15 dining venues to visit in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur

Asian flavours meet contemporary creativity atop Chinatown’s B Hotel at the newly opened Upper House. The minds behind Beta KL and Skillet KL, the rooftop venue offers both familiar comfort food with modern twists and bespoke cocktails.

Expect Wagyu ox tongue served on Bengali roti, octopus paired with laksam sauce and ulam raja, and an elevated take on clay pot rice. At the bar, signature cocktails take shape with cucumber cordial, dragonfruit yoghurt, Rosso-infused monk fruit, and other unexpected but welcome additions. 

REXKL’s enclave of eateries has finally welcomed a ramen bar. Raijin Ramen Bar offers comforting bowls of broth that bridge the craft of traditional ramen-making with contemporary flair. Each bowl comprises noodles imported from Japan and broths made by stewing pork bones for 10 hours. Limiting its output to 100 bowls daily, you’ll find its classic Shiro Ramen of rich pork bone broth, Kuro Ramen drizzled with black garlic oil, and its Midori Ramen infused Southeast Asian flavours alongside a selection of yakitori and snacks. 

Bringing an element of flair to croissants and other pastries is Flaaah. This bakery-café made waves with its PB&J croissant when it first started operations a few years ago. You can never go wrong with its ham & cheese croissants, peach strudels, and lemon meringue tarts. Aside from its flagship here, you might also spot its croissant footsteps in other venues around the city, like The Five @ KPD and Suria KLCC. 

Embrace the plant-based lifestyle with The Hungry Tapir, one of the city’s most well-known and well-loved eateries, where local favourites are vegan. Its colourful, vibrant, and fun space lends itself to some of the most delectable meat-free bites in town, including its satay, nasi lemak, and nasi ulam. Don’t forget to bring along your fur kids for your trip here too, as its patio space is pet-friendly!

A day spent in Chinatown would be incomplete without a visit to RexKL. Fafaba is the dining and lifestyle hub’s in-house ferment specialist and bottle shop equipped with funky, natural pours from around the globe. Besides a comprehensive wine list of oranges, rosés, and more, the spot also offers kombucha, sake, and an assortment of tinned seafood to pair with each glass. 

Just down the street from The Hungry Tapir is its bakery little sister, LaGula. Rattan motifs set against its signature pastel pink walls combine to make an airy and fun space in which to enjoy your bites and bakes. While there, you can pick a cushion seat on its grandstand-like seating area or a spot along its wavy counter. Favourites on the menu include its Florals for Spring salad, See-Food Platter, and the LaGula Big Brekkie.

Set in an old shophouse with much of its interiors and features preserved, ChoCha Foodstore combines heritage and cuisine under one roof, where local ingredients and flavours shine. This casual eatery was named in Tatler Dining’s Top 20 Restaurants of 2023 for its creative takes on classic dishes and local produce. You might also spot other Southeast Asian favourites on the menu while there. Standouts include the ChoCha Fried Chicken 3.0, salted sinsilog noodles, and stingray on toast.

A slice of Barcelona has found its home in Chinatown’s Barra, a must-visit when in search of tapas. Equipped with an open kitchen, you can expect time-honoured Spanish classics here alongside contemporary interpretations. Here, you’ll find Black Angus tenderloin tartare crowned with cured quail egg yolk, classic gammas al ajillo, Atlantic octopus accented with chimichurri and saffron aioli, and more.

A standout proves to be one of its paellas which features Spanish rice simmered in lobster broth before being topped with Carabinero red prawns. To round out your meal, order its house-made sangria, a blend of red wine, fruits, brandy, and orange juice. 

Good News Pizza is a relatively new addition to the neighbourhood, serving freshly tossed pizzas straight from its wood-fired oven. Embellished with their signature leopard crusts, the pizzas here are made Neapolitan-style, which has a puffy and chewy crust and a damper centre. Highlights of the pizza offerings include the quattro formaggi, funghi, and diavola. There are also small plates and pastas available to supplement your meals. 

For over six decades now, Nam Heong Chicken Rice on Jalan Sultan has been bringing the best of chicken essences and aromas from Ipoh to the Chinatown neighbourhood. Using the same recipe it first started out with, Nam Heong Chicken Rice, which appears on the Michelin Guide’s Bib Gourmand lists of 2023 and 2024, is known for its fragrant rice, silky smooth poached chicken, and crispy roasted chicken. Bulk up your meal with an order of its siew yoke or charsiew, and you’re in for a treat.

On the drinks side of things, look no further than Penrose KL for a bespoke and tasteful cocktail experience. Led by Jon Lee, Penrose KL earned itself a spot on the prestigious Asia’s 50 Best Bars list in 2023, a testament to its artfully crafted and sophisticated cocktails that hit all the marks. Named after mathematician and Nobel Prize winner Sir Roger Penrose, the 25-seater bar is hard to miss with its industrial-style entrance set against the shophouses along Jalan Petaling.

Within the Four Points by Sheraton Kuala Lumpur, Chinatown hotel is Jann, a classy cocktail hangout that pays homage to the illustrious history of the neighbourhood. Grab a seat on its outdoor patio and sip to the views of the Kuala Lumpur skyline! Our favourite tipples include its gin-based Hu Li Jing with butterfly pea flower and the unique Cham’O with Jameson whisky and Roku Gin. 

If you love hidden hangouts that burst with energy once you walk in, then Concubine is for you. Tucked away in a hip alley of Chinatown, this Concubine serves both cocktails, like its Kung Fu Pandan and Snickers drinks, and bites, including its ever-popular Keropok Nachos, to supplement your nights out on the town. Look out for guest shifts and guest DJs taking over the reins each weekend.

Just a hop and skip away from Concubine is XO, another solid choice for a night of drinks and dancing where you can yourself into its pink-lit space. While its drinks are reliable, its food also takes centre stage with substantial plates for you to feast on before the night truly begins. We love its Grandmaster Smash burger, Get Chick or Die Trying chicken sandwich, and seared tuna sharing plate.