Time Out KL editors

Klong, Kilang, Kelang – Klang’s name is as diverse and contentious as its history rife with tin mines, civil wars and a complex web of cultural heritage. The Time Out KL team explores the best things to do in this former Selangor capital and modern-day royal city.

Whether you’re preparing for Halloween or just want to spice up your everyday life, here are KL’s best costume and prop shops to give you some inspiration.  

We’ll get the obvious out of the way first; if you like street food, you will fall deeply in love with Kuala Lumpur. The Malaysian capital is a veritable foodie haven, with finger-licking magic waiting around every corner. Hungry visitors are in for a real treat.The best things to do in KL cover much more than marvellous morsels. There is history, culture, architecture and excitement here, with one of the best nightlife scenes in the region and lots of activities to boot. One of the coolest cities on the planet? There's absolutely no doubt about it. RECOMMENDED: 🍽 The best restaurants and cafés in KL🛏 The best boutique hotels in KL🌳 The best parks in KL🎸 The best live music venues in KL

One of the best ways to enjoy the city is to head to one of KL's rooftop bars at night, where you can unwind and soak in the view with a drink in hand. Many of these bars have unobstructed views of the Twin Towers, and some even have pools that you can take a dip in. 

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?

Eating well doesn’t mean you have to pay more, especially if you're in a food-centric city like Kuala Lumpur. Wherever you may be in the city, at any time of the day, there's bound to be a hot dish waiting for you... under RM15. We’ve got you covered for the best cheap eats our city has to offer.

Shopping for a bouquet of flowers doesn't always need to be a chore. Show that someone you care without even leaving your desk with our list of KL's top online florists for all occasions including weddings, birthdays, Valentine's Day, anniversaries and more. Go grand with a dozen red roses or surprise someone with a beautiful rustic arrangement of wildflowers, all with a click of a button. 

It's official: Ramadan begins in Malaysia on Tuesday, March 12, says the Keeper of the Rulers' Seal, a date set by the order of His Majesty, Sultan Ibrahim, the King of Malaysia. This means that Muslims in Malaysia will go through a period of dawn-to-dusk fasting from March 12 to April 9. It all culminates on Hari Raya Aidilfitri, which happens on April 10 this year where Muslims celebrate the end of fasting month with celebrations and fellowship. This sacred period may be widely recognised in Malaysia, yet many outside the Muslim faith are not as well-versed in its significance.  So, in conjunction with the upcoming holy month, let’s explore the meaning and significance of Ramadan, shall we?  What is Ramadan all about?  Ramadan, the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, is a very sacred time for Muslims. This is because it is believed this was when the Holy Qur’an was sent down from heaven as a guide for men and women.  As such, Muslims in Malaysia commemorate this month by forgoing food and drink from pre-dawn to sunset. This period is called suhur, which involves them waking up before sunrise to eat and drink.  And this will be their only meal throughout the day until sunset (7 pm). What’s more, married Muslim couples also abstain from sexual activities during this period.  Hence, Ramadan serves as an opportunity for self-reflection and spiritual improvement, in hopes of strengthening one’s relationship with God.  That said, not all Muslims are obligated to partake in fasti

The holy month of Ramadan is a time of prayer and reflection for Muslims all around the world. And with that also comes a period of fasting from March 12 to April 9, with Hari Raya Puasa falling on April 10 this year. But come sunset, it's time to come together with friends and family to break fast and bond over a good meal. So if you're looking for a place to gather in a big group in KL, here are some restaurants to visit for impressive buffet spreads and delectable dinners during Iftar. As always, be sure to book early to avoid disappointment.

If you're up for a sushi experience where the food does the talking, sit back and submit to the will of these sushi chefs for the best omakase and sushi meals in the city. RECOMMENDED: Best Japanese restaurants in KL

We pick the best places in town for a satisfying plate of the country's pride and joy – the mighty nasi lemak. Hunt down these nasi lemak joints for breakfast, lunch, dinner or even supper, because our national dish doesn't restrict itself to a certain meal time – which is why we love it so much. 

Looking for a relaxing weekend getaway without travelling the extra mile? Here are some of the best staycation ideas for a nice quick holiday – all without leaving Kuala Lumpur (or Selangor). RECOMMENDED ⭐️ Best hotels in KL 🏙 Best boutique hotels in KL ❤️ Best things to do in KL

Coffee-wise, you're in good hands here as Page 2 is a project by the baristas from Café In A Box who boast impressive credentials (they were crowned champions in Malaysia Brewers' Cup 2015 and Malaysia Siphonist Championship 2016). Expect quality espresso and slow-brewed specialty coffee.

The colourful figurines and childhood card games of yore scattered around Lat Tali Lat Café certainly help lend character to its name – lat tali lat is a traditional childhood game played by three or more players to decide how to split into two teams. Founded by Joanne and Li May, Lat Tali Lat serves up a porky Thai-inspired menu with dishes like pad gaprow (stir-fried Thai minced pork with basil leaves, white rice and a fried egg), nam ngeu (Northern Thai pork laksa), The GNS (glass noodles tossed in homemade Thai dressing, onions, tomatoes, shredded chicken and prawns) and more. Once you’re seated (snag the tables with fruit-shaped cushions and hamster plushies), the cheerful staff will take your order and give a small bowl of free iced gem biscuits. Get the deep-fried mozzarella sticks with homemade salsa for a cheesy starter, before tucking into the large serving of Papa Yong's spaghetti bolognese (Li May's attempt at replicating the dish her father loved during a 1975 trip to Switzerland). If you have space for more, the Mootato Pie with its baked gooey cheese, beef sauce and mashed potato base should leave you in a food coma. Shrug off any sleepiness with iced lemongrass tea or cha yen. Pork also makes an appearance in the desserts – the deep-fried minced pork toast, vanilla ice cream and honey drizzle is good, but the tangy lemon tart is a worthy dessert option too. While most café interiors usually have a single focal point (usually an Instagrammable corner with artfu

Note: 44 will move to a new location. Watch this space for updates. Staying true to the ‘pop-around’ speakeasy bar’s usual modus operandi, 44 has relocated to another obscure location along the rows of Jalan Kemuja, sharing space with Dr.inc. Although the location changes every few months, what remains unchanged is their commitment to American craft spirits. Look forward to a special gin and tonic menu available on Sundays and interesting pairings with snacks from Dr.inc.

Chef Fabrice Bruto has been appointed Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara’s new Executive Chef. With over 20 years of culinary experience across the world, Chef Fabrice is passionate about his craft and is particularly focused on the quality of ingredients used and attention to detail while cooking. With strong skill sets covering international cuisine and kitchen management, this appointment is set to further enhance the hotel’s restaurants, menus and kitchen team. Prior to joining the team here, Chef Fabrice was Executive Chef at The Langham in Shenzen where he honed his culinary techniques and management skills. Nizza, the popular Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, has a new menu reflecting a winning combination of French and Mediterranean flavours. Dishes like Tabbouleh Pomegranate, Butternut & Carrot Velouté, Risotto in Bisque sauce, Whole Sea Bass in a Sea Salt Rosemary Crust, Beer marinated Beef Cheek, knife-cut Black Angus Beef Tartare and many more delicious dishes. Beetroot cold Gazpacho soup Burrata Mozzrela Head to Nizza for drinks by the pool then dinner al fresco or in the well-appointed dining room. This exciting new menu is well complemented by Nizza’s signature cocktails and a selection of fine wines. Nizza is the hotel’s speciality restaurant and is open daily from 6:00pm to 10:30pm. For enquiries and reservations, please email HA123-FB4@SOFITEL.COM or call (03) 2272 6688.

Kuala Lumpur – or KL as we prefer calling it – may not be the most flamboyant or celebrated of capital cities. But, it’s still a multi-faceted metropolis that has the ability to surprise and is becoming one of the must-visit cities in the region. Living in a bustling city can be manic but it can also be fun and extraordinary. The Time Out Index is a large-scale, anonymous survey of major cities around the world and the people who call them home. We want to know how you feel about your city (good and bad!); and where you eat, drink and have fun. Tell us why Kuala Lumpur is such a great place to be by taking the Time Out Index 2020 survey now. And, while you’re at it check out what last year’s survey revealed and what the top cities and coolest neighbourhoods in the world were.

Malaysia – how fit were you in 2019? Check out these ClassPass exercise trends and get on track to making 2020 even fitter! The numbers say it all – 2019 was the year Malaysians took fitness to another level spending over 19 million minutes (approximately 13,400 days) working out. This staggering figure included time spent in class trying out new trends, reaching fitness targets and improving overall health. Strength Training Saturday proved to the most popular day to work out and our top five workouts were strength training, yoga, Pilates, cycling and boxing. Fitter in 2020 If this is the year you want to get fitter and stronger, there’s no better time to start than now. And, here’s where ClassPass comes into play. Try ClassPass for one week free, with 25 credits for up to 7 classes. Just sign up and gain access to an amazing fitness membership offering you the opportunity to work out and try new classes all over the world. These credits are like a universal fitness currency, which can be used in over 2,500 cities globally. Pilates What does this actually mean? Simple. You’re in Bangkok or London and want to go to a hot yoga session or find a boxing gym. Open up ClassPass, filter your options (time, location, activity) and you will have access to an extensive selection of gyms and studios near you. Click and book your spot and before you know it, you’ll be getting the fitness fix you need. That’s your travelling fitness needs sorted; but ClassPass is also a great optio

Martell VSOP Aged in Red Barrels is a cognac of perfect balance. Why? Through its aging in Martell’s eaux-de-vie in fine-grained oak barrels, one will find delicate flavours of fruity aromas and refined wood overtones. When a barrel is called “Red”, it is to reference the reddish colour of aged wood where the barrel has aged before other eaux-de-vie with at least 2 years up to 8 years, reaching the perfect stage of maturation for both the wood and the spirit. On the nose, Martell VSOP Aged in Red Barrels is round and fresh. With aromas of fresh yellow stone fruits like cherry plum and baby Reine-Claude, the flavour is also gently coated by subtle mellowed woody notes. You'll find great delight from drinking the cognac alone, but another way to enjoy the drink is the discovery when pairing with a favourite dessert – cognac shouldn’t only be left to be paired with the main course. Hence, we worked with Rolling Daruma Café and Whimsical Gelato where the chefs have created two desserts each that are inspired, infused and pairs nicely with the notes of Martell VSOP Aged in Red Barrels. The video above takes you through the process of the chefs creating these desserts. All desserts featured here will be available in its respective dessert cafes from now until 29th February 2020. Bonjour, Mr. Cognac Wafflemess™   INGREDIENTS:  Crunchy Waffles; Caramalised Grilled Pork Belly with Martell VSOP Aged in Red Barrels; Cream Cheese; Martell VSOP Aged in Red Barrels Apple Maple Syrup; Pean

The celebrations of the Lunar New Year are fast upon us, but there’s still time to stock up on snacks and drinks. To celebrate the occasion, The Singleton of Glen Ord presents a festive pack that is a great gift idea for your family and friends – or even when you are hosting your friends and family during this Lunar New Year gatherings. The Singleton 12 Years Old single malt whisky boasts a rich and smooth flavour. This is Singleton’s signature result where the process comes from its slow batch of distillation and maturation in both American and European oak casks for a rich taste, and the fermentation process of up to 75 hours. This Scottish whisky holds notes of cherries and apples on the nose; dried summer fruits, rich raisins and apricots flavour on the palate at first, followed by a smooth, rich chocolate finish. As Malaysia’s No. 1 Single Malt Whisky, The Singleton 12 Years Old is best enjoyed on its own or with ice, but even better with family and friends that matter.  This limited edition Singleton 12 Years Old festive pack comes with a set of rose gold whisky glass and pourer. For further information and to purchase these exceptional whiskies, please visit Boozeat.

Delicious dishes made with quality ingredients for something different this festive season. Anchor Dairy is known for its superior products from butter and milk to cream and cheese. To celebrate 133 years of farm to fork dairy goodness, the Anchor Legendairy 133 Celebration is being held from now till January 5th 2020 with a chance to win electronic gadgets twice a week! You will also have the chance to win the grand prize of a RM6,000 smart phone. Head to any of these restaurants and cafés for a great meal, take a picture of the receipt and send it via Whatsapp to 010-950 8205.   Say Cheese Café The name of this eatery says it all – the menu revolves around cheese in all its creamy glory! But what diners flock here for is the BBQ premium pork chop made even more tasty with the addition of the café’s special CheeseLava. Over 1,000 of these juicy chops are served monthly proving just how popular they are. Coming in a close second is the BBQ country baked pork, followed by the Aussie fish and chips. If there’s any space left, end your meal with the homemade burnt cheesecake. www.facebook.com/saycheesecafemy   Padi House Located in Cheras, Puchong, Cyberjaya, Putrajaya, and Sri Petaling, Padi House offers tasty, well-balanced dishes blending Asian and western flavours and ingredients; and welcoming interiors. It’s a family-friendly restaurant that also serves breakfast. Recommended dishes include the seafood pesto cream fettuccine, grilled salmon with key lime sauce, sirloin

In the heart of Kuala Lumpur is Traders Hotel, offering a wide variety of food and drink options for you to enjoy and share with your loved ones. Besides the buffet spread and festive dinner menu, the hotel will also be offering their version of the classic Christmas turkey – Sensational Asian – satay marinated turkey with percik sauce. Expect Christmas carolling and merrymaking! If you’re looking at the new year's celebration, Traders Hotel has also got you covered. Choose from either a seafood buffet dinner at Gobo Chit Chat, a course menu dinner at Gobo Upstairs Lounge & Grill, or usher in the New Year at SkyBar with drinks and music overlooking the annual fireworks display.  CHRISTMAS TURKEY TAKEAWAY Sensational Asian – Traders Fully Loaded Asian Style Satay Marinated Roasted Turkey. It comes accompanied with choice of 3 condiments:- Nasi briyani with quail eggs 800g; Roasted potatoes 700g; Slow braised Brussels sprouts 700g; Braised red cabbage 700g; Seasonal vegetables with garlic butter 700g; Kerabu prawn mango, peanuts and chili 300g; Maple glazed chestnuts 250g; Yang chow fried rice with crispy shredded dry scallops, green peas and scallions 800g Priced at RM95/kg – Minimum weight is 5.5 kg The Traders Super Loaded Truffle Flavoured Whole Turkey comes accompanied with giblet truffle sauce & cranberry sauce and choice of 3 condiments:- Apple & chestnut stuffing 500g; Roasted potatoes 700g; Slow braised Brussels sprouts 700g; Braised red cabbage 700g; Seasonal vegetabl

There’s always a reason to meet your favourite friends and closest relatives. And Singleton whisky is encouraging more of that with The Singleton Social. The team at The Singleton of Glen Ord brought guests on a special journey across various gastrobars in the Klang Valley namely Powerplant, #MiyagiSays and LAVO to experience the quality of The Singleton whisky when paired with curated sharing platters. Rajesh Joshi, Marketing Director of Diageo Malaysia says of the event “Be it a simple meet-up after work hours or a casual get-together on the weekends, The Singleton Social celebrates these moments with people close to heart. The combination of Singleton and uniquely curated sharing platters will pose a newfound experience to our consumers, delivering the greatest in taste and quality, brought to you by Malaysia’s No. 1 single malt whisky”. The sharing platters which consumers can indulge in, features different types of food from meats to sides, a different selection from each outlet. The platters were specially curated to pair and complement the richness and smoothness of The Singleton single malt whisky. Singleton carries notes of cherries and apples on the nose; dried summer fruits, rich raisins and apricots flavour on the palate, finished with a smooth and rich chocolate taste. The Scottish whisky will invoke senses with its rich and smooth flavours. The team also introduced the Singleton Scotch Mist, a mist that brings a fresh aroma to the rim of a whisky glass. With s

Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara’s many selections of dining outlets give guests not only choices to choose from but are pretty outstanding, in terms of gastronomic desires. For the festive season, the hotel located in the heart of Damansara Heights pays homage to its French roots with haute couture and specially curated experiences. Hence, celebrate in style with these offerings below. Couture Afternoon Tea Indulge in the hotel’s Couture Afternoon Tea between meals this festive season at Le Bar Cocktail & Stories. Find an extensive range of your choice of premium teas and Nespresso coffee with a wide selection of savoury and sweet delights to go with. Le Bar Cocktail & Stories, 2 December 2019 – 2 January 2020, 3pm to 6pm RM128nett for two persons Festive cocktail: RM40nett per glass Gingerbread house Traditional Fruit Cake and Panettone; Stollen. Photo: Sofitel Kuala Lumpur Damansara Festive Goodies Complete your festive meal with sweet treats from Le Bar Cocktail & Stories. A special creation this year is the ‘Teh Tarik’ Bûche de Noël’ in a handbag shape, showcasing the patters of French chic inspired by famous French designers. The distinctively designed cake is a combination of local ‘The Tarik’ flavours and rich Valrhona Jivara Chocolate layered in between chiffon sponge cake. Other specials to take away are Traditional Fruit Cake, Christmas Pudding, Panettone, Almond and Hazelnut Financier and more. 26 November – 26 December 2019, 10am to 10pm Buche de Noel; Almond & H

For this Merdeka, if you have no plans yet, here are some alternative ideas on what to do. Attend a comedy Laughter is the best medicine, especially for this special occasion. Set to entertain and empower audiences, watch The POMPuan Show featuring Malaysia's top woman comedians who have prepared a full night of stand up comedy, sketch comedy and song parodies.   Drink a Jungle Bird The iconic cocktail was created right here in the city, so pay tribute and toast ‘Merdeka’ with one in hand. Head over to Aviary Bar at Hilton KL to taste their Jungle Bird cocktail, served as a welcome drink back in the '70s. Alternatively, take your pick from some of our favourite renditions of the Jungle Bird. Photo: Kedai Bikin Shop Malaysian(a) Revisit familiar materials such as batik, rattan and vintage prints with local brands that have updated these classic Malaysian aesthetics into modern forms. Also check out our list of best shops for Malaysian-made crafts and fashion. Read local If your only locally-authored books are by Tash Aw and Tan Twan Eng, opt for more titles from our essential books by Malaysians for Malaysians list. We’ve picked ten books ranging from fiction to non-fiction and poetry – so consider your local books starter pack sorted. Eat 100 dishes Celebrate our country’s love of food – start with any of our favourites from the 100 best local dishes and drinks list. We have everything from nasi lemak and curry laksa to kuih and sirap bandung.

The popular Marini’s on 57 is celebrating its seventh year at the peak of KL’s restaurant and bar scene by adding seven brand new cocktails to an already impressive menu – new innovative creations that reflect the hallmarks of precision Marini’s is known for. Ms Marini The refined Ms Marini – a combination of house-made Szechuan pink peppercorn sous vide gin and dry vermouth – creates the impression of a classic, except the blend is entirely original and perfectly balanced with sweet clarified fruit juices and spicy peppercorn hints. Meanwhile, the 57 Shades of 57 has a bold smokiness that doesn’t overwhelm, thanks to gentle floral notes from Pedro Ximénez-infused chamomile. Red Sunshine Rye Meets Honey is a sweet whisky-based cocktail, while the Red Sunshine is reminiscent of a familiar old fashioned pick-me-up with tequila, tomato and lemon juice, Pedro Ximénez and Dutch favourite Bols Genever gin. For something stronger, the explosive Magnify is a handsome drink that combines gin, Campari, carpano, Islay whisky (which is added with a syringe) and branca menthe for a cool, mint finish. Twisted Jungle Bird If you like local flavours in your drink, try the Magnificent 7 or the Twisted Jungle Bird. The former is a refreshing fruity cocktail made with sous vide pandan and lemongrass gin, garnished with edible flowers and is very easy to drink; while the latter is Marini’s take on the classic Jungle Bird, a sweet drink with sous vide jackfruit rum and Campari-infused coffe

If you love music and free festivals, this is the free music festival is for you! Fête de la Musique – also known as World Music Day – is an annual celebration of music that started in Paris in 1982. Now, Fête de la Musique is celebrated in hundreds of cities across more than 120 countries around the world. Organised by Alliance Française and held at Publika’s The Square, the Malaysian edition combines great music with delicious French food at the French market. Each year presents a fantastic line-up of local and international musicians, and this year is no exception. Here’s who to look out for in this year’s line-up. This year, world-renowned French electronic DJ Télépopmusik will be headlining the festival. They will be accompanied by other French musicians like This Way Down and Octave Mécanique. Closer to home, a line-up of local bands and musicians are set to take the stage and keep the live music and party going all day long. Don’t miss the all-male funk jazz act that has brought the big band format back with plenty of gusto. This big band with a big sound is known for their lively energetic sets that have brought many a people dancing to their feet with a crowd-pleasing mix of funk and jazz. When they’re on stage, expect plenty of good vibes and great energy. Other acts to look out for include, among many others, alternative folk rock quartet Billie Blue & The Nowhere Men, who draw influence from the folk and acid rock stylings of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Watch out for their