The Best Casual Restaurants in Kuala Lumpur

Lai Foong Lala Noodles in Kuala Lumpur is a casual spot that has built a loyal following over the years. Formerly a small stall, they’ve recently moved into their own shop, offering comforting local flavors and a relaxed setting that keeps people coming back.

Recommended by

Johnson Wong

Chef

Flavourful broth packed with shaoxing wine and local clams. Legendary clam noodle in Kuala Lumpur. Flavourful broth packed with shaoxing wine and local clams (Lala) that easily heat up and warm your body.

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ALTA Café Bangsar is a relaxed neighborhood spot in Kuala Lumpur that takes cues from European cafes while emphasizing fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Its casual vibe and constantly changing menu make it a welcoming place to drop by any time of day.

Recommended by

Darren Teoh

Chef

Alta is Kuala Lumpur's counter culture restaurant brazenly famous for serving whatever they want. Christian and Jen who own Alta serve delicious plates with European sensibilities. Sometimes a plate of stracciatella with parsley oil and honey or an Indian inspired butter chicken slider that will go well with their eclectic wine list.

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Cafe-Bistrot David in Kuala Lumpur is a welcoming spot known for its comforting and satisfying meals. Drawing on both Eastern and Western influences, it offers a relaxed setting that appeals to a range of tastes. With its straightforward approach to food and inviting atmosphere, this bistro makes for a pleasant dining experience.

Recommended by

Chi Ng

Food Writer & Traveler

Lovely comfort foods done well! A good mix of pies, pasta, eastern and western mains. And gin cocktails even during the day!

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等记鱼头米 is a relaxed spot in Kuala Lumpur that draws people in with its flavorful, comforting meals. Customers often comment on its clear, tasty broths, making it a welcoming place for a satisfying meal.

Recommended by

Johnson Wong

Chef

Fish Head Rice Vermicelli Soup which is exceptionally tasty. Love the Fish Head Rice Vermicelli Soup which is exceptionally tasty with a dash of Shaoxing wine.The stock is awesome, clear and sweet.

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De.Wan 1958 by Chef Wan @ The Linc KL is led by a Malaysian celebrity chef, offering Malay food in Kuala Lumpur. The higher price point is backed by quality ingredients and notable flavors. It’s a dependable spot if you’re looking for a meal that feels well-prepared and satisfying.

Recommended by

Chi Ng

Food Writer & Traveler

COVID lockdown takeaway that still tasted as good as eating in the restaurant. De.Wan by Malaysian celebrity Chef Wan serves Malay food at a higher price but justified by its quality ingredients and deliciousness. Featured here are beef rendang with blue pea flower rice, and my favourite prawn mee rebus.

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Ember in Kuala Lumpur is a modern Asian restaurant focused on charcoal cooking and locally sourced ingredients. It has a laid-back, slightly edgy atmosphere that still feels warm and welcoming. The menu changes seasonally, highlighting sustainability and thoughtful flavors.

Recommended by

Chi Ng

Food Writer & Traveler

I’ve liked Ember and Chef Gary since my first visit, both share similar traits: laid-back, slightly edgy, a little dark yet welcoming and inviting. The food also channels Gary’s personality: familiar comfort food with underlying complexity and thoughtfulness in creating a balanced dish, punchy smoky flavours, with local Asian twists. For example, one of my favourites - wagyu beef and rice. MB4 but MB7 tenderness at non-wagyu price (a mere USD13+-), sweet-savoury tare, creamy yolk, balanced off with crunchy tangy pickled radish to cut through the richness. Other favourites are 4 days dry-aged duck breast, Ember’s kampung fried chicken, and not featured here: kampung chicken with Yuzu kosho, as well as grilled fish. Ember and Gary definitely has great great great potential to gain awards.

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Kin Kin Restaurant is known around Kuala Lumpur for offering a straightforward yet especially satisfying approach to local comfort food. People often describe the flavors as simple but surprisingly addictive, making it a welcoming spot for anyone seeking a laid-back meal in the city.

Recommended by

Chi Ng

Food Writer & Traveler

The original Kin Kin Chilli Pan Mee. I haven’t come across variations of this noodle dish other than in Kuala Lumpur. So simple but so addictive: just minced meat, springy noodles, poached eggs and the oh-so-vital dry chilli mix.

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Kit Kee Beef Noodle Stall is a tucked-away spot in Kuala Lumpur with a cozy, down-to-earth atmosphere and a friendly team ready to offer suggestions. It can be a bit hard to find, but you’ll know you’re in the right place when you catch the menu photos displayed on a banner out front. Despite the simple setup, people keep coming back for its hearty and satisfying meals.

Recommended by

Darren Teoh

Chef

Rustic and hearty beef noodles tucked away in a village. Looking for this almost signless shop can be daunting. Trust the process and Waze to bring you close. You will know it when you see pictures of its menu hanging on a banner in the front of the store. All the staff are amicable and are happy to recommend their favourites. There is a small assortment of noodles available, with the beef noodles being my favourite. The broth is robust and hearty and while the beef cuts are not fork tender they are flavourful from the hours of braising. Tripe is also available when you order the “mixed meats”.

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Ming Kee Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur has been around for years and still keeps a simple, old-school feel. Regulars gather and chat with the owner, giving the place a friendly, familiar atmosphere. It’s a welcoming spot that stays true to its roots without any fuss.

Recommended by

Chi Ng

Food Writer & Traveler

Everything about this shop is truly ‘tale as old as time’ - from the shabby interior, old man skilfully cooking the noodles, to the equally old patrons who have been frequenting the shop for tens of years chatting loudly with the owner. The noodles as well, is prepared in the old school way.

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Pizzeria Dihyang in Kuala Lumpur follows a Naples-style approach to its menu, focusing on classic techniques and quality ingredients. The relaxed setting makes it a welcoming place for a straightforward dining experience.

Recommended by

Chi Ng

Food Writer & Traveler

One of the most authentic Naples-style pizzeria in KL! Chewy crust with a slight char, using DOP mozzarella and tomatoes!

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The Regent Chinese Cuisine is a private kitchen in Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur, focusing on authentic Cantonese cooking. They use fresh ingredients flown in from Hong Kong and rely on long-standing traditions to bring out classic flavors. The cozy setting makes it easy to gather with friends or family for a relaxed meal.

Recommended by

Darren Teoh

Chef

Delicious Hong Kong style Cantonese cooking, great for sharing with family or friends. Excellent Cantonese cooking served in family sharing portions. We started with typhoon shelter deep fried fish skin and then moved on to a simple but elegantly executed fried rice, sweet and sour pork, braised glass noodles and mushrooms, tofu braised in a pumpkin sauce and a simple but exceptionally delicious plate of stir fried cabbage shoots. There are a few of the restaurant’s classics available for pre order for the full range of the chefs repertoire.

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Sambal Hijau Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur offers a wide selection of Malay-style Padang dishes, letting you fill your plate with whatever catches your eye. The welcoming atmosphere makes it a popular spot for anyone looking for a relaxed meal in the city.

Recommended by

Darren Teoh

Chef

This is a restaurant that I love to go to. Sambal Hijau directly translates to green sambal. In this restaurant there will be about 80 to 90 different types of preparations of Malay style padang cooking on display that you can choose from. It's not a buffet, but what you do is you get a plate and they put some rice on that plate and then you pick what you like among the dishes. I often bring some of my guest chefs that are visiting Kuala Lumpur there and they eat with their eyes and they will have some 15 things on their plate and usually they can't finish it. But the idea is just to have about two or three dishes.

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Sushi Ori in Kuala Lumpur is a relaxed spot that brings in fresh ingredients straight from Japan. They focus on the distinctive Edo-style approach, using red vinegar to highlight the natural flavors of the fish. With a simple and welcoming atmosphere, it’s a comfortable place to experience genuine Japanese sushi.

Recommended by

Joeri Timmermans

Chef

The best no nonsense sushi in Kuala Lumpur. Good sale selection. Located inside a business tower lies Ori sushi serving up great nigiri and he is known as the founder of the “cholesterol bowl” great sake list too!

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Restoran Wong Mei Kee in Kuala Lumpur is known for its traditional cooking methods and careful selection of meat, resulting in a melt-in-your-mouth experience. The friendly atmosphere and attention to detail have made it a local favorite for those seeking hearty meals. It's a comfortable spot to enjoy satisfying flavors without any fuss.

Recommended by

Johnson Wong

Chef

Best Siew Yoke (crispy roast pork) in the world. A melt in your mouth roast pork. The pork is roasted traditionally with thick fat between a good balance of lean meat that makes the meat and crispy skin to another level. Uncle Wong carefully selects the meat, trimming off excess fat over burnt meat making sure every piece that goes into your mouth is near perfect. Best Siew Yoke (crispy roast pork) in the world.

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Shuruti Box is an Indian-Western fusion restaurant in Kuala Lumpur known for its friendly service, relaxed setting, and soothing Tamil music. Guests appreciate the laid-back vibe, making it a comfortable spot to enjoy flavorful food without extra fuss.

Recommended by

Harish Rao

Chef

Shuruti Box in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia serves Indian-Western fusion food and it's an excellent restaurant with great food and service, relaxing atmosphere and enjoyable Tamil music. My recommendations @ Shuruti Box Lamb on Curd Rice Barramundi on Rasam Broth Lamb Kottu Pizza Polo65 Tuna Upma Sambal Prawn Bruschetta Vanilla Kessari

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