The best restaurants in KL for healthy eating

What is it Tucked into the ground floor of Four Points in Chinatown, the vegan bakery-turned-resto-bar is the younger, more nightlife-inclined sibling to The Hungry Tapir only a few doors down. At LaGula, restaurateur Cynthia Rodrigo and her children, Tristan and Makissa Smeeton, don't just serve food — they serve vibe.

Why we love it The sheer variety. Order the smashed double cheeseburger (seitan patties, vegan cheddar and mozzarella, blessedly messy) or go lighter with a ‘See-Food’ platter of konjac-based squid and prawns, breaded, spiced, and served with a tartar sauce. There’s Burnin’ Pan Mee that brings the heat, and a lineup of sweets that feel more like weekend indulgences than health food: banoffee pie, spiced apple parcels, and a cake display lined with the day’s bakes. It’s also the only vegan bakery-and-restaurant with a full bar in the city, with a disco ball glinting midday and DJs spinning Latin tunes.

Time Out tip Bottomless brunch is available Friday through Sunday at RM180 per person. It’s a two-hour free-flow of mimosas and pear Bellinis paired with a Big Brekkie or Scrambled Pastrami Croissant and a pastry or Sunny Days Bagel and a pastry.

Address: G-02, Four Points by Sheraton, 2 Jalan Balai Polis, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon & Wed-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sun 11am-11pm
Expect to pay: About RM40-60 for a main and a drink

What is it Set discreetly within Menara KEN in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Summer Ng’s Kuki is a serene, design-forward vegan Japanese restaurant. Tucked behind sliding wooden doors, the space is a tribute to Japanese craftsmanship and restraint — part sanctuary, part culinary stage.

Why we love it Kuki is casual fine dining done right; elegant, seasonal, and deeply respectful of its ingredients. Standouts include the hojicha-infused ochazuke topped with umeboshi, shio kombu, and nori; sushi served with beet tartare, tomato natto, and other inventive ingredients; and ramen swimming in broths that hum with depth. Zero-proof cocktails and on-tap kombuchas round out the experience. Matcha fans will appreciate the hand-ground Uji Matcha Sour, a drink that’s more meditative ceremony than cocktail. Bonus: the restaurant practises a zero-waste philosophy. Good for you, good for the planet. 

Time Out tip File under: special occasion, or anytime you long for Japan. From bonsai to shoji, Kuki’s atmosphere is a masterclass in quiet elegance.

Address: Unit 1-8, Menara KEN TTDI, 37 Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am-3pm, 5pm-10pm
Expect to pay: RM149 for the five-course menu, RM249 for the eight-course menu, or order off the à la carte menu and expect to pay RM80 for a meal.

What is it This is Kyoto-honed soy milk-based ramen. Founded in 2004, Towzen has earned a cult following for its commitment to plant-based Japanese cuisine — and now, it’s within reach in Kuala Lumpur.

Why we love it Towzen is the only all-vegan ramen specialty shop in the city — and it delivers on both taste and integrity. The Towzen Kyoto Soymilk Ramen is the headline act: creamy, savoury, and deeply satisfying without the post-broth thirst of meat-based bowls. Toppings include mizuna leaf, yuba, radish, mushrooms, umeboshi, and a dusting of sansho pepper. It's comfort food, refined. For something richer, the truffle ramen offers an indulgent, earthy hit. The miso and gac bowl is bright and bold, while the spicy mala ramen delivers a warming kick.

Time Out tip Order the Kyoto Uji Matcha Mousse Cake for dessert. If that’s sold out, go for the silky Soymilk Pudding. Skip the karaage; you're here for the ramen.

Address: 01-01A, Level 1, Annexe Block, Menara Milenium, 8 Jalan Damanlela, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 11.30am-3pm & 5-9pm, Sat & Sun 11.30am-9pm
Expect to pay: Ramen, dessert, and drink for RM70+.

What is it
Fittie Sense was born from a personal philosophy: co-owner and cook Victor Yap wanted better food for himself and everyone else. Almost a decade later, the ethos is the same; no shortcuts, no junk — this extends even to no deep frying, no refined sugars — just real food that fuels. There’s a seat for almost every diner and their dietary needs here, including gluten-free, keto, vegan, and low-carb options, with a menu rooted in whole ingredients and macro-conscious thinking that never feels clinical. 

Why we love it In a world of conflicting advice — carbs are essential, carbs are evil — Fittie Sense offers clarity: eat for your needs. It’s food that does the job and tastes good. Think: kampung egg omelettes loaded with Norwegian salmon chunks, asparagus and broccoli; protein-packed beef bone broths; and gluten-free cakes sweetened with dates, honey or molasses instead of sugar. Highlights include the grilled chicken salad with kampung chicken dressed with yoghurt-Parmesan, and the British Roast — a comfort classic reworked with your choice of 170g grass-fed, lean beef or free-range chicken leg, served with a gluten-free Yorkshire pudding, vibrant vegetables, and a rich, wheat-free gravy. 

Time Out tip Don’t skip the pantry. It’s a treasure trove of small-batch, good-for-you yummies: vegan granola sweetened with date syrup, sugar-free fermented kimchi, and sauces made without preservatives or added sugar.

Address: 23A Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Daily 11am-10pm
Expect to pay: On average, RM40-60 per person. More to finish with something sweet.

What is it A confident newcomer on the former Cziplee corner in Bangsar, Roots is a modern, meat-free fusion spot with its sights set on a more sustainable plate. The name speaks to its mission: to reconnect with what matters — ethically, environmentally, and deliciously. 

Why we love it This isn’t meatless food pretending to be something else — it’s a celebration of produce, provenance, and local flavours reimagined with global technique. Think crowd-pleasing, umami-rich sourdough pizzas; light, chewy, and full of flavour. Elsewhere, inventive pastas and dishes like the Nasi Lemak Risotto — coconut-infused grains served with a soft egg, spicy sambal and peanuts for crunch — keep things interesting without tipping into gimmick. Pair it with a house kombucha or mocktail and you’ve got Bangsar’s go-to for thoughtful, meat-free dining.

Time Out tip Sign up for their membership programme to unlock exclusive perks such as welcome treats, special discounts, and monthly rewards.

Address: 1 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 11am-10pm, Fri-Sun 8am-10pm
Expect to pay: Bring a friend and split a pizza (and a pasta?) and the bill. It’ll probably come up to RM40, plus drinks.

What is it Tiny Food does plant-based comfort with serious flair. Tucked in Plaza Damas, this cheerful café serves up feel-good, flavour-forward dishes that just happen to be vegan. 

Why we love it There’s nothing tiny about the flavours. From the char siu tofu pasta — a golden, creamy curry laced with smoky grilled tofu — to cauliflower bites and gluten-free nasi berempah loaded with hericium mushrooms, asam boi pickles, sambal, and peanut tempeh bilis, each dish hits with purpose. The tomato bruschetta is a sleeper hit: cherry tomatoes, basil, house-made vegan cream cheese and hidden pesto for that perfect, extra kick. Pair it all with coffee, juice, or kombucha.

Time Out tip For purists, Tiny’s new menu is fully onion- and garlic-free, without skimping on flavour.

Address: H-0-1, Plaza Damas, 60 Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Taman Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Daily 8.30am-9pm
Expect to pay: Go for a set meal of main, side and drink for RM51+.

What is it A Malaysian outpost of Bengaluru’s century-old institution, Mavalli Tiffin Rooms established in 1924 is the real deal: 100% vegetarian, uncompromising, and rooted in tradition. Masalas are stone-ground by hand, parottas stretched the old-fashioned way — every dish prepared with the same care and precision that’s defined MTR for over a century.

Why we love it The menu is a tribute to South Indian classics, each dish delivering comfort and character. Start with the dosa — ideally, the pudi masala dosa sprinkled with spiced powder for extra depth. Then there’s the rava idli — soft and steamed to perfection — a signature dish invented by MTR during World War II’s rice shortage. For something lighter, the button idlis are bite-sized and perfect with coconut chutney and sambar. Order the vada, crisp-edged and cloud-soft within. A local favourite, and for good reason.

Time Out tip Plan your visit around their service windows: breakfast starts at 8am, lunch is at 11:30am, snacks are served at 5pm, and dinner begins at 7:30pm. The mini thali is only available at lunch and dinner. Also, check the menu or ask the staff for daily specials.

Address: 69 Jalan Thambipillay, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-3.30pm, 5pm-10.30pm; Sat & Sun 8am-10.30pm
Expect to pay: RM25 for a dosa and a filter coffee or a masala tea