Cover The recipients of Tatler Dining Malaysia's 2024 Best of the Year Awards

Discover the 9 special award winners of this year's Tatler Dining Awards

The Tatler Dining Awards comprise the 20 Best Restaurants, an unranked collection of the city's most impactful restaurants, and the Best of the Year awards, which are given to those who have excelled in their field in the past year. The winners are selected from a pool of nearly 200 restaurants by our panel of industry leaders and tastemakers, and embody the tenacity, grit and flair that it takes to excel at the highest levels of gastronomy. 

This year, the Tatler Dining Guide has taken on a whole new format, including more restaurants and more input from our panellists. Rather than sending individual reviewers to restaurants for physical reviews, our panel of industry leaders and tastemakers were responsible for nominating and voting to help us arrive at this year’s Best Restaurants list, a collection of the year’s most interesting, impactful, and inspiring restaurants. The same panel also helped us determine the awardees for the Best of the Year Awards.

Experiences from our panel contributed towards the content of the restaurants listed in the guide. This has resulted in expanding the breadth and diversity of restaurants featured in our guide; and more importantly, it has allowed us to expand our scope to cover many new countries across the region as we introduce Tatler Best Restaurants Asia, our definitive list of the 100 top restaurants to visit, and the movers and shakers making a difference in dining culture writ large.

Growing by five categories this year, the Best of the Year awards crowned the Best Pastry Chef, Best Sommelier, Chef of the Year, Restaurant of the Year, and more. Without further ado, read on to find out the full list of winners for Tatler Dining Malaysia’s Best of the Year awards 2023.

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Rising Star: Adrian Low of Akar Dining

Tatler Asia
Aidan Low of Akar Dining (Photo: Akar Dining)
Above Aidan Low (Photo: Akar Dining)

Aidan Low has impressed with his contributions to the industry in the past year, working on exciting collaborations and pushing the envelope with new menus featuring groundbreaking dishes. However, through all the changes, progress, and innovation, Low never fails to lose sight of what Akar Dining does best—champion local ingredients and present them in tasteful ways.

Akâr Dining
French   |   $ $ $

109, Jalan Aminuddin Baki, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur

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Best New Restaurant: Potager

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The main dining room of Potager (Photo: Potager)
Above Potager's main dining room (Photo: Potager)

It goes without saying the opening of Potager was one of the most highly anticipated in recent years, and it has certainly lived up to the hype. From the moment you first step foot into the establishment, the attention to detail is apparent in every aspect, from dish execution and plating to service and ambience.

Potager
French

Unit P11, Bamboo Hills, Off Lebuhraya DUKE, 51200 Kuala Lumpur

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Best Interior: Kikyo

Tatler Asia
Kikyo's interior (Photo: Kikyo)
Above Kikyo's interior (Photo: Kikyo)

Nestled at the foot of Lord Norman Foster’s Gotham-esque Troika skyscraper, Kikyo’s sophisticated setting does its location’s pedigree justice. This Japanese restaurant sets to stun from the first impression with a metallic fractal light sculpture that dominates its double-height atrium. While the blazing fire from the open kitchen fuelled by straw is a scene-stealer, Kikyo’s interiors feel infused with warmth courtesy of the glinting gold screens against a backdrop of glossy subway tiles.

Kikyo
Japanese

Lot G-3, The Troika, 19, Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, 50490 Kuala Lumpur

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Best Sommelier: Hafiz of DC Restaurant

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The interior of DC Restaurant (Photo: DC Restaurant)
Above A private room within DC Restaurant (Photo: DC Restaurant)

Hafiz not only knows his wine, but elevates the dining experience at DC Restaurant with his curations and recommendations.

DC Restaurant
French   |   $ $ $ $

44 Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur

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Best Pastry Chef: Viyern Ooi of Ignis KL

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Viyern Ooi of Ignis KL (Photo: Ignis KL)
Above Viyern Ooi of Ignis KL (Photo: Ignis KL)

Viyern Ooi stuns with technical skill as well as innovation in the pastry world. She currently impresses guests with delightful desserts at Ignis KL.

Ignis KL
Steakhouse & Grill   |   $ $ $

G-02A, Ground Level, The Sphere, No. 1, Avenue 1, Bangsar South City, 8, Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 Kuala Lumpur

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Best Service: A Little Farm On The Hill

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A Little Farm On The Hill's dining area (Photo: A Little Farm On The Hill)
Above A Little Farm On The Hill's farmhouse (Photo: A Little Farm On The Hill)

Dining at A Little Farm On The Hill is a refreshingly informal contrast to Kuala Lumpur’s urban fine dining scene, with its natural, breezy surroundings. With seasonal menus that can be tailored to guest preferences and a farm tour succeeding a meal here, the restaurant goes above and beyond to create a memorable dining experience.

A Little Farm On The Hill

Lot 161, Tanarimba Janda Baik, Persiaran Enderong, Bukit Tinggi, 28750 Bentong, Pahang

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Chef of the Year: Masashi Horiuchi of Entier and Potager

Tatler Asia
Masashi Horiuchi of Entier and Potager (Photo: Potager)
Above Masashi Horiuchi (Photo: Potager)

With the opening of Potager and his success with Entier, Masashi Horiuchi has undoubtedly made a significant impact on our local dining scene with his culinary vision. He uplifts local farmers and producers, expertly combining classic French techniques with Japanese artistry and Malaysian ingredients.

Entier French Dining
French   |   $ $

Level 41 at Alila Bangsar, 58 Jalan Ang Seng, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur

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Potager
French

Unit P11, Bamboo Hills, Off Lebuhraya DUKE, 51200 Kuala Lumpur

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Impact Award: Darren Teoh of Dewakan

Tatler Asia
Dewakan's Darren Teoh (Photo: Dewakan)
Above Darren Teoh (Photo: Dewakan)

A firm believer in a brighter culinary landscape, Darren Teoh champions indigenous and endemic ingredients as the chef-patron of Dewakan. The co-founder of Kita Food Festival has undoubtedly made his mark on Malaysia’s dining scene and is committed to his talented team, allowing them to grow outside the kitchen. 

Dewakan
Local   |   $ $ $ $

Level 48, Skyviews, Naza Tower, Platinum Park, No. 10 Persiaran KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur

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Restaurant of the Year: Restaurant au Jardin

Tatler Asia
Restaurant au Jardin's space (Photo: Restaurant au Jardin)
Above Restaurant au Jardin's space (Photo: Restaurant au Jardin)

This award recognises the highest ranking restaurant, as voted on by our panel of industry leaders and tastemakers, and with everything Su Kim Hock and his team have achieved, Restaurant au Jardin is deservedly Restaurant of the Year. The inimitable cuisine produced at the hands of the establishment’s talented team is revered across the country and internationally.

Restaurant au Jardin
French   |   $ $ $ $

125, Jalan Timah, 10150 George Town, Penang

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