8 romantic restaurants in Kuala Lumpur for the best date night
One of the fastest-growing cities in Asia, the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur is a place with a vibrant atmosphere and an eclectic culture. This is where Malaysian tradition meets cutting-edge modernity and a city where just about anything seems possible.
If you're planning a romantic dinner date in Kuala Lumpur, you're in luck. The city has an incredible choice of places to eat, so whether you're looking for a fine dining restaurant or a chic café, chances are you'll find it here. And while Kuala Lumpur is one of the best places in the world to get Malaysian food, there's much more on offer on the menus of the city.
Whether you want to stick to KL Sentral or are willing to travel a little further to find the perfect romantic ambiance, you'll have an easier time finding the best romantic restaurants in Kuala Lumpur if you travel light. That's where Bounce can help. Whether you're a tourist trying to safely store some heavy luggage or you live in the city and just need to drop off your work things, shopping, or a gym bag, Bounce provides convenient luggage storage in Kuala Lumpur, so you never have to carry more than you need to. Ditch the bags and track down the perfect romantic restaurant for your next date night in Kuala Lumpur.
Thirty8
Located in the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur city centre, Thirty8 is one of the most romantic restaurants in Kuala Lumpur and one of the very best options if you want a fine dining restaurant that will really impress your date. Like many of the most romantic restaurants in this highly vertical city, Thirty8 offers an incredible view over Kuala Lumpur itself. Thanks to its location on the 38th floor of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, this fine dining restaurant lets you enjoy exquisite ingredients creatively prepared while you enjoy the twinkling lights of this rapidly-growing city, including the stunning Petronas twin towers.
All this luxury doesn't come cheap, of course. But with a menu serving the very best of Malaysian and Asian cuisine combined with Western favorites, this is not only one of the most romantic restaurants in Kuala Lumpur but also one of the most delicious. If you really want to impress your date, there are few better locations to do it than this.
Our recommendation:
For something a little different, Thirty8 also serves high tea, so you could go for an afternoon date and enjoy this classic British tradition that has been wholeheartedly adopted in Malaysia.
Location:
Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, 12, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur
Price level:
$$$$
Strato at Troika Sky Dining
For an unforgettable dining experience, it's hard to beat the stunning view of the Kuala Lumpur skyline from this Italian restaurant. Troika Sky Dining is a kind of food court located on top of the Norman Foster-designed Troika building, but you can forget about fast food chains and cafeteria-style restaurants here. Some of the most romantic restaurants in Kuala Lumpur can be found at Troika Sky Dining, making it one of the city's top venues for romantic date nights and fine dining.
It's impossible to pick just one restaurant here, and we're not even going to try. Several of the best romantic restaurants on this list are in this location. But a standout is Strato, which offers incredible Italian food with delicious dishes that are almost as stunning as the view. Enjoy a romantic meal like wagyu beef cheek tortellini or eggplant parmigiana, and don't forget to leave room for dessert.
Our recommendation:
Italian food is generally a safe bet for vegetarians, and you'll find plenty to eat on the menu here if you're not a carnivore, so it's a great choice for a romantic restaurant if you or your partner don't eat meat.
Location:
Level 23A Tower B, The Troika, 19, Persiaran KLCC, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Price level:
$$$
Dining in the Dark
For an exciting twist on fine dining, visit this unusual restaurant where you can indulge your senses by depriving yourself of one of them.
Dark restaurants can be found around the world, and the concept is quite simple. Visually impaired servers bring food to your table while you and your dining partner sit in the dark. Not being able to see what you're eating adds a certain thrill to the meal, and it lets you focus fully on the taste sensations you're experiencing. Of course, you won't be able to see what your date is wearing until the lights go back on, but sometimes, anticipation makes things better anyway.
If you're worried about not being able to see the menu, don't be. There is no menu here. Instead, you're brought whatever the chefs decided to make that day, so you'll be in the dark in more than one way. One thing you can count on, though, is that the food will be expertly prepared and absolutely delicious and that you'll have a real adventure at one of the most unusual restaurants in Kuala Lumpur.
Our recommendation:
Keep an open mind. The four-course menu is out of your hands, so just sit back and enjoy what the chefs prepared. You can specify beforehand if you're a vegetarian, so you don't need to worry about any nasty surprises if you don't eat meat.
Location:
50A, Changkat Bukit Bintang, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Price level:
$$$
PRIVATE @ The Chow Kit
When it comes to creativity, the restauranteurs of Kuala Lumpur can't be beaten. The Chow Kit is one of the most popular boutique hotels in Kuala Lumpur, and its private dining experience is something you simply have to participate in when you're in the city.
Forget long lines and crowded restaurants. What could be a more romantic setting than having one of the hotel's guestrooms all to yourself? Book a meal at Private, and that's exactly what you'll get. A romantic multicourse meal with cocktails by Shawn Chong is served in a guestroom that you'll have all to yourself for three hours.
You can play your own music and arrange ahead of time to have the room filled with flowers, making this perhaps the city's most perfect option for romantic dates. With all that going on, the food almost seems like an afterthought, but don't underestimate the menu here. Choose from traditional Malaysian dishes like squid sambal petai and kacang botol, served with your choice of wine or incredible cocktails. And if you find yourself having too much of a good time, it may be helpful to know that you can book the room for the night at a 50% discount.
Our recommendation:
If Malaysian food isn't your style, they also offer a four-course Western menu, so this unforgettable dining experience has something for everyone.
Location:
1012, Jln Sultan Ismail, Chow Kit, 50100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Price level:
$$$$
Horizon Grill
Perched high on the 58th floor of the Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur, Horizon earns its name with absolutely incredible views of the city skyline. Offering what the hotel calls a "Gatsby-esque ambiance," the Horizon Grill doesn't rest on its breathtaking views of the KL city skyline. Instead, it brings together Western dishes with local classics for those who prefer Asian flavours guaranteed to wake up the taste buds. And if you have a head for heights, there's an outdoor terrace where you can get even more up close and personal with the breathtaking view.
Our recommendation:
This restaurant is especially known for its seafood, and the pan-roasted salmon is especially good. But don't forget to save room for one (or more) of this breathtaking restaurant's delectable desserts.
Location:
Level 58, Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur, No. 2, Jalan Conlay, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Price level:
$$$
Ruyi & Lyn
A shopping center may not seem like the best destination for a romantic date, but once you step into this sleek and stylish restaurant, you'll forget all about the unpromising location. Ruyi & Lyn combines flavors from across Asia in the best Malaysian tradition, so if you're looking for a fresh take on Japanese cuisine combined with the flavors and techniques of Chinese cookery, this is where you'll find it.
The menu here is big and is packed with local delights as well as creative takes on Asian cuisine. Bring your sense of adventure and explore this incredible menu for a romantic night that may also be one of the most delicious of your life.
Our recommendation:
Get the sushi platter, which combines Hainanese chicken rice and nasi lemak with mango sticky rice to create the kind of dish that could only exist in Malaysia.
Location:
4th Floor Annex Bangsar Shopping Centre, 285, Jalan Maarof, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Price level:
$$$
Bijan Bar
It's a shame that so many of the fine dining restaurants in Kuala Lumpur cater to the international crowd and focus on Western dishes, sometimes at the expense of the local cuisine. After all, Malaysian food is absolutely delicious, and enjoying it is part of appreciating the culture of this unique country.
Bijan Bar, located a stone's throw from Kuala Lumpur city center, is one of the absolute best places to try the kind of food you'll find in the traditional houses on the outskirts of the fast-growing city. The professional chefs bring modern techniques and knowledge to classic Malaysian culinary traditions, so you'll find some incredible flavors here. Plus, you can enjoy the lush greenery in the beautiful courtyard of this restaurant. Enjoy traditional dishes like rendang daging and masak lemak ikan under the twinkling fairy lights, and you'll see why this restaurant makes a perfect choice for date night.
Our recommendation:
Save room for the durian ice cream. This much-maligned and outrageously stinky fruit is perhaps best enjoyed in ice cream form, so you don't have to deal with the powerful smell.
Location:
No.3, Jalan Ceylon, Bukit Ceylon, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Price level:
$$$
Marble 8 Steakhouse
There are times when nothing but a good steak will do. And if that's how you're feeling, you could hardly hope for a more luxurious setting than Marble 8 Steakhouse. Located inside the Petronas twin towers on the 56th floor, a window table at this steakhouse will require you to plan ahead but rewards you with an absolutely incredible view over the city. And the food is as much of an attraction as the view, with expertly grilled Australian steaks providing a hearty meal that's bound to impress.
Marble 8 also offers an excellent wine cellar and an incredible selection of whiskeys that make the perfect end to a carnivorous meal. While not a place for vegetarians or for those traveling on a budget, this restaurant is the ideal venue if you want to splurge and treat yourself to some incredible hunks of meat.
Our recommendation:
Reservations are definitely required, especially if you want a table with a view.
Location:
Level 56, Menara 3 Petronas, Persiaran KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Price level:
$$$$
Conclusion
Kuala Lumpur is an absolutely incredible place to eat. Whether you want to sample world-leading fine dining or would rather enjoy the creativity of up-and-coming local chefs with the best street food in Kuala Lumpur, you won't struggle to find delicious things to eat here.
The city just keeps on growing, and most of the growth these days is vertical, so as you'd expect, there are also some incredible rooftop bars in Kuala Lumpur that make the perfect venues for an aperitif or after-dinner drinks. This city has everything you need for an exceptional date night, so leave the bags behind and treat yourself and your partner to an unforgettable evening.
