Breakfast in Kuala Lumpur
Situated right in the center of the busy city of Kuala Lumpur is a number of rising developments, businesses and commodities for everyone to use. There are a number of shopping destinations such as Suria KLCC and Avenue K within walking distance to some of the most high end hotels in Malaysia which include the G Tower, Mandarin Oriental, Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, and the InterContinental Kuala Lumpur. And aside from that, there are tons of mouthwatering restaurants and café’s to visit in the city centre. Ranging from so many different unique cuisines from all over the world, KLCC is a food mecca for tourists and locals. Below are the few places you can visit and have a great time!
1. O’Briens Irish Sandwich Bar
Image source: O’Briens
Located in more than 300 stores across 13 countries, O’Briens provides healthy food options with high quality standards. Sacrifice your regular Nasi Lemak for a taste of freshly made famous sandwiches. Not only that, O’Briens also creates Triple Decker which is a sandwich on steroids; and many more. Literally built according to the customers taste, there is an extensive collection of ingredients to choose from whether you are looking for a meaty or leafy meal! And if you are a coffee lover, don’t worry as O’Briens has a long list of gourmet coffees made-to-order. Drinks also include freshly made smoothies and in-house freshly pressed juice. So if you are in the mood for a healthy breakfast to kickstart your day, then head over to O’Briens!
2. Nyonya Colors
Image source: Hungrygowhere
Well known by their line of delicious local kuih-muih, Nyonya Colors is where you can get a taste of traditional Nyonya cuisines worth many years of heritage. As soon as you step in the café, you will discover old school Nyonya furnishing with a modern touch. Spend your mornings with tasty Thai mee hoon with flavourful lime leaves to compliment a sweet and sour taste, or the ‘good-old’ Nasi Lemak Packet which is pretty much standard everywhere; but to get that traditional breakfast in the heart of the urban jungle, priceless. In the mood for something even heavier? Try their Mee Rebus which is an original recipe dated back to decades ago. And to wash down all the spices and carbs, try out some of their sweet kuih-muih which is a key selling point at Nyonya Colors.
3. VCR
Image source: Yumlist
Whoever was born in the 90s must know what a VCR is, those oversized electronic devices that allowed you to watch movies at home. Luckily, VCR café, which is hidden in the center of KL doesn’t recall any aspects of the past but instead focusses on our current time. The bright and spacious café does have some 90’s look in its design, but you will be surprised when you see the foods Head Chef Ivan stirs up for you. Trained in France and scouted culinary inspirations around the world, Ivan challenged himself to come up with a menu to showcase at his restaurant.
4. LOKL
Image source: LOKL Coffee
Not only loved by locals but also tourists, LOKL KL has gained a lot of attention internationally as a chic hangout spot in the middle of KL for an amazing cup of coffee. Interior-wise, LOKL has very welcoming decor that is definitely instagrammable on top of the artsy foods that they serve. Now right to the point, the selection of coffee served in LOKL are set apart by their cappuccino, americano, and latte. LOKL also serves many traditional coffees, including the famous local Kopi O and Kopi Susu.
5. Wizards
Image source: Eat Drink KL
Unlike wizards who are capable of granting a magical spell or fighting demons, Wizards KL has a different touch of sorcery when it comes to cooking. Poised with unique ingredients and a touch of artistic presentations, this restaurant vows to create an aesthetic vision towards creating culinary masterpieces. Wizards is inspired by an European and Asian fusion to bring some of the best breakfast and brunch menus to the market. Since the founders are really on-hands with the service, expect to see precise attention to details and constant menu improvisations.
Brunch
1. Acme Bar and Café
Image source: The Yum List
Looking for a glorious meal late in the morning? Acme bar and coffee (ABC) has newly implemented brunch menus consisting of many choices. This chic restaurant is fitted with a non-smoking dining room as well as a cool outdoor seating area. On top of that, the restaurant boasts high floor to ceiling windows and pipes complemented with polished brick walls to make it look like an urban loft in New York City.
2. Ra.Ft Café
Image source: The Yum List
Ever imagined eating in a typical Italian café you see in the movies? The ones with woven wooden chairs with white and red chequered tablecloth? Well, imagine no more. At Ra.Ft Café, you will get what you see in the movies – an Italian restaurant with a genuine Italian flair. Not only that, the owners are also Italian, Rossi Andrea and Filippo Tomelleri (Initials being the name, Ra.Ft) make a good team when delivering quality Italian foods and coffee. Speaking of coffee, most of their beans are imported from many corners of the world to create the perfect blend with robust and aromatic flavours.
3. BLVD House
Image source: Eat Drink KL
Located at the base of the prestigious Naza towers, BLVD house is the perfect setting for an elegant brunch venue. With interior features giving you the London and New York vibe, this restaurant comes with posh dark coloured furniture, and classy marble casual bars which is truly something that reflects the golden ages of the early 70s. One thing that doesn’t bring back the old school vibe is their food, with a mixture of both comfort classic and modern concepts. BLVD definitely has many ideas up its sleeve for new menus!
4. Gravybaby KLCC
Image source: Eat Drink KL
Famously known for the best pies in Kuala Lumpur, Gravybaby boasts itself to be pioneers in serving a variety of different pies. It will be easy to spot the café as there is a massive neon signboard with broadway lights right on the roadside. As soon as you step in, you will be greeted by friendly staff crew and you might be able to see the ‘Chef De Pastrie’ bake some fresh goodies for you to indulge in! Interior-wise, the café is nothing short of a New York brick and mortar vibe, with broadway lights spanning across the café framing a long mirror with quotes printed on it.
5. Urbean
Image source: Eat Drink KL
Located nearby KLCC’s LRT station at Avenue K mall is Urbean, a chic coffee shop that will surely make locals come back for more delightful pastries, succulent foods, fragrant teas and most importantly, aromatic coffees. As soon as you step in the wide opening of the café you can expect to see a modern concept mainly focusing on brown and grey colours with freshly made pastries displayed on the counter for you to choose from. Furnished with wooden tables, and metal chairs with chequered tiles, it’s the environment to be in to take a moment to relax, read a book, and do some work on your laptop.
Lunch
1. Koryo Won
Image source: Theaugbunnies
Koryo Won is an upscale Korean restaurant with decorations resembling Hanok, a traditional Korean house which will make you feel as if you travelled all the way to Korea! The main dishes you can expect are steamboat dishes like ‘Hae Mool Jeon Gol’ which is a seafood stew. Other than that, you can also feast on a Korean pizza also known as ‘Kimchijeon’, which they make it really crispy with massive amounts of kimchi.
2. Mama San
Image source: Eat Drink KL
Inspired by modern Bali culture with an Asian street food inspired menu, Mama San hopes to be an iconic place to eat in the center of KL. Take your time to indulge in organic and traditional foods with a panoramic view overlooking KLCC. Expect to taste food similar to the warongs of Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, and food markets around Hanoi with a touch of Delhi. For starters, try out the ‘Ayam Tangkap Aceh’ with infused curry leaves, pandan and green chillies. On top of that, customers will get a wide array of fish recipes to choose from with main ingredients originating from Indonesia and Malaysia with a countless list of condiments to compliment.
3. Chakri Palace
Image source: Bangsar Babe
Chakri Palace has set a high standard when it comes to Thai cuisine as they have been constantly improving their mastery ever since 1999. Ever since last year, Chakri Palace has taken the step forward to increase their brand name by creating an imperial looking interior resembling a Royal palace. The difference between past and present interiors took a big toll as the concepts have changed drastically, as it used to have a dim setting with relaxed and romantic scenery. But after the latest renovations, Chakir Palace now looks more inviting with grand decorations.
4. Melur Thyme
Image source: Eat Drink KL
Intriguing interiors, and contemporary flourishes on top of multicultural cuisines is Melur & Thyme which is located on the peaceful side of KLCC’s Isetan wing. The interior is definitely something to shout about as it is filled with plenty of unique designs added with handmade sketches and laser cut metal mural arts on the walls and ceilings creating a mixture of old school and modern-day designs with East and West cuisines. Enjoy meals with creative cooking techniques such as the Foie Gras burger featuring homemade minced beef patty, tenderly cooked with marinated condiments.
5. Madam Kwan
Image source: Madam Kwan Website
Madam Kwan’s is well known for having the Best Nasi Lemak in Malaysia awarded by the Ministry of Tourism Malaysia, which is a massive deal for them. This comes as no surprise, as Madam Kwan serves its fragrant rice dish condensed in coconut milk, with beautifully cooked chicken and sambal. Madam Kwan Swee Lian, who owns and inspires the recipes that she has been mastering throughout her years, has passed the business on to her son who continues the legacy of this everlasting brand.
Dinner
1. Cedar on 15
Image source: Eatdrink.my
Located on the 15th floor of Impiana KLCC is Ceder on 15, a luxurious hotel restaurant which serves extravagant foods with a great atmosphere and views of the KLCC skyline. On top of that, the restaurant serves tip-top food with competitive prices against other high-end restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, definitely giving you a bang for your buck. Ceder on 15 offers an open-concept dining room and imported Italian wood-fire oven. Focussing on stunning western cuisine with modest Asian vibes, this high-end restaurant does seem to impress its patrons with all aspects.
2. Nobu
Image source: Eat Drink KL
Nobu is internationally renowned due to its prestigious Japanese culinary experience. Presentation-wise, Nobu KL is on top of its game, being located on the 56th floor of Menara Petronas 3 with lavish interior and amazing service. Nobu KL makes you feel like a Japanese King for a day with beautifully presented dishes made with exquisite ingredients and intense care. As Nobu KL’s head chef promises, the restaurant will maintain and create more stunning dishes based on a blend of Japanese and Peruvian influences.
3. Chinoz
Image source: Jessicatjs
Chinoz is perfectly located nearby the KLCC park, where you can choose to dine inside or out in the open air. Chinoz is the perfect spot for a nice dinner with a group of friends. They serve choices of soup, pizza, seafood and sushi. Top sellers include Salt and Pepper Squid with a side of Capsicum Aioli, and the Red Mullet. In addition, the environment is very comfortable with warm lighting and soothing music in the background and the service is also on point.
4. Umai Ya
Image source: Jellybeanscollector.blogspot
Konichiwa! Enjoy traditional Japanese cuisine in the modern-looking Tokyo styled restaurant Umai Ya. Fitted with very comfortable seating with vibrant lighting and a long ‘omakase’ table in front of the sushi master, Umai Ya takes a serious measure when it comes to ingredients. Most of their fresh products are imported all the way from Japan! Expect an exclusive array of Tuna, Salmon and Kobe beef which are all specialties of Umai Ya. With a very diverse Japanese menu, Umai Ya serves Udon, Ramen, Sushi, Sashimi and many more. Not your typical take away sushi joint, Umai Ya’s chefs mastered the art of creating delicate masterpieces that pack a punch.
Thirty 8
Image source: Timchew
With a personal touch by Chef Stefan Beck who bought European and Western fine-dining all the way from Germany, Stefan has been creating unique recipes with innovative and modern visions towards his creations ever since he was young. This represents how much care has been given in the foods served at Thirty 8. Located at the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur hotel and overlooking 270-degree views of KLCC and its beautiful skyline, Thirty 8 does indeed portray its luxurious side with polished silver finishing, marble tiles, and posh bars on top of second-to-none services.
