10 Best Ribs Spots in KL that Offer Fall-Of-The-Bone Goodness
If the world were to host an international barbecue party, KLites would surely be invited, with the best ribs on hand. I’ve lived (and eaten) in Kuala Lumpur long enough to know the best Western restaurants that nail everything from the smoky flavour to the fall-off-the-bone texture.
Growing up watching numerous American TV shows, I’ve also grown fond of this dish. Fast forward to today, and I must have checked out more than half of the best rib spots in KL, which is why I’m here!
Whether you like them barbecued, braised, over-baked or anything in between, you’re bound to find something to your liking here. Let’s get started!
El Cerdo
– Media credit: elcerdokl
Address: 43 & 45, Changkat Bukit Bintang
Contact details: +60 13-309 4197
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Friday and Saturday: 5:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Cost: $$$
El Cerdo is known for its roasted suckling pig, which you may have seen videos of being sliced using a plate. Hearing the crunchy skin break apart and seeing the smoke ooze from the meat is something that had my stomach growling more times than once while scrolling on IG.
However, their house special ribs deserve just as much praise because of their tender texture and wide array of flavours. We especially love the Guinness ribs, which use the titular stout as part of the marinade, adding notes of roasted malt to the already flavourful spare ribs.
Lastly, we recommend dining here if you want to celebrate something in an elegant setting, as this establishment exudes sophistication.
Pro tip:
Add a plate of their El Cerdo Pasta to your order to complement the ribs with something rich and spicy. Plus, it’s great for sharing!
Naughty Babe Dirty Duck
– Media credit: ponta_my
Address: FF-21, First Floor, The Waterfront
Contact details: +60 3-6280 6655
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Naughty Babe Dirty Duck is one of the best places to check out in KL for meaty cravings. It offers a wide variety of dishes for carnivores, including lamb racks, Angus steaks, and different parts of pig, like knuckles and belly.
However, the main star of the show is their barbecue pork ribs, which are instantly elevated thanks to their sweet and tangy homemade sauce. Alternatively, you can opt for their oven-roasted spare ribs, which feature a much sophisticated flavour due to their aromatic herbs.
They also offer a wide array of sides to pair with these meaty slabs. We love a good side of fries with our ribs, but if you want to compensate with something healthier, you can opt for the burrata on rocket salad!
Pro tip:
Keep an eye on their Instagram to see when they’re holding their Signature Pork BBQ Ribs promo, which slashes the price from RM48 to RM19.
Beard Brothers’ BBQ
– Media credit: masta_kungfu
Address: Tropicana Golf & Country Resort, P-G-01
Contact details: +60 12-319 0962
Operating hours:
- Saturday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday: 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
When it comes to slow-cooked meat, it’s tough not to put Beard Brothers’ BBQ at the top of the list. You won’t have to see much than their slow-cooked brisket to realise this, especially when its charred skin, tender texture, and juicy meat are in front of you.
However, we still recommend their braised pork ribs, as they offer a different kind of lip-smacking satisfaction with their BBQ sauce-drenched skin. They also offer lamb ribs, which we recommend if you’re looking for something gamier.
We also love how eating here feels like you’re at a friend’s barbecue party as opposed to a restaurant, thanks to the cosy vibes. Plus, you’ll constantly be treated to the constant, immaculate aroma of slow-cooked meat.
Pro tip:
Order their platters if you’re visiting with a group. You can either go for their ready-made options or build your own by choosing your poultry, Angus beef, lamb, and sausage types.
Sausage and Ribs Shack
– Media credit: sausageandribsshack
Address: 9, Jalan 2/105, Taman Midah
Contact details: +60 3-9174 3866
Operating hours:
- Monday to Wednesday: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM to 9:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
- Sunday: 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Sausage and Ribs Shack is one of our proudest finds in KL, as it’s located in a residential area, and its unassuming exterior may go unnoticed for most people. Entering its doors is like being transported to meat heaven, with the aroma of grilled and braised meat lingering in the interior.
As you may have gleaned from its name, this place specialises in sausages and ribs, but we’re here for the latter. Their smoked BBQ spare ribs are shimmering with flavourful marinade and feature just the right amount of grill marks to add that signature char flavour.
Their sizes are quite massive as well—even the half racks! The same can be said about their sausages, which are all handmade in-house.
Pro tip:
Order their oak-soaked bacon and mushroom pizza if you’re visiting with friends! Alternatively, you can order their sausage platter to try all of their flavours!
El Iberico
– Media credit: elibericokl
Address: Unit G-1, Seri 8, Lorong Ceylon
Contact details: +60 3-2713 7199
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
There are a few places out there that outdo the Spanish in terms of making spare ribs, and El Iberico proves this spectacularly. It features a Mediterranean-Spanish menu and puts its iberico ribs front and centre.
They offer three different variations: original, herbs and spices, and beer and honey, the last of which is our favourite. The sweetness of the honey perfectly blends with the ribs’ smokiness, and the honey mustard sauce is just the cherry on top.
For dessert, we can’t recommend their tiramisu enough. It features just the right amount of espresso-soaked lady fingers, and the mascarpone cheese is just to die for!
Pro tip:
Pair your ribs with their pan-seared Norwegian salmon to enjoy a classy DIY surf and turf! Also, just a bonus tip: lather the salmon’s citrus butter on the ribs—thank us later!
TTDI Meat Point
– Media credit: ttdimeatpoint
Address: 58, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi
Contact details: +60 14-360 4040
Operating hours: 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$$
TTDI Meat Point is one of the best places to get food in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, and a huge reason for this is their fall-off-the-bone ribs. Their tenderness is attributed to their eight-hour braise in beef stock, so imagine the meaty flavour as well!
The BBQ-flavoured beef can be overwhelming at times, but that’s what their creamy mashed potatoes are for. Put some shredded rib meat, mashed potatoes, and sautéed vegetables on one fork, and you’ve got yourself the perfect bite!
Don’t end your feast there, as their ribs are just the tip of the iceberg. We love getting their luxurious Wagyu burger because of its rich and buttery flavour.
Pro tip:
You can take the bus and depart from the Komersial Burhanuddin if you’re planning on commuting.
The Barn Pavilion KL
– Media credit: thebarnwinebar
Address: Lot C4. 04. 00, 168, The Pavilion
Contact details: +60 3-2110 3223
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 12:00 AM
Cost: $
If you want to take your date (or yourself) somewhere fancy that offers amazing ribs at the same time, then The Barn Pavilion KL should be on your radar! The place itself will immediately set the mood with its wine cellar-inspired interior, dim lights, and sophisticated leather chairs.
However, the spotlight is immediately stolen by their smoked beef short ribs. Instead of the usual steakhouse look, these ribs look more delicate, as if a world-class chef plates them.
Don’t be intimidated by the fancy aesthetic, however, and dig into these bad boys with your hands, and enjoy the perfect balance between sweet, smoky, and savoury with every bite. Lastly, we recommend pairing them with one of their unique cocktails!
Pro tip:
Consider coming here if you have kids who are under 12 years of age. They’ll get a kids’ meal free of charge for every main dish you order.
Me’nate Steak Hub
– Media credit: menatesteakhub
Address: C-01-02 & C-01-03 StarParc Point
Contact details: +60 3-4131 1611
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Me’nate Steak Hub doesn’t just offer some of the best cuts of steak in KL, but ribs as well! One thing about their ribs is that they’re always cooked to perfection (12 hours to be exact), to the point where you can shred their meat with your fork.
It also helps that the beef they use is Wagyu, which is already tender on its own! Furthermore, they offer lamb ribs, which offer a slightly sweeter, gamier flavour.
Of course, a visit to Me’nate won’t be complete without trying their dry-aged Angus beef! This massive slab of meat is perfectly grilled once it reaches your table, developing charred bits on the exterior while retaining a perfectly pink interior.
Pro tip:
Order their seafood marinara pasta to contrast the meaty flavours with something slightly tangy, acidic, and sweet!
The Sticky Wicket
– Media credit: thestickywicketkl
Address: 34, Plaza Damansara
Contact details: +60 12-444 2957
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM
- Friday and Saturday: 12:00 PM to 3:00 AM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM to 2:00 AM
Cost: $$$
The Sticky Wicket is one of our favourite nightlife spots in KL because it offers the same lively atmosphere of English pubs, especially during sporting events. This ambience, paired with amazing Western food and draft beer, is the formula for a memorable night out!
However, one of the main stars here is their ribs, mainly because they’re used as a sandwich filling. As if its barbecue marinade isn’t flavourful enough, this sandwich is also filled with caramelised onions and a mac and cheese waffle to add more umami.
Also, since this is indeed an English pub, you can’t leave without trying their fish and chips! It features pollock, battered in beer and deep-fried to perfection, alongside thick-cut fries, and the mushiest peas you’ll try in KL.
Pro tip:
If you have a sweet tooth and don’t drink alcohol, we recommend getting their “Dirty Mind” mocktail. It consists of matcha, milk, cocoa powder, cinnamon syrup, and whipped cream, resulting in a nutty and creamy flavour.
Simply Ribs
– Media credit: simply_ribs
Address: 36, Lorong Rahim Kajai
Contact details: +60 17-335 6852
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$
Simply Ribs is one of the few steakhouses in KL that offers Halal ribs. One of their best offerings is the lamb ribs, which are perfectly tender and seasoned with various spices to complement the meat’s gaminess.
They also offer Wagyu beef ribs, which are extremely tender as well, to the point where you can pull out the bone without altering the form of the meat. Both lamb and beef ribs are served in generous portions and can be accompanied by either fries or mashed potatoes.
We also recommend their jalapeno beef ribs if you want your meat to have a bit of a kick! Also, you can get one of their milkshakes as your drink to keep those spice levels at a minimum.
Pro tip:
We recommend ordering their Caesar Salad to start so that you can complement the meaty flavours of the ribs with something fresh, creamy, and tangy.