We all love a good dinner party, and whether that’s a casual night out or a celebratory meal, there isn’t much that compares to a shared meal amongst good friends and family around the table. So if you go out for dinner, you might as well go big.
We’ve sourced some of the best restaurants all over the country. From the swankiest to the cosiest and the all-around fun, here are our favourite places to go when dining out with the fam.
1. Raw Kitchen Hall at Else Retreats, Kuala Lumpur
Book a snazzy dinner at Else Retreats’ cosy restaurant, the Raw Kitchen Hall, located right at the heart of Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur. Concealed in a 1930s restored building, the restaurant serves contemporary Latin-Asian cuisine in its art deco-styled dining space.
Though it’s not the everyday dining experience for many, it is a great spot to come to with a large party. Everything from the moody lighting, beautiful interiors, and intriguing menu makes for great conversation starters.
Curved high-back benches around wooden dining tables make cosy nooks for families to share a meal. Larger parties can book a large glass dining table that comfortably seat 12 to 16 people.
Address: Ground Floor, 145 Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2300 3704
2. Chica Bonita at Publika, Kuala Lumpur
No one does family dinners quite like the Mexicans do, and we are grateful for the cultural influence. Chica Bonita is a feast for the eyes as it is for the tum-tum. Make your way to this technicolour restaurant and bar that’s hard to miss in Publika Shopping Gallery.
With plenty of indoor and outdoor seats and tables that can be joined together to serve larger groups, it’s the perfect spot for a fiesta-friendly night. Sizzling fajitas, nacho bowls, jalapeño poppers, and quesadillas are good grazing dishes, so you get a little taste of everything.
Address: Lot 34, Level G2, Block C5 Publika Shopping Gallery, Solaris Dutamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6017 405 2279
3. Joloko, Kuala Lumpur
If you’re bringing a lively party for a fun night out, look no further than KL’s Joloko. Music, madness, and mezcal perfectly sum up what a dining experience in this Afro-Caribbean restaurant is all about.
There are plenty of bread, dips, and picky bits to share with the table and the main courses are made up of portions enough for two to three people, so it’s an excellent place to split their Pork Ribs or to share Vegan Kebab Skewers. Desserts are spicy and boozy, with Joloko Chilli Cheesecake and Tequila Donuts on the menu.
Address: 43 Jalan Kamunting, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6011 6426 2645
4. Lala Chong Seafood Restaurant, Selangor
Classic Malaysian-style family dining typically includes round table restaurants with a lazy Susan spinning an array of dishes from fish, meats, veggies, soups, peanuts to snack on, wet towels, tea, and more, for all members of the table to partake in freely.
So, if a dinner as such is calling your name, Lala Chong Seafood Restaurant will be the place to go. Giant chilli crab claws, sizzling pots of tofu, butter prawns covered in egg floss (a must-have dish if you’re at a Malaysian Chinese restaurant), fresh lala, and warm claypot herbal soups will have you and your guests coming back for more.
Address: 31 Jalan PJU 1A/5A, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: +603 7845 1250
5. Wild Coriander, Melaka
Something about this Nyonya restaurant screams Crazy Rich Asians while maintaining its warm Malaysian hospitality. You can walk in, t-shirt and flip flop clad, and not fear judgemental stares as you enjoy a wholesome local meal here. Much thought has gone into the details of this place, from the art pieces to its modest yet sophisticated furnishings.
Round and long tables are delightfully placed in different parts of this two-storey 1800s shophouse restaurant, so there’s plenty of room for bigger groups to sit and dine together.
Address: 40 Jalan Kampung Pantai, 75200 Melaka
Contact: +6012 380 7211
6. Kayuapi By Naughty Bali, Johor
Savour a little taste of Bali at Kayuapi in Johor Bahru. Open daily from 12pm to 12am, it’s a great spot for those long leisurely dinners with friends and family. The food portions of most dishes are quite large, so sharing is the way to go. When you need a break from the Teriyaki Pork Ribs and Buffalo Wings, shoot a few shots at the pool table as you sip on a cold glass of Kronenbourg 1664.
Address: 195 Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor
Contact: +6016 717 4628
7. Ferringhi Garden Restaurant, Penang
Described as having one of the best dining space ambiences in all of Penang, Ferringhi Garden Restaurant checks all the right boxes for a party of all ages. Whether you dine inside under exposed roof beams or outside al fresco style, every corner of this restaurant is beautiful and will make you and your guests feel special. Dinner here is mid tier, and will cost an average of RM60 to RM80 per person.
Address: 34 Jalan Batu Ferringhi, Kampung Batu Feringgi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang
Contact: +604 881 1196
8. Bora Bora Beach Bar And Restaurant, Penang
The Bora Bora Beach Bar gives you one of those ‘pinch me’ moments, realising we’re (darned) lucky to live in a country with spectacular beaches. So, if you find yourself in Penang or are one of the lucky ones who live on the island (totally not jealous), spend an evening with the family or a good group of friends.
You can watch the sunset over Batu Ferringhi beach, dine with fire dancers, and hear live music serenade you into the night. Tables range from two-seaters to 12-seaters. If you’re dining with a larger dinner party, call in and make arrangements beforehand.
Address: 72D Jalan Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang
Contact: +604 885 1313
