Where To Eat and Drink in Kuala Lumpur

Women serving street food snacks in Kuala Lumpur

Looking for the best places to eat and drink in Kuala Lumpur? Supper club host and recipe writer Ranie Saidi, who is from the Malaysian capital, shares his favourite spots in Kuala Lumpur for lunch, dinner and snacks. Kuala Lumpur is an ever-evolving melting pot of culture and cuisine. Growing up in this part of Malaysia, food for Ranie has always been more than a meal: it’s memory, identity and connection.

Looking for Malaysian recipes? Read Mandy Yin's guide to Malaysian cuisine and Malaysian street food, then learn about Singaporean food and Omani food in our guides.

Where to eat and drink in Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur

Tucked in the middle of Kuala Lumpur’s Golden Triangle, Kampung Baru is a living Malay village where traditional wooden houses stand quietly against the city’s towering skyscrapers. This village is home to a close-knit Malay community, offering a rare glimpse into a preserved culture, with restaurants and cafés serving beloved Malay dishes from across the country. It stands firm in its right to exist, unbothered by the city’s rush toward modernisation.

A view of Kampung Baru in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Nasi Lemak Wanjo, Kg Baru

It makes sense to start your day with nasi lemak, Malaysia’s national dish. Traditionally, it was a humble farmer’s meal, made with fragrant coconut rice, spicy sambal, crispy anchovies, toasted peanuts and boiled egg to provide energy for a long day’s work. Over time, it became a culinary icon representing the heart of Malay heritage. Here, people queue day and night at Nasi Lemak Wanjo, where you can try crispy Malay fried chicken and fiery sambal prawns. facebook.com/nasilemakwanjoofficial

Malay street snacks

Walking around, you’ll always find stalls selling Malay street-snacks such as fried banana, prawn fritters, keropok lekor (fish sausage) and refreshing coconut water. These snacks are more than just bites – they’re woven into daily life and are often enjoyed during teatime or as quick pick-me-ups. Keropok lekor, a traditional snack from the east coast of Malaysia, is usually served with a sweet and spicy chilli dip, while prawn fritters often come with vinegary sauces or sambal. These bold, flavourful dips take the snacking game to new levels. instagram.com/pisanggorengburn.official

Briyani Gam An-Nur

Malay cooking is rich and diverse, shaped over centuries by all kinds of global influences (thanks to Malacca, which used to be a busy spice port attracting traders from all over the world). One dish that carries this legacy is briyani johor, from the southern tip of Peninsular Malaysia. At Briyani Gam An-Nur restaurant, rice and spiced meat are cooked together in one pot, sealed using a ‘gam’ technique (flour and water acting like glue to trap steam, letting the flavours fully absorb into the rice). It’s served with dhal curry and acar buah (spiced fruit pickles). Pair it with local iced tea or rose syrup. wasep.me/annur-briyani-muor-kampung-baru

Someone eating a plate of rice with a colourful drink on the side

Cendol Durian Kampung Baru

Cendol, an iced dessert, offers the perfect cool refreshment. Made with pandan flavoured rice jelly, red beans, sweetcorn, palm sugar syrup and slightly salty coconut milk, it gets an extra boost when paired with the king of fruits: durian. The refreshing coolness of cendol combined with durian’s bold, creamy flavour creates a contrast that’s surprisingly addictive (to some). It’s the kind of combination that you try once out of curiosity and remember for a lifetime. instagram.com/cendol_durian_kampung_baru

Asam Jeruk

Pickles! Jars and jars of vibrant Malay pickles made from local fruits such as buah kedondong (ambarella), mangga (mango) and buah salak (snake fruit), as well as asam asin (salted sour plum). Made with either a sweet and sour base or a spicy, chilli-laced sauce, these tangy snacks make a uniquely Malaysian souvenir – bold, flavoursome and addictive.

Stacked pickle jars with labels on them at a stall in Kuala Lumpur

Where to eat and drink in Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur

In striking contrast to Kampung Baru and just two MRT stops away lies Petaling Street, Kuala Lumpur’s historic Chinatown. Once home to Chinese miners and traders, it became one of Malaya’s earliest Chinese settlements. Today, its preserved shophouses and bustling alleys are filled with vibrant street food vendors, serving rich flavours that define this side of the city.

KafeiDian – Jalan Panggong

This kopitiam, housed in a restored heritage building, was a post office until 1911. Back then, people queued for long-awaited letters from overseas. The queue’s still here, but now it’s for breakfast. Step inside and it still feels like pre-colonial Malaya. Try kaya toast on charcoal-grilled bread; self-timed half-boiled eggs; Kuala Lumpur coffee tarik (coffee with condensed milk); or the butter peanut bun toast (crunchy salted-peanut brittles with half-melted sugar and butter). instagram.com/kafeidian_petalingstreet

An aerial shot of a range of foods and hot drinks on a wooden table

Mee Tarik

I love watching fresh hand-pulled noodles being made at this restaurant – the rhythm, the stretch, the snap. There are more than 20 types of noodle dishes available, from cold noodles to classic soups. Sit outside, pavement-side, on low plastic chairs, and just take in the everyday scenes. An occasional breeze stirs the hot air, and the unlimited chilli oil on every table is all part of the charm. While waiting, snack on dumplings, shredded cold potato, or seaweed green bean salad. A cup of chilled chrysanthemum tea cuts through it all, floral and subtle. One of the best halal spots around, with a separate broth just for vegetarians. instagram.com/meetarikjalansultan

A blue and white bowl of noodles with someone eating them with chopsticks and a large spoon

Chocha Foodstore

This is the real deal. The aesthetic is on point: a thoughtfully preserved space layered with tropical greens and playful natural light. Upstairs a gallery showcases local artists, adding a vibrant creative pulse to the space. The food? Sexy. Local kampung ingredients turned into something special. The cincalok fried chicken is a must – cincalok, a fermented shrimp condiment from Malacca, brings a punch of saltiness that pairs beautifully with the crispy batter. Then there’s the soft and nostalgic bahulu, Malaysia’s answer to madeleines. The menu shifts with the seasons, always keeping things fresh. chochafoodstore.com

Kim Soya Bean

The main attraction of Petaling Street is its bustling market. From local fruits to everyday goods and street food stalls run by vendors who’ve been here for years, it’s where locals pause – whether on their way home from work or seeking shelter from a sudden tropical downpour. One must-try is Kim Soya Bean’s comforting tau foo faa, a silky, smooth soy bean pudding served chilled with fragrant gula melaka/palm sugar syrup. Alongside it, fresh soy bean drinks refresh and revive. Interaction here is minimal but genuine, exchanged with knowing nods and quick smiles, as the rhythm of daily life hums quietly beneath the market’s lively buzz.

Someone serving a pot of soy bean pudding at a stall in Kuala Lumpur

The Attic Bar

This speakeasy rooftop bar is one of Petaling Street’s best-kept secrets for sunset views. From first-class vistas of Malaysia’s tallest buildings to some of Kuala Lumpur’s best vantage points, it’s the perfect spot to catch up with friends and unwind with live music. Tuak – a traditional fermented rice wine, sweet and slightly tangy – is a distinctive part of Malaysia’s drinks culture, cherished for its unique flavour and heritage. It’s a rare find, so ordering it here is a must. atticbarkl.com