5 Best Restaurants in Malaysia

Taking its name from the Malay word for sesame, Bijan is a top pick for many Malaysians when taking out-of-towners to sample authentic local cuisine. Head chef Zulkifli Razali brings a haute touch to classic Malay dishes, such as beef rendang (a dry meat curry) and kerabu pucuk paku (fiddlehead fern salad). Book a spot on the chef's Saturday morning tours through Chow Kit's markets to discover many of the quintessential ingredients of Malay cooking. Homemade ice cream is served in local flavors, including durian ( the "king of fruits"), so save room for dessert.

About 10 minutes' drive outside the city center, this is hands-down the best steak house in KK, but it's Raja Sagaran, the owner, who probably deserves credit for people coming back. He's around almost every night, often mingling with diners. The beef and lamb is flown in from Australia and New Zealand, and the portions are generous, so order light. The inside of the restaurant is filled with bric-a-brac and monkey paraphernalia—there are even masks on hand if you cannot resist the photo opportunity. Weekend visitors should make a reservation, as this place fills up fast.

If steak and seafood are on your list of vacation indulgences, this picturesque waterfront dining spot ticks all the boxes. Dine with a view of the beach, or sit next to the show kitchen for some culinary theater. The extensive wine list is recommended, as is the caviar selection supplied by local brand T’lur, the first-ever caviar harvested from coldwater fish in a tropical climate.

Chef Katsuji Takabayashi, who has cooked in the kitchens of five-star hotels around the world, serves up top-notch sushi at this hillside, seafront venue. Diners can choose to be seated at Western-style tables on the first floor, Japanese-floor cushions on the second, or at tables touched by the sea breeze in the garden terrace. The wine cellar is stocked with a wide selection of wine and sake, and you can pick out fish for the chef to prepare from an on-site aquarium. It's a great spot to watch the sunset while dining on an assortment of fresh sashimi.