13 Affordable Yet Romantic Dinner Spots in KL All Frugal Couples Will Appreciate
Who said that you have to break the bank just to go on a memorable date in Malaysia’s renowned capital? Well, whoever did clearly hasn’t been looking closely!
If they did, they’d know that Kuala Lumpur is filled with affordable restaurants perfect for romantic dinners!
As someone who wasn’t as privileged growing up, I had to look for these places whenever I miraculously landed dates. This gave me the idea of making this list—plus, my friends won’t stop asking me for date ideas so I’ve decided to finally give an ultimate answer.
From the Golden Triangle to lesser-known neighbourhoods, here are where you can go for affordable romantic dinners in Kuala Lumpur:
Botanica + Co
— Media credit: botanica.co.my
Address: G3A/ G5, Verticals Podium
Contact details: +60 16-965 6422
Operating hours:
- Weekdays: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
- Weekends: 9:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
A lush garden is one of the most romantic dinner settings you could ask for, and Botanica + Co offers this at a fraction of the price of what fancy restaurants charge. Furthermore, it offers a serene ambience among its healthy plants that make the experience all the more intimate.
As for food, they cover a wide range of both Western and local favourites. For the former, we highly recommend the fish and chips, as it features two massive halibut fillets fried to golden perfection as well as a side of savoury steak fries.
Meanwhile, if you’re looking to be immersed in local cuisine, you must try their nasi lemak with delicious chicken percik. If you don’t know, percik is a local marinate/sauce that consists of flavourful ingredients like coconut milk, turmeric powder, shrimp paste and lemongrass.
Pro tip:
If you want to end your meal on a sweet note but don’t want something overly sweet (and unhealthy), we highly recommend getting their fruit bowl. It consists of fresh watermelon slices, blueberries, mangoes, dragon fruits and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Chica Bonita
— Media credit: chicabonita.my and hungryycarrot
Address: Lot 34, Level G2, Block C5 Publika Shopping Gallery
Contact details: +60 17-405 2279
Operating hours:
- Saturday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday: 12:00 PM to 1:00 AM
Cost: $$
Chica Bonita is a living testament to the idea that date nights can be fun as well! This vibrant joint is one of the best Mexican food spots in KL, greeting you with colourful walls, Day of the Dead-themed decors and of course, a myriad of authentic dishes.
The dishes we’re talking about here range anywhere from crunchy tacos to cheesy quesadillas, beefy burritos and more! Plus, you can top off your delicious meal and wash away the meaty flavours by ordering their authentic churros—complete with rich chocolate sauce on the side!
Lastly, what seals this place as a great romantic dinner spot is its selection of cocktails. These drinks won’t only provide refreshments but they will also help you and your date to loosen up and enjoy the night a bit more.
Pro tip:
If you want to save even more money, we recommend ordering one of their pizza for your mains! They come in a variety of flavours (including vegetarian options), and they’re great for sharing.
ROOST
— Media credit: roostkl
Address: No. 69-1, Jalan Telawi 3
Contact details: +60 3-2201 1710
Operating hours: Daily from 12:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Cost: $$$
Alright, ROOST isn’t typically what you’d consider an affordable restaurant but if you order the right dishes, you can enjoy a fine dining experience without breaking the bank. For starters, they offer a variety of affordable appetisers like cured salmon and oyster mushrooms—yum!
As you proceed with your mains, you’ll be presented with a wide variety of fancy dishes like halibut, duck breast and sirloin steak. Although they’re not as cheap as other restaurants, they’re still quite affordable, especially with the quality you’re getting.
Furthermore, the overall classy ambience and elegant interior are well worth spending on. All in all, it’s a great date spot to check out for those special occasions where you’ll save money but don’t want to burn a hole in your pocket at the same time.
Pro tip:
You can also cut back costs on your date night by opting to commute instead! You can easily ride the bus and drop off at Bangsar Village, which is only a couple of minutes away from ROOST on foot.
Bottega KL
— Media credit: roostkl
Address: 1A, Jalan Ceylon, Bukit Ceylon
Contact details: +60 3-2070 4222
Operating hours: Daily from 11:15 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$
We don’t know how society concluded this, but Italian is one of the best cuisines to try on a romantic date night—and we couldn’t agree more! That’s why we had to include Bottega KL on this list because it has managed to make this cuisine accessible through its affordable dishes.
One of their best authentic offerings is their pizza, which can come in various flavours that you wouldn’t typically find in fast food chains. These flavours include Margherita, formaggiosa, picante, saucisse and more.
Also, we love the overall charming setting of the restaurant, as it takes the form of an old shophouse. This immediately adds to the experience and allows couples to take Insta-worthy photos during their romantic date.
Pro tip:
This restaurant also serves as one of the best Italian goods suppliers in the city! If you want to bring home authentic mozzarella, baguettes, cold cuts and more, consider checking out their online store!
Lisette’s Cafe and Bakery
— Media credit: lisettes.my and lizzie.bake
Address: GK09 G Floor, Empire Shopping Gallery
Contact details: +60 3-8604 1762
Operating hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Cost: $$
If you want your date to be filled with sweetness (literally), then Lisette’s Cafe and Bakery should be on your radar! Here, the highlight is the dessert, as you can choose from a variety of baked goods like cakes, brownies, cheesecake and more.
We specifically wanted to focus on their selection of cakes, as they feature amazing flavours ranging from pistachio to white chocolate, strawberry and more. What caught our eye the first time was their ultimate chocolate fudge cake, as it reminded us of the one in the movie, Matilda.
Don’t worry though, as you can also order some hearty meals that will leave you and your date feeling full throughout the night. They offer amazing vegetarian-friendly dishes like poke bowls as well as meaty dishes like cheeseburgers!
Pro tip:
You can also immerse yourself in Malaysia’s cuisine by ordering their nasi lemak and trust us, this is as authentic as it gets!
Dining in the Dark
— Media credit: dininginthedarkkl
Address: 50A, Changkat Bukit Bintang
Contact details: +60 12-305 2011
Operating hours: Daily from 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$$
If you’re looking for something unique to do in KL with your date, then dinner at Dining in the Dark is one of the best things you can do! The whole idea of this place is that you’ll be eating in a pitch-black room but don’t worry because they’ll have someone to assist you.
This isn’t just a gimmick too, as the goal of the restaurant is to heighten its guests’ senses, allowing for a more focused palate for their wide selection of dishes. Speaking of, you won’t be able to choose a dish from their menu, as they’ll be pre-selected—pretty exciting, right?
Plus, there’s just something oddly romantic about dining in the dark! This experience is also a natural wingman, as it will give you tons of things to talk about long after your date is over—high five Dining in the Dark!
Pro tip:
After your scrumptious meal, you can explore the rest of Changkat Bukit Bintang and check out one of its many bars to continue your date over some refreshing drinks, good vibes and loud (or chill) music.
WOP Pizzeria
— Media credit: wop.kl
Address: H-0-8, Plaza Damas, 60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1
Contact details: +60 3-6419 7530
Operating hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM, 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Cost: $$$
Pizza dates are underrated and I’ll happily stand by this claim thanks to places like WOP Pizzeria. I mean, what’s not to like? The overall ambience is fun and hip, they offer plentiful seating options (40 to be exact) and most importantly, their pizzas are great for sharing!
Furthermore, their pizzas come in different flavours that you’ll immediately fall in love with, which is hopefully the same case with you and your date. These fantastic flavours include classics like Margherita and pepperoni as well as innovative ones like pomodorini and diavola.
Lastly, what makes their pizza extra special is their perfect in-house sourdough, which develops these distinct charred spots after some time in the oven. Speaking of, they also use woodfire ovens to make their pizza and it can’t get better than that!
Pro tip:
You can save money on Grab by simply taking the bus and departing at the Plaza Damas bus stop. This will drop you off directly at the shopping centre of the same name where WOP Pizzeria is located.
Horizon Grill at Banyan Tree
— Media credit: banyantreekualalumpur
Address: Level 58, Banyan Tree
Contact details: +60 3-2113 1821
Operating hours: Daily from 6:30 AM to 10:30 AM, 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Nothing screams a romantic dinner quite like a rooftop restaurant, and Horizon Grill is one of the kings of this. Situated atop Banyan Tree, this classy yet relatively affordable restaurant will treat you to beautiful panoramic views of Kuala Lumpur as you’re eating.
It’s not just about the views though, as the food here is just as spectacular! They offer a full-course meal, consisting of revolving dishes but at the time of writing, our favourite one has got to be their Angus beef with rocket salad.
We do think, however, that the main highlight of their meals is always their desserts, which can also change from time to time. Previously, we tried their tiramisu and not much can be said about it other than it’s perfect, from the Mascarpone cream to the rich coffee.
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for ala carte meals, you can opt for their afternoon tea every day from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Granted that it will be an early dinner for you and your date, you’ll get to enjoy dishes like smoked salmon and chocolate mousse and of course, tea!
Bijan Bar and Restaurant
— Media credit: bijankl
Address: No.3, Jalan Ceylon
Contact details: +60 3-2031 3575
Operating hours: Daily from 4:30 PM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$
Bijan Bar and Restaurant is perfect if you want to immerse yourself in local delicacies, which you definitely should since Malaysian cuisine is super rich. What sets this restaurant apart from others, however, is they present these classic dishes in fine dining style!
As soon as you enter its doors, you’ll immediately feel its classiness with its elegant interior design and dim lighting—perfect for romantic date nights!
The main highlight here remains to be the food, which consists of various kampung-style dishes like assam pedas, kerabu pucuk paku and more. Our favourite thing to order here, however, is their beef rendang, as their coconut milk perfectly blends in with the slow-cooked meat.
Pro tip:
If you want an even more budget-friendly meal, you can check out one of their tasting menus offered at Klook. These feature a variety of dishes from their menu in smaller sizes but are still great for sharing!
Ekkamai
— Media credit: ekkamai.my
Address: 8, Jalan Batai, Bukit Damansara
Contact details: +60 3-2011 1029
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Friday to Sunday: 11:30 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Romantic date nights don’t always have to be consisting of steaks and wine. Sometimes, some authentic Thai food will set you right, especially if you’re one to revel in spicy dishes and amazing fresh seafood.
You can expect to find tons of Thai favourites here, one of which is their authentic tom yum soup. This dish will set you right with its hot and spicy broth where you’ll find an assortment of drenched ingredients like tiger prawns, tofu, mushrooms, scallops and more.
Another highlight of their menu is their selection of curries, which are also filled to the brim with various ingredients that make up interesting flavour combinations. For instance, they offer a red curry with bamboo shoots that feature pounded red chillies, coconut milk and beef.
Pro tip:
Make sure to try their mango sticky rice after your meal to wash away all the spiciness from your mouth and replace it with creamy goodness! This is one of the few places that offer an authentic version of this dish as well.
Grub by Ahong & Friends
— Media credit: grub_sec17
Address: 608, Jalan 17/10, Seksyen 17
Contact details: +60 14-607 2983
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM
Cost: $$
If you want to level up your date night with some steak and fries but don’t want to go over the budget, Grub by Ahong & Friends is perfect for you! Here, you can enjoy a myriad of perfectly seared pieces of meat that will leave you feeling filled after your date.
One of their best offerings is undoubtedly their beef Wellington, which dare I say, is on par with Gordon Ramsay’s version! From the flakiness of the crust to the rareness of the meat, everything is perfectly executed so kudos to the chef!
If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, however, then their steak and rice should be right up your alley! The steak in this dish takes the form of juicy sirloin cubes, which are then paired with some fragrant basmati lemon rice.
Pro tip:
You can also order their roasted kampung-style chicken set meal if you want a more affordable option. Aside from the chicken itself, you’ll get sides like Yorkshire puddings, salads and fries.
ALTA Café Bangsar
— Media credit: alta_cafe
Address: 59-1, Jalan Bangkung
Contact details: +60 3-2113 1821
Operating hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cost: $$
ALTA is the perfect spot for casual yet romantic dates, allowing couples to dine in an overall laid-back place while offering an assortment of affordable comfort food. Their menu mostly consists of Western staples like burgers, salads and pasta, all of which are worth checking out.
However, if you want our advice, we recommend getting their signature ALTA Burger (considering that you don’t mind getting messy in front of your date). This meaty burger consists of two Angus beef patties, cheddar cheese, onions and their special sauce—yum!
You can also order their pasta for sharing, as they come in generous servings! Their rigatoni is especially worth trying because of its added fennel seeds and chilli.
Pro tip:
If you want to instantly spice up your dinner, we recommend asking the server regarding their wine selection. It constantly changes but you can always expect it to feature world-class labels!
Pampas Steakhouse at Old Malaya
— Media credit: pampasoldmalaya
Address: Old Malaya, 66-68, Jalan Raja Chulan
Contact details: +60 11-2367 4581
Operating hours: Daily from 5:00 PM to 11:30 PM
Cost: $$
A classic romantic date always features steak and wine, and one of the best places that offers this in KL is Pampas Steakhouse. They’re one of the best not just because of the quality of their food but also for their affordability.
Here, you can enjoy beautifully seared steaks, from porterhouses to t-bones, ribeyes and anything in between. Plus, you can choose between black Angus or lamb shanks to cater to your preferences.
Aside from lip-smacking meat, they also serve a variety of salads to balance out the meal. We always go for the classic Caesar salad but we’ve also heard praises for their coriander mix salad.
Pro tip:
Before visiting this place for a romantic dinner, you can stop by the Menara Tower and catch magnificent views of Kuala Lumpur!