Best Halal-Friendly Restaurants In KL

Burrowed in the villages of Kayu Ara, Lala Chong needs no introduction. This rustic outdoor restaurant has long made its name for dishing out delicious, pork-free seafood, so make your way here when in need for a good for groups destination. Ordering lala is a no-brainer, and a prime pick is the Xiong Tong Lala (Clams in Superior Soup, from RM18). While traditionally cooked in Chinese rice wine, chefs here are happy to change that for their Muslim regulars. The clams are fresh, fleshy and doused in a flavourful, gingery broth, which is great with rice. Couple the clams with Crabs (from RM40) — both the salted egg yolk and chili are terrific, but we'll take the chili crabs anyday for its sweet-spicy sauce streaked with eggy bits. Top that order off with the Deep-Fried Mantou (RM10 for 6) that are soft inside and crisp golden outside — perfect for dunking into the sauce! The place gets packed with a '1Malaysia' crowd every evening so it's wiser to either do lunch or have an early evening feast.
*Pork-free.
*Serves alcohol.
Avg price per person: RM50

Established since 2008, myElephant is a stalwart for Thai cuisine in the city and yes, it's halal! Bring your family for a dinner feast in this restaurant that bustles in the heart of quiet residential area Happy Mansion. The Thai Fish Cakes (RM15.90) are great to begin with, and each portion comes with five pieces of the piquant handmade delicacy for sharing. After the snack, sink your spoons into the spicy Tom Yum (from RM27 for four pax.). This punchy soup is best poured over their trademark jasmine-brown rice combo. Then comes our favourite of the bunch: Green Curry (from RM21). Whether you get it with tofu, beef, seafood, chicken or fish, the saucy dish comes with plenty of flavoursome light-green gravy to ladle over rice. A sensational Salt-Baked Whole Seabass (RM66) will seal the meal with the sweet flavours of fresh fish. This is a meal worth spending on, especially to please the parents. End with Pandan Coolers (RM3.70) for everyone!
*Halal-certified.
Avg price per person: RM35
Photo by Burppler Shirley Lai

Nestled in Damansara Perdana's business centre, Chinese Muslim kitchen Mohammad Chow makes it easy for Muslims (or otherwise) to enjoy authentic Chinese food. The no-frills restaurant is simply furnished, so don't worry about dressing up. Bring your colleagues and commune over sharing dishes like the Buttermilk Squid (from RM21.20). The deep-fried squid comes laden in creamy gravy that promises satisfaction. But if you prefer to savour your squid crisp, go for the Butter Floss (RM21.20) for its addictive butter floss. Opt to enjoy this with rice, or amp it up with a noodle dish. The Petai Fried Mee (RM10.50) redolent of petai and wok hei is scrumptious, and totally worth the breath mints after! Wash it all down with Chrysanthemum Tea (RM2.35).
*Halal-certified.
Avg price per person: RM25

Birthed around the same time the Korean fried chicken trend hit KL, Nanda Chicken proves to be a keeper. The pork-free joint tempts with their fairly new specialty Boneless Crispy Hot Snow Cheese Chicken (RM62 for 4 pax) — the mountain of cheese shavings have an uncanny resemblance to snow. It's a heart-stopping sight and certainly, a delicious bite too! Burpple Tastemaker Calvin speaks our minds when he says "How can you resist the cheese?" The friendly staff will be glad to guide you through the cheesy affair that involves twirling crisp, crunchy fried chicken in a melting pan of cheese. There is also regular fried chicken, sans cheese, on the menu. But in case chicken do not suffice, whet your appetite with the all-day long RM18 meal offer for Dakgyejang (spicy chicken and leek soup) and what we think is a perfect pairing for Korean fried chicken: Ramen Jungsik (ramen with rice cake) — both come in robust portions with rice. Pork-free. Serves alcohol. Avg price per person: RM35
*Pork-free.
*Serves alcohol.
Avg price per person: RM35
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Calvin Lam

For those working near Avenue K, halal dim sum specialist Dolly Dim Sum offers a letup from the usual lunch options. Take your business lunch down here for good nosh amidst stylish surroundings — the quaint bird cage-chandeliers and checkered glass panels are to thank for the restaurant's Instagram fame. Buns are done right, so be sure to share the Egg Custard Bun (RM7) or the Roasted BBQ Bun (RM8) with scrumptious chicken char siew filling — it comes very close to the real thing. Ordering siew mai goes without saying and their version of 'Siew Mai' Dumpling (RM8.80) is impressive, bouncing with tender chicken and prawns. Follow with a Glutinous Rice Parcel 'Loh Mai Gai' (RM8.50) that improves on the common recipe with a grand addition of abalone. Pro tip: The highly sought-after locale swarms with diners at lunch hour so call ahead for a table. However, they do not take reservations on Fridays so show up early instead.
*Halal-certified.
Avg price per person: RM25
Photo by Burppler Junior How

Meet your dinner date at Meat Point, where you can savour both the company as well as tasty, quality steaks. The meat connoisseurs here get their supply from Australian cows raised in a local farm, so expect nothing less than fresh, tasty beef. Take your pick from the selection of thick, marbled cuts in the chiller, then sit back and relax while the chef whips up the sumptuous steak. The grass-fed Rib Eye (from RM42) is a fine ingredient that is skillfully seared to juicy perfection. You also get to choose two sides and a sauce — options include sautéed vegetables, mashed potatoes and French fries for sides, and black pepper and garlic butter for sauce. While you put your money on the main, meaty attraction, also consider a savoury Roast Beef Bacon Roll (RM16) wrapped around crunchy asparagus to share. There is also meat from the sea — the Seafood Aglio Olio (RM25) surprises with mounds of succulent seafood atop olive oil-fragrant pasta.
*Muslim-owned.
*Pork-free.
Avg price per person: RM60
Photo by Burppler Taira K

Located along The Row, Peranakan diner Limapulo Baba Can Cook boasts charming old-school vibes and decades-old recipes whipped up by their veteran cook, Uncle John. Make this welcoming restaurant your go-to lunch spot when you're on a budget, be it solo or with your colleagues. The lunch meals are steals priced at a flat RM9.90, with appealing variety. When craving a creamy, warming Nyonya laksa, be sure to visit on Mondays, Wednesdays or Fridays, when the dish is available. If you're here on any other day, don't fret. Their daily fare includes an absolutely delightful Ayam Berempah with rice. The name often denotes spiced fried chicken but in Peranakan terms, this is a comforting bowl of tender chicken cooked in a curry-like gravy. Other worthy Nyonya dishes offered here are the light, crispy Pai Tee (RM10) and a decadent Sago Gula Melaka (RM3.50).
*Pork-free.
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Shirley Lai

The first-ever establishment to come from restaurateur and chef Jibby is this cafe that serves excellent Melbourne-inspired brunches. Jibby & Co takes residence in a beautiful glass annexe outside Empire Shopping Gallery, making it a solid spot for celebrations or daytime dates. Get off to a good start with the Spanish Chili Prawns In Olive Oil With Toasted Turkish Bread (RM22) — a dish of small prawns steeped in a mouthwatering Meditarrean-spiced oil. The crunchy garlic slices found in there are superb. Next on our must-order list is the Crispy Calamari Salad (RM25), which makes eating greens an incredibly easy feat with its citrusy lime-chili dressing and generous amounts of batter-fried calamari. After tucking into these two winning dishes, feel free to skip straight to desserts! We bet the gorgeous creamed cakes will call to you from the chiller, or for something lighter on the palate, we recommend their airy and very yummy Strawberry Pavlova (RM15).
*Halal-certified.
Avg price per person: RM35
Photo by Burppler Nur Eliza