Jln Tun Razak, Kampung Datuk Kerama
Contact details: +60 3-2172 7272
Operating hours:
- Monday: 6:00 AM to 2:30 PM
- Tuesday to Saturday: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 6:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Makan Kitchen is another perfect example of a buffet that’s both a spectacle and a source of amazing food. You’ll absolutely love how each cooking station is designed appropriately based on the dish being served, whether they be Peranakan, Chinese, Malay, etc.
Aside from Asian cuisine, they also serve a myriad of international favourites like pasta, pizza, burgers, steaks and more. This type of variety is what we love to see in buffets as it helps groups with picky eaters to agree on where to eat.
To top it all off, they also serve homemade ice cream, which is the best way to end your meal. It isn’t too sweet but it’s enough to wash away any seafood, meat or other flavours that may be still lingering in your palate.
Pro tip:
Follow them on Instagram to see their latest discounts and special offers! They’ll sometimes hold buy 1 get 1 promo on specific dates.
TRACE Restaurant & Bar at Element by Westin Kuala Lumpur
— Media credit: elementkualalumpur
Address: IB Tower, 8, Lrg Binjai, Menara Ilham
Contact details: +60 3-2771 3351
Operating hours: Daily from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
TRACE Restaurant & Bar won’t only treat you to spectacular food but to breathtaking views as well! This is because this place is situated on the 40th floor of the Element, which means that you’ll be treated to 360-degree panoramic views of the KL skyline while you’re dining here.
We have a feeling that you won’t pay much attention to the views, however, as the food here will really immerse you in its flavours and presentation.
They look, taste and feel very gourmet and fancy, which isn’t always my cup of tea, but it’s one of those cases where the food tastes just as good as it looks. Plus, they also offer healthy options, which is perfect for those who want to taste amazing flavours without ruining their diet.
Pro tip:
The best way to get to Element KL via commute is by riding the train and dropping off at the Ampang Park train station. From there, you only have to walk for a couple of minutes to reach the hotel.
Ee Chinese Cuisine at Eastin Hotel Kuala Lumpur
— Media credit: makankitchen.doubletreejb
Address: Pusat Dagang, 13, Jalan 16/11
Contact details: +60 3-7665 1111
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 10:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
If you’re craving Chinese food, then Ee Chinese Cuisine at Eastin Hotel should be right up your alley! They offer unlimited versions of Chinese staples from dim sum to roasted chicken, noodles and more.
Most notably, this hotel buffet is known for its endless dim sum, as they come in different variations. Plus, they’re pretty easy to eat because of their small size, so you can easily get tons of them just to try the different flavours.
If you’re more of a fried chicken guy, don’t worry! They also serve Chinese-style fried chicken, coated in delicious sweet and sour sauce.
Pro tip:
If you’re planning on booking a room at the Eastin Hotel, make sure to do so on their website! This way, you can see when they’re holding special promos for their rooms and who knows, maybe you can score a five-star stay at a discounted price!