Jwala
Jwala, named after the Sanskrit word for “fire,” is known for its chargrilled dishes and artisanal breads baked in a custom-built tandoori oven. Signature items include tandoori tiger prawns, flaky puff pastry naan, and gluten-free roti. The menu blends familiar meats like chicken and lamb with unique ingredients such as hamachi collar and croissant. With a strong selection of vegetarian options, Jwala offers a creative and well-rounded dining experience.
Greater Kuala Lumpur
Indian
Friends / GroupCouple / Date
Sister Yao’s Char Koay Kak
Sister Yao’s Char Koay Kak is run by three sisters who inherited their father’s stall, first established in 1963. They specialise in char koay kak, a beloved Teochew snack from their ancestral roots. The rice cakes are stir-fried over high heat, delivering a delightful wok hei aroma, and seasoned with just the right amount of soy sauce, bean sprouts, egg, and a touch of spice. Add optional hot sauce for an extra kick of flavour.
PenangMalaysianFriends / GroupSolo Dining
Frangipaani
Frangipaani offers a warm and rustic atmosphere, with a softly lit interior featuring wood accents and tan leather, as well as a cosy and relaxing terrace. Since 2019, the kitchen team has been serving traditional Indian cuisine thoughtfully adapted to suit local tastes. Popular choices include the vegetarian samosa chaat and a range of tandoori specialties. The raan dum biriyani—whole lamb leg slow-cooked with fragrant basmati rice—is perfect for sharing and makes for a memorable dining experience.
Greater Kuala LumpurIndianFriends / Group
Restaurant Shu KL
Restaurant Shu KL is named after Chef Wong’s mother and reflects his Chinese heritage and childhood food memories. The restaurant offers a single tasting menu inspired by Chinese diaspora cuisine, reinterpreting familiar flavours with seasonal produce and modern European techniques. A standout dish is his take on drunken prawn—raw akaebi marinated in Shaoxing wine, drizzled with umami-rich Huadiao beurre blanc, and topped with ikura and tender cubes of squid for added layers of texture.
Kuala Lumpur City CentreInnovative / ModernBusiness / Client DinnerCouple / Date
Seed by Whitegrass
Seed by Whitegrass is a modern restaurant and sister concept of the acclaimed Whitegrass in Singapore. The inviting space features earthy tones and cool neutrals, while the wave-shaped counter seats offer a captivating view of the open kitchen. The Japanese chef crafts a European-inspired menu using Japanese produce and seasonings, creating a refined fusion of flavours. Seafood dishes stand out for their creative twists and delicate seasoning. Don’t miss the crusty yet airy focaccia, especially when paired with the creamy whipped butter.
Greater Kuala LumpurInnovative / ModernCouple / Date
Restaurant Blanc Penang
Restaurant Blanc Penang is an elegant fine dining restaurant located in an 18th-century castle-turned heritage boutique hotel. The graceful colonial-style dining room features royal blue walls, white window shutters, and a striking faux white tree at its centre. The eight-course tasting menu is highly refined, while the à la carte options are equally extensive. Each dish thoughtfully incorporates a variety of Asian ingredients and is carefully balanced in flavour. Be sure to save room for the desserts—they are simply too good to miss.
PenangInnovative / ModernBusiness / Client DinnerCouple / Date
Duck Blood Curry Mee
Duck Blood Curry Mee is a hidden gem located inside a Malaysian-style café. The dish features noodles served in a savoury-sweet white curry broth made with coconut milk, freshly prepared every day. Among the many toppings available, the roasted pork stands out for its rich flavour and crispy texture. Be sure to add their homemade chilli sauce, which enhances the dish with an extra kick of spice and depth.
PenangMalaysianFriends / GroupSolo Dining
Du-An (Lebuh Pantai)
Du-An (Lebuh Pantai) is a casual and relaxing restaurant that celebrates traditional Malaysian cooking. The interior combines faux cement walls with warm wooden furniture, creating a comfortable atmosphere. The menu features local favourites such as nasi lemak, rendang beef, laksa, and satay. A standout dish is the skin-on mutton curry, known for its melt-in-the-mouth texture, bold aromas, and perfectly balanced seasoning that hits a pleasant level of spice. All ingredients used are halal-certified.
PenangMalaysianFriends / GroupSolo Dining
Kebaya Dining Room
Housed in a beautifully restored heritage building, Kebaya Dining Room offers an elegant setting with high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and scarlet velvet drapes. The concise menu highlights a refined selection of Peranakan cuisine alongside vegetarian options. Meat lovers can try the tamarind-glazed grass-fed beef from Australia, while the prawn geng curry can also be prepared as a vegetarian dish. Finish with the refreshing Markisa semifreddo, and don’t miss the competitively priced wine list to complement your meal.
PenangPeranakanFriends / Group
Kayra
Kayra showcases contemporary cuisine inspired by the culinary traditions of Kerala in southwest India, a region long known as a historic centre for peppers and spices. The restaurant reinterprets Kerala’s heritage dishes with a vibrant mix of spices—central to the cuisine’s identity—presented with modern aesthetics. Beef dishes feature prominently on the menu, offering bold and flavourful options. With reasonable prices and a modern industrial interior highlighted by brick design, Kayra provides a stylish yet relaxed dining experience.
Greater Kuala LumpurIndianFriends / Group
Bite N Eat Dindigul Biriyani
Bite N Eat Dindigul Biriyani has been serving authentic Indian cuisine since 2014, showcasing flavours from across the country. The signature Dindigul biriyani is a must-try, best paired with kongu nadu kozhi fry—spicy dry-fried chicken with grated coconut, a Southern Indian specialty rich in tangy notes. Be sure to check the blackboard at the entrance for daily specials. Finish your meal with house-made sweets or a comforting cup of masala tea. Please note that certain items are only available after 4 pm.
PenangIndianFriends / Group
BM Yam Rice
Since opening in 2006, BM Yam Rice has been serving the owner’s cherished family recipe. Their signature pairing of yam rice with pork soup allows you to choose whether to include pork offal in the broth. The yam rice is well cooked and infused with a strong shrimp flavour, while the pork broth offers a briny sweetness balanced by the tang of pickled mustard greens. The offal is perfectly textured, and the peppery pork balls are rich and satisfying.
PenangChineseFriends / Group
Bridge Street Prawn Noodle
Bridge Street Prawn Noodle is famed for its signature prawn mee. Choose between yellow noodles or rice noodles, then select your preferred soup—the spicy prawn broth is rich and packed with deep, layered flavours. For an even heartier bowl, add extras such as braised pork spareribs or fish balls. It’s a comforting and flavourful taste of Penang’s beloved street food scene.
PenangMalaysianFriends / Group
Ivy’s Nyonya Cuisine
Ivy's Nyonya Cuisine has been run by a husband-and-wife team for over 15 years, with Ivy leading the kitchen and her husband serving guests. After relocating in 2024, the dining space is now larger and more comfortable, but the beloved menu remains unchanged. Be sure to try the sharing set menus featuring their best-selling Peranakan dishes, such as Kapitan chicken curry and Joo Hoo Char—spicy stir-fried mixed vegetables in chili paste. Reservations are highly recommended.
PenangPeranakanFriends / GroupFamily
Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay
Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay is a heritage shop specialising in traditional Nyonya kueh—an assortment of cakes, dumplings, puddings, and pastries that can be sweet or savoury, steamed, deep-fried, or baked. All treats are prepared just as they were in 1933, when the owner’s father opened a kueh factory. Popular selections include kueh lapis, kueh talam, ang koo, and Nyonya chang, alongside a few classic Nyonya dishes. Enjoy your treats beneath a glass roof and Penang-style umbrellas in the charming converted patio.
PenangPeranakanFriends / GroupSolo Dining
Hor Poh Cuisine
Hor Poh Cuisine has been serving authentic Hakkanese food for over 20 years in an unassuming neighbourhood. A must-try is the signature Hor Poh lui cha, a glossy green soup served with steamed rice. Made from ground sesame seeds, peanuts, and mint leaves, the soup is wonderfully nutty and aromatic. The Hor Poh dumpling—filled with dried tofu, garlic, and pickles wrapped in a thin skin—is also a favourite. Offering a wide range of tasty dishes at bargain prices, the restaurant is consistently busy with loyal customers.
Greater Kuala LumpurMalaysianFriends / GroupFamily
Jalan Ipoh Claypot Chicken Rice
Jalan Ipoh Claypot Chicken Rice has been serving its signature dish for over 30 years, cooking chicken rice to order over charcoal in traditional claypots. The dish is paired with Cantonese pork sausage and ginger, creating a fragrant and comforting combination. One of its highlights is the crispy crust formed at the bottom of the claypot. Add salted fish for an extra layer of aroma and depth. Simple yet satisfying, it remains a beloved local favourite in Kuala Lumpur.
Greater Kuala LumpurMalaysianFriends / GroupSolo Dining
Roti by d’Tandoor
Roti by d'Tandoor carries on the legacy of the North Indian brand d'Tandoor, which first opened in Malaysia in 1990 and later expanded globally. Situated in a residential area, the restaurant offers a hearty selection of refined Indian cuisine, showcasing a harmonious blend of herbs and spices. The well-seasoned butter chicken masala is a highlight, perfectly paired with soft, chewy naan bread. Finish your meal with kulfi ice cream, available in a variety of flavours, for a delightful finale.
Kuala Lumpur City CentreIndianFriends / GroupFamilyThe truthfulness, accuracy, or completeness of the information contained on this website shall not be guaranteed.
