7 Ramadan Buffets You Shouldn’t Miss This Iftar
Ramadan is one of my most anticipated times of the year because it allows me to take a break from my hustle and bustle and be forced to reflect. Also, it allows me and my family to spend some quality time together, and wait for Eid al-Fitr for a hearty feast.
Eid al-Fitr is among the most anticipated annual festivals in Malaysia, as it marks the end of the month-long fasting. I still remember how my family and I would save up to dine in some of Kuala Lumpur’s best Ramadan buffets to celebrate our successful devotion, which we still do today!
With that said, we’ve eaten through the best of them, from hotels to restaurants and anything in between. The only thing left to do now is to share our favourite ones with you and tell you just why you should check them out, so keep on reading!
Restoran Rebung Chef Ismail
– Media credit: restoranrebung
Address: 5-2 Cascade Parking, Bukit Aman
Contact details: +60 3-2276 3535
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 8:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Restoran Rebuing Chef Ismail offers one of the most colourful buffet spreads in Kuala Lumpur, whether it be Ramadan or not. This isn’t just because of the vibrant selection of dishes either, but due to the fun-coloured interior decor as well, like the bars and the bold yellow wall.
Their selection of dishes (as seen during previous Ramadans) reaches a whopping 90, most of which are local Malay delicacies. One of their signature dishes is the Malaysian curry dish, masak lemak, which is incredibly creamy and doesn’t skimp on protein, like chicken and beef.
Our favourite is the dessert section, as it features traditional Malay sweets like onde onde, which are glutinous rice balls filled with palm sugar. Oh, and if you’re wondering why the restaurant’s name is familiar, it was founded by celebrity chef Dato’ Chef Haji Ismail Ahmad.
Pro tip:
Try to reserve your slots days or even weeks before your Ramadan feast, as this restaurant is known to offer early bird rates.
The Courtyard at The Pavilion Hotel
– Media credit: pavilionhotelkl
Address: Level 8, Pavilion
Contact details: +60 3-2117 2821
Operating hours: Daily from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
If you want to enjoy a fancy Ramadan buffet experience, then The Courtyard at The Pavilion Hotel should be on your radar! It offers an elegant interior decor, and since it’s located at the eighth level, you can enjoy views of Bukit Bintang during your feast.
One thing that The Courtyard’s Ramadan buffet excels at is featuring signature dishes from different parts of Malaysia. For instance, Johor is best represented by its seafood, like the Kerabu lobster, which features a tangy asam pedas sauce that pairs well with the sweet meat.
Meanwhile, Melaka’s section is where you’ll find a variety of Malay street foods. Among these is satay, which is grilled skewered meat marinated with peanut sauce.
Pro tip:
Check their offers on Pavilion Hotel’s official website to get a chance to save money on your buffet dining experience. Furthermore, they’ll sometimes have greater steals that include an overnight stay along with a discount voucher at their restaurants.
Santai at The RuMa Hotel & Residences
– Media credit: tastydigs
Address: 7, Jalan Kia Peng
Contact details: +60 3-2778 0614
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Cost: $$$
Santai at The RuMa Hotel & Residences is one of the best options if you’re looking to indulge in delicacies from different states and cities of Malaysia. For instance, they offer a laksa station that features versions based on how different states make them!
We also love their live grilling station, as it allows you to see fresh ingredients develop that smoky flavour and charred texture in real time. Personally, the squid is our all-time favourite, but you can also try their satay and chicken thigh.
The overall place also exudes classiness, with its high ceiling, warm lighting, and spectacular views of the KL skyline.
Pro tip:
Before heading to the restaurant at night, we recommend spending a day at the Aquaria KLCC to complete your family day!
Maya Brasserie at Hotel Maya
– Media credit: deacristina
Address: 138, Jln Ampang
Contact details: +60 3-2711 8866
Operating hours: Daily from 6:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Cost: $$$
Maya Brasserie is located in one of KL’s premier 5-star hotels, so it also exudes the same classiness and elegance. The place is also decorated based on the Ramadan theme each year, with the most recent one being “Secret Garden”.
However, it’s more than just a looker, as it offers a fantastic selection of local and international delicacies, ranging from Nyonya curry to massive Singaporean prawns, and more. While we’re on the topic of seafood, you must also try their chilli mud crab!
Maya Brasserie’s success can also be attributed to its devotion to sourcing local products for its dishes, ensuring freshness with every bite.
Pro tip:
If you want to save money by avoiding Grab or renting a car, you can easily get here by taking a KL bus and getting off at the Hotel Maya station.
De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan
– Media credit: dewan1958bychefwan
Address: The Linc, 360, Jln Tun Razak
Contact details: +60 3-7890 6016
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 3:30 PM, 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Cost: $$$
De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan’s Ramadan buffet is known for having their unique spin. For instance, they offer a delicious grilled lamb tomahawk steak (peha kambing bakar), instead of using the lamb as part of a creamy curry.
However, that’s barely the tip of the iceberg, as their most recent Ramadan buffet spread featured over 150 dishes! One of its highlights was the seafood station, which featured fresh delicacies like prawns, oysters, and lobsters on ice.
Traditional warung-style stalls also took centre stage and offered Malay staples like nasi kerabu, which featured perfectly fried chicken, a salad, and blue-coloured rice. As for desserts, Pahang stole the spotlight with its puding diraja Pahang, which features prunes, cherries, and nuts.
Pro tip:
If you missed out on the early bird rates but still want to save money, we recommend driving a bit further to their Bangi Resort Hotel branch. They offer cheaper regular rates compared to their branch in The Linc.
Lemon Garden at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur
– Media credit: shangrilakl
Address: 11, Jln Sultan Ismail
Contact details: +60 3-2786 2378
Operating hours: Daily from 6:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Lemon Garden is one of the nicest places to eat in Kuala Lumpur, in general. Aside from offering a stunning modern interior, it surrounds its guests with its luscious garden, which can be viewed courtesy of the floor-to-ceiling glass windows.
It also does a great job of encapsulating Malaysia’s vibrant cuisine by offering regional classics at different stations. For instance, you could be getting a hearty serving of authentic beef rendang from one stall and Johor’s laksa from the next!
If you’re a sweet tooth, you’ll immediately fall in love with their dessert bar, as it offers Malaysia’s uncrowned National dessert, ais kacang! Of course, you can also get some items from the international section, like pizza and sushi, to diversify your feast.
Pro tip:
If it’s your first time in KL, make sure to explore the Golden Triangle’s best attractions before or after your buffet! The nearest one we recommend is the Menara Tower, which is within walking distance of Shangri-La KL.
Feast at Sheraton Petaling Jaya Hotel
– Media credit: sheratonpetalingjaya
Address: Lorong Utara C, Pjs 52
Contact details: +60 3-7622 8888
Operating hours: Daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Feast at Sheraton does a great job of combining nostalgic Malaysian staples with a modern and lavish setting. It’s not always that you can eat ayam percik in all its coconut-y glory while admiring high ceilings and luxurious wooden finishes!
It’s also one of my favourite places to reward myself after Ramadan because of their extremely juicy and tender kambing golek berempah, which is a lamb steak with mint sauce. I usually pair this with their bone marrow soup for the ultimate umami bite!
Another highlight from their menu is the daging masak hitam, which they flawlessly execute by featuring tender beef and a sauce that’s a perfect blend of soy sauce and gravy. Lastly, we recommend treating yourself to kuih lapis to wash away the savoury flavours from your mouth.
Pro tip:
You can also check out their promotions page before visiting to see if they’re offering early bird promos on their Ramadan buffets.