Best-of Guides Malaysia

Your Ultimate Guide for Dining Solo in Malaysia

8 Restaurants
Here are some recommended places by our MICHELIN Guide inspectors where you can savour delicious food that showcases the rich and diverse culinary tapestry of Malaysia — whether you're dining with company or not.
Updated on 25 November 2024

When traveling to Malaysia, besides exploring the local scenery and culture, there is a plethora of restaurants worth visiting. If you're travelling on your own, many of these establishments are well-suited for solo diners, too — offering single-portion set menus or bar seating — where you can dine comfortably and interact closely with the chefs. But whether you're traveling solo or not, you can savour delicious food ranging from exquisite cuisine to authentic street food, showcasing the rich and diverse culinary tapestry of Malaysia.

Here are some restaurants recommended by our MICHELIN Guide inspectors that are perfect for single diners.

Kuala Lumpur:

Beta
Lot 3 & 4, GF, Cormar Suites, 10 Jalan Perak, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
$$$ · Malaysian

The interior design at MICHELIN-Starred Beta is distinctive, creating a mysterious and enchanting atmosphere that fully immerses its guests.

The gourmet journey begins in the front hall, where a server guides you to sample cocktails and tapas. The chef's thoughtfully prepared seasonal set meals are perfect for solo indulgence. In the main dining room, the open kitchen offers a view of the cooking process, allowing guests to appreciate the chef's exceptional skills and savour an unforgettable Malaysian-style dining experience.





Anak Baba
159 Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
$ · Malaysian

Bib Gourmand restaurant Anak Baba specialises in Malaysian and Peranakan cuisine, offering made-to-order dishes that may seem simple but showcase strong local flavours.

The menu features a curated selection, and the servings primarily come in small portions, allowing solo diners to sample a variety of dishes. The homemade sambal sauce is a house specialty, enhancing the aroma and flavour of the dishes.

Jalan Ipoh Claypot Chicken Rice
Lot 1224, 7 Jalan Batu Ambar, Taman Kok Lian, 51200 Kuala Lumpur
$ · Street Food

Another Bib Gourmand recognised stall, Jalan Ipoh Claypot Chicken Rice has been in business for over 30 years and has a front sign that simply reads "Claypot Chicken Rice".

Their made-to-order claypot chicken rice is cooked on several rows of charcoal stoves, emitting a mouth-watering aroma that draws diners from all over. The tender and juicy chicken is served over rice, accompanied by Chinese sausage and shredded ginger, seasoned with soy sauce, and topped with crispy rice crust. For an added depth of flavour, you can opt to include salted fish. The restaurant offers two portion sizes, with the small size perfect for one person.

Bōl
15 Jalan Sin Chew Kee, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur
$$ · Asian Contemporary

The dishes at Bōl contain a lot of herbs and spices and in addition to Nyonya cuisine, they also contain distinct Singaporean and Malaysian touches, bringing rich layers of taste and reinterpreting Southeast Asian flavours in a creative manner.

At Bōl, there are a variety of set meals to choose from, all of which are presented in portions per person, allowing guests to taste more Nyonya dishes. Some packages require advanced booking, so best to get in touch with the restaurant.

Cilantro
MiCasa All Suite Hotel, 368B Jalan Tun Razak, Taman U Thant, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
$$$$ · French Contemporary

Led by Japanese head chef Takashi Kimura, the lunch set at Cilantro features simple and classic French cuisine, while the evening set menu offers a multi-course tasting experience of selected delicacies.

The cuisine primarily follows a French style with Japanese influences. Each menu is custom-tailored for guests and can be paired with a glass of wine to enhance the meal's flavours. Here, you can leisurely savour French delights and enjoy a relaxed, comfortable dining experience — perfect for solo diners.

Ling Long
L2-04, Block E, The Five@KPD, 49 Jalan Dungun, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
$$$$ · Innovative

The chef at Ling Long excels at blending French cooking techniques with Chinese ingredients, creating unique dishes that merge traditional and innovative flavours.

The open kitchen, adjacent to the bar seats, allows for spontaneous interactions with the young chef team, creating a friendly and warm atmosphere for guests. With a multi-course selection of set menus, the chef personally introduces each dish during the meal, enhancing the dining experience.

Penang:

Au Jardin
The Warehouse@Hin Bus Depot, 125 Jalan Timah, 10150 George Town
$$$ · European Contemporary

The tasting menu at MICHELIN-Starred Au Jardin features a wide array of Malaysian ingredients, many sourced within a 20-kilometre radius of the premises.

Additionally, the restaurant offers a green tasting menu consisting entirely of vegetarian dishes made with local ingredients. Counter seating faces the kitchen, allowing guests to interact closely with the chef team and enhance their dining experience.

Rasa Rasa
59 Gat Lebuh Chulia, 10300 George Town
$ · Peranakan

The furniture at Rasa Rasa is crafted from recycled materials, and potted green plants add a fresh, natural ambiance.

The main dish here is the nasi lemak, with the "Nyonya Combination Set" being especially popular. The nasi lemak includes a variety of special ingredients, making it perfect for solo dining. The store takes great care in the presentation to highlight the various flavours of the dishes. Additionally, the homemade chili sambal sauce is aromatic and moderately spicy, making it a must-try.



Header image by MICHELIN.
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Rates in HKD for 1 night, 1 guest