[PHOTOS] SAYS Top 13 Unique, Offbeat Places To Dine In Klang Valley
Thinking of somewhere unconventional for an upcoming special night? Dining at these offbeat cafe and restaurants with a loved one might make you fall in love again. Just make you sure give the restaurant a little call before heading off on your unforgettable night!
By Mei Mei Chu — 07 Feb 2014, 04:46 PM — Updated over 10 years ago
1. Adventurous: Free your taste buds from the distraction of sight and truly savour the flavours in your food at DINING IN THE DARK
A restaurant in total darkness. A completely new sensory experience. DINING in the DARK KL, the very first of its kind in Malaysia. The optic nerve is overridden – your other senses take over. Every sound, every movement, every taste, every breath is an adventure! One may think it a challenge, or simply a unique experience of learning and discovery. All you need to do is step in with an open heart (with some excitement of course) and, trust our expert guides to lead you through the whole dining experience.
dininginthedarkkl.com
Food: Surprise, Halal
Address: 46 Changkat Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: 03 2110 0431
dininginthedarkkl.com
2. Vintage: Go back to your grandparent's time and have comfort food in the pre-war shophouses at OLD CHINA CAFE
One of the oldest restaurants in KL, spicy food has a starring role at this eatery although the less spicy options such as soya bean and tamarind are more than pleasant for diners who don’t enjoy a burning mouth. Highlights include the fish head curry, devil curry chicken and an outstanding (we don’t use this word lightly) beef rendang. Diners have their meals surrounded by art at this charming nook.
The premises was formerly the guild hall of the Selangor & Federal Territory Laundry Association. Many of the architectural details of the building have remained unchanged, even the doors to the kitchen still have wooden latches. This type of pre-war shophouses may not exist much longer. Old China Café tries to maintain a semblance of the Chinese community’s old social life is fading into history. This café is to remind us of the hard work carried out by the early Chinese settlers of Kuala Lumpur way back in 1857 when tin was first mined in Ampang.
Food: Malaysian and Nyonya food
Address: 11, Jalan Balai Polis, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03 2072 5915
3. Gastronomic: Taste what food stylist Isadora Chai has in store for you at BISTRO à TABLE
The long-anticipated restaurant opening by KL’s culinary wünderkind and much-lauded ‘take-home’ chef Isadora Chai marks a historic moment in Malaysia’s gastronomic landscape. The Australian and French-trained Chai’s food is exquisitely presented and creates unforgettable taste sensation chance to get bored with the single page menu because it changes according to what’s fresh and best in the market.
Pan-seared line-caught Barramundi with Summer Vegetables (RM48/USD16).
Image via http://www.j2kfm.com/
Coddled Maple Syrup Egg with Crouton Dust & Fleur de Sel (RM16/USD5)
Image via http://www.j2kfm.com/
Food: French cuisine with Asian elements by Chef Isadora Chai
Add: 6 Jalan 17/54, 46400 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03 7931 2831
4. Romantic: Surround yourself with the beautiful scent and colours of orchids as you have afternoon tea at THE ORCHID CONSERVATORY
Showcasing a hanging garden and orchidscape within a glass atrium, this botanical wonder is the only one of its kind in the country. The Orchid Conservatory features a seasonal range of phalaenopsis orchids; with thousands of stunning large-petaled blooms displayed in a re-creation of their natural habitat. As the seasons progress, so do the variety of orchids on display.
majestickl.com
Food: High Tea
Address: The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur, 5, Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin
Tel: 03 2785 8000
5. Musical: Have a funky night of good food and live music at Malaysia's first acid jazz restaurant & bar, PORCÉLENE
One of 2013's most notable newbies, Porcélene is a fun, funky hangout billed as Malaysia's first acid jazz restaurant & bar, determined to deliver a distinctive dining experience that lives up to its tagline of 'coup de foudre,' the struck-by-lightning sense of love at first sight.
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In an attempt to revolutionize Malaysia’s F&B scene, Porcélene is committed to raise the bar in regards to the level of sublime gastronomical satisfaction, beverage alchemy and live music entertainment value. Our goals in our Asian-European Fusion menu is to introduce a fun and flavourful menu that is acceptable to the local and a visiting foreigner’s palate.
porcelene.com.my
Have a funky night of good food and live music at the only and only PORCÉLENE, Malaysia's first acid jazz restaurant & bar.
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Asian Diver (RM28), another tapas-style treat of sauteed scallops with rock salt & asparagus.
Image via eatdrinkkl
Porcélene's mushroom soup (RM15) is a good one, a light, lovely cream of five types of fungi, drizzled with truffle oil & almonds.
Image via eatdrinkkl
Pantai Timur (RM36), a Malaysian-influenced recipe with mixed seafood & sambal belacan.
Image via eatdrinkklFood: Asian-European Fusion
Address: Lot 13, Empire Galeri, Heritage Lane, No.2, Jalan PJU 8/8A, Damansara Perdana
Tel: 03 4065 0039
porcelene.com.my
6. Simple: It's all-day breakfast and poolside views at the understated and unpretentious JAM & KAYA CAFÉ
Jam & Kaya brings the Klang Valley's best year yet for independent cafes to a triumphant close; visiting this winsome venue is a potent reminder to value the people who pour their hearts into creating these places. Jam & Kaya represents the friendship of Janice & Karen, who studied in Melbourne this past decade & left with the dream of running the kind of cafe they cherished there. Janice's subsequent stint learning the art of pastry-making at Le Cordon Bleu Paris supplied the culinary foundation for the two to open Jam & Kaya this month by the pool of PJ Palms Sports Center.
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The inside is as quaint as the outside suggests. It's very hipster - check out those spools and sofa chairs! Exposed brick, light bulbs suspended from the ceiling, mismatched furniture - they have it all.
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The Jam & Kaya Cafe is located within the PJ Palms Sports Centre in a cute little house with a walkway leading up to it.
Image via rolypolymatrimony
Food: All-day-breakfast, coffee and cakes
Address: PJ Palms Sports Centre, No 1, Lorong Sultan, 46200 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 016 667 5078
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7. Swanky: Celebrate a night of glamour, elegance, and classy sophistication at one of the most beautiful restaurants in KL, CAFÉ CAFÉ
The French inspired Café Café is arguably the most beautiful restaurant in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. The couture panelled walls and the classy décor creates a sense of style with simple elegance. Café Café spells glamorous, sexy and decadent. It is a rare place for food lovers conveying an ambience of understated sophistication that portrays the "modern French Chateau" style.
cafecafe.com.my
The dessert – Chocolate Tart was good though. It’s easy because chocolate is loved universally.
Image via flickr.com
Burgundy Cheeks of Wagyu with Red Wine Sauce, served with Du Puy Lentils and Seasonal Mushroom @ RM72.
Image via flickr.comFood: French / Italian
Address: 175, Jalan Maharajalela, 50150 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2141 8141
cafecafe.com.my
8. Charming: Hidden in an unassuming bungalow lot, you might mistake the homey charm of KOKOPELLI'S TRAVELLERS BISTRO as just another quaint-looking home
This bistro is converter from a bungalow lot. Its kinda difficult to spot on if you ask cos it looks just like any other ordinary bungalow lot. Who the heck will realise that there's a Bistro in such a cosy house? Not for me though, I think it's just some cool lot!
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Kokopelli serves both local and western cuisine. From the unpretentious char koay teow and lou shue fun to grilled steaks and pastas, there seemed to be something for everyone. Prices were very reasonable too.
Hidden in an unassuming bungalow lot, you might mistake the homey charm of KOKOPELLI'S TRAVELLERS BISTRO as just another house.
Image via broscheloo
Hidden in an unassuming bungalow lot, you might mistake the homey charm of KOKOPELLI'S TRAVELLERS BISTRO as just another quaint-looking home.
Image via blogspot.com
Hidden in an unassuming bungalow lot, you might mistake the homey charm of KOKOPELLI'S TRAVELLERS BISTRO as just another house.
Image via myfavouritetaste
Hidden in an unassuming bungalow lot, you might mistake the homey charm of KOKOPELLI'S TRAVELLERS BISTRO as just another house.
Image via awhiffoflemongrass
Food: Asian and western
Address: 4 Jalan 20/7 Taman Paramount, 46100 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03 7956 7505
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9. Nature: For a mini getaway, forget the stress of the city and dine in the virgin forests of Bukit Lanjan in SUBAK
Built on the fringes of the natural virgin jungles of Bukit Lanjan, subak is a sanctuary that promises diners a culinary journey of fine food and personalised service. In keeping with the dynamic Balinese culture that is constantly fusing the old and traditional, with the new and innovative; subak aims to emulate this concept by blending its rustic decor with functional yet unique furniture and fittings. The soothing sounds of flowing water from our own fresh water spring, and the natural cacophony of crickets and other jungle dwellers is the perfect backdrop for Chef Hassan’s gastronomic creations.
subak.com.my
For a mini getaway, forget the stress of the city and dine in the virgin forests of Bukit Lanjan in SUBAK.
Image via vkeong
For a mini getaway, forget the stress of the city and dine in the virgin forests of Bukit Lanjan in SUBAK.
Image via vkeong
For a mini getaway, forget the stress of the city and dine in the virgin forests of Bukit Lanjan in SUBAK.
Image via vkeong
Food: Balinese, Halal
Address: Lot 3213 Jalan Penchala Indah, Bukit Lanjan 60000
Tel: 3-7729 9030 / 31
subak.com.my
10. Sumptuous: If you love your meat, the salamis and hams hanging from the ceiling of NEROTECA will excite you
Neroteca is a non-halal restaurant and deli, specializing in authentic Italian dishes with pork. A long, tall, narrow glass box, bright lights, wall-to-wall wine, pasta and sauces, with hanging salami and ham, it hosts a unique friendly atmosphere with a quaint atmosphere. Neroteca packs in people, energy and great flavours. There is nowhere like Neroteca anywhere in the city.
neroteca.comNeroteca specializes in Italian dishes with pork, with salamis and ham hanging from ceilings. With floor-to-ceiling shelves stocked with Italian kitchen staples and the widest selection of Italian wines in Kuala Lumpur, a deli case bursting with Italian meats and cheeses, and a sweet little bar fronting an authentically macho espresso machine, Neroteca is the closest thing to an enoteca this side of Florence.
Neroteca’s risotto con funghi with mixed mushrooms and rucola green peas (RM32) .
Image via kampungboycitygal
Food: Italian, Non-halal
Address: Unit G-1, Seri Bukit Ceylon, No. 8, Lorong Ceylon, 50250 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03 2070 0530
11. Casual: The words "Lobster Briyani" should be enough to convince you to have a go at FIERCE CURRY HOUSE
This round at Fierce Curry House challenged our perception of this popular dish. Boston Lobster, King Prawn and Scallop Biryanis are recently perfected variations. Taste seems just as important as presentation.
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Food: Indian, Halal
Address: 16 Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar Utama, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 019 383 0945 / 03 2202 3456
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12. Relaxing: Feed both your tummy and your soul with a luxe, jungle experience at TAMARIND SPRINGS
Nestled within Ampang’s natural forest reserve, Tamarind Springs offers fine contemporary Indochinese cuisine. Tamarind Springs’ elegant décor, infused with traditional and rustic Asian furnishings, adds to its warm and cosy ambience, while knowledgeable staff are at hand to help. Start with their recommended Vietnamese pan fried pesto and snakehead fish roe crisp, before trying their Phnom Penh wagyu beef lok lak with lime and black pepper.
Food: Traditional Indochinese Village Cuisine, Halal
Address: Jalan 1, Taman Tun Abdul Razak (TAR), Ampang, KL
Tel: 03 4256 9300
tamarindrestaurants.com
13. Unconventional: End the night with drinks on a helipad as you watch the soothing sunset at the HELI LOUNGE BAR
Drinking on a heli pad? That’s a winning combo. There are two parts to Heli Lounge Bar: a proper bar on level 34 of Menara KH and a (active) helipad on top of the building. In order to go up to the helipad, you’ll need to climb a few flights of stairs, and it’s not for the lazy. On the helipad, you will get a stunning 360-degree view of KL city.
Address: HeliLounge Bar @ Menara KH, 50250 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: 03 2110 5034
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