Best Places For Indian Food In Kuala Lumpur

This restaurant tucked far north to the city centre is worth the trek, especially if you enjoy your North Indian food. Black marble tables and cushioned chairs give the interior an almost classy feel, but it is mostly homely vibes we feel in here next to the many groups of families dining in. Unlike what its name suggests, Tasty Chapathi's best trait is not its chapati, but rather their Special Dum Biryani (from RM17.90). Only available for lunch, we advise having this on the holidays — the impending food coma does not bode well with work days. Basmati rice is cooked in an earthen pot with spices and meat (chicken, fish, mutton or prawns), emerging flavour bombs that balance the spice-savoury and meaty profiles. Try the mutton for deeply flavoured, melt-in-your-mouth chunks! For add-ons, get some gravy-laden sides, great for sopping up rice and bread (if you're ordering any, it should be the Onion Kulcha or onion-stuffed, layered bread at RM6.50). The Chana Masala (RM11.90) sees perfectly tender chickpeas swirled in decadent masala sauce — the same for their Bhindi Masala (okra, RM13.90), so it really depends if you prefer beans or greens. The sweets counter sports colourful variety but after that feast, it's safest to go with a light, sweet tea. The restaurant serves a specialty Punjabi Tea (RM3.50), a slightly spicier version of the usual Masala Tea (RM3.50).
Avg price per person: RM25

The horror of their parking situation stops none of Betel Leaf's regulars from showing up religiously, and it shouldn't stop you either. For a (comfortable) spot at this Chettinad stalwart, come either during off-meal hours or make a trip on the weekends. Their broad menu encompasses many things, from the standard Butter Chicken (RM15) to the unusual tiffin offering of Prawn Dosai (RM18). But making the most out of your perilous journey here means focusing on the simpler stuff done well — no doubt thanks to the use of fresh produce sourced from its proprietor's farm. Heed Burpple Tastemaker Alyssia Yu's recommendation for North Indian Vegetarian Thali (RM16), inclusive of three sabzi (vegetables), dhal, raita (yogurt), payasam (sweet rice curd), naan, rice and papadam. Apart from the sheer variety, the thali exceeds expectations when it comes to pronounced flavour. What's more, rice is refillable so none of those delicious dips go to waste. Here, we also found one of our favourite renditions of Gobi Manchurian (RM11), deep-fried cauliflower glazed in a sweet, tangy gravy done Indian-Chinese style. Chances are, you won't notice you're missing a meat dish but in case you do, we recommend the expertly-marinated Rabbit Masala (RM18), another positively delicious result from the farm!
Avg price per person: RM20
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Alyssia Yu

Living his father's food legacy, Mr. Kulwant Singh of Santa Chapati House wants only customer happiness in his small, indistinct joint along Jalan Tun HS Lee. If that means making his chapati fresh, and keeping the trays full of curries, consider it done! The best time to visit is just before lunch, when their daily array of dishes are already cooked up and there's no one to compete with for it. Their Chapati (RM1.50), flipped fresh from stove to plate, lands high on the list for our favourite renditions of the whole wheat bread. Warm and a little powdery to the touch, it's soft but still has enough of a good bite. Enjoy this with their delicious Chickpea Masala (from RM3), tender chickpeas stirred in with crunchy onions and a truckload of spices. For more greens, the Aloo Gobi (cauliflowers with potato, from RM4) is another praised creation. We like to mix things up with a meat dish, and if you're up for one, go for the Mutton Curry (RM5). The bright red dish is chock-full of meat, cooked to soft cubes easy for scooping up with a hand-torn piece of chapati.
Avg price per person: RM10

Once an unnamed nook off the beaten path, Acha has now flourished into a wildly popular weekend spot for banana leaf rice. Their bestseller is their spicy Sambal Ikan Bilis (RM1) unlike any other, featuring a mesmerising meld of pre-fried crispy anchovies and crunchy onions. While this particular side is what avid diners are here after, the curry house doesn't disappoint with its other dishes either. Have the Banana Leaf Rice Set (RM6.50), which grants you liberal access to the tiffins containing a myriad (usually three) of vegetable dishes. Second to their sambal is a pleasing variety of curries, from salted fish to crab. The former is runny, with a piquant saltiness whereas the subtler crab curry is more thick gravy than sauce — try both for a tasty contrast! Proteins are deep-fried upon order and we particularly favour the more petite Ikan Bulus (silver whiting, price varies) for its fresh, lightly marinated flesh to go with flavour-steeped curries. Considering the crowd it caters to, the outdoor location is small and at times, stuffy — dress down for this!
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burppler Rueann

Kayra's entry into TTDI is a pleasant addition for all, but most memorably, for first-timers tasting Keralan food. Expect an upclass setting of white clothed-tables and wine service, which makes this spot great for celebrating occasions. Like in Kerala, the dishes here see multiple use for mangoes (the state's favourite fruit) as well as seafood — a combination that results in tangy flavours. The Allepey Meen Curry (RM30), in which fish is simmered in ground coconut paste and raw mangoes for a cheerfully zesty curry, is testament to this. There's no fault in going for something more familiar, and that has to be the Meen Muppas (RM30) — spice-laden fish curry in rich coconut milk. Burpple Tastemaker Blueskiescottoncloud has only good things to say about the aromatic Coconut Pepper Chicken (RM25), which works just as well in its mushroom version, the Koon Pepper Fry (RM22). There will be lots of gravy to ladle over Rice (white, RM5 per portion), which is a given, but we say up your quota for carbs (just this once) and order also the thin and lovable Appams (RM6 for three pieces)!
Avg price per person: RM35
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Blueskiescottoncloud

What you get at WTF is not at all the run of the mill Indian vegetarian. With nine chefs working on their own specialties from Indian to Western and Mexican, this fusion restaurant is home to one of those seriously wacky menus that surprisingly, works. WTF (What tasty food) indeed. The Burpple community has established a consensus that their Fondue Cheese Pav Bhaji (RM16) makes the perfect comfort food. Served with soft buns and a side of pickled onions, the fondue sees a melting pot of spice, vegetables and cheese. Alternatively, try the chef-recommended Dahi Ke Sholay (RM18), a soft, crispy starter of breaded pockets stuffed with hung curd, vegetables and spices. There is also an intriguing, strictly-for-sharing Tava Masala Sizzler (RM35) that comes on a hot plate with marinated tandoori potatoes, vegetable cutlet and cumin rice. While this semi-casual eatery is made popular by its hybrid creations, it's not to say their Indian fare pales in comparison. In fact, the menu dangles an exceptional Dal Makhani (RM18), creamy slow-cooked black lentils to go with Naan (RM5). If you've exhausted all options, go off-course with a mystery Whatever (RM18) — anything the chef feels like making. In the case of Burppler Benjay Syb, it was a refreshing apple cabbage pita sandwich!
Avg price per person: RM30
Photo by Burppler Benjay Syb

For all who are familiar with the Bangsar area — or the Burpple app, for that matter — Ganga will be no stranger. Time and again, this humble cafe sneaks a spot on our guides for its straightforward meals, made with genuine love and care for the cuisine. Being vegetarian is just another trait of the restaurant we can live with, embrace even. Tastemaker Nicholas Ng waxed poetic (literally) of the Garlic Naan (RM5), which makes a wonderfully aromatic bread to go with Paneer Butter Masala (RM17), rich, spicy and dotted with creamy cottage cheese. The Ganga Standard Thali (RM9.90) is consistently mentioned as the dish to order for its great variety, while street food enthusiasts will want to spend their buck on the more indulgent Chana Bhatura (RM12). The snack from Mumbai combines crisp bhaturas (deep-fried leavened bread) with lustrous masala chickpeas. On drinks, have the cooling Ganga Tea Crush (RM10) of lime, lemon, mint and tea to wash down the meal. Note that the menu has recently seen a revamp with prices adjusted. Though no longer as cheap as it used to be, it's still the quality you're paying for — ingredients comes fresh and organic from the restaurant's own backyard!
Avg price per person: RM20
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Nicholas Ng

After decades in the neighbourhood, Raju continues to win us over with quality and they know it — the counter sports a tongue-in-cheek sign proclaiming that you get what you pay for. Don't worry, service is much friendlier than the sign depicts. Come in small groups now that the space has been downsized to a small shoplot. Because their reputed Roti Canai (RM1.50) is made to be smaller in size, one of these fluffy breads is never enough. Tastemaker Brian Leow also vouches for the Roti Canai With Egg (RM3) that comes stuffed with egg, onions and chilli! At RM7, the Vegetarian Rice is served on a banana leaf with the usual three vegetable dishes. Feel free to request for a side of spicy, sourish rasam and more papadam, crushed into bite-sized pieces that make a nice, crunchy topping over rice. From the frying station, our favourite has to be the Fish Tenggiri (RM6) that boasts white, supple flesh beneath the smoky layer of skin. They also turn out excellent Fish Eggs (RM5), small pockets of deep-fried fish egg with creamy insides.
Avg price per person: RM15
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Brian Leow

Taking after their stall in Money's Corner, Moorthy's Mathai in USJ is also no less a success. The neighbourhood banana leaf restaurant is split into several seating sections: one with air-conditioning, one without and even one for private events. Stage your next group gathering here with sumptuous banana leaf spreads in tow. The Banana Leaf Rice Set (from RM6.50) almost always comes laden with good dishes like masala squash and stir-fried beansprouts, finished with a splatter of curries of your choice, from chicken to fish and dhal. We recommend the intensely flavoured fish curry, and be sure to ask for it to be served piping-hot! Similarly good to go with this gravy is their Roti Canai (RM1.60), an especially tasty version that packs a good bite while still remaining crisp on the edges. When it comes to sides, have a field day at their buffet line featuring both raw meats (for frying) and cooked dishes. Snag a plate of Deep-Fried Bittergourd (RM2.50) if it's still available, along with an order for their unusually large and juicy Fried Chicken (RM7). A few visits to this haunt should be enough to warm the staff up to you, which means they will go to extra lengths to make sure you are well-fed — like spooning up extra portions for your plate!
Avg price per person: RM15

An offshoot of Raub's famous family-owned curry fish head restaurant, this Damansara Uptown joint is an unassuming gem especially since not many here know of its solid background in the food biz. The simple two-storey, air-conditioned shoplot is great for a hot day lunch with your colleagues, even better for full-on feasts with a few friends after work. At lunchtime, the Set Lunch B (RM13.30) is what to look out for. It's the only individual meal that offers a side of their spot-on fish curry with mixed vegetables, white rice and an iced rose syrup drink. There are also group sets available, but if you're up for sharing, we recommend saving your stomach for dinner when it's quieter and the kitchen staff has more time to perfect large-portioned dishes. Get the Group Set (from RM87.90) that includes their fish head curry — a claypot filled with sizeable fish head chunks and their distinctive, umami-packed curry gravy. Don't leave without an order of their Fried Lamb (RM10.90), no-frills lamb cutlets deep-fried to accentuate the flavourful marinade. Rice aside, Ratha Raub also serves up a tasty Rawa Tosai (RM4.80)!
Avg price per person: RM25
Photo by Burpple Tastemaker Tiffany Ng