10 Trendy Eateries to Check Out the Next Time You’re in Kuala Lumpur

In Malaysia, we take food so seriously that instead of asking “how are you?” in a conversation, we say “makan already ah? (have you eaten?)”! Oh yes, if there’s one thing Malaysians do well, it’s food. For us, food is not just about filling one’s stomach, it’s an indulgence. 

Sure, there are great restaurants in every city in Malaysia, no doubt about that. However, it is in Kuala Lumpur where you will find some truly trendy and unique eateries. That’s not really a surprise since Malaysia’s capital is one of the most visited cities in the world.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: where are these eateries and how do I find them? Don’t worry, I hear you. So, without further ado, here are ten trendy eateries you should definitely check out the next time you’re in Kuala Lumpur.

1. Café Café

Parisian cafés are all the rage these days. There are many cafés in Kuala Lumpur that attempt to capture the ambience of a charming café in Paris, but out of all these, I think Café Café does it best. Yes, that is actually the name of this trendy coffee house.

Many of Café Café’s patrons claim that it is the most beautifully decorated restaurant in the city and few can argue against that. Featuring stylish interior decor similar to that of a classic French chateau, Café Café simply radiates elegance. In terms of menu, Café Café offers a delicious range of French cuisine selections utilising the freshest local and imported ingredients.

Address: 175, Jalan Maharajalela, 50150 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: 6pm to 12am daily

Cuisine: French (No pork)

2. Fierce Curry House

I’ll never forget the first time I had biryani. For those who might not be familiar with the dish, biryani is a traditional South Asian rice dish that’s aromatic and spicy. On its own, biryani is already a perfectly tasty dish enjoyed by many. Naturally, Malaysians decided that it could do with a trendy upgrade. Enter Fierce Curry House and their signature Lobster Biryani!

Yes, your eyes deceive you not. Fierce Curry House took the humble biryani and introduced it to the succulent meat of a Boston Lobster. Understandably, the novelty alone made the dish stand out amongst Malaysian foodies. But apart from lobster, you can also pair your biryani with juicy king prawns and tender scallops for a truly decadent feast.

Address: 16 Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar Utama, 59000 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: 12pm to 10pm daily

Cuisine: Indian (Halal)

3. Dining in the Dark

Did you know that sometimes, chefs train while blindfolded? Apparently, this is to increase the perception of their taste and smell. Well, Dining in the Dark has fully taken on this concept of sensory stimulation to heart. As the name suggests, here, you dine in the blanket of complete darkness where phones and cameras are not allowed.

Dining here is a little different because instead of choosing from the menu, you are required to let the staff know what types of food you do NOT want. Then, you’re blindfolded and led into a dark room where you’ll be served a variety of dishes. And because you can’t see what you’re eating, each bite is a surprise and each dish is an explosion of flavours on your palette. I definitely recommend giving this a try.

Address: 46 Changkat Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Opening Hours: 6pm to 9pm daily; closed on Mondays

Cuisine: Assorted (No pork)

4. Tamarind Springs

Kuala Lumpur is a concrete jungle, a metropolis packed full of bustling crowds. Tamarind Springs Restaurant is far removed from that description. Nestled within the fringes of the Ampang Forest Reserve, Tamarind Springs provides a delicious escape from the rumbling noises of the city.

Here, you get to dig into an authentic Indo-Chinese dinner whilst surrounded by lush greenery and a soothing ambience. The popular restaurant’s rustic interior decor gives off a Balinese vibe which further helps you relax into your dining experience. Might I suggest a romantic candlelight dinner for two for the evening?

Address: Jalan 1 Taman T.A.R., 68000 Ampang

Opening Hours: Lunch (12.30pm to 2.30pm); Dinner (6.30pm to 10.30pm) daily

Cuisine: Indochinese (Halal)

5. Subak

Subak Restaurant is another amazing forest sanctuary in the middle of the city of Kuala Lumpur. Hidden amidst the trees of the Bukit Lanjan jungle, Subak offers incredible Balinese and international cuisine in an ambient setting. One of the first things you will surely notice about Subak is its almost magical entrance: large iron gates covered by twisting vines.

Once you step through, you are instantly hit by the aroma of Balinese spices and the gentle sounds of trickling water from their freshwater springs. Enjoy your meal as you are serenaded by the natural sounds of the surrounding jungle. Some of Subak’s highly acclaimed dishes are the rendang dedek (duck rendang) and tender rack of lamb.

Address: Lot 3213 Jalan Penchala Indah, 6000 Bukit Lanjan, Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: 11am to 12am daily

Cuisine: Balinese (Halal)

6. Old China Café

Take a step back in time when you dine at Old China Café, a cosy restaurant located in the heart of the city. Featuring traditional Chinese decor, the café is an ode to Malaysia’s 19th-century Chinese communities. In fact, the very building it is based in used to be the historical guild hall of the Selangor and Federal Territories Laundry Association. For context, that was in the 1920s!

The café retains much of the building’s heritage and architecture. Even the old-style wooden swing doors remain intact. But aside from its major throwback ambience, Old China Café also serves up a fine selection of delectable Peranakan dishes. Some of the dishes that patrons, young and old, swear by are the fish head curry and beef rendang.

Address: 11, Jalan Balai Polis, 50000 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: 11.30am to 10pm daily

Cuisine: Peranakan (Non-Halal)

7. The Orchid Conservatory @ Majestic Hotel, Kuala Lumpur

Fancy having tea in a magical garden full of colourful orchids? Then head on over to the Orchid Conservatory in Majestic Hotel. Here, you get to experience what it feels like to have tasty scones and biscuits whilst surrounded by the pretty petals of blooming orchids. The glass atrium which houses the garden is a popular spot for photos and it’s easy to see why.

While the cafe offers a slightly limited menu, it’s the pleasant view which keeps people coming back. In fact, a few local celebrities and influencers have been spotted here frequently. So, who knows? You might just meet someone famous over your cup of tea!

Address: The Majestic Hotel, 5 Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: 3pm to 6.30pm daily

Cuisine: Afternoon Tea (Halal)

8. Fuego @ Troika Sky Dining

There are plenty of iconic buildings within Kuala Lumpur but none are as famous as the Petronas Twin Towers. Naturally then, your Kuala Lumpur dining experience can never be complete without a meal overlooking this beautifully illuminated landmark at night.

Fuego (which translates to “fire” in Spanish) offers exactly that: dinner with a view. Relax and admire the skyline as you sample some of the city’s best South American tapas in an alfresco dining area. If you’re worried about price, don’t be. While Fuego is pricier than your average plate of nasi lemak, it’s certainly within a reasonable price range. So, go ahead and indulge a little!

Address: 23A, Tower A, The Troika, Jalan Binjai, 50450 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: 6pm to 12am daily

Cuisine: South American (No pork)

9. Heli Lounge Bar

Although the Heli Lounge Bar is more of a bar than a restaurant, it certainly is one of the most trendy places in Kuala Lumpur’s F&B scene. You see, there are two parts to the bar: a conventional indoor bar and a rooftop helipad. Yes, helipad as in the area where a helicopter lands!

Obviously, the 360-degree panoramic view up here is to die for. You will have to do a fair amount of climbing to get here though, so be prepared to move those legs! While the bar’s main offerings are its range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, it does serve up some classic bar snacks and a few main courses as well. If you’re up for a drink with an awesome experience, the Heli Lounge is the place to be.

Address: Menara KH Building, 50250 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: 5pm to 3am (hours vary by days of the week)

Cuisine: N/A (No pork)

10. Pop Up Dining KL

This last entry is pretty unique because this trendy eatery doesn’t exactly “exist”. What I mean is that Pop Up Dining KL does not have any permanent outlet or address from which they operate. Instead, their team of dedicated chefs serve up delicious meals at different locations for varying amounts of time.

The food you get with Pop Up Dining is always visually stunning and extremely Instagrammable. This is due to their belief that we eat with our eyes before anything else. Without a set menu, you never know what to expect whenever you’re lucky enough to dine with Pop Up Dining. While it might be troublesome for some, it sure is worthwhile to try and hunt down this awesome “restaurant”.

Address: Error 404: address not found.

Instead, stay tuned to their Facebook and Instagram pages to find out where they might…pop up…next!

Opening Hours: Whenever they feel like it

Cuisine: Surprise me! (Ratatouille reference) (No pork)