Old But Gold: Malaysia’s 10 Oldest Restaurants Showcasing Our Rich Culinary History (and Still Serve Great Food!)
We had a family reunion for my grandfather’s birthday recently, and I witnessed some wonderful discussions. My uncles and aunts reminisced and listed down their all-time favorite restaurants their father brought them to when they were younger.
It’s interesting how certain tastes and smells can bring back specific memories and it’s heartwarming to hear the stories, people, and traditions they associate with the food.
A lot of the restaurants they mentioned are still alive and active to this day – institutional hallmarks of Malaysian cuisine. Most of them I’ve already tried, some I only heard of then and there.
I took note and decided to go on a journey down culinary history by visiting the oldest restaurants and eateries in Malaysia with my team. And of course, we will not keep this to ourselves. So if you’re a culinary enthusiast or tourist, keep reading to know more!
Hameediyah Restaurant
Media Credit: Hameediyah Restaurant
*Menu subject to change
Website
Address: 164 A, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: +60 4-261 1095
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Sunday (10 AM – 10 PM)
- Friday (10 AM – 1 PM, 3 PM – 10 PM)
Hameediyah Restaurant was established in 1907—more than a century ago! Their speciality is the nasi kandar, a Penang dish of steamed rice eaten with a variety of spiced curry, gravy, and side dishes.
They’re available for dine-in and in-store pickup, but just note that they have a long line of patrons on most days. For us, though, we realized the food was worth the wait once we took our first bite.
As for the ordering process, you’ll have to pick your viands and pay for them in one area. After that, you’ll be directed to the dining area, where you can get your drinks. It’s kind of like an old-school cafeteria style with food that tastes home-cooked.
There’s a wide variety of dishes available here, even unique ones such as rabbit curry and fried baby sea crab. The nasi kandar, murtabak ayak, tiger prawn, and mutton curry are fantastic options—definitely worth a try.
You’ll also get to take your pick between white rice or nasi biryani (yellow rice). If you’re feeling lost, the staff can give suggestions on which one goes well with your viand. This place is quite pricey, but given the quality of the food (not to mention the restaurant’s history), it’s worth it!
Pro Tip:
The lamb shank is insane—in a good way. Order it if it’s available when you come; it’s super tender and flavorful. You can just tell it was cooked over a long period of time because the flavors seeped in well.
Coliseum Cafe & Grill Room
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Website
Menu
Pricing: $$$
Branches:
- Plaza 33 Branch
- Contact: +60 3-7490 7863
- Operating Hours: Monday-Friday; Sunday (10 AM – 10 PM); Saturday (10 AM – 9:30 PM)
- Mid Valley Branch
- Contact: +60 3-2386 7331
- Operating Hours: Daily (10 AM – 10 PM)
- IOI City Mall Branch
- Contact: +60 3-8213 8844
- Operating Hours: Daily (10 AM – 10 PM)
Coliseum Cafe & Grill Room was established in 1921, serving its patrons for over 100 years now. What sets them apart is their Malaysian Hainanese fusion cuisine and the way they honor tradition but also reinvent old favorites in their food.
This is apparent even in their ambience – their restaurant combines both old school charm through its architectural elements and elegant minimalism.
Their menu is extensive, offering different kinds of appetizers, soups, slow-cooked ribs, steaks, Hainanese chicken, and local favorites such as sambal fried rice and Hainanese fried mee.
Aside from these, they also have some vegetarian options, pasta, and different sides to complete your meal. At the time of writing, they’re offering seasonal promos on their premium steaks – make sure you check on that.
Pro Tip:
Don’t sleep on their desserts. Their chocolate lava cake and apple pie are our favorites.
Yut Kee Restaurant
Media Credit: yutkee1928
Website
Menu
Address: 1, Jalan Kamunting, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +60 3-2698 8108
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday-Sunday (7:30 AM – 4 PM)
- Closed on Mondays
Yut Kee Restaurant is a family-run business that’s known for its delectable Hainanese and Malaysian food. They’ve been in the area since 1928, earning them a solid reputation in the community for delicious cooking and efficient service.
We love what one of their patrons said about them, mentioning that their food arrived faster than a text notification. No fluff, just great service.
They’re a great option for family meals because they have a nice outdoor seating area and the food won’t break the bank. They’re known for their pork chop and Hainan chicken rice. Their fried mee noodles and soup noodles are also crowd favorites because of the quality.
The setup is lowkey and retro, but it has this unmistakable charm that solidified itself as a restaurant in the hearts and stomachs of Malaysians. The staff are quick but still friendly and warm. It’s definitely a must-visit if you want authentic food with a side of character and history.
Pro Tip:
They don’t do reservations. They also get very crowded during peak hours, so best to go early.
Sek Yuen Restaurant
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Website
Menu
Address: 313, Jln Pudu, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +60 3-9222 9457
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Tuesday-Sunday (11 AM–2:30 PM, 5–9:30 PM)
- Closed on Mondays
Sek Yuen is another classic. Established in 1948, this restaurant is known for Cantonese comfort food. For older patrons, they get nostalgic whenever they eat here, because of the dated ambience and black and white photographs all around the space.
Their pei pa duck is a gift. It’s crispy and flavorful without being overpowering or too fatty. Other crowd favorites are their shark fin egg lettuce wraps and crab meat balls. Sek Yuen earned a Michelin star in 2024 – so you know you’re getting a treat.
Something that sets Sek Yuen Restaurant apart is its continuation of traditional cooking methods. Yes, they still use wood ovens. So eating here is a nod to years of culinary excellence and significance.
Overall, we like that their food is excellent, reasonably priced, and served quickly. You get very fast tea refills, no need for constant follow-ups.
Pro Tip:
While they’re not the usual tourist go-to, it can still be crowded at times. You can reserve your table here.
Yuit Cheong
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Address: 50, Jalan Pantai, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact: +60 88-252 744
Pricing: $
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Saturday (7 AM – 5 PM)
- Sunday (7:30 AM – 5 PM)
- Closed on Fridays
If you want to eat like a local, you should check out Yuit Cheong. It’s the oldest standing restaurant in Kota Kinabalu, having been established in 1896. They’re known for their kau coffee and roti kahwin, a popular breakfast and tea time snack usually eaten with butter and kaya.
For lunch, you shouldn’t miss out on their popular satay, which are tender, juicy, with well-balanced flavors. They have chicken, beef, and lamb satay. Do know that they usually start serving the satay during lunch time, so if you want this, you need to time your visit.
The restaurant is simple and really embodies traditional Malaysian street-side coffee shops. If you want something good and authentic with not much flair but a whole lot of history, this is the place to be.
Pro Tip:
It usually gets busy by 9:30 AM. If you want an unhurried and quiet breakfast spot, go here before then. They usually open at 7 AM.
Tho Yuen
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Website
Menu
Address: 92 Campbell Street Georgetown, 10100 Penang, Pulau Pinang
Contact: +60 4-261 4672
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Sunday (6 AM – 3 PM)
- Closed on Tuesdays
Tho Yuen is a tea house that’s been in Penang for more than 90 years. Today, they’re known for their dim sum, crab fried rice, and other Cantonese favorites. But back in the 1960s, they were one of the best Hainanese chicken rice restaurants in the area.
The vibe of the place hasn’t changed much since it was established, with the decorations and tableware looking pretty much the same. Older patrons remember this place fondly because of the delicious food and amazing service.
They’ve been recognized with a Michelin Bib Gourmand Award, but even before this recognition, they’ve been beloved by so many because of their excellent cooking.
Their dim sum is prepared fresh daily in the wee hours of the morning and runs out fast, so you have to go here earlier if you want a lot of options. The dimsum is even served in a trolley like they did back then.
The dim sum with the house tea is a match made in heaven and is very comforting. Another crowd favorite is their fried noodles and fish balls. The prices here are also very reasonable, making it a good usual breakfast place for foodies in Penang.
During lunch time, they serve their traditional Hainanese chicken rice menu that people still flock to. After trying them, we could definitely see why.
Pro Tip:
If they’re available during your visit, order their egg tarts! They’re flaky, flavorful, and not too sweet.
Restoran P.R. Meiappan
Media Credit: Restoran P.R. Meiappan, P. Klang
Website
Address: 21, 180, Kawasan 13, 42000 Port Klang, Selangor
Contact: +60 19-224 1669
Pricing: $
Operating Hours: Daily (10 AM – 2:30 PM)
This well-loved restaurant has been around since the 1950s and is known for its mouth-watering South Indian dishes. Since they’re located near the port, workers used to swarm here in groups for delicious and affordable lunches.
The late P.R. Meiappan, who ran the restaurant, is also well-loved in the community for his warm heart, always helping out when he could, giving free food to the hungry, and helping rebuild homes. You could really feel the love and passion in his actions and in his food.
Now his sons have taken over the business, keeping his memory and the spirit of the restaurant alive. Their curry and biryani are show-stoppers, and they’re definitely worth going to, not just for the rich history but for an authentic Indian culinary experience.
Pro Tip:
Try their dry mutton gravy, fish head curry, and goat intestine curry, if you’re feeling adventurous!
Pek Yoke’s Cake
Media Credit: ATF Food City
Address: Opposite Maybank, at Jalan Yap Ah Loy, Exit at Masjid Jamek LRT
Contact: +60 12-299 5222
Pricing: $
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Saturday (8 AM – 1:30 PM)
- Closed on Sundays
Although Pek Yoke’s Cake is a stall and technically not a restaurant, we believe it deserves a place on this list for being a hallmark breakfast spot for more than 50 years now. They only serve two things: the Swiss roll and Kaya Kok.
The pastries are sold by a kind and warm old lady who sells in the same spot every week, except Sundays. She prepares the pastries in the wee hours of the morning and starts selling at 8 AM daily.
She uses her late husband’s kaya recipe that has become a familiar and comforting taste to so many through the years. It’s not too sweet, making it a good breakfast option. The pastries are delicious and warm, and it’s unlikely to have just one.
Pro Tip:
The pastries sell out quickly. It’s best to come here in the morning to make sure you’ll be able to buy some.
Lawanya Food Corner
Media Credit: anitaeats
Address: 1077/ 50470,, 8, Jalan Scott, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +60 16-220 2117
Pricing: $$
Operating Hours:
- Monday-Saturday (6:30 AM – 4 PM)
- Closed on Sundays
Lawanya is a hidden gem that you must try out in Kuala Lumpur. It’s a South Indian restaurant that’s been around since 1983.
It is a well-loved eatery in the community for its consistently delicious food, wide variety (they have 40 dishes to choose from usually), and reasonable prices.
Everything is fresh and served buffet-style in clay pots. You have different options: meat, vegetables, and different kinds of curries paired with soft and fluffy rice. You can choose among white, brown, or biryani rice.
The staff are efficient and the place is clean but simple. Nothing too fancy, what really sets it apart is the food.
The meat is tender, well-seasoned, and flavorful. For us, the salted fish curry, mutton curry, and chicken varuval really blew our minds. They also have a lot of vegetarian options.
Pro Tip:
It might be best to go here without bringing a car because it’s hard to find parking. The stall itself is tucked away in an alley.
Noodle Descendants
Media Credit: foodieboi.asia
Address: 188, Jln Padungan, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak
Operating Hours: Daily (8 AM –1:30 PM); Closed on Tuesdays
Pricing: $
Founded in 1957, Noodle Descendants is a respected eatery in Kuching’s Chinatown. They’re known for their amazing noodles that are never overcooked, drenched in black vinegar, shallot oil, and served with a bowl of soup with pork intestines.
The sweet and salty combo definitely keeps the locals craving for more. This place is always packed, and you will have to wait in line, but it’s worth the time.
If you’re looking for noodles that are authentic, tasty, and cooked with tried and trusted methods passed down from one generation to the next, this is the spot for you.
Know that they mostly have outdoor seating, only accept cash, and don’t accept reservations. You may think that it’s kind of dated, but it’s part of the charm.
Pro Tip:
It’s an unspoken rule, but don’t order unless the staff comes to you first and patiently wait to be seated. It’s worth it, we promise. It’s the OG experience.