Ng Su Ann

In Kuala Lumpur, noodles are more than a comfort food — they’re a daily ritual, a shared language, a story of migration, memory, and meticulous technique. Across the city’s sprawling network of neighbourhoods, from alleyway stalls and kopitiams hawking red plastic stools to air-conditioned restaurants helmed by fine dining-trained chefs, you’ll find a bowl of noodles for every mood. A laksa — be it assam, curry, or Nyonya — fits neatly into any part of the day: breakfast, lunch, dinner, or an in-between snack. There’s Hokkien mee, glossy with dark soy sauce and smoky with wok hei. Even Kelantan’s delicate laksam, featuring rolled rice noodles in creamy fish gravy, makes an appearance. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it does spotlight some of Kuala Lumpur’s most iconic, slurp-worthy noodle dishes. We’ve prioritised authenticity, flavour, and the kind of local reverence that turns a bowl of noodles into a city landmark. If it made the cut, we think it’s awesome and worth a visit — and we hope you will, too. RECOMMENDED: The best cheap eats in KL and The best cafés for coffee in KL Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

KL's coffee culture is an expanding landscape of imported beans, state-of-the-art machines, hip baristas, and silky smooth pours. Pair that with some good grub like a sandwich or even a bowl of pasta, that perfect café day is attainable. Here are the best coffee shops in KL that call the shots. RECOMMENDED: Local coffee roasters you should know Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

For great restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, we’re spoiled for choice. After all, eating is practically a national pastime. From high-end fine dining restaurants to great neighbourhood joints, everywhere on our list serves up amazing food that you’ll enjoy. After much debate and delectation, we have compiled this updated and definitive list of Kuala Lumpur’s current greatest dining spots. Dig in! RECOMMENDED: The best bars in Kuala Lumpur and Best sushi restaurants in KL Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

Malaysia is often lauded as a melting pot of cultures. And we all know what that means: food galore for gluttons like you and I. Now, like most multiracial countries, there are certain issues that seem inevitable, but the one thing that we all share is our appreciatively diverse palate. Malays, Chinese, Indians, Eurasians, Peranakans (even the indigenous tribes of Sabah and Sarawak) have opened places for everyone to sample and feast on their own unique dishes and sometimes, even their take on national favourites.  As the capital of the country, Kuala Lumpur is home to many of these dining establishments and while some of these dishes are better known elsewhere, if you’re in the city, why not head to the places we’ve listed here to fix your cravings or maybe even have a new to-go place for these well-loved classics? RECOMMENDED: The top 20 things to eat in KL and The best restaurants in KL right now Discover, book, and save at hundreds of restaurants with Grab Dine Out. Enjoy exclusive discounts, use dining vouchers, and make instant reservations, all in the Grab app. Explore Grab Dine Out now.

There’s no such thing as bad pizza, so the saying goes, but making a good pizza requires patience, skilled hands and a generous amount of quality toppings. Here are some of the best pizza joints in KL to visit when you just need that slice of heaven.   RECOMMENDED: 20 things you have to eat in Kuala Lumpur and The best bars in Kuala Lumpur right now

Here in Kuala Lumpur, we sometimes take our green spaces for granted. No more! Our best-of guide includes hikes for all ages and fitness levels and features everything from views of the city skyline to birding hotspots, and a secret (sort of) lake in Shah Alam.  Pack a water bottle, snacks, and sunscreen. Let’s get trekking! RECOMMENDED: The best parks in KL and The best running trails in the city

You don’t have to travel too far for a great beach getaway. Consider this list for your next relaxing escape. Below, some of the best beach resorts near Kuala Lumpur with rooms and villas overlooking the sea, and only a short stroll away, stretches of soft sand, and an abundance of water activities.  There's something for everyone at these properties, whether you're planning a family get-together or you prefer to focus on poolside mai tais with a plus one. The best part: they’re all only a couple hours’ drive away from Kuala Lumpur (give or take maybe a ferry or speedboat transfer). READ MORE: The absolute best hotels in Kuala Lumpur and Best city hotels and hostels under RM200 in KL

Indie rock, acoustic folk, jazz – think you can’t find them in KL? These top live music venues play all that and more.

Take the pressure off Valentine’s Day with our list of things to do for the weekend. Love is all around – from a glam night out at the orchestra (lovebirds, we’re looking at you), a Galentine’s party at the club with your besties, or speed-dating for the singles.  It’s not too late to book a dinner resy for two, too. Check out our list of the most romantic restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. READ MORE: Best spas and massages in KL and Best luxury hotels in KL

From upscale restaurants offering breathtaking city views from 48 floors up to sultry venues serving up vibrant Sri Lankan plates, these are some of the best places in town for date night – and a certain February holiday.  READ MORE: The best restaurants in KL and The best bars in KL

A quick guide to knowing your kopi-c from your kopi-peng. You may now order like a pro.

If you're looking for a boutique stay in Malaysia's vibrant capital, look no further. Kuala Lumpur is the one. And it has so much to offer. We say skip the fancy hotels (and even fancier prices) for a chic weekend getaway in these small, boutique hotels in KL instead. Trust us, it's well worth the experience. From restored houses to minimalistic bed and breakfasts and decidedly Malaysian hotels paying tribute to local culture, these stylish hotels guarantee an unconventional stay you won't forget. Ready to start packing your bags yet? Great, let's take a look.RECOMMENDED: 👨‍👩‍👧The best family-friendly hotels in Malaysia 🛏Rent out the best Airbnb's in the capital🇲🇾Make the most of your stay in Kuala Lumpur Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every hotel featured below, we've based our list on top reviews and amenities to find you the best stays. This article includes affiliate links. These links have no influence on our editorial content. For more information, see our affiliate guidelines.

Datin Isma — founder, chef and the culinary force behind the popular @masakwithpassion account — taps into her east coast roots to craft authentic Kelantanese dishes rarely found in Kuala Lumpur.  The vibe: Kantan draws steady crowds that spill out come mealtime, a sure sign it’s one of the city’s top spots for Kelantanese fare. Casual and cheery, there’s no better place for a hearty, satisfying meal with family and friends.  The food: It wouldn’t be a stretch to say that almost everything is excellent at Kantan, but the standout is the nasi kerabu; it’s plated with fragrant yellow rice (not the usual blue), paired with traditional ulam like bunga kantan and daun kesom (no cabbage here), budu, sambal, tumis, grated coconut, half a salted egg, crispy ikan masin, and crunchy keropok. Pick your protein: ayam percik, ayam bakar, ayam goreng, daging bakar, or kambing bakar. Other must-tries include the nasi ulam with sup daging and the rich, creamy laksam — a Kelantanese classic done right. The drinks: All your local favourites are accounted for: hot or iced kopi and teh, refreshing barley and cincau, sirap, and the standout ‘Sabarjala’, a mix of sirap, barley, and lychee that’s as fun to drink as it is to say.   Time Out tip: Be sure to save room for dessert - the lompat tikam, a traditional Kelantanese sweet featuring pandan pudding, pulut, coconut cream, and gula Melaka syrup, is well worth it. 

For many years, this husband-and-wife char kuay teow stall in Brickfields had no name — only a string of affectionate monikers coined by regulars: 7-Eleven CKT, Sports Toto CKT, YMCA CKT, even Ais Kacang CKT (a nod to the neighbouring dessert stall). That changed when a patron took matters into his own hands; he christened it ‘Best Fried Kuay Teow’ and even designed and printed a bunting banner to make the title official. Today, the name remains, proudly displayed — though among locals, the nicknames still linger fondly. The vibe: It’s a makeshift stall set up streetside with half a dozen tables with red plastic stools. Adjust your expectations.  The food: It is a truth universally acknowledged that char kuay teow should, first and foremost, have char. Here, each plate arrives with a smoky depth that speaks to 30 years of seasoned wok work — and includes kuay teow (the standard, but you can opt for yellow mee too), eggs, cockles, fishcake, shrimp and lapcheong, alongside chives and taugeh. The drinks: In an icebox, there is bottled water and bottled herbal tea. If Ah Keong’s, the neighbouring dessert stall, is open, you can order coconut juice or grab a drink from a convenience store around the corner.  Time Out tip: Make it a meal with ais kacang and cendol from neighbouring Ah Keong’s, and don’t leave without tapao-ing pisang goreng from the stall down the street. It’s Brickfield’s best.    

One of the oldest stalls in the city, operating since ’49, Shin Kee is a beloved institution known for its beef noodles. The vibe: A no-frills stall inspiring a nostalgic atmosphere, though not necessarily by design. It simply looks the way it always has for decades – and therein lies its charm. Since 1949, Shin Kee has seen several generations of families pack into its shop, seated elbow-to-elbow on little red stools, slurping up beef noodles.  The food: We are here for one thing only: beef noodles served in a savoury sauce of minced meat or swimming in broth. Diners are offered a choice of bihun, yellow mee or hor fun noodles alongside the stall’s signature beef meatballs known for their satisfying bounce, tender slivers of beef, or thick-cut tendon and tripe.  The drinks: Chinese teas, herbal teas, and a selection of soft drinks stocked in the fridge.   Time Out tip: Expect a queue at peak hours, and to taap toi (share a table) with other diners.

There’s spicy, and then there’s Super Kitchen’s chilli pan mee. Turn up the heat at the chain specialising in chilli pan mee. There are multiple locations in the valley, and one in Singapore, too.  The vibe: Tucked in a shop lot in an oft-underappreciated corner of Chow Kit, Super Kitchen is sparsely decorated. But we’re not here for its interiors, are we? Still, it’s clean and brightly lit by way of fluorescent fixtures. Service is quick.  The food: A dish of dry pan mee topped with pork mince, a poached egg, fried ikan bilis, fried onions, and – crucially– a dollop of dry chilli mix is a bestseller. But the eatery also puts out pan mee served with pork chop, mee hoon kueh, and more, with a section of the menu dedicated to rice, soup, and deep-fried mains such as fu chuk (dried beancurd) and sweet and sour pork.  The drinks: Kopi and teh, soft drinks, herbal tea, and the like. Time Out tip: Newer Super Kitchens feature slick, modern fit-outs in glitzy air-conditioned malls.     

A modern Malaysian noodle bar that celebrates its Chinese roots. Founders Aaron Phua, Bimmy Soh, and Aaron Khor draw inspiration from the cultures of dialect groups, such as Cantonese, Teochew, Hokkien and even Peranakan.  The vibe: The team, when designing the restaurant, wanted “to instil a sense of home.” Fifty Tales has a style that hints at its cuisine: it’s inviting with warm textures and tones, pulled together by lighting sculptures reminiscent of Chinese lanterns,  at once contemporary and traditional. The food: It’s all about the noodles. Texture: bouncy, springy. Taste: fresh, rich. Here, they’re handmade with eggs, high-protein flour, oil and water — and not alkaline water or kan-sui either.  The drinks: A selection of Chinese loose-leaf teas, sodas such as fizzy lou han gou (monkfruit) or kok fa ginger, low ABV beers, cocktails with a Fifty Tales twist, and a short sake and wine list.  Time Out tip: If you’re after something heartier, the restaurant serves a dinner menu titled ‘cincai’ – meaning casual, and slang for ‘whatever’ – that stays true to the essence of comforting Malaysian Chinese cuisine. Expect elevated staples such as steamed golden pomfret, roasted corn-fed chicken leg, and triple pepper wagyu belly, all best enjoyed with a bowl of noodles or pork lard rice.

Hokkien mee, a dish as iconic as nasi lemak and roti canai, is a dime a dozen all over the valley. But there is only one Kim Lian Kee — birthplace of the original Kuala Lumpur-style Hokkien mee, founded in 1927. Here, tradition isn’t just preserved; it’s plated daily.  The vibe: Nearly a hundred years on, the little tin-roofed shack tucked into a corner of Chinatown still stands strong. Across the street is a larger, two-storey Kim Lian Kee with air conditioning to boot. The food: Kim Lian Kee’s Hokkien mee is among the best you'll find in town. Here, it’s stir-fried over roaring charcoal flames; noodles soak up dark soy sauce, flounder fish powder, and pork lard, served with hunks of cabbage, prawns, and meat. Most Malaysians would agree that a good Hokkien mee should be smoky with wok hei, rich and hearty without being particularly intense in flavour. Like this one. The drinks: Wash down your meal with a selection of Chinese teas, kopi, juices, and more.    Time Out tip: The menu isn’t limited to Hokkien mee. Also try: moonlight kuay teow, topped with a raw egg.

A fixture of the Taman Paramount neighbourhood since 1990, this hawker centre – just a short stroll from LRT Taman Paramount – may house only 15 or so stalls (several run by longtime owners and cooks doing brisk business for decades), but it punches well above its weight in flavour and following. The vibe: O&S buzzes with activity from morning till the late afternoon, a lively, no-frills hawker centre that’s popular with nearby residents and office workers as a one-stop shop to sample everything from curry laksa to char kuay teow. The food: Tuck into timeless hawker treats. We recommend the mom-and-pop stall slinging out asam laksa and curry laksa, as well as the char kuay teow (opt for the duck egg version!). As for the other options, you can’t go wrong with beef noodle, chee cheong fun, yong tau foo, chicken rice, prawn mee, wan tan mee, and the sam kan chong pork noodles. The drinks: Top it all off with a glass of cold Chinese tea, herbal tea, barley, sugarcane juice, or kopis and tehs.  Time Out tip: Chances are you’ll be waiting a bit for your main meal, so you might as well have a snack while doing so. Order the popiah: fresh spring roll stuffed with stewed soft turnip, crunchy taugeh, and a generous topping of crushed peanuts, sweet sauce, and chilli. Also try: apam balik, pisang goreng, and nian gao.

At Basic Wine Store, to be basic means boiling things down to the essentials: a good bottle of wine, a platter of food, and a room full of great company. (We’d expect nothing less from the team behind Table & Apron and Universal Bakehouse.) Here, it’s easy to step outside your tried-and-true grapes; the chillers and shelves stock a curation of small-batch natural wines, which you’re unlikely to come across at most spots in the city, such as Cantina Giardino, amongst a handful of pioneers that paved the way for the making of wines with no additions. If you can’t commit to a bottle, there are options available by the glass.  Pair with European comfort fare and small bites from the menu, or Jose Gourmet tinned seafood goods served with bread and pickles. Be sure to always ask if the chef has any specials for the day. FRFR, we love the service here; at every visit the staff have been attentive and easygoing with on-point recommendations.

In a tiny shoplot at The Zhongshan Building, Gentle Giants nails the intimate, lived-in aesthetic that so many wine bars attempt: it feels like the dining room of a chic friend, featuring only one table lit with tall candles, and it fits no more than two dozen people sitting elbow-to-elbow, a few at the bar. If you’re lucky, there are two tables to be snagged out on the balcony. Behind the bar, a shelf is stocked to the ceiling with cult and natty wines, including Brand Bros, François and Lammidia; ask Michele or Stanley for recs and you won’t go wrong.  On account of it being so small, Gentle Giants doesn’t have a kitchen and doesn’t serve food (except when they host takeovers or on special events), so yes, you can bring in outside food. We’ve tapao-ed in dumplings, pizzas, and even nasi goreng. Michele’s Dachshund, Lipton might ask for a taste though.

Tucked between Feeka and Pizza Mansion at The Five, Mount Pleasure is a wine bar with benefits — the benefits being you can order from the former café and the latter pizzeria to go with your vino. It’s kind of a three-in-one site. Win-win-win all around. On wine, the cellar is an adventure, stocking a selection of sought-after zero-zero nattys the likes of Jauma, Lucy Margaux, and Matassa. DJs spin on weekends because vino and vinyl go great together.

Juno is an understated spot in the neighbourhood of Bangsar with a curated list of easy-drinking pours and nattys, stocking wines from the likes of DEFIALY (“handmade, no-tech, minimal f*ckery”) and LES VIGNES DE BABASS by Sebastién Dervieux, one of the early pioneers of making natural wine in the Loire region in France. This is the perfect wine bar to bring a foodie. The kitchen is stellar, dishing out inventive European-esque small plates — creamy sage gnocchi, scallops with citrus — but we absolutely adore its anti-fussy, cheeky take on wine pairing experiences. In the short time Juno has been open, it has hosted a wine and donut pairing with Donut Plan, a char kuey teow kitchen takeover by Moonkey, and a Gyoza For Life pop-up featuring gyoza and wine flights.

In Petaling Jaya, Mellow is prime for an evening of sips and shareable plates. Bottles, by the likes of Maxime Crotet and Patrice Béguet and mostly natural, are in the chiller with prices marked; you’re encouraged to browse and chat with the staff about your preferences, or sample something by-the-glass, if you can’t commit to a bottle. Fresh oysters, wagyu steak frites, and the crowd favourite crispy eggplant pair perfectly with the earthy, energetic wines.