“These 13 Michelin star holders are shaking up KL’s growing culinary industry.”
the hip life asia
Spanning from the vibrant dining scene in the heart of Kuala Lumpur to laid-back enclaves in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, the central hub of Klang Valley is home to a vast selection of fine dining restaurants that offer a culinary voyage to remember. Not only do these dining hotspots deliver in taste and presentation on the plate, but each of them serve their dishes infused with an Asian twist, or source their fresh ingredients locally, and can be enjoyed in a stunning environment—thoughtful in design.
What’s more, these restaurants support the concept of ‘me time’ and have special seats for those dining alone, where guests may get a close-up of the chefs in action while taking in the luxurious ambience. So if you’re looking for a place to spend a fancy night out—alone or accompanied, here are 13 gourmet dining spots worth spending your money on for your next big occasion.
Akar
Address: 09, Jln Aminuddin Baki, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm to 12am; Friday & Saturday, 12pm to 3pm
BRB, adding akar dining to my ‘dream house’ moodboard. Named after the Malay word for ‘root’, akar is a cozy space decked out in neutral tones and natural materials, tucked away in a neighbourhood of TTDI. After honing his craft in Japan and France, chef-owner Aidan Low was inspired to apply his skills and add a Malaysian twist to the mix—that includes local produce. The menu is a reflection of his culinary journey and boasts skillfully blended flavours and impressive cooking techniques.
Bar.Kar
Address: Suites G-06, Ground Floor, G Tower, 199 Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 12pm to 3pm; Daily, 6pm to 11pm
The name marries the words ‘bar’ and ‘bakar’ (Malaysian word for ‘burn’). Upon entering, guests are taken through a tunnel-like entrance with its walls stacked with mangrove wood. Led by head chef Kevin Ng and using locally sourced ingredients, the menu and dishes at Bar.Kar centres around the wood and charcoal open-flame cooking (giving the effect of gathering around a campfire) and revolves around Southeast Asian and Malaysian flavours.
Coast by Kayra
Address: Lot G03-G05, Ground Floor, The Starhill, 181, Jln Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Daily, 11.30am to 11pm
An ode to the vibrant shores of Kerala in southern India, Coast by Kayra is a place where the limits of seafood are tested and the Kerala cuisine is proudly featured. With an interior accented with blues and whites, the restaurant is lauded for its beautiful seafood dishes and traditional delicacies served with a modern twist. The first branch in 2016 was opened by founder Meriam Alfonso along with Executive Chef Sal Sabeel and later extended its reach to The Starhill.
Beta
Address: Lot 163, 10, Jalan Perak, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday, & Sunday, 6pm to 10pm; Friday & Saturday, 6pm to 11pm
Beta is where one goes when looking to get an authentic taste of Malaysia—but elevated. Push open the botanical door and an atmosphere of accented lighting, red and jade, batik motifs and an impossibly tall ceiling greets you. Led by Chef Raymond Tham, the menu offers a contemporary take on the beloved Malaysian cuisine, while carrying carefully curated stories of our cultural heritage.
Yun House
Address: 145, Jln Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 12pm – 3pm, 6pm to 10pm; Sunday, 11am to 4pm
Located on the fifth floor of Four Seasons Kuala Lumpur, the illustrious Yun House is an iridescent space—with swooping ceilings and shutters that mimic traditional louvres—dabbled with Malaysian and Chinese culture. Expect heartwarming dishes like xiao long bao brought to you by Chef Jimmy Wong and Dim Sum Chef Ng Meng Loong. A spot by the window at Yun House is perfect for watching the day—or night—unfold in the lush KLCC fountain park while enjoying the best of Cantonese cuisine.
Dewakan
Address: Platinum Park, Level 48, Skyviews, Naza Tower @, Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 6pm to 11.30pm
At Dewakan, precision and intention takes centre stage—from the sourcing of indigenous ingredients to the harmonious flavours on the plate. Dewakan first opened in 2015 and received its name from the words ‘dewa’ and ‘makan’, which means ‘god’ and ‘food’. That goes without saying a meal at the restaurant would be nothing short of a celestial experience. Overlooking KLCC Park on the 48th level, Dewakan’s menu is led by Chef Darren Teoh.
Entier
Address: Level 41, Alila Bangsar, 58, Jalan Ang Seng, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Daily, 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 9pm
Claiming its name from an old French word meaning ‘whole’ or ‘entire’, Entier emanates a capacious and fuss-free minimalist vibe where earthy and warm hues run through the entire space. Set atop a sky-scraping hotel tower, the French fine-dining restaurant sports subtle Japanese influences in a skillfully crafted menu that places a nose-to-tail culinary approach at the forefront.
Molina
Address: Level 51, THE FACE Style, 1020, Jln Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm to 12pm
In the heart of the city where the atmosphere can get a bit too overbearing, Molina invites you to slip away from the city’s pulse and into a world where French techniques, Nordic sensibility and Asian twists meet. Helmed by Chef Sidney Schutte, the restaurant introduces diners to a menu drawn from his Northern Europe roots that combines simplicity and creativity.
Ling Long
Address: L2-04, Block E, The Five, Kompleks Pejabat Damansara, Jalan Dungun, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 6pm to 11pm; Saturday & Sunday, 12pm to 3pm
Rooted in Chinese gourmet classics with a French twist, Ling Long—which means ‘exquisite’ or ‘intricate’ in Chinese—brings culture, flavour and personality to the table. Dining here is an immersive experience where traditional dishes reach new heights. Don’t be fooled by the brutalist squared concrete from the outside, for once you enter, it is softened with warm wood tones, rough-cut textural stone backdrops and mid-century furniture.
Bōl
Address: 15, Jalan Sin Chew Kee, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Wilayah Persekutuan, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday, 6pm to 10.30pm; Saturday & Sunday, 12pm to 3pm, 6pm to 11pm
Pulsing with life and local identity, Bōl is a sensory extravaganza placed in the lively neighbourhood of Jalan Sin Chew Kee. This charming architectural gem with Peranakan influences houses a Nyonya style cuisine that bridges Singaporean and Malaysian elements. From the menu, expect scents and flavours that trigger nostalgia and fascination.
Hide
Address: Concourse, Ritz-Carlton Residences, 105, Jln Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 5.30pm to 10.30pm; Friday & Saturday, 12pm to 2.30pm
As the name connotes, Hide is found quietly tucked behind an art gallery at the Ritz Carlton Residences on Jalan Ampang. Albeit small in size, this classy fine dining restaurant offers more than meets the eye. Minus the museum-like formality of regular Michelin-starred restaurants, Hide presents a menu that embodies the multicultural influences of Malaysian cuisine, using local produce and seafood.
De. Wan 1958
Address: The Linc, 360, Jln Tun Razak, Taman U Thant, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 11am to 3.30pm; Saturday & Sunday, 11am to 5pm; Daily, 6pm to 9.30pm
Founded by local celebrity Chef Wan, this vibrant and boisterous restaurant is where extravagant flavours and showmanship intertwine to create an extraordinary dining experience. The decor here borrows from British colonial heritage interior design, dressed in wallpaper alive with tropical elements. Tuck into big tropical flavours that honour the Malaysian cuisine, filled with a rich mix of spices, sweet notes and tangy flavours to excite the palate.
Terra Dining
Address: 91, Jln Aminuddin Baki, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 6pm to 12am
Terra Dining strikes a beautiful balance between relaxed and refined—the kind of place that feels special without being extravagant. The interiors are pared-back with clean finishes and earthy tones for an intimate feel, an ideal place to unwind and get a sense of the vibrancy and flavours of Malaysia’s culinary landscape. The menu dances between homage and innovation to Malaysia’s most beloved dishes in a farm-to-table concept.
Asian twists, local produce and stunning interiors
There you have it: the pioneers of Kuala Lumpur’s fine dining scene. Trust that the teams at these Michelin-starred restaurants have their craft down to the tee, from impeccable service and deliberate flavours—that not only incorporates Asian cuisines beautifully, but carries cultural stories within, to immaculate vibes, with zero pretence. So, for your next big occasion, pick a spot from the list and let the professionals handle the rest.
“They ate and left no crumbs.”
the hip life asia
For more dining recommendations, here’s a list:
