The best places to visit in Kuala Lumpur.
Central Market, or Pasar Seni in Malay, was established in 1888 as a wet market, where products like meat, fish and vegetables were sold. In the decades thereafter the building expanded several times and got its current size in 1933. Nowadays the air conditioned market is classified as a Malaysian heritage site and is still traditionally arranged in a stall concept. This is one of the reasons why Central Market is a popular tourist attraction.
In this art-deco style building are more than 300 shops, which mainly consist of local handicrafts, textiles and souvenir shops. Popular traditional goods that are offered are batik, songket, kebaya and embroidery carvings. On the second floor are a food court with Asian eateries and restaurants. At the back of the main building is the Annexe Central Market and houses craft shops, portraitists, art galleries and performance spaces for music and theatre. The people there are friendly and welcoming, making it possible to find assistance quite quickly and an atmosphere that will leave fond memories.
Central Market is daily open from 10:00 am to 9:30 pm and because of its convenient location between LRT/Monorail stations Pasar Seni and Masjid Jamek is it very easy to reach.
Kasturi Walk is a tourist-friendly flea market next to Central Market (Pasar Seni). At the entrance of this covered pedestrian walkway is a large sign of a Malaysian kite, which looks like a butterfly. Although Kasturi Walk has not as many stalls and shops as Petaling Street this street still has a lot to offer. Vendors are selling products like clothing, shoes, watches, Asian snacks, fruits, souvenirs and local handicrafts at very affordable prices.
Another difference with Petaling Street is that Kasturi Walk has a Malay ambiance, while Petaling Street has a Chinese ambiance. In the past Central Market was a wet market and was Jalan Hang Kasturi the place where dried fish and fruits and vegetables were sold. Since the concept of Kasturi Walk was established in 2011 it still looks pretty new and clean, but fortunately there are still some interesting pre-war neoclassical buildings with symmetrical shapes, tall columns, triangular pediments right on top and long vertical windows.
As Kasturi Walk is located at Jalan Hang Kasturi next to Central Market it is advised to take the LRT Kelana Jaya Line to the Pasar Seni station.
Chow Kit Market is one of the busiest and liveliest markets of Kuala Lumpur. This market is a perfect blend of the modern life and the age old traditions. Whenever you visit here, you can expect a huge crowd. However, the crowd is mainly composed of local people from the middle- and lower class who do their daily shopping. So if you want to avoid tourists and want to experience a traditional Asian market with all its charms and oddities this is the place for you.
The market is divided into two sections, which are a dry market and a wet market. Meat is the specialty of the wet market and the prices are also very much affordable. However, meat is butchered here live, which may be uncomfortable for some people. Apart from meat, you will also find a wide variety of fishes, fruits, vegetables and spices. The dry market is more appealing to the tourists and has a wide range of shoes and clothes. You will also find several electronic gadgets here. You can also try to bargain and reduce the price as much as possible.
Chow Kit Market is open from 9 am until 5 pm. Be aware that some backstreets of this neighborhood become a sort of shady red light district in the evening. The market is located at the north of the shopping street Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman. Reaching here is also quite easy as monorail station Chow Kit is nearby.
Bintang Walk is the stylized name of Jalan Bukit Bintang and some of its side streets. It is a long and very popular street in the Golden Triangle of Kuala Lumpur with many upscale restaurants, bars, shops and large shopping malls. Bintang Walk starts at the eastern part where the streets Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Raja Chulan come together. This is also the most luxurious and trendy part of Bintang Walk where you will find the shops of the famous designer brands.
The busiest part of this shopping street is at the intersection of Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail. Here you will find the large shopping chains like Zara and H&M. Near this busy part is also Little Arabia, with its Arabic shops and restaurants. At the western part of Jalan Bukit Bintang, near Jalan Pudu, are many foot- and body massage salons. After a day of shopping a nice foot massage can be very relaxing.
Getting to Bintang Walk is very convenient as the monorail station Air Asia – Bukit Bintang is at the intersection of Jalan Bukit Bintang and Jalan Sultan Ismail.
Brickfields is a medium-sized residential area with several shopping streets and is commonly referred to as Little India. It is a beautiful and super colorful place that’s derived from the Indian culture due to its large population of Indian residents.
When it comes to shopping, Brickfields lives up to its nickname Little India. Splurge on authentic Indian attire, spices, and collector’s pieces that you will find in the many quaint shops. Or you can buy affordable flower garlands, saris, Indian spices and indulge in wonderful Bollywood music. Besides the shopping you should try the Indian food, specifically the thosai (rice flour pancake) and banana leaf rice. Banana leaf rice is a delectable Indian dish that rounds up your experience of this incredible place with its chutney, pickles, and rice.
Brickfields is home to the several religious structures, like the Sri Kandaswamy Kovil, and is tagged as a divine location because of this. These structures are designed using Tamil architecture which is in itself a tourist attraction in Kuala Lumpur. And if you’re looking to explore the full potential of your body through ancient yoga integrated with modern day technology, Brickfields is the place to be. It is home to several excellent yoga academies.
Brickfields is the perfect place for a traveller who is looking to have a colourful, cultural, food-filled, shopping intense and exciting Indian experience while in Kuala Lumpur.
Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, or abbreviated Jalan TAR, is one of the oldest roads in Kuala Lumpur. It is a long street and it was the main shopping district of Kuala Lumpur before the glitzy shopping malls came to the city. But Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman is still a very popular place for buying a wide range of products like textiles, fabrics, leather goods, carpets, crystal, silver, clothing, luggage and bags at bargain prices. It has all kinds of stalls, shops, and departments stores, so that you can shop till you drop. The street starts near Masjid India and Masjid Jamek, then goes all the way up north until monorail station Chow Kit.
In the southern part is a side street called Lorong Tuanku Abdul Rahman which has a night market (pasar malam) at Saturday between 5pm and 10pm. The area near the middle of the street, where it crosses Jalan Sultan Ismail, has also become a popular nightspot and is also known as Heritage Row. And the northern part of Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman is known for its food and bargain shopping. As this old street still has many pre-war buildings with unique features and distinctive facades you will not only get a great shopping experience but also a cultural one.
When you want to start at the southern part of Jalan TAR it is advised to take the LRT line to the Masjid Jamek station, but when you want to start at the northern part of this street it is more practical to take the monorail to Chow Kit station.
Taman Connaught Night Market is also known as Cheras pasar malam. It is one of the most popular and largest night market (pasar malam) in Kuala Lumpur with about 700 stalls. The market will be mainly visited by locals as it isn’t near the city center.
Spread across a large area of about 2 km (1.2 mi), you will find lots of food stalls serving all kinds of Asian delicacies, like Indian, Japanese, Malay, Thai and Chinese. However, you should try out some of the local favorites, like Malaysian pancakes or asam laksa soup. If you want to try out something unique, then you should definitely have the Cola Chicken. It is a different kind of snack, with cola at the bottom of the cup, and then fried chicken is added at the top. Apart from food stalls, you will find shops selling clothes almost everywhere. However, most of the shops only sell female clothes. Taman Connaught is also well known for the availability of a wide range of pet stuff, like pet food, pet clothes and other accessories.
Because Taman Connaught Night Market is only open on Wednesdays from 5:00 pm to 01:00 am, you can expect a huge crowd. This area also lacks a LRT station which makes parking your car near the market very difficult if you’re not early.
Opium KL is an Asian restaurants in Kuala Lumpur distinguished for its cozy atmosphere. You can find delicious Malaysian and Chinese dishes here, but also western influenced dishes. It’s a perfect place to try out new fresh flavours, as you can’t go wrong if you sit down with local favorite like Loh Shi Fun rice noodles and Beef Rendang. Opium KL also stands out for the rich variety of cocktails it has to offer. The Chinese styled restaurant looks down the popular restaurant and nightlife street of Changkat Bukit Bintang, so chances are that you will come across this restaurant when exploring the city center.
When you are in Malaysia you owe it to yourself to try the local cuisine and delicacies. Your vacation won’t be complete without it. And when you are looking for excellent Malay food then you Bijan is the restaurant that offers what you seek. The fine Malay courses are local with a twist. You can try a taste of the local cuisine with a tasty sea dish like masak lemak ikan or some shrimp bites called cucur udang. This restaurant with a warm ambiance is located one street away from the touristic Bukit Bintang.
Tamarind Hill is hidden away in the heart of the shopping district of Kuala Lumpur. As you arrive by following a path surrounded by trees it looks like you escaped the city and entered a serene shrine surrounded by calm water and nature, making it an excellent decor for a romantic dinner. In this restaurant delicious Thai food is served. Lovers of Thai food can be delighted as the restaurant offers a great mastery of the cuisine. The duck is often recommended by visitors, but the Thai curries, fish dishes and desserts are also a treat.
Marini’s On 57 is an Italian restaurant that offers a spectacular panoramic view over the city of Kuala Lumpur and the iconic Petronas twin towers. The restaurant is on the 57th floor and rooftop of a 267 meter high (876 ft) skyscraper called Petronas tower 3. The walls and roof are entirely made of glass allowing you to eat delicious Italian pastas with a dazzling view unmatched in a restaurant in Kuala Lumpur. It’s not the cheapest place to eat, but if you plan on some fine dining then the chefs of Marini’s will take good care of you.
Quivo is an attractive Mediterranean fresh ingredient restaurant with a very Italian orientation. The restaurant showcases a very elegant and fashionable design and is located in the shopping heart of Kuala Lumpur, at the Pavilion shopping mall. It has a fast and friendly staff who are always ready to help you satisfy your cravings.
At Quivo you can enjoy a wide range of pizza’s, pleasant pastas, risotto and even Cajun burgers. The qualified chefs know how to put down a filling dish with flavourful fresh ingredients. If you’re wish to sit down for a drink then you’ll be glad to know the restaurant offers a wide variety of teas, coffees and cocktails from iced caramel coffee to American whiskeys and tropical drinks. So when you’re done shopping Quivo is a great place to wind down at with a nice Italian meal.
El Cerdo is one of the premier restaurants in Malaysia that has been in business for more than 9 years. Located in Changkat Bukit Bintang, the restaurant specializes in serving pork dishes with popular flavors from Spain, Italy, Germany, Mexico and the Caribbean. Travelers are always welcome to make reservations on the restaurant to enjoy super delicious pork servings.
El Cerdo restaurant menu features plenty of dishes made from pork. Some of the main dishes visitors can taste include hickory smoked Iberico soft ribs, ham knuckle ‘Berliner Eisbein’, pig tail stew and Wiener schnitzel. Also available in the menu are Cochinillo Al Estilo Segoviano, German crispy knuckle, marinated pork shoulder steak and Cognac flamed pork tenderloin skewer. Other dishes you can enjoy include house special ribs, sausage galores, pastas, paella, desserts and cold as well as warm appetizers.
The restaurant fervently prepares a wide range of tasty meals that can savor every customer’s appetite. The meals tend to have a fair pricing, which means, you can always enjoy your favorite delicacies without really digging deeper into your pocket.
Thirty8 KL is an elegant restaurant located on the 38th floor of Grand Hyatt hotel in Kuala Lumpur. The restaurant offers an intriguing mix of flavours from western cuisines, china and Japan, with delicat Wagyu and Black Angus beef, fresh seafood and delicious salads forming the restaurant’s main appeal. You can also indulge yourself in Chinese wok dishes, noodles and traditional western stoves so even vegetarians will be able to thrive here.
The restaurant offers a 360 degrees view of the city which makes for stunning imagery as it is strategically positioned at the heart of the city overviewing the Petronas towers, KLCC park and the shopping districts. The glass windows of this restaurant start from the floor and go all the way up to the ceiling. This gives you a clear view of the city and the skyline. Natural light is also able to penetrate perfectly to the whole restaurant and this helps you have a better feel of relaxation and serenity. Besides a restaurant Thirty8 KL also features a wine bar and a lounge where you can sit down and enjoy the view in comfort.
Fuego is a latin American restaurant, which means delicious tapas, a diverse array of guacamole dishes, fish ceviche, corn bread dishes, delicious grilled beefs, Wagyu Sirloin in truffle sauce, and much more. The restaurant is much more than a regular steakhouse, but it’s one of the best destinations for anyone looking for warm grilled flavours.
As it’s located behind KLCC Park on the 23th floor you can enjoy your dinner with a magnificent view over the coolest parts of town. While being served a variety of dishes by the attentive staff you can enjoy the great view and the wonderful ambiance only a South American restaurant can offer.
Marble 8 Steakhouse is a ritzy place where you can enjoy out-of-the-world steaks with refreshing cocktails. All this actions happens right at the heart of the city, near KLCC park.
This place is a meat lover’s paradise and you are only served the best product. You can cherish on top-class imported wagyu beef or experiment with pan-fried duck liver or some flavorsome Russian Caviar. Sea-food lovers won’t be disappointed as there are enough space in menu dedicated to prawn and lobsters. To quench your thirst, the M8 Bar serves some of the most amazing cocktails in the city, made by expert mixologists. You also get access to rare brands of beers, single-malt, vodka and champagne.
The restaurant is also celebrated for its classy upscale décor. Ground to ceiling glass windows give you an imposing view of the Petronas Twin Towers and the surrounding cityscape.
Nobu Kuala Lumpur is a highly popular restaurant among many tourists who visit Malaysia’s capital. The restaurant specializes in contemporary Japanese cuisines combined with South American flavors. The location of the restaurant is stunning as it offers a top notch view from the 56th floor of the third Petronas Tower. The interior looks both warm and chic as expected from Japanese restaurants.
With classical and innovative dishes covering a broad palate of flavours the restaurant offers a broad appeal. The power of the Nobu recipe shows as it boasts more than 23 years of experience in the industry and has franchises all over the globe. Nobu Kuala Lumpur only adds to it as it’s outstanding menu and superb service makes it one of the best restaurants to visit while in KL.
The restaurant has plenty of dishes that you can enjoy if you’re visiting Kuala Lumpur for the first or second time. Nobu lunch features appetizers like Nobu Tacos, Crispy rice with spiced Tuna, Half Lobster Shiitake Sala, Chilean Sea Bass-Unami and more. Its main lunch dishes include Salmon Anticucho Donburi, chicken Udon, beef Tenderloin, Unagi Domburi, seafood Kakiage, spicy vegetables Domburi among others. There are also plenty of Sushi and Sashimi dishes, Sushi rolls, hand roll and cut tolls plus Nobu desserts that you can enjoy.
Ritzy ambiance and quality authentic Japanese food go hand-in-hand at Iketaru and superior dinners of matching quality are exactly what you can expect This hidden jewel is located inside Hilton Kuala Lumpur in KL. This upmarket Japanese restaurant offers a wide variety of nutritionally rich and delicious food options, with bold flavors and simple presentation, highlighting premium quality, fresh ingredients. The food here is expertly prepared, with a touch of imagination and creativity to satisfy even the most discerning palates.
The exceptional flavors of their signature and classic menu will delight and inspire, as only the finest, best and freshest ingredients are used by their expert chefs. Some of the must-try dishes on the menu include Wagyu Sirloin Beef, well-curated sushi and sashimi, lobster and salad. Whether you are looking for traditional Japanese delicacies or reinvented signature Japanese dishes, Iketaru can offer much more to make your meal a memorable one.
Skillet at 163 is one of the most esteemed fine dining restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and is conveniently located at Fraser Palace. The first thing which will strike you upon entering is the inviting and light interior, while being a fine dining restaurant, the atmosphere is quite casual and friendly. European luxury dishes with an Asian twist dominate the seasonal fusion menu, although the restaurant is not afraid to get creative and experiment with dishes from different cuisines, as can be seen in the delicious meals like fish pie and beef with chocolate sauce. Especially the seasonal dishes like king crab are delicious and worth experiencing. Not to mention the extensive wine menu Skillet has to offer. Since the head chef specializes in desserts, you are definitely obligated to try out some of their pastries.
Graze is a classy yet cordial place serving wonderful European specialities made from fresh ingredients. What perhaps sets Graze miles ahead of the pack is the fact that its setting buzzes with energy. Its staff is genuinely cheerful and welcoming. What’s more, the restaurant’s decor is in a class of its own, with a design that combines a warm architecture which brings closeness to the visitors and above all curved glass walls that bring a sense of spaciousness to the interior.
Their menu is made up of pork-free meals mainly relying on organic ingredients. Overall, their starters, mains and desserts are way above what you would expect to find in this part of the globe. It’s seasonal menus showcase western dishes from various countries allowing it to please any visitor with dishes like Alaskan halibut and salmon, to lamb racks and duck confit. The restaurant also prides itself on its wide selection of various cheeses to truly finish your dinner in the traditional fashion.
Considering its convenient location, as it’s located on level 5 of the Hilton Hotel, next to KL Sentral railway station, and the outstanding quality of services, the charming restaurant stands out as an good option for both a romantic dinner and a wholesome family dinner.
If you are looking for a poolside meal for the ultimate vacation feeling in the heart of Kuala Lumpur then this restaurant is for you. AQUA Restaurant and Bar offers western food like Italian tagliatelle with prawns, a diverse array of pizza’s, gambas and juicy Texan burgers and some common Asian dishes like Thai chicken wraps, satay and spring rolls. It does not sound like haute cuisine, but the dishes are surprisingly well made familiar and tasty food. The restaurant calls the concept global tapas and pizza’s.
Where the restaurant truly excels at is making delicious cocktails which you can enjoy at the poolside, with the skyscrapers of Kuala Lumpur on the horizon. After a day of shopping this is an excellent place to cool down at and sip a nice mojito, margarita or a non-alcoholic mocktail. Ending your evening with a cocktail and a great view is what vacation is truly about.
Atmosphere 360 is a restaurant we simply couldn’t forget. The ultimate selling point is that you get a buffet in the Menara Kuala Lumpur Tower. That alone makes Atmosphere 360 one of the most popular restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. It offers a slowly revolving restaurant with a 360 degrees view over the beautiful city of Kuala Lumpur located at around 282 meters above ground level.
Atmosphere 360 is a buffet restaurant that will spoil you with choices. The restaurant does not restrict itself to one type of cuisine, so you can enjoy both western and Asian dishes. But it is quite clear Malay delicacies are favored of the menu.
If you were thrilled watching the extravagance of the Petronas Towers of KL, it’s time to chill at the 57th floor of Petronas tower 3. With an amazing panoramic view of the city and the magnificent twin towers of KL staring at you, Marini’s on 57 is the best place to hang out once the sun sets. The floor to ceiling glass windows with the glass roof lets you get a soaking view of the nighttime Kuala Lumpur as you enjoy the drink made by Rizal junior, the much-famed mixologist. The place has three sections – a neon-lit bar, a Havana-escue lounge and a dining area that specializes in Italian cuisines. While the lounge is furnished with luxury brown sofas, the bar has art-deco furniture.
If you are an ardent love of cocktails, Marini’s on 57 is where you need to be. Along with some great cocktails, the bar serves a wide-ranging selection of wines and champagnes. If you enjoy sipping Johnnie Walker Gold, the lounge will provide the right ambiance for you to enjoy the drink like you have never done before.
One of the coolest hangouts in Kuala Lumpur’s nightlife scene is the Sky Bar that is located on the 33rd floor of Traders Hotel in KL. The place is not only famous for its intoxicating views of the twin towers and the city’s skyline, but also the in-house pool. The semi-private cabanas by the side of the pool give a nice and cozy corner for the guests to enjoy their drink in absolute tranquility. The woven rattan furniture on the other side of the pool inside the bar gives a casual yet elegant appearance to the place.
While this most happening open air bar has a wide range of drinks to offer, the ones that you have to try at least once include the Kiwitini, the Lychee Rose, the Raised in Manhattan and the Mata D’or’, which are the signature cocktails of the Sky Bar. Step in before 8:30 pm local time and you can enjoy the happy hour deals. However, if you want to get the real feel of this somewhat expensive bar, you got to land there after 9 in the evening. The bar has extended hours till 3 AM on Fridays and Saturdays.
View Rooftop bar finds its place in the list of best bars in KL not just because of its great cocktails or pulsating music. The place offers some of the most amazing views of the city that includes the Titiwangsa Mountain range, the Ampang Hills and obviously the famous twin towers of Malaysia.
Located within walking distance of the Petronas Towers, the View Rooftop bar has three sections. While the wooden terrace and potted plants of the Al Fresco bar will offer cool comfort along with panoramic view of the city, the indoor bars have a more modern touch. The Champagne room, the second section of this bar is furnished with minimal furniture and it sets the mood with its changing neon lights that would wash you periodically with green, blue or pink light. The place has a mixed crowd of locals as well as the expats that would give you an at-home feeling if you had been yearning to meet someone other than the regular Asians.
View Rooftop bar has some of the best cocktails in the town, most of which are found only here. Apart from the wide range of innovative cocktails, the place offers beers. Spirits and wines for the drinking pleasure of its guests who get soaked in the smooth jazz that plays in the background.
Don’t expect a life-size portrait of Fidel Castro as you step inside the Havana bar & Grill. Besides the name and the special menu of cocktails, there is not much here that would remind you of Cuba. Located in the middle of Bintang Street, which is the Mecca of shopping and entertainment in KL, this bar and restaurant are housed in an elegant bungalow that dates back to 1950s. Ideal for hanging out with friends, you would keep on tapping your foot to the beats of the salsa band or the samba music that gets played by the DJ in the bar.
The place is divided into three main sections – the main outdoor bar, the back patio and the upstairs lounge. The bar specializes in serving Cuban-style cocktails that include the margaritas and the mojitos. However, that is not all that Havana will have in its store for you. It has a wide range of assorted rums, beer, tequilas, and cachacas to offer to its guests. Do watch out for the Happy hours to get some generous deals on beers here at Havana Bar & Grill.
The theatrical menu of the Fuego at Troika Sky dining awaits those who love sipping on their cocktail while looking at the majestic view of the Petronas Towers in the background. With a South American touch to the menu, Fuego takes pride in having chefs who are experts in the art of making guacamoles. Justifying the meaning of the name, items in the menu of Fuego bar have a smoked effect. Be it the smoked quail eggs or Grilled King prawn, you would find smoking to be a common technique used in the making of food here at Fuego.
Along with the wide assortment of smoked items like the smoked snail in the jar or smoked meat, the cocktails that are offered here also have a grilled effect. With the potent mojitos and the refreshing pina colada, the cocktail menu of the Fuego is going to bring a wide smile on the face of the tourist who visits this place after a tiring day of city tour. The cool interiors of the place can be enjoyed equally with friends as well as with family members.
If you like Malay, Thai or Chinese food, this is the place to go for. Nestled slightly outside of Kuala Lumpur in a lush natural forest reserve, Tamarind Springs by Samadhi provides the best flavorful food and amazing experience to our customers. From tasteful curries to signature dishes to delicately designed delights, the restaurant offers a vast range of contemporary recipes to delight your senses.
With elegant and spacious outdoor as well as indoor space nestled in the impressive green and traditionally Malay surroundings, Tamarind Springs offers a wonderful place for a romantic evening with your loved one. The resort-like atmosphere creates an instantly inviting setting for any event. You can sit back and relax, and have a good time with friends and family in the midst of a dazzling array of dishes and drinks. Awarded as one of the best restaurants in the country Tamarind Springs is a must visit restaurant for best Indo-Chinese food.
Right from the rustic entrance to the copper skull studded walls, Skullduggery is the place that would keep on amazing you as you sip on some their tastiest cocktails. This place caught the attention of cocktail lovers with its wide range of tasty cocktails in 2016. If the sight of the costumed figure with a skulled head at the end of the stairs does not surprise you, the amazing taste of the potent potions here at Skullduggery certainly will.
You can expect some of the weirdest ingredients in the cocktails that you will find here at Skullduggery. Seaweed agave, cardamom milk jam, and black hazelnut bitters will give an offbeat taste to the cocktails that will get to sip on while enjoying the dark brown interiors of Skullduggery. Do not forget to have a quick word with Viji Thomas, the French mixologist who would tell you better about the different concoctions that get served here. The best part of this place is that it is not that expensive as those luxury lounges in downtown Kuala Lumpur.