How do you choose KL’s best restaurants? Where do you start and where do you finish in a city with so much food and at such competitive prices?

If you are wondering; no I haven’t eaten in every restaurant although I am working on it. With so many restaurants, narrowing the list down is difficult but to make things easier, hawker stalls haven’t been included in my selection and mostly those restaurants which are well established are listed. One of the exciting things about dining in KL is that restaurants come and go which is a positive thing as mostly the bad go and the good stay.

I’m sure the list will be contentious and that you will agree with some listings but disagree with others. That’s the beauty of dining and hopefully you will see something new that tantalizes your taste buds.

What, in my opinion makes a good restaurant? Obviously the food must be good but often it is the ambiance, wine list, service (or lack of it), location, cost and the restaurant’s policy with kids. It’s been said that: “A memorable meal has to do with the way food can carry you into the heart of the experience.” Anyone’s list of favourite KL restaurants would include many of the following. The listings are in no particular order of preference.


C h i n e s e
Lai Po Heen
Classic Cantonese is served located in one of the city’s best locations adjacent to the Twin Towers. Creative plate presentation and a show kitchen add to the fun. Try halal dishes like eu foo noodles, Peking duck, paper-wrapped steamed chicken and durian pancakes. Tel: +603 2179 8885.

Old China Café
If you are looking for a historical Chinese atmosphere, this is the place. It’s tucked away from the vibrancy of Petaling Street and was once the laundrymen’s association headquarters so its walls are lined with historic photos and paraphernalia. Nyonya food is the specialty here. There’s a sister restaurant in Central Market called Precious Old China. Tel: +603 2072 5915.

Toh Lee
For that big night out, celebratory dinner, Chinese families choose places like Toh Lee in the Nikko Hotel and it’ easy to see why. It’s has a traditional and warm setting, big-night out dishes such as shark’s fin, abalone, scallops and beef and they are all done well. Dim sum here also warrants a visit. Tel: +603 2782 6128. Some other favourite Chinese restaurants in KL include Zuan Yuan (in One World Hotel adjoining 1 World Shopping Centre in One Utama, T: 7681-1159), Mandarin Palace (located in the Federal Hotel with an elaborately carved wooden interior and excellent non-halal cuisine especially dim sum, Tel: +603 2148 9166), Gu Yue Tien (Cantonese cuisine with a creative twist, Tel: +603 2148 0808), Tai Zee Heen (located in the Prince Hotel, Tel: +603 2170 8888) and Woo Lan (my best-value restaurant in KL, hidden opposite an Indian temple in Brickfields with a BYO booze policy and great value food, Tel: +603 2274 8368).


M a l a y
Bijan
Bijan serves contemporary Malay dishes in a smart setting. Purple walls, a large orange dragonfly mural and a bamboo bar await those who enjoy spicy food and especially creative desserts such as cendol ice cream. Tel: +603 2031 3575.

Bunga Emas
Bunga Emas is the first Malay restaurant in a five-star KL hotel, the Royale Chulan. Chef Khairul prepares his traditional dishes with a passion for age-old recipes. For truly intimate dining, the restaurant offers private rooms designed to let guests experience regal Malay dining. Tel: +603 2688 9688.

Enak KL
Located on Starhill Gallery’s Feast Level, this welcoming restaurant serves some great Malay food with many traditional dishes originating in Johor. Try rendang padang, botok botok and caramel bananas. They also have a small selection of wines. Tel: +603 2141 8973.


I n d i a n
Kohinoor
Located in CapSquare Centre, this establishment is worth seeking out for outstanding Indian fare. Dine on delicacies such as mahi angarey tikka, methi mutter malai as well as a wide assortment of kebabs, curries and breads. Tel: +603 2691 2036.

The Taj
A long time favourite, this traditional northern Indian restaurant has relocated from what was the Crown Princess Hotel to the Federal Hotel. Try some fine tandoori, salmon tikka and naan offerings. Tel: +603 2148 9166


C o n t e m p o r a r y C u i s i n e
Alexis
Established in 1995, Alexis offers some of the most pleasurable contemporary dining and entertainment experiences to be found in Kuala Lumpur. You’ll find stylish, warm, award-winning interiors; inventive cuisine of the highest quality co existing with superbly executed local delicacies; famously delicious homemade cakes; impeccable service; and some of the finest music in town. Tel: +603 2287 2281.

Bistro@The Loaf
While The Loaf at the entrance to the Pavilion is best known as an innovative Japanese bakery, tucked away upstairs is an intimate bistro where Chef James oversees a creative kitchen. Try dishes such as Australian hillside lamb and his beef dishes to appreciate his culinary skills. Tel: +603 2145 3036.

Chinoz on the Park
A landmark within a landmark and a popular haunt before heading off to the Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra or between shopping missions. This up-market bistro offers good comfort food including a selection of fine mezze starters and a Sunday brunch buffet. Some fine wines are also available from a glassed-in cellar. Tel: +603 2166 8277.

Frangipani
Considered by many to be KL’s best with an enticing menu, excellent execution of some ambitious dishes, a wine list to die for, an interior to live for and service previously thought impossible in a city used to mediocrity. Chef Chris Bauer sets high standards that other restaurateurs dream of emulating. Tel: +603 2144 3001.

Med@Marche
A smart restaurant with a stylish bar, chill music, refined service and some tantalising food. It has been consistently good since opening and the level of service is very competent. There’s a walk in wine cellar offering wines from Europe,
America and Australia. Tel: +603 2162 2233.

Opus Bistro
Opus is situated in the quiet part of Bangsar and there’s ample parking. Its menu features a wide range of Italian appetisers, salads, soups, pastas, mains and desserts like tiramisu and green tea cake. Popular dishes are grilled cod, tenderloin steak and chicken with mushroom. There’s a wide selection of wines are available supplied by next door’s Wine Cellars. Tel: +603 2092 4288.

The Social
A landmark in Bangsar and a hit in Changkat Bukit Bintang, The Social’s menu features a range of Western and Asian cuisine with an innovative selection of appetisers, main courses, and desserts. The giant TV screens and pool room will entertain long into the night. Tel: +603 2282 2260

Top Hat
Top Hat has been around for a long time but it manages to keep ahead of its competitors through consistently offering what regulars keep coming back to enjoy. It’s moved from its bungalow location into Jalan Stonor, but diners can expect delicious Nyonya favourites, Western classics and some that fuse the two. Wine has always been an important part of the Top Hat menu and the service is consistently good too. Tel: +603 2142 8611.


Mediterranean
NeroVivo
Located in a converted inner-city bungalow, creative twists to authentic dishes make this a popular restaurant with lovers of Italian food. Pizza prepared in an open-air oven is a specialty. The menu features regional specialties of salads, pastas with traditional sauces and mains of meat and fish. There’s an extensive selection of well-priced Italian wines. Sister property, NeroTeca, around the corner is one of KL’s most inviting spaces with enticing non-halal Italian favourites. NeroVivo, Tel: +603 2070 3120 and Neroteca, Tel: +603 2070 0530.

Prego
An inspiring space that now sprawls out beside the busy Bukit Bintang pavement. There’s a lively open-kitchen and kids are well attended to. The Sunday free-flow Champagne brunch is worth making a reservation for. Tel: +603 2731 8333.

Villa Danieli
Stylish Italian trattoria in elegant and expensive surroundings. Approach via the Sheraton’s swimming pool with outdoor dining an option. Many of the traditional Italian dishes are cooked in a wood-fire pizza oven. Wines are taken so seriously that there is even one table placed within the open cellar. Tel: +603 2717 9922.


Asian
Benkay
Enjoy Japanese cuisine with an emphasis on seafood it the Zen-like ambiance of this Nikko Hotel restaurant. The sashimi and sushi are fresh and the wagyu beef teppan will melt in your mouth. Tel: +603 2782 6118.

Mythai
Despite neighboring Thailand, very few good Thai restaurants are found in KL. This outlet on the Feast Level of Starhill Gallery is a breath of fresh chilli for Thai food aficionados. Colourful Thai silk lines the walls and popular Thai dishes line the stomach of many happy diners. Try the Thai sampler appetiser. Tel: +603 2148 6151.

Sao Nam
This contemporary Vietnamese is so hot you need not only make reservations but also reserve specific dishes. Their mangosteen and prawn salad is so popular it’s gobbled up early by eager diners – ring and place your order when you book. Smart, inner city chic makes Sao Nam very popular with KL’s trendy urbanites. Located in one of KL’s new food streets, Sao Nam is easily KL’s best Vietnamese. Sao Nam’s spread its wings to the suburbs in Plaza Damas. KL, Tel: +603 2144 1225 and Plaza Damas, Tel: +603 6201 0225.

Still Waters
While the foundations are Japanese, the culinary interpretation is modern and borrows from other Western and Asian cuisines – foie gras with daikon and grilled lamb chops with truffle miso indicate what the chefs are up to. A well-structured wine list also helps contribute to the dining experience. Located in the Hotel Maya, this restaurant is rarely crowded and more diners need to acquaint themselves with this place. Tel: +603 2711 8866.

Tamarind Springs
The romantic entrance sets the scene for a memorable night in the semi-jungle setting of Ampang. Indochinese delights of Khmer, Lao and Vietnamese favourites dominate. Sister restaurant, Tamarind Hill, located opposite the Equatorial KL Hotel dishes up some good Thai and Myanmar cuisine.
Tamarind Springs, Tel: +603 4256 9300 and Hill, Tel: +603 2148 3200 for, Hill.

Yoko’s
This Japanese restaurant cum bar is especially popular with Japanese expats. It serves a good combination of tasty popular dishes, sake and chilled beers in a lively street-front setting along the popular Changkat Bukit Bintang strip.
Tel: +603 2144 3378.


Traditional Western
Colesium
This is an institution in KL and was once the (possibly the only place) to dine in the “olden days”. Diners go here as much for the theatre and the generally abrupt take it or leave it attitude of the staff. The sizzling steaks with bibs are de rigueur as is a G & T in the adjoining bar. Tel: +603 2692 6270.

El Cerdo
Regulars swear by the pig products served in this busy Changkat Bukit Bintang outlet. The Spanish-inspired roasted suckling pig is what lures them back time and time again. It offers nose to tail pork dining complemented by a good selection of Italian and Spanish wines. Tel: +603 2145 0511.

El Mesón
While only new, this Spanish restaurant has stamped its mark on discerning Bangsar diners. Enjoy tapas and substantive mains with pork, including imported Iberico pork, featuring. There’s a nice Spanish wine list too. Tel: +603 2282 8290.

Gaucho Grill
“Move out, round ‘em up” on the Argentine pampas. You guessed it – steaks and more steaks from Argentina. A few imports such as French onion soup and escargots do manage to get listed as well. Located in the Chulan Square restaurant strip behind the Pavilion. Tel: +603 2145 4268.

Gobo Upstairs
Traders KL is already a happening place with its SkyBar. Downstairs is Gobo Upstairs, where smart party animals dine on equally smart food. Enjoy excellent grills and seafood with some good wines in an innovative space. Tel: +603 2332 9888.

House of Frankfurt
As you may have guessed, here be sausages. Yet there is much more to this well-established German outlet in Bangsar. There’s a welcome smile when you walk in to sample some authentic German pork schnitzel, bratwurst or grilled pork knuckle. German beers and wines provide excellent support. Tel: +603 2145 4268. Karl’s Beisl Authentic Austrian fare with lots of pork and home-smoked items feature. The hearty home-cooked fare of soups, mains and desserts also includes hand-made bratwurst sausages. Wines (including some excellent Höpler wines from Austria) and German beers add to the appeal. Tel: +603 6204 0628.

La Bodega, Bangsar
All the Spanish clichés are here – sangria, tapas and paella, but it works. Dine in the restaurant, tapas bar or café. Select from the tapas menu and add a glass of Spanish wine to accompany the tasty bite-size snacks. Move onto paella and finish with a Pedro Ximénez. Tel: +603 2287 8318.