It’s no secret that one of team Zafigo’s many passions includes food. This testament is true based on the many restaurant features we’ve shared. This time around, we want to pay even closer attention to food by looking at farm-to-table restaurants. But what is this farm-to-table concept, exactly?
Farm-to-table is a social movement on the rise in the Kuala Lumpur (KL) dining scene, and it’s when eateries use ingredients sourced directly from local farmers or suppliers. This concept helps maintain a thriving ecosystem in the food industry, and what do you know, there are plenty of restaurants in town championing local produce.
So, if you’re looking to be more conscious of where you choose to eat, check out these eight farm-to-table restaurants that serve delicious meals made from fresh-as-they-come ingredients.
1. The Farm, Bangsar South
As its name suggests, The Farm provides a farm-to-table experience by serving good food with fresh ingredients that are mostly grown and harvested in their urban farming lab, while others are sourced directly from local farmers and vendors. Most ingredients get to the kitchen the same day they’re harvested – so it doesn’t get any fresher than this!
The menu has various cuisines based on their produce to showcase each ingredient’s natural freshness and tastiness. Besides good food, you can expect an immersive farm-to-table experience with a modern, nature-inspired space and a rustic cafe ambience that will have you surrounded by lush greenery.
Address: Unit G-01 & G-02, Level Ground, The Sphere, Bangsar South City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6014 993 3880
2. Entier, Brickfields
Entier prides itself on its nose-to-tail culinary approach and emphasises sourcing the highest quality ingredients. Its poultry and vegetables are mostly locally sourced from Tanjung Malim, Perak. The team is also constantly searching for top-notch ingredients through their interactions with food growers, suppliers, and wine producers within the region.
You’ll notice that Entier’s menu features dishes highlighting specific parts of the animal, vegetable ingredient, or signatures served as a whole. The house chef, Chef Masashi, presents creative French fare with equal parts elegance (his Japanese background) and simplicity (his French artistry) – but with an explosion of flavour.
Address: Level 41, Alila Bangsar, No 58, Jalan Ang Seng, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2268 3819
3. Flock at W Kuala Lumpur, city centre
Flock is an energetic and vibrant restaurant tucked away in the trendy walls of W Kuala Lumpur. The restaurant serves Pan-Asian cuisine using bold flavours and organic products through its farm-to-Flock concept while championing a sustainable food movement.
Boasting three farms in Cameron Highlands, the restaurant’s team is also heavily involved in growing crops and vegetables that aren’t common to Malaysia — such as kohlrabi, artichokes, and heirloom veggies.
Whether you’re looking for local specialities or Western favourites, all their dishes are made from organic produce, and artisanal delights like cheese and chocolates are made locally in KL. So, for a holistic experience, come and ignite your taste buds at Flock!
Address: Level 8, W, 121, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2786 8888
4. Enfin Le Tanel, city centre
Located on Level 2 of Menara Hap Seng, smack bang in the city centre, Enfin Le Tanel is the perfect spot for those seeking to relish an elegant ambience and fantastic food, all elements of the finer side of life. The modern French restaurant features a prominently rose gold interior and elegant Luzerne tableware; every aspect of this fine-dining eatery offers a cosy setup for a truly memorable gastronomic experience.
The famous Chef James Won is committed to ensuring that the food they serve is of the highest quality, with fresh produce sourced from their farm in Cameron Highlands. Thus, guests can dine and be pampered with meals given the Enfin touch, made with quality local ingredients.
Chef James Won is also the first Malaysian to be inducted into the exclusive Krug Ambassade Network. Enfin also houses the only Krug Chef’s Table in Asia and features a bespoke Hennessy Salon. So, expect a luxurious and extravagant experience when dining here.
Address: Lot 2-05, Level 2, Menara Hap Seng, Jalan P Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
5. ATAS at The RuMa Hotel And Residences, city centre
The RuMa Hotel And Residence’s signature restaurant, ATAS, is one of the chicest hotel restaurant venues in Malaysia, which celebrates farm-to-table fine dining and stays true to its respect for locally-sourced and seasonal ingredients. Executive Chef Tyson Gee is a big fan of Malaysian produce and traditional cuisine layered in multi-cultural nuances.
Having travelled across the country, Chef Tyson Gee finds inspiration to create a menu that centres around modern Malaysian cooking. Served with Truffle Chopped Salads and Soya & Mustard Mayo, their Guinea Fowl is a must-try. If you’re looking for something from the sea, give their Coral Lobster a go! We also love the Momotaro Tomatoes starring hybrid Japanese tomatoes grown in Ipoh. You can read more about our stay and food experience here.
Address: 7 Jalan Kia Peng, Kuala Lumpur, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603 2778 0888
6. Dewakan, city centre
Dewakan was Malaysia’s sole entry in Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants 2019 and that’s quite a feat. Since then, they’ve popped up on that list (or at least the top 100) every year. Dewakan also recently earned itself a Michelin star, and rightly so!
Here, diners will be greeted with a range of innovative and reimagined Malaysian cuisine that highlights local ingredients. The promising Chef Darren Teoh specialises in turning local produce, fruits, and meats into irresistible meals that will keep patrons coming back for more.
From petai miso to buah kulim (a type of native fruit used as an alternative to salt), Dewakan offers Malaysians the kind of culinary fare that isn’t easy to find. A must-visit spot for ardent food connoisseurs and adventure foodies at heart!
Address: Platinum Park, Level 48 Skyviews, Naza Tower, Persiaran KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6012 789 6720
7. Barat, Bangsar
Barat is a haven for those who pursue a plant-based diet. A vegetarian restaurant offering Mediterranean-influenced cuisine, Barat emphasises the effort to be conscious – about where your food comes from, about knowing that they are farmed responsibility, and that the farmers who grow your food also have good food to eat. That’s why vegetables are sourced from farmers in Janda Baik, Pahang, while cheese is sourced from a local cheesemaker.
The team behind Barat understands that getting vegetarian food is hard enough, but good vegetarian food that leaves your palate satisfied is a whole different challenge. Hence, the restaurant’s chefs have mastered the art of cooking vegetarian meals that sit as nicely on your conscience as they do on your taste buds. In addition, 80% of the menu is farmed locally and directly from the farm to the table with no middle-man, so it’s as fresh as possible!
Address: No 17, Lorong Kurau, Off Jalan Bangsar, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6014 763 3166
BONUS
8. A Little Farm On The Hill at Janda Baik, Pahang
Okay, so this is way out of the city but especially worth mentioning in our books. If you want to experience delicious farm-to-table meals overlooking nature, A Little Farm On The Hill in Janda Back is your go-to.
Their story began when the founders started growing vegetables in the Janda Baik forest, and soon after, their little garden became a little farm on the hill. Now, they grow and supply dozens of organic herbs, fruits, and vegetables to many shops and restaurants in KL. The owners, too, smoke meat, make jams, and tend to fish and bees – all following the organic principles.
The restaurant offers a unique experience with pre-booked gourmet lunches using seasonal ingredients harvested organically at the farm. Two rooms are available for bookings: the Dining Room and the Farmhouse.
The Dining Room has a seating capacity of 18, and patrons can pre-book private lunches at RM240 per guest. The Farmhouse can accommodate up to 60 guests and is particularly suited to those wanting a farm-to-table experience for their birthday party, wedding, or other special occasions.
Address: Lot 161 Tanarimba, Persiaran Enderong, Kampung Janda Baik, 28750 Bentong, Pahang
Contact: +609 233 0194