The best Malaysian restaurants Malaysia

With its decor combining traditional furniture, colorful murals and an abundance of plants, this restaurant located in a former shophouse offers a warm, relaxed atmosphere. It also boasts a terrace overlooking the river. The kitchen offers a wide range of Nyonya and Thai specialties, with halal, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Popular dishes include nasi lemak, pad thai and tandoori chicken. Prices are very reasonable and the food is top quality.

The name seems misleading, since it's not a café, but a food court. Open only in the evening, you take your place under the large shed with its corrugated iron roof. Once you've got your table number in your pocket, you can browse the bevy of food stalls frying, stir-frying and baking before your very eyes. From Malay mee goreng to Indian tandoori chicken, from popiah to king prawns, from Chinese soups to char kway teow, there's something for every taste and every budget. You place your order at the stand(s) of your choice, and the dish is brought to you when ready.

Whether you're looking for a gourmet break during your visit to the ornithological park or simply looking for a peaceful place to relax, this restaurant nestled in the heart of the botanical gardens offers an oasis of freshness. The cuisine is simple but typical and good value for money. But it's above all the lovely terrace, from which you can watch the birds and, with a bit of luck, the monkeys, that attracts us here. Free parking is also available.

This is the restaurant of the Museum of Islamic Art, so it's perfect for a stopover before or after your visit. The fusion cuisine on offer draws its inspiration from various Muslim countries, with a predominance of Middle Eastern flavors: shawarma, moussaka, kefta, falafel are all on the menu. You'll be seduced by the modern, uncluttered decor, reflecting the Muslim style, as well as by the refreshing atmosphere, not to mention the quality service. And to top it all off, you can enjoy a wide range of coffees, from espresso to Arabic coffee.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Here you'll find the great classics of Malaysian cuisine. Despite the rather hurried staff, the food is enjoyable, especially the nasi bojari (a mixture of rice, beef and shrimp) and nasi lemak (rice cooked in coconut milk, served with various toppings). Try the campur ice cream for dessert. The setting, with its wire screens and bright tables, is pleasant. Madame Kwan's is a small chain of restaurants that can be found in Bukit Bintang's Pavilion Mall or Bangsar's Shopping Centre.

This popular restaurant in the Bukit Bintang district offers excellent cuisine. The setting is reminiscent of an old house, with well separated spaces and decorated with tropical plants, most pleasant. The menu includes assam fish (a mixture of fish and vegetables in a spicy soup) or rendang tok ayam kampung (chicken curry). The titles of the dishes will not tell you anything, a priori, so don't hesitate to ask the waiter to decode the specialities for you. For a real immersion in Malaysian gastronomy.