The vibrant setting of the Big Brunch, with guests sitting and eating al fresco
Cover The long weekend involved food, drink, culture, in a collaboration between TRXEats and Tatler Dining
The vibrant setting of the Big Brunch, with guests sitting and eating al fresco

TRXEats was an unforgettable dining experience within The Exchange TRX, transforming it into a vibrant hub that brought people together over the love of food

Across the long weekend from May 29th to June 1st 2025 in The Exchange TRX, we held a collaborative event that featured a food crawl and a Big Brunch. With a slew of hidden gems in plain sight, we wanted to highlight the food offerings that are brimming with creativity and passion within the mall.

Across Friday and Saturday, we held an invite-only food crawl that featured KOLs and foodies within the industry, and we embarked on a journey together across a handful of restaurants around the mall. A Big Brunch was the culmination of this weekend. Held on the Dining Terrace of The Exchange TRX, open to all, foodies and experts alike were able to sample special dishes from our participating restaurants, and enjoy some tunes by DJ Meliha, all whilst enjoying the fresh air.

In case you missed it: The best steakhouses for Father's Day, according to Tatler Best 2025

arrow left arrow left
arrow right arrow right
Photo 1 of 9 The lively group with us for our first food crawl on the May 29th
Photo 2 of 9 Rosana Musa at Union Bistrot
Photo 3 of 9 Dr Fazliana Abd Rashid
Photo 4 of 9 Sarah Lian
Photo 5 of 9 Sheena Teo, Mughni Che Din
Photo 6 of 9 Grilling their perfectly seasoned meats at Tanba Japanese BBQ
Photo 7 of 9
Photo 8 of 9 Rosana Musa, Kaelen Azhari
Photo 9 of 9
The lively group from Day 1 Food Crawl!
Kaelen Azhari, Rosana
arrow left arrow left
arrow right arrow right
Photo 1 of 12 The fabulous guests for the second iteration of our crawl on Day 2
Photo 2 of 12 The third group for Day 2!
Photo 3 of 12 The famous hambagu from Mittoappu
Photo 4 of 12
Photo 5 of 12
Photo 6 of 12 Guests enjoying their meal in Mittoappu
Photo 7 of 12
Photo 8 of 12 Dr Premla Mahadevan,
Photo 9 of 12 Jas Chin
Photo 10 of 12 A tea ceremony in Upper Palace
Photo 11 of 12 Guests getting their meat grilled in front of them at Mittoappu
Photo 12 of 12 Allyson Yeo and Carey Ng
The fabulous guests for the second iteration of our crawl on Day 2
The third group for Day 2!
The famous hambagu from Mittoappu
Guests getting their meat grilled in front of them at Mittoappu

Kicking off the weekend was the invite-only food crawl, an intimate affair with around 20 people in each group. Crafted and curated, each restaurant and the order in which they were visited was intentional, mimicking a tasting menu across the different restaurants. Hosted by Tatler Dining, the chosen guests were indulged by participating restaurants, including Tucker & Co, Tanba Japanese BBQ, Saffron and Spices, Union Bistrot, OMI Wagyu, Mittoappu, and Upper Palace.

Each group had a handful of restaurants that were part of their route. Tasting sample sizes of signature dishes, having one-on-one time with chefs, and maybe a special off-menu item here and there allowed for a fulfilling (and certainly full!) experience.

From contemporary Asian fusion to international flavours, the food crawl offered a comprehensive taste of the culinary diversity that makes The Exchange TRX a destination for discerning food enthusiasts, and a chance to discover the stories behind the chefs and their venues.

arrow left arrow left
arrow right arrow right
Photo 1 of 13 The vibrant setting of the Big Brunch, with guests sitting and eating al fresco
Photo 2 of 13 Han Hin Lai
Photo 3 of 13 DJ Meliha on the decks, providing us with head bopping tunes throughout the late morning and early afternoon
Photo 4 of 13
Photo 5 of 13 Danny Leong
Photo 6 of 13 Emma Chong, Mr Johnston
Photo 7 of 13
Photo 8 of 13 Katelyn Tan, Raymond Tham, Danny Leong, Chong Yu Cheng
Photo 9 of 13 Katelyn Tan, Gerrie Beh
Photo 10 of 13 The Tatler Dining team!
Photo 11 of 13 The beautiful airy space of the Dining Terrace where guests can mingle, eat, and play
Photo 12 of 13
Photo 13 of 13
The vibrant setting of the Big Brunch, with guests sitting and eating al fresco
DJ Meliha on the decks, providing us with head bopping tunes throughout the late morning and early afternoon
The Tatler Dining team!

The weekend culminated with a grand event held on The Dining Terrace that gave way to the ultimate celebration of food, music, and community. Somewhere between a festival and a food fair, the event featured a staggering variety of restaurants, including Las Meninas, Chica Bonita Elegante, Elementary, Quivo, Cafe Colombo, and Warung Eropa.

With each restaurant presenting specially curated menus, guests were spoilt for choice between perfectly crisp fish and chips from Elementary, flavour bombs that were the tacos from Chica Bonita Elegante, or the succulent satay from Warung Eropa.

Live music, good food, long weekend, all with a sangria in hand—what else could be better?

arrow left arrow left
arrow right arrow right
Photo 1 of 6 Las Meninas, serving up tapas and paella
Photo 2 of 6 Chica Bonita Elegante, serving up enchiladas, churros, and tacos
Photo 3 of 6 Warung Eropa, serving up satay and other classic Indonesian street food
Photo 4 of 6 Cafe Colombo, with biryani on their menu
Photo 5 of 6 Quivo serving up fan favourite pizzas
Photo 6 of 6 Elementary with perfectly battered fish and chips, and an ice cold pint

We had a wonderful time seeing so many faces across the weekend, and allowed our local dining scene and culinary talents to showcase their expertise. We wanted to allow guests the opportunity to discover new flavours, meet the artisans behind the restaurants, and enjoy the company of like-minded peers.

As the long weekend drew to a close, it was clear: food is an integral part of the lives of so many Malaysians, and its power to bring people together is second to none. It wasn't just about showcasing the talent within The Exchange TRX anymore, it was about celebrating people, food, and culture, bringing the community together, and that is what makes the culinary scene so extraordinary.

Topics

Keandra H'ng
Senior Writer, Dining & Travel, Tatler Malaysia
Tatler Asia
Portrait of Keandra

Keandra's expertise lies within writing deep dives into the culture and anthropology of food, sometimes with a philosophical twist. With a background in London's F&B consultancy scene, she's excited to be back in Kuala Lumpur to champion the local dining scene.

 

Reach her at keandra.hing@tatlerasia.com, @keandruh