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I have eaten my way through KL on numerous occasions. Yet, every time I return, I find myself with another impossibly long list of places to try and recommendations from my foodie friends. But as it’s likely you’ll only have a few days in the city, that’s all you really need to see the sights, unless you’re someone who LOVES a giant metropolis, you need a quick hit list of the best dishes to try in the city and where to get them. Because that’s potentially more important than the dish itself.
From the most famous street food in KL to the hidden gem food in Kuala Lumpur, these are the places that I think you should prioritize on your next trip.
The Kuala Lumpur Food Scene
If you’re not interested in a little bit of backstory, then keep on scrolling to the good stuff.
BUT. If you’re wondering what exactly makes the Kuala Lumpur food scene so special, it’s the blend of Chinese, Malay, and Indian influences. This unique combination of strong culinary cultures creates a hugely diverse cuisine with lots of unique KL dishes, like the delicious Nasi Lemak, which not coincidentally has a Chinese, Indian, and Malay version within Kuala Lumpur.
If you’re interested in learning more about the deep culinary roots of Malaysian culture, I suggest you read this excellent National Geographic highlight on KL cuisine.
Best Street Food Tour in KL
Kuala Lumpur was voted the 7th best city in the world for foodies. This is largely due to the street food culture. But in cities as large as KL, it can be hard to crack into the street food scene and scope out the exceptional from the ordinary. That’s why we like to take some street food tours. Specifically, street food tours led by local chefs or other locals who understand the food scene—people who can share with me the stories behind the food.
We took the Sambal Streets tour with A Chef’s Tour and loved it. I especially liked that it incorporated some of the city’s popular sights into the tour and didn’t focus on an obvious area (like Petaling Street) that is already popular with tourists. Instead, you venture into more local areas and eat meals at places you might never have otherwise tried. But they have a Laksa Lanes tour if you are interested in that Chinatown region!
10 Must-Try Restaurants + Markets in Kuala Lumpur
These are my favorite ten places to eat when I’m in KL. All of them are budget-friendly and offer a glimpse into the city’s food scene.
1. Mee Tarik Restoran
- Address: 36, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Must Eat: Dumplings, hand-cut beef noodles, scallion pancakes
- Time of Day: Dinner + Late Night
Part of the joy of eating at Mee Tarik is that the tables are flimsy plastic assembled haphazardly streetside in the heart of Chinatown. It’s impossible to miss among the crowd. They specialize in hand-cut noodles and soup, but the freshly pressed dumplings and a massive pile of scallion pancakes are equally delicious. The place is busy all day long, but it really picks up late at night.
2. Ho Kow Hainam Kopitiam
- Address: 1, Jalan Balai Polis, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Must Eat: Kaya Toast, Egg Curry Toast, Dried Chicken Curry Noodle, Coffee
- Time of Day: Early Breakfast
This is a community staple. If you visit anytime after 9 AM, you’re bound to have a short wait outside. But the food is well worth the wait. If you’re lucky, the owner will be wandering the restaurant, going table to table. The kaya here, made from pandan, coconut, and egg, is the best of anywhere I’ve had it.
3. Pik Wah Bar & Cafe
- Address: No134, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Must Eat: Clay pot Chiang fun, clay pot coffee, Portuguese tarts, duck noodle
- Time of Day: Breakfast
Somehow, I didn’t manage to snap a single photo of the three times we ate breakfast at this spot. This is a sure-fire sign of how good the food was.
4. MTR
- Address: 69, Jalan Thambipillay, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Must Eat: Anything Indian
- Time of Day: Lunch
Excellent South Indian food. Enough said. They have daily specials and an array of staple dishes. The only problem with this place is that it isn’t really near anything else that you might want to visit. But it’s worth going out of your way for.
5. Soong Kee Beef Noodles & Low Yau Kee Porridge
- Address: 86, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Must Eat: Beef noodles.
- Time of Day: Lunch
A casual eatery serving one dish…delicious beef on top of perfectly cooked noodles. You might think that it’s too simple but I promise the taste will surprise you.
6. Heun Kee Claypot Chicken Rice
- Address: 59, Jln Yew, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Must Eat: Chicken clay pot + umbra juice.
- Time of Day: Lunch/Dinner
Hello Michelin Guide!!! This unassuming restaurant was recognized by the Michelin Bib Gourmand and I found myself in total agreement. The claypot chicken is cooked in a unique way on the many flaming burners outside. One was plenty large enough to share.
7. Roti Canai Mamak OG
- Address: 1015, Selangor Mansion, 1005, Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Must Eat: Roti Canai. duh.
- Time of Day: Breakfast or lunch.
Another slightly out-of-the-way and enormously delicious stop serving up one iconic dish…my favorite breakfast dish in all of Southeast Asia, actually. Roti Canai! Pair it with a traditional chai.
Best Street Food Markets in Kuala Lumpur
Street markets are an essential piece of the puzzle when it comes to Kuala Lumpur. While the city is extraordinarily modern, it has also retained space for its street food heritage. Maybe that’s why I like it so much here.
8. Tamam Connaught – Wednesday Night Market
This 2 KM long market has it all. But you have to visit on Wednesday night. This is the largest market in Malaysia. I’m sure it rivals the longest street market in all of Southeast Asia. There’s tons of food, trinkets, and delicious beverages.
9. Petaling Street- Day and Night
The most famous street market in Kuala Lumpur and, therefore, the most popular with tourists. This little street in Chinatown is unique because it’s bustling during the daytime as well as at night. It’s a must-visit at least once. This is the market where you will find the most traditional Malay food as well as some Chinese.
10. Jalan Alor Food Street – Night Market
Jalan Alor is another one of those street markets that everyone recommends you visit. But of the three on this list, it was actually my least favorite. It could have been because we visited during a thunderstorm, but the food stalls felt very repetitive, and there was a lot of Durian…my least favorite Malaysian culinary obsession. Be sure to try some Chinese renditions of Malaysian favorites while you’re here.
Our Favorite Bars in Kuala Lumpur
Long ago, before I was a travel writer, I was a bartender. Because of this, we have a soft spot for a high-quality cocktail lounge, especially one that takes local dishes and ingredients and incorporates them in a unique way into the drink menu. These three bars were our favorites in the city. But we like to check out the top 50 bars list before we go to any new destinations.
Penrose
- Address: 149, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
A Chinatown staple for local bartenders. It feels a little like a speakeasy and is perfect for date night! Come for the complex signature cocktails and stay for the lovely ambiance.
Trigona Bar
- Address: 145, Jln Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
This bar is seriously impressive. And I hate recommending anything near a Hilton or other major hotel chain. Because yes, Bar Trigona is inside the Hilton in the heart of KL. But the fact that they incorporate local ingredients into their cocktail menu and many drinks are inspired by iconic dishes important in Malay culture…it’s a unique cocktail experience if you’re willing to pay American drink prices.
PS150
- Address: Ground Floor, 150, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
PS150 was a find from the best bars in Asia list, and its position is well-earned. Its focus is solely on its cocktail program, and the place is extremely into minimalism. It can be difficult to locate as it’s another one in a speakeasy-style, but once inside, you’ll want to stick around.
Where to Stay in Kuala Lumpur
If this is your first time in KL, don’t be surprised when you find out the airport is more than an hour from the edges of the city. Kuala Lumpur is HUGE. This makes getting around the city a pain at times. I always stay at the private rooms in Mingle Hostel in the heart of Chinatown so that I am walking distance from most of the must try restaurants in KL.
Mingle Hostel Chinatown
Mingle has dorms and private rooms with really great lofted beds. The location and rooftop hot tub really make this place the perfect stop for a few days of eating in the city.
Map of Best Places to Eat in Kuala Lumpur
Whether you are looking to dive into the hidden gem food in Kuala Lumpur or what to eat in Kuala Lumpur for a weekend visit…this guide will help you prioritize the famous street food in KL. Let me know in the comments if you have any favorite foodie destinations you would add to this list of where to eat in Kuala Lumpur.
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