5 Malay Restaurants in KL That Stay Faithful to the Cuisine
As the designated restaurant finder of my family, I’ve gotten to know more than a handful of Malay restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. From classic Malay street food to traditional breakfast dishes like nasi lemak, the selection of authentic local food in the capital never runs out!
It’s not all sunshine and rainbows, however, as I’ve had my fair share of disappointments over the years, and I know my family is just too kind to say so. But alas, I’ve pushed through and managed to discover amazing finds that are just too good to keep to myself.
So, if you’re looking for a place where you can eat the best and most authentic Malay food in Kuala Lumpur, I’m your guide! Read on to discover some of the best places that didn’t disappoint us!
What is the average cost of Malay restaurants in Kuala Lumpur?
Eating in Malay restaurants in Kuala Lumpur ranges between RM10 to RM20 for hawker stall-style restaurants, RM30 to RM60 for mid-range restaurants, and RM300 to RM800 for fine-dining establishments.
1. Bijan Bar & Restaurant
Highlights: Sambal sotong, ayam masak merah, rendang tok, satay
Location: No.3, Jalan Ceylon
Contact: +60 3-2031 3575
Business hours: daily from 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Bijan Bar & Restaurant is a fine dining spot that offers elevated Malay dishes while staying relatively true to the cookbooks.
They offer an elegant interior featuring dim lighting, big windows, and cool artwork, making it suitable for romantic date nights and milestone celebrations. We tried this restaurant on my father’s 50th birthday, and we weren’t disappointed!
Aside from the classy ambience, we were also impressed with the accommodating and helpful customer service. For instance, we loved how the waiter took his time to explain how some of their dishes strayed from the traditional recipe.
One of their best offerings here is the satay, which differs from the usual variations by being marinated in spiced honey. At the same time, they offer dishes that stick closely to the cookbooks, like the rendang tok, which is your usual slow-cooked beef in coconut milk.
We also loved how varied their selection of dishes was, as they offered seafood and vegetarian options as well!
Our only issue, of course, is the high prices. It’s something you’d expect from a fancy fine-dining restaurant like this, though.
Offers an elevated take on traditional Malaysian cuisine
“Bijan is a fantastic restaurant that offers an elevated take on traditional Malaysian cuisine. The ambience is warm and inviting, making it a great spot for both casual dining and special occasions.
The dishes are rich in flavour, with a perfect balance of authenticity and modern presentation. Standout items include their tender rendang, flavorful satay, and delicious desserts like the pandan pudding.
The service is attentive, and the overall experience is well worth the visit. Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy high-quality Malaysian food in a refined setting!”
– Hou Fai Lee, Google Review
Good for date nights or small gatherings of friends
“Came here twice — first time for post-dinner dessert and drinks, and second time for dinner. Comfortable & upscale ambience with spread-out seating, good service, and a wide variety of Malaysian dishes.
The coconut curry and pandan pudding stood out to me. Good for date nights or small gatherings of friends. No reservations either time, but we were able to get a table without a wait (4 people first time, two people second time).”
– Shanru, Google Review
2. White and Black Kampong
Highlights: Deep-fried tilapia, giant freshwater prawn, kampong chicken, smoked beef
Location: 15, Jalan Kamunting, Chow Kit
Contact: +60 11-2392 7127
Business hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 10:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
As the name suggests, White and Black Kampong offers a wide array of kampong-style dishes. Their menu features favourites like smoked beef, deep-fried tilapia, and kampong-style fried chicken, which is beloved for its signature fried rice and smoky flavour.
Personally, our favourite is their seafood selection, more specifically, the giant freshwater prawn. Aside from the prawn’s size, which lives up to its name, we love this dish because of the signature yellow coconut-y Malaysian curry that it’s drenched in.
The serving portions here aren’t skimped out on as well. Most of their dishes can easily satisfy two to three people!
One thing they lack from their menu is desserts. Fortunately, they make up for this by offering beloved local drinks like teh tarik and kampong Milo to wash down your meal with something sweet.
The food is excellent and delicious
“The food is excellent and delicious. The price is reasonable, and I love Petai Kachang with deep-fried Grouper and Sambal. The blood clams with sambal petai, and Tempoyak are excellent.
The orange juice is worth clearing my stomach before lunch, and teh tarik are worth washing the lunch down. I would recommend it and there are other local Malay restaurants that cost less elsewhere outside of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Pictures taken on the 190425, Saturday.”
– Heskey 10600, Google Review
Incredible dining experience
“WHITE & BLACK KAMPUNG HERITAGE offers an incredible dining experience with its charming old-school, kampung-style vibe that instantly transports you to a nostalgic era.
The staff provide excellent service, showcasing their knowledge with clear explanations and even skillfully upselling without being pushy. It’s a refreshing experience to be served by such attentive and professional staff.
The food is the highlight—authentic kampung flavours paired with great quality, making every bite enjoyable.
Highly recommended for anyone looking to enjoy delicious traditional dishes in a unique and welcoming setting. A must-visit”
– Ken Wong, Google Review
3. Makan Kitchen
Highlights: Malay-style chicken leg, mee mamak, nasi goreng kampung, char kway teow
Location: 348, Jln Tun Razak
Contact: +60 3-2172 7272
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 6:00 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 6:00 AM to 11:00 AM, 12:30 PM to 4:00 PM
Makan Kitchen is a staple in Kuala Lumpur for those looking to eat all-you-can-eat local and international dishes. It’s located on the 11th floor in one of the classiest hotels in the capital, so you can expect beautiful interiors (and views) while you’re eating here.
Their buffet spread of local dishes ranges from vegetarian noodles to classic nasi lemak. However, we feel like the nasi goreng kampung takes the crown because of its perfectly fried chicken wings, signature Malay spicy fried rice, and perfect chicken satay.
They also offer amazing Penang-style char kway teow, which doesn’t hold back on its fresh ingredients, such as bean sprouts, prawns, and squid. We also love ordering their sago gula melaka to end the meal on a sweet note.
Understandably, the restaurant features expensive rates. However, we were a bit more disappointed when we found out that their Malay dishes were more limited than what we expected.
Can’t wait to come back
“We had the pleasure of dining breakfast buffet (inclusive in our room package) at Makan Kitchen at DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, and it was an absolutely exceptional experience.
From the moment we walked in, the ambience was warm and inviting, with a modern yet cozy vibe that made us feel comfortable and welcoming.
The service was outstanding and attentive without being intrusive, and the staff went above and beyond to make sure our dining experience was perfect!
The food itself was phenomenal. The buffet offered an impressive variety of local and international dishes, with the Malay, Chinese, and Indian selections being especially delicious, and I highly recommend their fresh pick salad and roti canai telur.
The flavours were authentic and well-balanced, and you could tell everything was made with high-quality ingredients!
We can’t wait to come back and enjoy another meal here next time. If you’re in Kuala Lumpur and craving amazing food with top-notch service, Makan Kitchen is a must-visit!”
– Ivy, Google Review
The buffet spread was impressive
“Fantastic Breakfast Buffet Experience! I had a wonderful breakfast experience at Makan Kitchen, DoubleTree, by Hilton Kuala Lumpur. The buffet spread was impressive, offering a great selection of local and international dishes.
The quality of the food was excellent, and everything was fresh and flavorful.
What truly made my visit memorable was the exceptional service from the staff, especially Ayu and Norain. They were warm and attentive and ensured that everything was perfect throughout my meal.
Their friendly and professional demeanour added a personal touch to the dining experience. Overall, Makan Kitchen is a fantastic place for a hearty breakfast, whether you’re a hotel guest or just visiting for the buffet. I highly recommend it and will definitely return!”
– Najiha Razak, Google Review
4. Nasi Lemak Wanjo Kampung Baru
Highlights: Nasi lemak, sotong, ayam goreng, ayam rendang,
Location: 8, Jalan Raja Muda Musa
Contact: +60 11-6336 1963
Business hours: Daily from 6:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Nasi Lemak Wanjo Kampung Baru offers one of the most authentic dining experiences in Kuala Lumpur, which is evident from its no-frills interior to its low prices. Their menu mainly consists of this national dish, only varying with the inclusions.
The variety is impressive, as you can essentially personalise your nasi lemak. For instance, you can get one that features ayam goreng (fried chicken) or ayam rendang (chicken curry), both of which are certified bestsellers.
You can also order add-ons for your nasi lemak, such as sotong, sambal, limpa, etc. They also offer a wide range of drinks like teh and milo to partner with their nasi lemak.
As for the atmosphere, it’s extremely lively because it almost never runs out of customers, which can be a double-edged sword, as it also means that they run out fast. However, we appreciate them doing their best to maintain hygiene and comfort within their premises.
Also, regardless of how many customers are present during our visit here, we’re never disappointed with how fast their serving times are, so kudos to their staff members.
Our only issues with this restaurant are its limited operating hours and menu items.
Specialises in nasi lemak with a wide variety of add-ons
“It is a brightly lit cafe that specialises in nasi lemak and with a wide variety of add-ons: sotong, udang, bilis, begedil, ayam goren, ayam rendang. The sambal is not that tasty, as I have tasted better sambal than other nasi lemak stores.
We invited our nephew and his wife, along with 12 university students from Thailand, to eat a local authentic nasi lemak.
I am so pleased with the prayer area for women and the ablution area. The telekung did not smell musty as in other musolla that I have been to. The room, too, does not smell musty; it is indeed a well-kept musolla. Kudos to the Wanjo !”
– Yasmin Mohd Yusof, Google Review
The service was amazing
“Your trip to Kuala Lumpur isn’t complete if you haven’t been here. It’s always crowded even though I came very early. But don’t worry, the queue is well-managed and moves quickly because of the fast service.
There are many side dish choices like chicken, fish, eggs, and others. The taste of this Wanjo nasi lemak is very delicious, and the seasoning is rich but perfectly balanced. Highly recommended.”
– M Irham Fathoni, Google Review
5. Madam Kwan’s
Highlights: Satay, fruit rojak, curry laksa, nasi lemak, chicken chop, fish head curry
Location: Pavilion, 00, Level 1, Lot 1.16, 168
Contact: +60 3-2143 2297
Business hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 10:30 PM
Of course, we can’t leave out one of KL’s most famous Malaysian chains, Madam Kwan’s. We’ve been here more times than we can remember because of their cheap offerings and wide variety of authentic Malay dishes.
Don’t be fooled, though, as this establishment isn’t like your typical chain, as it features beautiful interior decor that can easily be mistaken for a fine-dining restaurant.
The main highlight here, however, is the menu. They offer everything from classic nasi lemak to amazing street food like fruit rojak, satay, and more!
One of their bestsellers is the curry laksa, and rightfully so! It features delicious glassy noodles and a classic curry with the perfect balance of sweet and tangy.
The only downside here is the inconsistent food quality. We’ve experienced a situation when their noodles come out a bit overcooked, while other customers have voiced their dismay regarding the flavour of the nasi lemak.
I would recommend this to everybody visiting KL
“The food was delicious, and everything from the kind staff to the lively atmosphere made our dining experience very enjoyable. I would recommend this to everybody visiting KL to get a taste of the local cuisine.”
– Sa Chan, Google Review
We love every dish that we ordered
“One of the best places to eat and enjoy Malaysian Cuisine in KL, not much content about this place
We love every dish that we ordered:
– nasi bojari : great chicken
– nasi lemak with curry chicken: same, great chicken and spices
– malay satay: the meat is so tender and rich in spices
– lemon chicken: great too
– curry laksa: the soup is thick and flavourfull, with big shrimp
The service is not too long, lot of sitting, and there are also various drinks and desserts
Great place!”
– Geraldi Ryan Wibinata, Google Review