Kuala Lumpur Restaurant Tips by BorneoGrrl

Restaurant Name: Street vendors and hawkers

When it comes to dim sum, you can go to many places in KL to enjoy this traditional Chinese breakfast or snack. As for me, my favourite place for these yummy dishes would be in Petaling Jaya SS2.

There are many choices of dim sum, congee, meat buns and savoury cakes to indulge in. If you go to a fancy restaurant, it will cost you a bomb. Chinese restaturant franchise or fancy chinese restaurants in hotels will serve up good quality dim but some of these restaurants are halal meaning the dishes will not have any pork and Muslims are able to patronise them.

If you want to try good & reasonably priced dim sum (US$1 per plate), go to the local Chinese cafes or kopitiam. As for me, I'll always go for the non-halal ones because it's more authentic :)

Favorite Dish: I have many favourites : from steam meat buns (char siew pao), congee and the many selection of meat dishes

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Theme: Chinese/Dim Sum
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: SS2 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Directions: Look for the crowd

Restaurant Name: Chilis

Chilis, found in KLCC & Midvalley Megamall, is popular to both locals and foreigners. This is an American fanchise serving American portions of western food and jumbo margaritas. There is a margarita bar in the middle for people who come in for a drinks and a quick snack. The atmosphere is quite similar to what you can find in an American bar, dim lights and TV sets strategically placed for patrons to enjoy the latest sports news. Prices are expected for the portions served. You can order typical American dishes e.g fajitas, burgers, steaks and salads. Service is good and fast too

Favorite Dish: Definitely the margaritas!! More often than not, I will order the salads and fajitas

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Theme: American
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: KLCC & Midvalley Megamall

Restaurant Name: Madam Kwan's

If you would like to try local food without the sight of sweaty hawkers cooking up the yummy dishes, you can try Madam Kwans at KLCC or Midvalley Megamall. The enviroment is that of an old kopitiam or coffeeshop but it's clean and comfortable. The service is fast and your order will arrive within 15 minutes. There are a variety of local dishes on the menu from chicken rice to asam laksa noodles. Unfortunately, prices are not like the hawker's but you get a good selection of near authentic cooking in a nice enviroment.

While the service is fast & friendly, I can't help feeling that the staff are rushing the patrons to eat and go. What do you expect? This place is always full especially during lunchtime and people queueing outside are hoping that you do eat & go :)

Favorite Dish: Try the chicken rice, nasi lemak and ice tea

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Theme: Local
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Phone: 03 2026 2297
Address: Lot 420/421, Level 4, Suria KLCC, KL City Centre
Directions: Foot of Petronas Twin Towers. They have another shop outlet in Bangsar.

Restaurant Name: Starbucks Coffee

Just about everybody knows what Starbucks is. That infamous coffee joint has caught my attention mainly because I get my free wifi with my latte. I must admit, the coffee ain't all that but given the extra perk, I will come here to surf and enjoy my drink. The local kopitiam coffee has more "kick". You can find a Starbucks outlet just about anywhere in Kuala Lumpur and order the same drinks at all of them, hot or ice-blended, take your pick. Oh yes, food is also in the menu but I can't say their sandwiches and cakes are fantastic, just OK


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Theme: Coffeehouse
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Address: Anywhere

Restaurant Name: Dome Cafe

Dome Cafe franchise is located in a couple of locations around KL, Namely KLCC and Lot 10. It's basically a western restaurant where people come for breakfast, lunch and dinner to enjoy coffee, tea, cakes and an array of western dishes from spaghetti to grilled salmon. Breakfast sets are normally inclusive of coffee (flat white or a long black - sounds Australian) or tea and eggs & toasts. There is also the infamous Dome pies which reminds me of the alien egg from the Alien movie. The salads & pastas are also good but basically, you won't make a bad choice with any dish. However, I think that the place is overpriced as I have seen significant price increase over a short time.

Favorite Dish: The Twister ice-cream drink and Dome pies. Need you ask?

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Theme: Other
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: KLCC & Lot 10

Restaurant Name: Street vendors and hawkers

You should not miss the street food in Malaysia. Why, because it's cheap, fast and delicious. For US$5, you can have a complete meal plus drinks. Choose from rice dishes, noodles, satay, grilled meats and many more. Just watch for the stalls full of locals, you'll be sure of a satifying meal

Favorite Dish: Too many! I normally go to Subang Jaya, PJ SS2 or SS24 for my street food "supper". In KL, it would have to be Jalan Alor, Peng Hua, Petaling Street or perhaps a little upscale to Desa Sri Hartamas

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Theme: Street Vendor
Comparison: less expensive than average
Prices: less than US$10  » Currency Converter
Directions: Look out for the locals

Restaurant Name: TGIF Restaurant

TGIF is another American franchise serving jumbo cocktails and American food. The atmosphere is quite relaxing, dim lights and upbeat music played in the airwaves. This is also a competitor to Chilis but however, I much prefer the latter because the quality is better. TGIF cocktails are rather watered down and the food is so-so. Nevertheless, the prices are on the high side


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Theme: American
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: Wisma Life and the Curve, Damasara

Restaurant Name: Le Bouchon Restaurant

What can I say, simply this is one of my favorite restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. In a city where most restaurants adopt a simplisitic, zen-like atmosphere, Le Bouchon Restaurant maintains a rustic if not countryside approach to cooking and decor. When I go in, I am reminded of the many europeans restaurants I have dined in before. I'm no sucker for posh places but this place is cosy and has great food. Confidently, I brought my French friend who was reluctant to try anything pseudo-western on his first trip to Malaysia but in the end he found it delightfully refreshing to come to Le Bouchon

There is a good selection of French wines and some not French available from their extensive wine list. The menu also offers many delicious dishes which are cooked with high quality ingredients to ensure authencity and of course satisfaction. The prices are expected of a French restaurant but be assured that it will be worth it. Not everything is expensive, Le Bouchon Restaurant also offer lunch set menu on weekdays for only RM25++ (USD7). So if there is one place you would like to try cuisine, I stongly suggest Le Bouchon

Favorite Dish: Les Escargots De Bourgogne Aux Epinards (RM30.00 ~ USD9) loosely translates to Burgundy Snails cooked in Creamy Spinach Sauce.

La Double Cote D'Agneau Rotie Aux Herbes de Provence (RM 52.00 ~ USD15) or Roasted Double Candied Rack of Lamb Provencale. Yummy!! And I don't even like lamb

Le Faux Filet Grille Bearnaise or Tender Sirloin of Beef with Tarragon and Butter Sauce

Le Bouchon's La Creme Brulee a La Cassonade et Vanilee de Bourbon (RM 18.00 ~ USD5). It's Creme Brulee with its lightly burnt top layer and heavenly cream underneath.

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Theme: French
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$31-40  » Currency Converter
Phone: 0321427633
Address: No. 14 & 16 Changkat Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur
Directions: Along Changkat Bintang, walk uphill towards the end of the row of restaurants, just opposite Little Havana
Website: www.lebouchonrestaurant.com

Restaurant Name: Le Deli

The hustle and bustle of the city is not my style so one place I like to go to avoid anything that reminds me of the city is a little place in Mont Kiara called Le Deli. It's located in Mont Kiara near the posh condominiums but the area the deli is surrounded by trees. Le Deli is of course, a deli which offers sandwiches, a good selection of wine & cheese plus some other deli stuff at reasonable prices. The prices are pretty low compared to a drinking place around there. There are tables & chairs prepared for you to enjoy your wine & cheese while relaxing under the shade. It's pretty quiet and you can even hear the birds chirping nearby


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Theme: Deli
Comparison: about average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Address: 15-0-5- Ground Floor Shoplex Mont Kiara
Directions: Next to Coffee Bean in Mont Kiara

Restaurant Name: MyThai

Jim Thompson was the man responsible for single-handedly revitalizing the Thai silk industry and who mysteriously disappeared in Cameron Highlands. He was also the inspiration for this lovely Thai restaurant located in the dining area of Starhill Shopping Center. Mythai also means wood, fire and silk, depending on the Thai pronounciation. The furniture in this restaurants has plenty of wood and silk, my favourite being the chairs beautifully made with Thai silk.

The menu is what you can expect from a Thai restaurant, and you couldn't go wrong with any because fresh ingredients are used. You can select from the many starters, soups, salads, noodles, rice and other main dishes plus traditional Thai desserts to soothen your tongue after sampling all the spicy stuff. Some of my favorites include the spring rolls, mango salad, the infamous seafood tom yam soup, chicken fried rice and mango rice dessert

Prices are on the high side, as expected from a place like this but this is a lovely place not only to dine but to relax with love ones or friends. You would never know that you're in a shopping mall here.

Favorite Dish: Mythai sampler, includes spring rolls, satay, thod mun pla & seafood salad

Papaya with fresh shrimps, tomato & string beans salad

Green curry with chicken & eggplants

Any of the tom yam soups, especially tom yam ghoong

Fried rice with chicken or prawns

Sticky rice in coconut milk and longans

Crispy water chesnuts in cocunut milk & ice

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Theme: Pan-Asian and Pacific Rim
Comparison: more expensive than average
Prices: US$11-20  » Currency Converter
Phone: (03) 2148 6151
Address: LG7 Lower Ground Floor, Star Hill Shopping Centre
Website: http://www.jimthompson.com/mythai/