The best restaurants Malaysia

This unassuming canteen is sure to delight fans of the local scene. In a small street lined with restaurants, just up the road from the Topspot Foodcourt, this establishment serves the great classics of Malaysian dining. Nasi goreng (fried rice), mee goreng (fried noodles), laksa sarawak, chicken... You'll find the same old plastic tables and chairs, and the same heterogeneous non-decor in a large, airy room. The bravest will eat like the locals... with their right hand! A hearty meal to accompany iced tea or lemonade.

Chicken rice is a no-nonsense dish in Malaysia. There are pages and pages on the subject on the Internet. Chai Hong is one of the best places to try this steamed chicken. Its reputation extends beyond the borders of the city and even the state. It is served as it is in Ipoh, with bean sprouts. On the other hand, you'll need to be patient before you can taste it. There's often a queue, and once you're seated at your table, you'll have to wait another 30 to 45 minutes. The service is in no hurry.

This Kopitiam has all the makings of a cafeteria and none of the charm of a traditional café. Nevertheless, it remains a refreshing stop-off and a must for a bubble tea (iced tea with tapioca beads) or a steaming coffee. Of course, you can also dine on simple, quick-to-prepare dishes such as nasi dagang or laksa. If your guesthouse doesn't serve breakfast, you can make up for it here with French toast, a welcome change from nasi goreng. A good place to relax in comfort and recharge your batteries.

It may not look like much at first glance, but it's at the top of all the city's top lists. The restaurant is one of Malaysia's 50 best laksas (every Malaysian restaurant serves laksa), one of the city's Top 7 best restaurants, and its reputation extends to the shores of Singapore. Here, the spicy, rather light broth simmers for a minimum of 3 hours. Chili pepper is added according to your tolerance, and if you ask for it "full spicy", you're likely to fall off your chair.

This unpretentious restaurant, at least as far as the setting is concerned, brings together a few hawkers, the street traders who have settled here. Many locals consider it the best place in town to try Bornean laksa. You'll find it at the Sarawak Kuching Laksa stall, which prepares its broth by adding coconut milk. Noodles, shrimp and chicken are then plunged into the broth. A delicious dish. But you can also try ngau chap, a beef-based soup, another popular Kota Kinabalu dish.

If you're curious or adventurous by nature, and your taste buds are itching, then this is the restaurant for you. You're guaranteed an exotic culinary experience. Very popular, this is one of the few places where you can try Kelabit cuisine, an ethnic group from central Borneo. Choose from the many dishes on the buffet: ginger chicken, tripe in sweet and sour sauce (for the more intrepid), pounded fish and, above all, the famous bario rice. Arrive before 11:30 a.m., as dishes go fast.

Vegetarian options are few and far between in Malacca. Shui Xian welcomes vegetarians in an unassuming setting. The experience is worth trying even if you usually eat meat and fish. Firstly, because it's good to taste something less heavy and more dietetic. Secondly, because you'll find all the traditional dishes of the region, including laksa and wonton mee, but without the slightest trace of meat. And if you swear by Western specialties, the restaurant even prepares a vegetarian hamburger.

For a taste of traditional Kelantanese cuisine, take a tour of this canteen housed in a vast hall. You can help yourself to the varied buffet. A whole host of mysterious dishes are on offer, but it's the ulam (a typically Malaysian salad served with medicinal herbs) that really catches the eye. Next door to the handicraft center, the place could pass for a tourist trap. But not at all. It also preserves the Kelantan culinary repertoire, and the locals love it.

As the name suggests, this restaurant serves Hungarian specialties. The owner, who hails from Central Europe, was nostalgic for the country and decided to share her rich gastronomic repertoire with the locals. The small room with its colorful walls seats just 20 people and is often overflowing. Goulash, chicken roulade and schnitzel (breaded chicken cutlet) seem to appeal to Malaysians. We appreciate the freshness of the ingredients and the faultless service. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are also on the menu.

The entrance sign proudly displays the date of the restaurant's debut: March 23, 1993. The chef has been welcoming tourists and locals to his seaside straw hut for some thirty years. A wide range of dishes are served: seafood barbecue, satay, the invariable noodles and fried rice, as well as Thai specialties (including tom yam soup). We particularly liked the fried fish wrapped in a lotus leaf. Everything is ultra-fresh. This is the best-positioned, most varied and not necessarily the most expensive restaurant.

The success of this address seems to grow stronger with each passing year. For some thirty years, Nyonya Makko has been delighting tourists and locals alike with recipes drawn from the traditional Peranakan and Malay repertoires. Try pongteh ayam (chicken curry) or lemak nenas udang (prawns with pineapple and coconut sauce). The large dining room, a little low-ceilinged but air-conditioned, is always full at peak times. You'll probably have to queue a little before you're seated around one of the round tables.

If Malaysians have retained a British tradition, it's that of high tea, accompanied by pastries and cookies. The setting, a colonial-style bungalow in the middle of an English garden, lends itself particularly well to a moment of nostalgia. The view over Sandakan Bay is magnificent from here. You can also come for lunch, and sample classic British dishes such as beef stew, fish & chips and scone for dessert.

For lovers of fresh shellfish and fish, this great Chinese restaurant is for you. Every evening, the same scenario repeats itself: a horde of hungry customers flock here for the freshness of the produce, the reasonable prices and the good food. You choose your dinner directly from the aquariums or crates. The chef then prepares your selection according to your taste: steamed, grilled, fried, curried, in a sweet-and-sour or soy-ginger sauce, the choice is vast. It's best to get there around 6 p.m. to avoid stock-outs.

Syed Ali concocts all the Indian classics with talent for super-sweet prices. His specialty is byriani, a rice dish stewed with spices and served with chicken, mutton, beef or fish. A well-stocked buffet offers a wide variety of dishes served continuously. You can also opt for the thali plate served with roti (bread cakes), dal (lentils), sambal (sweet and sour sauce) and chilli. This address is also ideal for vegetarians, as not all dishes feature meat.

LIWAGU is considered the best restaurant in Mount Kinabalu Park. It too is located at the entrance to the park. The warm, well-kept surroundings make you want to linger a while. A bar and a lounge area with large rattan armchairs in front of a fireplace allow you to relax with a glass of wine or a beer. In the restaurant, a chef prepares tasty food at the crossroads of Malaysian and Western traditions. Enjoy a burger or roti canai, Indian pancakes served with a sauce.

In Chinatown, this restaurant is one of the most popular with tourists and local Chinese alike. It's best to come early (before 7.30pm), if you don't want to queue. Chinese food is served at large round tables under neon lights. As is often the case, the setting is non-existent and the pleasure is all in the plate. In addition to marinated pork and lemon chicken, you'll find a wide range of fish and seafood dishes. If you're not in the mood for spicy food, try the steamed teo-chew fish.

With its traditional wooden storefront, small red lanterns and friendly terrace, you'll effortlessly recognize this establishment as you stroll along Jalan Padungan. Originally a teahouse designed to introduce the culture of the Chinese tea ceremony(Gong Fu Cha), this Taiwanese institution later expanded its menu to become a restaurant. The menu offers a wide variety of noodles, with more or less spicy recipes, and a multitude of side dishes, but you shouldn't miss the chance to try one of their excellent teas.

Malacca's most prominent address occupies a beautiful house in the Chinatown district and serves Spanish cuisine. You can choose to dine around the open kitchen or in one of the two dining rooms with their much more classical settings. Breogan officiates at the stove and whips up delicious tapas. Maria, his wife, takes care of service with a smile and a hint of Spanish accent. She will guide you through the tapas menu, which changes according to the chef's inspirations. It's a little expensive, but so good.

We literally fell in love with this address, which is housed in two adjoining houses. The first overlooks a pretty town garden with a fish pond and a pergola under which you can cool off or have lunch. The second faces the street and features two charming rooms, furnished with country-style wooden tables. The café serves delicious Peranakan cuisine. We highly recommend trying the award-winning laksa, a rich, fragrant broth served with chicken and shrimp.

All the good reasons in the world come together to test this address. First of all, the setting, which is both eclectic and has retained some of its original features. Secondly, you can enjoy some of the best burgers in Malacca. The tastiest is without doubt the grilled chicken burger served with a delicious barbecue sauce. There's also a vegetarian option with mushrooms and homemade pesto sauce. Thirdly, a visit to Baboon House may well reveal the link between the baboon and this restaurant...

The Casa del Rio hotel restaurant opens its doors to outside guests in the evening. This is certainly the best restaurant in town for a Western meal. The elegant setting has the air of a Mexicanhacienda, which seems somewhat incongruous in these latitudes. But this is undoubtedly the Malaysian vision of exotic chic. Set on the banks of the River, the dining room has a few tables on the terrace, which are best reserved in advance. Excellent grilled meats and a wine list from around the world.

Situated on the banks of the river, this outdoor establishment faces Fort Margherita. It bears the name of the settler who built it in his wife's name. Shady and airy, with a lovely traditional decor, it's a pleasant place to sit down for a romantic drink and contemplate the landscape, especially at sunset. The menu also offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. Their laksas in particular stand up very well, but there are many other great classics as well as Western options.

The warm, welcoming setting, with its exposed sandblasted brick and wood panelling, is reminiscent of a New York brownstone or Vermont warehouse. The long hall features a long bar opening onto a verdant courtyard. Mediterranean cuisine is served, with an emphasis on Spanish products. This is to be expected, since the chef hails from Barcelona. Try the platters of Spanish cheeses and hams to share, or the tapas for a convivial meal. Wide choice of wines and cocktails.

It's 5 a.m. and Mirir wakes up, but only on Thursdays and only at the end of the day. Much livelier than the city's other night markets and just recently renovated, this is a must-see spot. You'll find yourself strolling among the many tempting stalls in a festive atmosphere. Satay skewers, sushi, desserts (including apam balik), the choice is varied. Handicrafts and fresh produce are also on sale. For barbecue fans, don't miss the "smoke house", where you'll find several stalls selling grilled meat or fish.

Housed in a former Australian soldiers' camp, this café-bar-restaurant serves a variety of fusion cuisine in a neat, nostalgic setting. The establishment was set up by a group of fellow travelers, whose combined experiences are reflected on the plate as well as on the walls. Pasta is served with shrimp and turmeric, while tacos are made with fish (their signature dish). Save room for a waffle, as good as any in Brussels. In the evening, the place transforms into a trendy bar and the terrace fills up. Salsa night on Fridays.

In the lively atmosphere of Jalan Gaya,this Kota Kinabalu institution is always packed, especially at weekends. Here you can enjoy a quick bite of their famous Bak Kut Teh, which literally means "meat and tea". It's a pork soup simmered in a broth of herbs and spices. The dish was imported by Chinese coolies in the ^19th century. The soup is made from pork organs such as intestines, stomach and ears. If giblets aren't your thing, ask for a meat-only soup.

A little piece of Italy in the middle of Borneo, that's what this tiny restaurant offers, with its open kitchen and a few tables on the waterfront. The tables face the harbor and its fishing boats. The Italian chef concocts generous dishes from his native Grande Botte: spaghetti with seafood, penne with pesto, pizza or the unmissable tiramisu. Everything is freshly prepared to order, so waiting times can be quite long. But the excellent service, the fine Italian wine and the sunset will make you forget this inconvenience.

A stone's throw from pasar malam, this Chinese stall is tucked away in a pedestrian alleyway. Neon lights illuminate a room painted an old neon green. You don't come here for the setting, but for the Ding Bian Hu, a Chinese specialty from Fuzhou that you won't find anywhere else in Malaysia. It's a rice paste cooked in a wok and served in soup with rice cakes and fish. Locals love it for breakfast. The bowl may seem modest, but this particularly hearty dish is sure to satisfy any ogre's appetite.

Originating from Muar,mee bandung is a truly typical dish, an in-con-tour-na-ble you won't want to miss. It's a noodle and egg soup, with spices, vegetables, shrimp, cuttlefish and sambal, the chili paste that brings breath and bitterness. Abu Bakar Hanipah is at the top of its game and attracts large crowds. It's best to get there early, as stocks are frequently depleted from 2pm onwards.

This café is a welcome change from the usual bouis-bouis with their round tables and plastic chairs. Here, the walls are decorated with old framed photos, shelves full of books and a large coat of arms with an octopus on it. The tables are all covered with tablecloths, and the neon lights have been replaced by lamps covered in shades. The menu mixes international and local dishes such as nasi goreng, served with fried chicken and a horse egg, or spaghetti covered in a spicy tomato sauce. Bonus: a funky background soundtrack.

Satay- marinated chicken skewers with peanut sauce - is no joke. A snack that accompanies Malaysians at all hours of the day, it can move crowds when prepared according to the rules of the art. Customers have been flocking to this restaurant for over 40 years, a sign of its high quality. The chicken strips are cooked on a long charcoal-fired barbecue. The creamy peanut sauce is perfectly seasoned. This popular address fills up fast, and service can be a little slow.

Plan B is a modern, trendy, family-run café-canteen strategically located in the tourist heart of Ipoh, in the middle of the artisan market. It offers a variety of dishes and drinks, from breakfast classics to local and international dishes. Desserts are also a must-try, with options such as Japanese cheesecake and chocolate brownie. We also appreciate the sharing boxes. With its large, airy lobby and affordable prices, this is the ideal place for a refreshing break.

One of the best French restaurants in Kuala Lumpur, with a wine list to savour. If you miss the great wines, meet us at this table of Shangri-La. Everything is of the highest luxury. The dining room recreates a castle atmosphere, where guests are treated like aristocrats of the Ancien Régime. The ministers of the current regime regularly come to lunch there. We come here to be seen among quality people. There are lunch and dinner packages that allow you to enjoy a meal at less astronomical prices than à la carte. Now the prices are soaring.

This café-restaurant, hidden away on the second floor of an old shophouse on Jalan Merchant, is very popular with young locals, who flock here for weekend brunches. It offers a pleasant, trendy setting: three singularly decorated rooms, indoors or on the covered terrace, in a neo-industrial style. The menu features local, Western and fusion dishes, as well as pastries. Don't expect great gastronomy, but rather comfort food that can be very satisfying. Ideal for a gentle start to the day.

This chic, elegant address is well known to Batu Ferringhi enthusiasts. The romantic setting in a lush garden is well worth a visit. Falling ferns, arum bushes and orchid hedges try to distract you from your plate. And that would be a pity, because the food is as well presented as the setting is well cared for. Mushroom velouté, shellfish platter, salmon spaghetti, beef entrecôte - the cuisine is definitely Western-inspired, but the decor is typical. Prices rise quickly for some of the more elaborate dishes.

As soon as you step through the door, the magnificent tiled floor and wooden decor transport you to a bygone era filled with nostalgia. The aromas wafting through the room announce the color of the menu, which offers all the specialties of Nyonya cuisine. You'll feel right at home, and the food couldn't be tastier or more authentic. To top it all off, the service is fast and friendly. On the other hand, we recommend booking in advance, as this is a well-known address and the place tends to fill up fast.

Facing the sea, at the end of a seawall away from the hustle and bustle, this is a pleasant bistro for lunch, dinner or just a drink. The light, Mediterranean-inspired menu is a welcome change from the local classics. We particularly recommend the dips(hummus, tapenade, aioli, etc.), which are as delicious as they are on the Mediterranean. And yet, it's a completely different ocean that stretches out before your eyes, and the sunset won't lie to you... This is an ideal spot for lovers!

A traditional restaurant serving Malaysian and Thai cuisine, located in a pretty shophouse on a corner of the city center. The menu is simple, but the chef has mastered the classics and prices are very reasonable. The atmosphere is tranquil and family-friendly, and the covered terrace overlooks the street. We recommend their Nasi Goreng (fried rice) and seafood noodles. Takeaways are also available, including their famous Satay Wrap. The second floor can be reserved for groups. Great value for money.

If you're looking for a taste of kai see hor fun in the evening, this is the place to go. Like all good Chinese canteens, the decor is non-existent and the wait at the entrance can be long. But the fragrant chicken broth is well worth the detour. The restaurant also serves a delicious ayam taugeh, considered by some to be the best in town. It's chicken with bean sprouts. A must-try if you haven't managed to find a seat at the always-full Lou Wong.

The best option in town for vegetarians. It's so good that meat or fish would be too much. The wooden clapboard doors leave no doubt as to the origin of this venerable house. It's an old Chinese shophouse. The tiles are old-fashioned and the round tables with marble tops give it a chic air. Be sure to try the eggplant kung pao, sautéed with a hint of chilli and peanuts, or the monkey head mushrooms, a Taiwanese specialty.

This address, well away from the city center, will delight food-lovers who accept the Malaysian way of life. Don't let a hearty savory breakfast put you off! The opening hours of this popular establishment are designed for lovers of curry mee, kai see hor fun or young tau foo. The latter has nothing to do with simple fermented soybean paste. It's meat stuffing served in vegetables(okra or eggplant) or tofu. The dish is hard to describe, but to try it is to love it.

This Ipoh institution stands out for its elegant setting and refined ambience. You're welcomed into a large room with a false ceiling of woven palm leaves and round tables framed by bistro chairs. Delicious Chinese hakka cuisine is served here, as well as Nyonya and more broadly Pan-Asian-inspired dishes. One of the house specialties is the Philippine eggplant plate. A real treat that will make you want to come back again and again.

Founded in 1907 by the Hameediyah family in a small shophouse with a yellow-and-green frontage on the famous Campbell Street, this simple, popular restaurant has been serving the must-try recipes of local cuisine for decades. The most popular recipes are Nasi Kandar, Penang's star dish, which is not to be missed, and Murtabak, which can also be taken to go. Simple, authentic, spicy cuisine in a no-frills setting. Although the dining room is large, the queue can be long at lunchtime.

If there's one place where crab lovers flock in Langkawi, it's here! With its terrace on stilts overlooking the breeding ponds, mangroves and palm trees, this farm offers not only delicious cuisine, but also a very pleasant setting. Located right at the entrance to the Kubang Badak reserve, it's a great place to stop before exploring the mangroves. For those who love seafood, the restaurant itself is well worth the detour. And all at very reasonable prices.

Open late at night, Han Kee is a popular, casual Chinese eatery with a terrace that's ideal for blending into the typical Chinatown atmosphere. Han Kee's menu offers a wide choice of dishes, available in different portion sizes. Ideally, you should order several to share, accompanied by a beer to round things off. The menu is accompanied by images to help you discover new flavors. Depending on the time of day, you may have to wait a little, but the service afterwards is very efficient.

Virtually nothing has changed in this delightful dining room since 1927, when the Selangor State Laundry Guild moved here. Since then, Nyonya cuisine has made a name for itself. Try the top hats, stuffed with various ingredients, as well as laksa noodles and claypot herbal chicken. For dessert, theais kacang will bring your meal to a pleasant close. Drizzle with kopi or tea, direct from the Cameron Highlands. A great place to discover Malaysian cuisine.

This is one of the best Italian restaurants, not in Petaling Jaya, but in Kuala Lumpur and the surrounding area. You can dine in the large air-conditioned colonial-style dining room, or on the veranda overlooking a pretty lake and overlooking the garden. The setting is wonderfully romantic, especially in the evening. The dishes on the à la carte menu are highly sophisticated and a little out of the ordinary. The carpaccio is based on wagyu beef and juniper, the spaghetti carbonara is revisited with smoked cod belly, and all the products are carefully sourced.

Fancy indulging in a few delicacies from the land of the rising sun? Let your steps guide you to the Hilton Hotel. Restaurant Genji is quite simply the best Japanese restaurant in Petaling Jaya. You'll find fresh fish in sashimi and sushi dishes. If you fall on a good day, you'll be lucky enough to find sea urchin, scallops or fatty tuna. And if raw fish isn't your thing, you'll find grilled wagyu beef, kebabs or delicious soups. All served in an elegant, well-kept setting.

This typical but brick-built Chinese restaurant, open to the street, is one of the city's precious addresses. Take a seat around a round table, on a small red plastic stool and under aggressive neon lights, and let yourself be guided. The house specialty is dim sum, delicious steamed ravioli. Presented in a variety of ways, they are served at breakfast (until noon) and in the evening on a cart. You can also opt for sang har mee, large prawns served on a bed of stir-fried noodles.

This fine Thai restaurant has a chic air about it, with decorations typical of the Kingdom of Siam and fabric-covered tables. You'll find the great classics from the north of the peninsula, such as delicious chicken cooked in banana leaves, tangy tom yam soups and velvety coconut milk curries. Dishes come in three portions to be shared according to the number of guests, and fish is sold by weight. It's also a good place to indulge in a refreshing green papaya salad.