Presenting the 25 best restaurant in Malaysia, in alphabetical order.
Akar
Tasting menus of fine dishes with flavors derived from Malaysia’s multicultural heritage and Japanese twists gleaned from chef Aidan Low’s time in Japan. Desserts by Nicole Siew also rate a mention.
Au Jardin
Part-warehouse, part–jewel box, George Town’s Au Jardin is an award-winning, Michelin-starred restaurant serving fine European fare with local influences.
Beirut Habibi
Doing “modern-Australian with Lebanese flair,” Beirut Habibi is a gem of a restaurant serving luscious breakfast plates, vibrant salads and spiced grilled-meat platters.
Beta KL
Michelin-starred Beta’s ‘Tour of Malaysia’ menu offers diners a journey through the country’s heritage through the eyes of chef Raymond Tham, whose dishes highlight everyday ingredients.
Chateau Dionne
Chef Andy Choy and his team offer a sophisticated, well-executed menu of fine French dishes brimming with luxury add-ons such as Hokkaido scallops, uni and foie gras.
Chipta 11A
Truly unconventional sushi omakase in the suburbs of Petaling Jaya. Chef Jack Weldie showcases local and Japanese fish, elevated in myriad ways.
Communal Table, Penang
Guests are served from a single wooden bar seating up to 24. Sharing plates offer locally sourced vegetables, seafood and meats cooked with Asian flavors.
DC by Darren Chin
With a Michelin star, DC by Darren Chin continues to be a respected icon on the Malaysian dining scene 10 years after opening.
Dewakan
Meaning “food from the gods” Malaysia’s only Michelin two-starred restaurant is run by chef Darren Teoh, using endemic and lesser-known ingredients.
Eat and Cook
Offering a gastronomic journey through Malaysia’s “vibrant culture and flavors” is the mission of Zhexi Lee and Soh Yong Zap, who push the envelope with their innovative menus.
Entier
Head chef Romain LeFabre introduces regional French classics to the Japanese-inflected nose-to-tail menu.
Fifty Tales
This buzzing venue serves high-quality homemade noodle dishes in the daytime and, come evening, contemporary Chinese à la carte specials make up the menu.
Fritz
Fritz offers European cuisine in a stunning dining room with spectacular city views. Think magnificent seafood platters, steaks flamb.ed tableside, and hay-smoked aged duck.
Gen, Penang
Still waters run deep, and with chef Johnson Wong, that depth is seen in Gen, meaning “roots” in Mandarin. His elegant tasting menu highlights seasonal local ingredients with traditional Malay Chinese influences.
Hide KL
Stepping into Hide is always accompanied by a frisson of excitement. The experience―from the hip-hop beats to the food to the fine tableware―is always a pleasure.
Leen’s Middle East Kitchen
Syrian-born chef Ameer Alzalek always claims that the kitchen life chose him—try his standout smoked hummus, mariah pide and crispy syrian rice.
Nadodi
Yahvin Siriwardhana heads this stunning dining room in the city center, serving sophisticated cuisine inspired by South India.
Neighbourwood
Off the beaten track for most, this suburban-Penang hidden gem specialises in “Asian-inspired neigborhood barbecue” cooked on a woodfire in the restaurant’s open kitchen.
Potager
Contemporary French cuisine by Masashi Horiuchi unearths the very best produce and producers, offering one of the KL’s most special dining experiences.
Skillet
Chef Raymond Tham serves modern European degustation that changes with the seasons, giving him rein to experiment with a large palette of ingredients and techniques.
Studio Restaurant
Marching to the beat of their own drum, Studio is open weekends only. Chef Christian Recomio’s creations are often the stuff of dreams.
Sushi Sora
This intimate spot features just eight seats and serves up Edomae sushi omakase by chef Kikuchi using seasonal premium seafood flown in from Japan.
The Hidden Plate
Operating only three days a week, The Hidden Plate offers a meticulous omakase experience curated by a master chef from New York City’s Michelin-starred Sushi Azabu.
Wagyu Kappo Yoshida
A delectable experience on the 48th floor of the Naza Tower in heart of Kuala Lumpur, specialising in Japanese wagyu omakase with other seasonal Japanese delights.
Yellow Fin Horse
Chef Jun Wong thinks out of the box, sources local and sustainable, and allows the produce to lead her, resutling in bright plates brimming with flavor and texture.
Discover all of our T+L Tastemakers 2024 winning bars and restaurants here.
Lede and hero image courtesy of Dewakan.
The information in this article is accurate as of the date of publication.
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