As borders worldwide (including ours) slowly but surely open up to welcome tourists, Italy should be one of the destinations on your travel wishlist. Famed for its history and incomparable food, a trip to the land of the Romans surely won’t disappoint. Italy sure has its charms – the wine, the music, the cobblestone streets and most importantly, the food.
Be it the need for a taste of Rome or a longing for Italian comfort foods, here’s a cure-all list to any cravings. And all in and around Kuala Lumpur (KL) too!
Price Range: $
Humble Chef, Petaling Jaya
Starting out as a (ahem) humble food truck is the Humble Chef. The crew then went on to opening its doors in the boujie Bukit Damansara neighbourhood, but without the uppity price tags. With prices starting from as little as RM5 for a plate of pasta, the Humble Chef will be opening soon at The Curve, Mutiara Damansara.
We also recommend trying their lamb omelette which was priced at a paltry RM2.50 at one point. So, if you’re craving a carby meal to fuel you up for some shopping, definitely visit this restaurant.
Address: The Curve, Jalan PJU 7/3, Mutiara Damansara, 47820 Petaling Jaya
Contact: +6014 229 6854
Price Range: $$
Luretta D.O.P. Italian Deli, Petaling Jaya
1 Utama Shopping Centre and Isetan Lot 10’s food hall are home to Luretta D.O.P., a deli that serves northern Italian street eats. How’s prosciutto and melon, arancini balls, and a Caprese salad sound for a mid-shop snack? Pretty delectable if you ask us!
With a small but specialised menu, a main here will set you back RM30 on average while starters go for a little under RM20. Menu available here.
Address: Isetan 1 Utama Shopping Centre, 47800 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: +6016 910 9133
La Risata, Bukit Damansara & Ampang
Having served some of the best Italian food in town since 1996 is La Risata. With locations in Ampang and Damansara, it promises a truly Italian dining experience, serving rustic, hearty, and delicious meals. Expect to fork out money in the high 30s for a pizza or pasta — not too bad as far as Italian fare goes. Menu available here.
Address: 16 Persiaran Ampang, 55000 Kuala Lumpur;
Contact: +603 4252 6269
Price Range: $$$
Heritage Pizza, Chow Kit
If you’re looking for carbs worth the calories, try Heritage Pizza’s wood fire oven pizza. Whether you’re a classic Margherita lover, prefer a white-based sauce, or just want a quick bite of their focaccia bread topped with burrata and anchovies, there’s something here for everyone.
Pair that with a glass of wine and end the meal with a scoop of one of their many homemade gelatos after. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous, try their Panino di Gelato – Gelato Sandwich! Who doesn’t love an ice cream sandwich? As they dish out the goodies, expect to dish out an average of RM50 to RM60 per pizza.
Address: 26-G Jalan Doraisamy, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2602 1919
Positano Risto, Publika
Located in Publika, KL is a Singapore-born Italian restaurant that delivers authentic Italian cuisine — like ravioli, fettuccine, and seafood risotto, to name a few. The menu ranges from affordable selections to lavish ones and carries something for the whole family.
Cop some starters and soups here for about RM30 each and sink your teeth into some mains and pastas for RM30 to RM50 each. Naturally, meat dishes go for more, at about RM60 while a juicy, perfectly-cooked ribeye will set you back RM110. Menu available here.
Address: Block C1, Lot 2, Level 3, Publika Shopping Gallery, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6010 400 6944
Osteria Gamberoni, Chow Kit
If your love for Italian cuisine runs deep, head to the Osteria Gamberoni. Found on the ground floor of Yap Ah Shak House in KL, you’ll find a selection of pasta freshly-made on-site and locally sourced seafood whipped in traditional Italian meals. Teetering around the middle ground for Italian restaurants in KL, appetisers peak at the high 30s while a fully-loaded pizza will set you back up to RM62. Menu available here.
Address: 17 Jalan Yap Ah Shak, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2602 9727
Opus Bistro, Bangsar
The Bangkung row in Bangsar hides a little bistro that offers quality meals and decadent desserts. If you’re not sure what to go for, order lunch off their prix fixe menu that includes an antipasto (Italian starters), piatti principali (main course), and your choice of dolce (sweet or dessert).
If you’re planning on ordering a la carte, then rest easy that you won’t be burning such a huge hole in your wallet as most appetisers come in under RM30 while pasta dishes average at RM30 to RM40. However, if you’re in the mood for meat, then be ready to fork out a little more — their steaks are at the RM130 mark each. Still more affordable than a steakhouse! Menu available here.
Address: 67 Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2092 4288
Luce Osteria, KL
Tucked in an old heritage building in a quiet street on Lorong Raja Chulan, it’s hard to believe this place faces the KL Tower. A favourite among KL-ites, Luce Osteria serves up 55 different homemade Italian pizzas and cold cuts, meat and fish main courses, and traditional Italian desserts! Expect to fork out about RM40 to RM50 for a pizza while individual mains go up to RM68. Menu available here.
Address: No 10, Old Malaya, Lorong Raja Chulan, 50250, Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6019 202 6908
Price Range: $$$$
Natalina, Ampang
Hand made pasta, Napoli-styled pizzas topped with only the best ingredients and charcoal-grilled meats. Natalina will have you taste the flavours and see the colours of the Roman countryside on your palate. Buon appetito!
Creeping up the price scale, starters here average at RM50 while mains can go up to RM210 for a veal rack (totally worth it and good for sharing). When it comes to pizzas, price points hang at around RM60 a pie. Being one of our favourite Italian eateries, we suggest splurging a tad and tucking into their lobster pasta — the Tagliolini All’Aragosta. Menu available here.
Address: 03-06, Avenue K, 156, Jalan Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6012 673 3860
Nero Nero, Bukit Damansara
With all the food fads and diet trends, it’s nice to find places that celebrate food as they are — pure, delicious and flavourful. Nero Nero does just that with Southern Italian cuisine. Picture hearty lunches and slow dinners of ravioli, tortellini, carpaccio, and more.
Being another one of our favourite Italian food haunts, Nero Nero is a place where you can really treat yourselves to good food. Appetiser prices peak at a whopping RM78 while pastas average at RM70 and individual meaty mains range from RM80 to RM190. Menu available here.
Address: L3-02, Jalan Damanlela, Damansara City Mall, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6019 667 4546
Price Range: $$$$$
Marini’s On 57, KLCC
Sitting high on top of the Petronas Towers is the luxurious Marini’s on 57. It’s one of the few places in the city where you can get Italian food, delicious cocktails, and a view to-die-for at the same time.
Guests are spoiled for choice with so many Italian-inspired dishes to choose from – be sure to order the Tagliatelle Al Tartufo, which is their house-made pasta cooked with butter sage, parmesan cheese, and black truffle.
Of course, it’s got the price point to match, being a fine dining establishment.
The menu begins with a delectable caviar menu that goes up to RM10,000 for 250g of Beluga Siberian (only the finest for you). Then, the antipasti section hovers at the low RM100s before pastas knock you over at about RM150. Meaty mains range from RM138 for the trout to RM480 for a cut of the Japanese Wagyu. The endings are a lot sweeter, being priced at an average of RM60. Menu available here.
Address: Level 57, Menara 3 Petronas, Persiaran KLCC 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2386 6030
