Best Halal Cafes & Restaurants in KL 2019
Prepare for an epic meal at this popular spot in Tropicana Avenue. Expect top-notch Australian-sourced proteins from brisket to lamb and more. If you're dining solo, opt for the Texas Star (RM26) that features 100g of tender beef brisket with sides like chunky mashed potatoes, coleslaw, pickles and a drink. Dunk your meat into housemade sauces like the Keramat Spicy BBQ Sauce. If you're coming in a big group, do like Burppler Jason Wong and go big with the mighty Behemoth 4.0 (from RM200), a platter filled with a variety of meats including 200g of brisket, lamb, burnt ends, chicken and more – he assures it's worth the meat sweats!
*Muslim-owned
Photo by Burppler Jason Wong
We've waxed lyrical about this pizza joint many times before – how many places build their own wood-fired oven AND make their own cheese? Worth the trek to Shah Alam is this humble pizzeria that serves up fresh pies! Bring the gang over to share the signature Margherita (RM26) featuring a chewy sourdough base topped with housemade mozzarella that's extremely creamy and bouncy. Meat-lovers, the salty Beef Pepperoni (RM26) comes highly recommended for a simple pie of cheese, tomato sauce and generous slices of pepperoni. Finish off with a sweet dessert pizza – the warm Nutella & Strawberry (RM22) is pure indulgence.
*Muslim-owned
When the craving for fish and chips hits, pop by this cheerful restaurant painted in bright blue. The crowd comes for the Signature British Fish & Chips (from RM26.90) – expect crispy battered fish and salty, chunky chips. A meal comes with a fish of choice (haddock, halibut and butterfish), batter mix (plain, chilli lemon and chip shop curry) and a choice of side dish. Burppler R D gushes about the juicy butterfish in a zesty chilli lemon batter! For the complete British experience, try the minted mushy peas, a traditional accompaniment for the dish. Seafood aside, Cor Blimey offers other meaty British classics like Bangers and Mash (RM20.90).
*Muslim-owned
Photo by Burppler Rachel Yong
Ramen enthusiasts, pen this spot down for ultra flavourful bowls of chicken ramen for rainy (or any) nights. From the signature toripaitan broth to the salty shio or light-yet-flavourful shoyu, each bowl features umami-packed broth that will leave you slurping every last drop. A must-try is the Toripaitan Egg Extreme (RM19.40) featuring tender chicken slices and a jammy egg garnished with fried onions. Burppler Hemlatha loves how well-balanced the broth is – not too salty nor thick. Pro tip: Burppler Kate Mun Yi says you can have this as a spicy option too! Also worth a try is the Toripaitan Shio Egg (RM15.40) for something less rich but equally flavourful.
*Muslim-owned
Photo by Burppler Twinkle Gan
ICYMI: DIN by Din Tai Fung is the Muslim-friendly brainchild by the popular dim sum chain. A must-have is the Chicken Xiao Long Bao (RM17) that sees steamed dumplings filled with savoury broth and juicy chicken meat. For the main event, go for the Chicken Chop Fried Rice (RM28.30) which sees fragrant rice topped with crispy fried chicken fillet – great for solo meals. Pro tip: Have your rice with a dollop of chilli oil for more oomph! On rainy days, Burppler Adlin Sarim is a big fan of the Hot & Sour Noodle Soup (RM22.60) sporting sweet-spicy flavours that are sure to keep your tummy warm. P.s Do date nights right at the KLCC outlet alongside a gorgeous view of the city.
*Pork-free
Make brunch plans with your gal pals at this chic restaurant in Republik. First timers, dive straight for the satisfying Big Breakfast (RM36). Find two slices of whole grain bread, a juicy chicken sausage, crispy potato croquettes and other good stuff. On other mains, Burppler Thokoh Makan favours the Squid Ink Spaghetti (RM39) sporting al dente pasta alongside fresh and sizeable Hokkaido scallops, topped with flower crab meat and ikura. Also worth a try is the Fresh Buffalo Mozzarella Pizza (RM35), featuring a generous amount of mozzarella and on a chewy pie crust. Seal the meal with a cup of nutty Cafe Latte (RM12).
*Muslim-owned
Photo by Burppler Thokoh Makan
For quick catch-ups with a friend over cakes and coffee, head over to this brightly lit cafe in Shah Alam for a tempting variety of freshly baked desserts. Come for the popular Salted Caramel & Chocolate (RM13) – layers of moist chocolate cake and buttercream frosting, complete with a drizzle of salted caramel sauce – indulgence at its best! Fans of cheesecakes, scramble to get a slice of the popular Cheese Bedebah (RM13), it's creamy yet well-balanced with soft hints of lemon. Cakes aside, Burppler Avocado Queen enjoys the delightful CJT Choc Chip Cookies (RM7) just as much.
*Muslim-owned
Photo by Burppler Avocado Queen
Curb night-time hunger pangs with gourmet cheeseburgers ala streetside. Sixty Bites is notorious for its wait, so swing by early to secure yourself a spot in line. Get your appetite going with the popular Chezburger (RM10) featuring a juicy beef patty made with 100 percent rib eye beef, drizzled with mustard pickle mayo, tomato and a delicious onion jam to help balance the saltiness. For those with a bigger appetite, the Double Cheese Burger (RM16) will fill you up nicely. Also worth a try is the flavourful Hannibal (RM16) sporting a thick masala-spiked lamb patty accompanied by mango chutney mayo. P.s Add a side of Sixty Spud Fries (RM6).
*Muslim-owned
The folks behind Amber Chinese Muslim aim to spread the love for Northern Chinese dishes, especially their hand-pulled noodles. Spot them in 1 Utama Shopping Centre or Nexus Bangsar South for an affordable and belly-filling meal! The star of the show is the Special Hand-Pulled Noodles with Beef (RM19.90) loaded with chewy hand-pulled noodles and served in gorgeous porcelain bowl. Bonus: The bowl comes with three cold side dishes that includes steamed chicken, more beef and spicy shredded potatoes! Alternatively, non-spicy food lovers will find joy in the Tomato Beef Noodles (RM12.90) for its tangy and flavourful broth.
*Halal-certified
Photo by Burppler Nicholas Ng
Bookmark this neighbourhood stalwart for your next family feast! Order these specialities – Kangkung Belacan (RM10), Sambal Fish (from RM9 per 100g) and Wet Buttered Chicken (from RM18). A must-have according to Burppler Farah Azis is the Salted Egg Soft Shell Crab (from RM28), which she acclaims was 'love at first bite'. We recommend pairing the dishes with the Chinese Fried Rice (RM9) that's extremely flavourful. Ps. They also offer single plates of rice and noodle dishes for solo diners.
*Muslim-owned
Come by this buzzy Indian restaurant in Bangsar for scrumptious nosh that'll keep you belly happy. From freshly-made sweet appams with coconut milk to hearty banana leaf rice and uniquely-flavoured thosais, Bala's wide variety makes revisits worth it. Centre your meal around the Banana Leaf Rice (from RM8), and order the juicy Fried Chicken (from RM8) and spicy Mutton Varuval (from RM10) to go with it. Look out for their daily specials menu – if the popular Beetroot Thosai (RM4.10) is available, order it! The roti's colour comes from the beetroot juice, and pairs excellently with the housemade chutneys. Make it even better by adding an egg, which Burppler KarMen A. declares as ""all sorts of yummy!""
*Pork-free
Photo by Burppler Xinyi Tan
Taking inspiration from Chuncheon's well-known barbecue chicken, SeoulNami serves delicious pork-free Korean barbecue. A must-try is their Famous Chuncheon Chicken (from RM59) – tender marinated chicken thigh available in four tantalising flavours including sweet Honey Butter and spicy Hot Pepper. Bring a group and order the Signature Tasting Set (RM269) for a worth-the-splurge meal for four. The set includes a variety of dishes to fuel the party – think Chuncheon Chicken in three flavours, Crabby Kimchi Jjigae and Fist Rice (DIY rice balls with seaweed and chicken). Also indulge in the popular Korean Bone-in Short Ribs. (RM139).
*Pork-free
Photo by Burppler Calie Tang
The top picks, popular finds and newly opened places in Singapore, Malaysia and Philippines, curated by Burpple editors!