Malaysia is rich with a diverse range of delicious dishes to enjoy, and while it’s hard to choose the ultimate favourite, one of the top has undoubtedly got to be Indian cuisine. There is so much to love about it — fragrant aromas, distinct flavours, and of course, the plethora of spices to tickle our tastebuds.
The variety of vegetables and poultry cooked in many different styles, all with a flavourful combination of exquisite herbs and tradition, makes sampling Indian cuisine a thrilling mouthwatering voyage in and of itself that we will never tire of.
While there are plenty to choose from in Kuala Lumpur, we’ll take it up a notch and list some of the finest Indian restaurants — a culinary experience fit for even a Maharaja. From biryani and naan to chutney, paneer, and thosai — be prepared to be pampered by exotic Desi scents, settings, and flavours!
1. Bombay Palace, Jalan Sultan Ismail
Bombay Palace is the place to go if you want to experience excellent Northern Indian dishes, impeccable service, and an equally great setting. This renowned restaurant has been around for decades, and customers can never get enough of its mouthwatering dishes and exquisite dining experience at this institution.
The must-order meals here include the Butter Chicken (we reckon it’s the best in town), Murgh Tikka, Garlic Naan, Paneer Naan, Zinga Masaledar, and any one of their speciality rice dishes. To end your meal, the homemade kulfis are to die for. We highly recommend booking your preferred dining date and time to avoid disappointment.
Address: Life Centre, 20 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2171 7220
2. Luca BSC, Bangsar
Luca by The Olive Tree Group opened its door to diners in February 2022, making it one of the latest restaurants in Bangsar Shopping Centre. Luca aims to be a one-stop destination for guests who value great food and an even better dining atmosphere ideal for any occasion — suffice to say, the interiors are absolutely stunning!
Here, you’ll find numerous dishes influenced by many cuisine styles worldwide! Be prepared to discover everything from substantial Indian food to a delectable range of European delicacies. Though honestly, we’ll stick to their Indian fare. Their Malwani Hirwa Fish Curry is nothing like you’ve ever tasted before, so we highly recommend ordering it.
Address: Lot G9, Ground Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 285 Jalan Maarof, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2011 1399
3. Frangipaani, Damansara Heights
Frangipaani is set to take its customers on a memorable eating experience emphasising one of the world’s most vibrant subcontinents, taking pleasure in offering skilfully handcrafted Anglo-Indian delicacies local to Goa.
In terms of variety, we believe that there’s something for everyone, given that they offer up to over 60 different dishes from meaty options to vegetarian choices — all catering to your taste buds. The dishes we love include Lamb Special, Butter Chicken, and Aloo & Moong Sprouts Chaat.
Address: The Republik, Lot No M.03, Mezzanine Floor, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2011 0030
4. Qureshi, Bukit Kiara
Qureshi‘s legacy is linked to one restaurateur who has a reputation for catering to India’s top rulers — Imtiaz Qureshi. So visiting this fine, luxury restaurant entails gratifying yourself with top-notch Northern Indian food, in which kebab is prepared in various methods, from stone slabs to open flames to sauté pans.
Meals aren’t complete until you try their famous Burrah Kebab, the Samundari Biryani, and Murgh Bombay Bohri Biryani. The fluffy naan (we love asking them to fully load them with the triumvirate of cheese, butter, and garlic) is an absolute must with the tandoori fish tikka. And you certainly can’t go wrong with the palak paneer. Get chummy with the waiters too, and they might just make you a special cup of their turmeric milk — so, so good!
Address: TPC Kuala Lumpur, 10 Jalan 1/70D, Off Jalan Bukit Kiara, Bukit Kiara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2011 1007
5. Nadodi, Jalan Mayang
Nadodi, referring to their exquisite foods as a spread of ‘nomadic cuisine’, is THE fine dining restaurant to go to if you’re looking to sample Indian cuisine from Tamil Nadu and Kerala to even Sri Lanka. Specialising in fine dining of South Indian cuisine, this restaurant boasts many accolades, and rightfully so — including placements on Asia’s 50 Best!
Expect a new take on traditional cuisine with specially selected resources and specifically cultivated herbs and spices. Menus here include are broken up into four different dining experiences depending on your requirements and splurge budgets, all of which offer a literal gourmet journey through India’s southern regions. The menu changes here on the regular too, to keep you coming back for more.
Address: Lot 183, 1st Floor Jalan Mayang, Off Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kampung Baru, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6017 296 9520
6. Royal Darbar
If you want to feast like the Maharajas of India, make your way to none other than the famous Royal Darbar in Jalan Chow Kit. This Muslim-friendly Indian restaurant excels in both Northern and Southern Indian delicacies.
Their menu includes specialities like Bhel Puri and Murgh Samosa, a fried crisp pastry loaded with seasoned minced chicken and Achari Aloo — a little potato chunk grilled in seasonings and spiced with Indian pickle. Also, the Tandoori Prawn Curry is a must-try.
Address: Wisma Motor, 339 Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, 50100 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6011 1165 2804
7. Passage Thru India, Bukit Bintang
Located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Passage Thru India is one of the best Indian restaurants in town, and it has remained consistent since 1993. With its colourful decor and warm service, a meal at this restaurant will find you transported to ‘mini India’.
As the name implies, they have carefully picked some of the greatest and most popular dishes from different locations in India for their guests to sample. Their Chicken Dum Biryani is a flavourful choice that can be enjoyed on its own or mixed with other dishes. Their Lamb Rogan Josh is one of a kind, and if you’re feeling for something creamy, give their Butter Chicken and Palak Paneer a try.
Address: 4 Jalan Delima, Off Jalan Bukit Bintang, 50400 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6017 998 9427
