Top 9 Hidden Gems that Serve Amazing Food in KL
Kuala Lumpur is a city that’s filled to the brim with amazing restaurants that are perfect for family dinners, afternoon tea, brunch and anything in between.
However, as much as I love to visit the capital’s most famous restaurants regularly, there’s just something about discovering a new place that fulfills my foodie heart! Then, I get to share these hidden gems with you and give them their well-deserved flowers—everybody wins!
So, to help you try something new on your next food adventure in the city, here are some of KL’s hidden gem food spots that you should definitely check out!
Brickfields Pisang Goreng
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Address: 21-19, Jalan Thambipillay, Brickfields
Contact details: +60 12-617 2511
Operating hours: Daily from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: $
Menu
Brickfields Pisang Goreng is one of the perfect examples of the Malaysian food scene wherein it serves amazing food at dirt-cheap prices. As the name suggests, this humble stall serves one of Malaysia’s most iconic street foods, pisang goreng or fried bananas.
There are tons of pisang goreng stalls across Malaysia, but there’s just something about the batter that this particular stall uses that results in a fluffy yet crispy texture. Upon biting into them, however, your tastebuds will be greeted by a mildly sweet and perfectly tender banana.
These deep-fried bananas are only RM1.80 apiece and each one is huge to the point that you can easily satisfy your cravings just by buying one piece.
Pro tip:
The person behind the stall will take their time to really fry the bananas into that perfect golden brown colour. If you don’t want to wait under the sun, we recommend ordering your pisang goreng through the Grab app.
PULP
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Address: 29-01, Jalan Riong, Bangsar
Contact details: +60 3-2201 3650
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Cost: $$
Website
If you’re looking for a cafe that offers fantastic coffee and equally amazing food, then PULP should be on your radar! This underrated spot is hidden amidst the quiet side of Bangsar, so you won’t have to worry about it being crowded too often.
It’s a great place where you can start your day, as they offer a diversified coffee and brunch menu. Starting with their coffee, they source their beans themselves to create various espresso-based drinks, from lattes to cappuccinos, americanos and more.
As for their food, you can indulge yourself in a wide variety of Western food such as chicken burgers, soft-shelled tacos, toasts and more. They also serve a plethora of desserts, one of which is our favourite carrot cake!
Pro tip:
If you want to do your remote work from this cafe, the best time to visit is around 2:00 PM, as you’ll virtually have the entire cafe to yourself! Also, it’s worth noting that it doesn’t really get all that noisy even when there are other customers.
Mori Kohi
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Address: 11, Jalan Aman, Off, Jln Tun Razak
Contact details: +60 3-2300 1165
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
Mori Kohi is a cool little cafe/restaurant that is hidden just 10 minutes away from Kuala Lumpur’s city centre. At first glance, it may look like an unassuming bungalow, but once you enter its doors, you’ll be greeted by one of the most Instaworthy interiors in the area!
It’s more than just a looker too, as the Japanese dishes served here are authentic and most importantly, delicious! One of our favourites from their menu is the yuzu chicken rice, which is a great quick bite that goes perfectly well with one of their fantastic drinks.
Speaking of drinks, they also serve a wide variety of coffee and non-coffee beverages. As someone who loves coffee, it pains me to say it but my favourite drink from their menu is the Yuri matcha latte, and I’m sure you’ll understand once you try it for yourself.
Pro tip:
Mori Kohi is a pet-friendly cafe, so be sure to bring your furry friends along when you’re dining here. You can even order from their pet menu so that you and your best pal can enjoy eating together.
Park 28 Mutiara Damansara
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Address: 28, Persiaran Surian, Mutiara Damansara
Contact details: +60 14-633 5363
Operating hours: Daily from 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$$
Website
Menu
Park 28 is a great option for those looking to catch up with their friends over a fancy brunch. It provides a cosy and welcoming ambience as well as delicious elevated dishes that put unique spins on classic Western dishes.
One of the highlights here is their selection of pasta, which ranges from classic creamy carbonara to seafood aglio olio and more. Before ordering one of these pasta, however, we recommend getting their mushroom soup to start, as it features this unique earthy flavour.
They also offer a sophisticated version of a chicken chop, which comes complete with veggies, mashed potatoes and a homemade sauce that’s spread strikingly across the plate.
Pro tip:
As much as we love the cosiness of the restaurant’s interior, its outside seating is where the best views are at so make sure to reserve your tables as early as possible! Here, you can be treated to stunning views of greeneries and lake vistas.
Bunglow37
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Address: 37, Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar
Contact details: +60 12-630 8407
Operating hours: Daily from 8:30 AM to 2:00 AM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
For those times when you want to treat yourself to exquisite food after a specific milestone, Bungalow37 is the place to do it. It’s a dining event space, so you can book an entire private lounge or room and invite all the important people in your life to enjoy a feast together.
The food here is just as good as the ambience of this place, as they’re all prepared strikingly akin to those fancy dishes you see in Masterchef or one of Gordon Ramsay’s TV shows. From appetizers to desserts, everything looks and tastes amazing!
It’s also a great place to check out if you’re looking to experience nightlife in Kuala Lumpur, as they serve a wide variety of alcoholic drinks.
Pro tip:
If you want to experience a majestic al fresco dinner, we recommend reserving their terrace! It’s perfect for intimate gatherings too, as it can house up to 45 guests!
The Teddy
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Address: Zenith Corporate Park, 22G, Blok B, 22G
Contact details: +60 16-500 9409
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Website
Menu
If you’re travelling around KL with your kids and you’re looking for a family-friendly place to wind down, The Teddy should be the perfect spot for you. This aptly named restaurant is one of the cutest places you can dine in, as it’s littered with adorable and fuzzy teddy bears!
The dishes they serve here are also kid-friendly and are sure to be loved even by the pickiest eaters! Some perfect examples of this are the classic chicken burger and chicken chop rice, which are both phenomenal.
We also loved how some of their dishes/drinks featured a teddy bear theme, like the aforementioned burger where the top bun takes the form of a teddy bear’s head.
Pro tip:
Even though it’s a hidden gem, the place does get crowded, especially on the weekends. So if you want to enjoy a peaceful time with your family and friends, we recommend visiting on weekdays.
Shhhbuuuleee
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Address: 80, Jalan Sultan, City Centre
Contact details: +60 12-612 0786
Operating hours:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday: 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Weekends: 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
Cost: $
Website
Shhhbuuuleee is one of those rare restaurants in Kuala Lumpur that will provide you with beautiful views while eating. The view in question here is the stunning Kuala Lumpur skyline, as this restaurant is located on a rooftop—pretty cool!
Aside from spectacular views, however, this spot is worth visiting because of its wide array of Chinese, Japanese and Taiwanese food! They also offer other famous dishes like chicken poppers, sirloin steaks, short ribs and more.
If you’re too overwhelmed by the unfamiliar dishes on their menu, we recommend getting the beef tongue and edamame. Don’t be scared of what it is though, as it tastes just like any other piece of tender steak thanks to the way it’s prepared in this restaurant.
Pro tip:
Before or after visiting this restaurant, be sure to stop by the nearby Petaling Street Market! This is where you’ll find more hidden cafes and food stalls as well as local arts and crafts that you can bring home as a souvenir.
Back Alley Pasta
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Address: No 8 Jalan 1/67b, Off, Jalan Mengkudu
Contact details: +60 3-2856 3065
Cost: $
Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 5:30 to 10:00 PM
Website
Menu
Nothing screams a hidden gem more than being located in the back alley, which is where exactly this next restaurant is named after. Back Alley Pasta is favoured by locals who are looking for THE best pasta in Kuala Lumpur.
One of the best things about this place is that they all make their pasta by hand, so you can tell that each of their dishes is made with passion! Plus, it also helps that the place features bar-style seating where you and other guests can see the head chef preparing your dish.
It’s not just for show, however, as this style lets you see how your dish is made, giving you an idea of what you can taste when it’s served on your table. Speaking of taste, all of their pasta features amazing flavours, especially the squid ink carbonara.
Pro tip:
Visit them during the weekends to check out their “Weekend Brunch” menu! They offer a plethora of brunch items during these 2 days, and one of their best offerings we recommend you try is the back alley sando, which is essentially a striploin steak sandwich.
Small Shifting Space
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Address: 141, Jalan Petaling, City Centre
Contact details: +60 17-440 5591
Operating hours:
- Wednesday: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Wednesday: 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday: 4:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Small Shifting Space is a unique hidden gem found in the bustling streets of KL’s Chinatown. What once was a traditional shophouse is now an amazing restaurant that serves elevated dishes with a fun twist.
The reason why the restaurant is called this way is because the menu is always changing, and it’s based on the particular guest chef for the month. This way, customers can come back anytime they want and order something different—how cool is that?
Another reason why you should stop by this hidden gem is its impressive selection of wines. Trust us, there’s no better combination than a good slab of Angus steak and a fine-aged wine!
Pro tip:
If you’re planning on going on a night out in KL with your friends, you can start your pregame in this restaurant! They offer discounted rates on their drinks during happy hour, so be sure to visit before 7:00 PM!