5 Michelin-Starred Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur (2026)
This guide covers five Michelin-starred restaurants in Kuala Lumpur featured on our restaurant pages: two-starred Dewakan, and one-starred Beta, DC. by Darren Chin, Molina, and Akar. We break them down by cuisine and list the closing days you need to check before booking.
Where Are Kuala Lumpur’s Michelin-Starred Restaurants?
Five Michelin-starred restaurants in KL are featured on our restaurant pages. Kuala Lumpur has other starred restaurants too (in the 2025 edition, Thai restaurant Chim by Chef Noom also held one star). Of the five here, three serve modern Malaysian cuisine and two use French technique (DC. by Darren Chin and Molina).
| Restaurant | Area | Cuisine | Stars | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dewakan | KL city centre | Malaysian / Innovative / Modern | Two Stars | Business entertaining, dates |
| Beta | KL city centre | Malaysian / Innovative / Modern | One Star | Business entertaining, dates |
| DC. by Darren Chin | Greater KL | French | One Star | Business entertaining, dates |
| Molina | KL city centre | Innovative / Modern | One Star | Business entertaining, dates |
| Akar | Greater KL | Malaysian / Innovative / Modern | One Star | Friends, groups, dates |
The Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2026 also named 84 restaurants to its “Selected” list — establishments that meet inspectors’ standards without reaching a star or Bib Gourmand. Eleven restaurants joined the Selected list for the first time in 2026, including six in KL — Restaurant Jie, Kazu, Shu, Kuki, Bidou, and K Kaiseki. If you’d rather explore more casual local food, see our KL Food Guide or our Local Food Guide.
Which Restaurants Serve Modern Malaysian Cuisine?
Three restaurants have earned stars for modern Malaysian cuisine: Dewakan, Beta, and Akar.
Dewakan
Dewakan holds two Michelin stars and sits in KL’s city centre. From the 48th floor, with sweeping city views, it serves a tasting menu built entirely from local ingredients. The kitchen handles its own fermentation and dry-aging, and shines a light on native ingredients that are at risk of being forgotten. Even the tableware is made by local artisans. See the Dewakan restaurant page for details.
Beta
Beta holds one Michelin star in KL’s city centre. It reworks traditional local dishes with modern technique and precise plating. The “Tour of Malaysia” course lets diners experience the country’s diverse food culture, and the optional abalone Lawas rice pairs native Sarawak rice with abalone, caviar, and kaffir lime oil. See the Beta restaurant page for details.
Akar
Akar holds one Michelin star and is located in Greater KL. Chef Low, who trained in Japan and France, honours his own roots while weaving Japanese, French, and Malaysian elements into a reworked European cuisine. The set menu tells a story drawn from the chef’s own life and memories, with pairings that include local rice wine and sake. See the Akar restaurant page for details.
Which Restaurants Focus on French and European Cuisine?
Two starred restaurants build their menus on French technique: DC. by Darren Chin and Molina.
DC. by Darren Chin
DC. by Darren Chin holds one Michelin star and sits in Greater KL. Spread across three floors, the space houses a bar and dining room, plus a private room themed around Louis XIII. Diners can choose from an omakase course, seasonal menus, or vegetarian options, ranging from classic French roast chicken and house-made pasta to inventive dishes and a 20-cheese trolley. See the DC. by Darren Chin restaurant page for details.
Molina
Molina holds one Michelin star in KL’s city centre. Perched high above the skyline, it serves food from Dutch chef Sidney Schutte that blends French technique with Nordic sensibility and Asian touches. Seafood and vegetable dishes stand out in particular, and the roughly three-hour course, which runs through dessert, suits a special occasion. See the Molina restaurant page for details.
Are There Starred Japanese or Chinese Restaurants?
Our restaurant pages don’t currently list any starred Japanese or Chinese restaurants in KL.
The Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2026 Selected list includes Japanese restaurants such as Wagyu Kappo Yoshida, Tenmasa, Sushi Ori, Sushi Taka, and Sushi Masa, and Chinese restaurants such as Yun House, Elegant Inn, Shanghai Restaurant, and Teochew Lao Er. Selected is a category for restaurants that meet inspectors’ standards without reaching a star or Bib Gourmand — a reminder that KL’s dining scene extends well beyond its starred restaurants.
What Should You Check on the Official Website Before Booking?
Closing days and hours vary by restaurant, so always confirm on the official website before booking. Here’s a summary based on our database listings.
| Restaurant | Closed | Dinner Hours | Lunch Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dewakan | Sun | 18:00-23:30 (Mon-Sat) | None |
| Beta | Mon | 18:00-22:00 (Tue-Thu, Sun) / 18:00-23:00 (Fri-Sat) | None |
| DC. by Darren Chin | Mon | 18:00-23:00 (Tue-Sun) | None |
| Molina | Mon & Sun | 18:00-0:00 (Tue-Sat) | None |
| Akar | Mon & Sun | 18:00-0:00 (Tue-Sat) | 12:00-15:00 (Fri-Sat only) |
Hours and closing days reflect our database as of September 2026. Check the official website before visiting.
Hours may change around public holidays such as Merdeka Day (Malaysia’s Independence Day). See our Merdeka Day Guide for the exact dates.
If you’re planning a first trip to KL and want a full itinerary, our 3-Night KL Itinerary Guide and KL Sightseeing Guide are good starting points.
Our database doesn’t note halal certification for any of these restaurants, so travellers who need religious dietary confirmation should check our Halal Basics Guide beforehand.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Michelin-Starred Restaurants Are There in KL?
This article covers five: two-starred Dewakan and four one-starred restaurants (Beta, DC. by Darren Chin, Molina, and Akar). For the full, current count across all of KL, check the official Michelin Guide website.
How Far in Advance Should You Book?
Our database doesn’t record booking-window information, so check each restaurant’s official website for current availability.
Is There a Dress Code?
Our listings don’t mention a dress code for any of these restaurants. Confirm directly with the restaurant when you book.
Can You Dine There With Children?
Our database doesn’t note child-friendliness for these restaurants, so confirm in advance. For family-oriented planning, see our Family Trip Itinerary.
Are There Starred Japanese or Chinese Restaurants?
Our restaurant pages don’t currently list any starred Japanese or Chinese restaurants in KL. Check the official Michelin Guide website for the latest list of starred restaurants.
Are Any of These Restaurants Halal-Certified?
Our database doesn’t record halal certification for any of these restaurants. See our Halal Basics Guide for more information.
Summary
This article introduced five Michelin-starred restaurants in KL: two-starred Dewakan, and one-starred Beta, DC. by Darren Chin, Molina, and Akar. They split into modern Malaysian and French-style cuisine. Closing days and hours differ by restaurant, so confirm on the official website before you book.
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Image Credits
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