Sandakan
Black sesame bean curd, braised shiitake mushrooms with yam, laksa with handmade noodles and tender steamed dumplings, bursting forth with crunchy, fresh…
Must-see restaurants in Malaysia
Penang
Locals come here for laksa asam – thick rice noodles in a tart, herbaceous fish-based broth, with mint leaves, pineapple slivers, onions and fresh…
Kota Kinabalu
El Centro is understandably popular – it's carnivore- and vegetarian-friendly and drinks are reasonably priced. Choose from Tex-Mex and Mediterranean…
Pulau Langkawi
Langkawi is home to heaps of Middle Eastern restaurants and this Syrian place is one of the best. Expect friendly staff, slightly less fluorescent…
Kuala Terengganu
This restaurant is constantly packed. There’s ice-cold beer aplenty and one of the finest Chinese seafood menus in town. Fresh fish, squid and prawns are…
George Town
There's a reason this place is always packed: it's one of the tastiest, most consistent Chinese restaurants in town (and in a place like George Town, that…
Kuala Lumpur
Stalls pack out the length of Lg Tuanku Abdul Rahman, the alley between Jln Tuanku Abdul Rahman and Masjid India. Amid the headscarf and T-shirt sellers…
Pulau Langkawi
This is where locals go for nasi campur (Malay-style buffet). Serve yourself from trays holding dishes such as rich rendang, fiery sambal, a coconut milk…
George Town
Serve-yourself, buffet-style restaurants generally opt for quantity over quality, but the Padang-style Indonesian curries, stir-fries, soups, salads and…
Taiping
Creamy and sweet with generous amounts of green noodles and gula melaka (dark coconut-sugar syrup), shaved-ice desserts have been dished up at Ansari…
Kota Kinabalu
A chorus of welcomes greets you as you walk into this minimalist Japanese place and a joyful call-and-response from the staff conveys your order to the…
Pulau Langkawi
This sophisticated, air-conditioned snack stop serves excellent French desserts – croissants, tarts and eclairs – as well as light salads, sandwiches,…
Kota Kinabalu
Particularly good for its veggie thalis, this unassuming spot serves its spread of Indian dishes on banana leaves in a busy, cafeteria-like setting. Get…
Kota Kinabalu
The dining here is as simple as can be, just plastic tables under tarpaulin, and the air is smoky and redolent of grilling seafood, glazed chicken wings…
Kuantan
If it’s authentic you’re after, look no further than this huge open-air seafood restaurant across the river on the island of Tanjong Lumpur. On any given…
Malaysia
Since the 1930s the Shariff family has been serving up refreshingly sweet bowls of cendol (an icy dessert made with pandan noodles, coconut milk and…
Sandakan
A hidden treat at the top of the Nak Hotel, this stylish restaurant-bar has wicker swing-chairs and swallow-you-up couches. Eat on the pot-plant-shaded…
Cameron Highlands
Former military barracks rarely look this idyllic, with marble tables set among flower gardens. The hipster-pleasing menu offers Indian and British dishes…
Pulau Tioman
This castaway-chic restaurant with bed and breakfast rooms (RM150 to RM280) is right on the beach, steps from the lapping waves. On the menu are excellent…
Sabah
Behind a facade of bamboo and greenery, this Filipino joint is primarily a temple to pork, and we love its crispy lechon kawali (pork loin), adobo (pork…
Miri
This very popular cafe-bar serves inexpensive drinks and excellent food in a casual, open-sided restaurant. There's an indoor air-conditioned section, but…
Pulau Tioman
The wi-fi signal may be weak, but that's no problem with the sea views, tasty food and deep mugs of coffee that are served at Bushman. The pizza and…
Kuantan
This fun, vibrant and often packed sit-down street market kicks off in the evenings just south of the floodlit padang. Find everything from spaghetti to…
Sarawak
For fresh fish, squid, crabs and prawns either fried or steamed with the garnish of your choice, head to this bright cafe, one of several boisterous…
Kuala Lumpur
The vendors from old Imbi Market – demolished to make way for Tun Razak Exchange – can be found at this modern food court and market serving the same…
Ipoh
With cosy booths in a 1920s dining room full of mirrors and printed menus, this cute coffee shop serves spectacular breakfasts, including kaya toast …
Kuala Lumpur
Blink and you might be in a chic bistro in New York, Paris or Melbourne. The menu changes seasonally so there's always something new to try, from tasty…
George Town
Hameediyah dates back to 1907 and is supposedly the oldest place serving nasi kandar (curries served over rice) in Penang, though the current restaurant…
Malaysia
Seremban's main food market (1975) is a local institution, with dozens of stalls flowing out from its central wet market. Take your pick of vendors…
Kuching
Friendly cats Ginger and Serai (aka 'Lemon Grass') are feline hosts at this cool cafe, while their human underlings serve up excellent nasi lemak (rice…
George Town
Outside Kafe Heng Huat you'll find Soon Chuan Choo who, in her trademark red chef's hat, has been turning out some of Penang's best char kway teow (rice…
Sarawak
Café Café serves decent Southeast Asian fare, including Nonya-style chicken, Thai curries and Chinese noodles. There are daily specials and inventive…
Kuala Lumpur
There's round-the-clock eating at the open-sided pavilion housing the KLCC branch of this hugely popular chain of excellent mamak (Indian Muslim) eateries…
Pulau Langkawi
At Bon Ton resort, Nam boasts a well-executed menu of fusion food, from chargrilled rack of lamb with roast pumpkin, mint salad, hummus and tomato jam, to…
Sabah
Just steps from the beach, with terrific food ranging from hinava (local take on ceviche) to swordfish steak, curries, cheesecake, sweet-and-sour chicken,…
Melaka City
The self-proclaimed mantra of this contemporary cafe specialising in global plant-based cuisine is that it won't use MSG, artificial colouring,…
Melaka City
Nasi lemak with rendang is the speciality here. It's made with chicken or beef and incorporates a variety of local rice types if you so choose. There's…
Malaysia
Klang is famous for bak kut teh, pork stew made by simmering ribs in a fragrant broth of star anise, ginseng, orange peel and other spices. Welcoming Seng…
Sarawak
Chinese stalls (selling pork and rice, steamed buns etc) are at the southwest end of the lot, while Malay stalls (with superb satay and barbecue chicken)…
Melaka City
Specialising in Peranakan cuisine, Bulldog is a contemporary space that serves excellent food with a spicy edge – don't miss the chilli-paste-slavered…
