a weekend guide for kuala lumpur, malaysia

Nice multi-story cafe near the central market. Great to escape the rain and chill out for a meal or tea.

Roti Special Double is a breakfast must have here

roadside food truck at KLCC area next to Wisma Sentral, only RM7-RM10 per dish (depending on the type of meat - chicken, beef, squid, etc)

Lemang made out of fragrant lerek leaves with lots of great rendang to try it with. I recommend their mushroom rendang. Price range - RM30 with lemang + rendang

Signature dishes – kaya toast, chicken/pork chops, roti babi (translates to ‘pig bread’, but is really a deep-fried pork sandwich), Hailam noodles, buttery marble cake.

Eat with the monks

opens 4pm until 3am. They cater to locals who have odd food cravings at midnight. Best to come here at 11pm onwards when the crowd has thinned out if you want to beat the long queue. Price range - RM15

Eatery/ bar. Has a pool! (Idk if you can use it but may the bravest attempt)

tons of old cameras here for the photography enthusiast

Brickfields, also known as Little India, is a hidden gem in Kuala Lumpur that offers a unique blend of historical significance and vibrant culture. Located just a short distance from the city centre, this neighbourhood is a must-visit for those looking to explore Kuala Lumpur beyond its popular tourist attractions. With a rich historical background, Brickfields holds great significance in the development of Kuala Lumpur. Originally a brick-making centre during the colonial era, this area has evolved into a bustling hub for the Indian community. The heritage buildings and narrow streets still carry echoes of the past, providing visitors with a glimpse into the city's history. One of the highlights of Brickfields is the variety of goods available for sale. The streets are lined with colourful shops selling traditional Indian clothing, accessories, handicrafts, and spices. Explore the vibrant marketplaces and discover unique souvenirs to take home. Don't forget to indulge in the flavours of Indian cuisine at the local restaurants and street food stalls that offer a delightful array of aromatic dishes. Brickfields is also home to several temples, such as the Sri Kandaswamy Kovil and the Buddhist Maha Vihara. These religious sites showcase stunning architecture and provide a serene environment for contemplation. Visitors can learn about the religious customs and traditions practised by the local community. https://www.flyscoot.com/en/travel/kuala-lumpur/unveiling-kuala-lumpurs-hidden-gems

Interactive alleyway murals The alleyway is open every day from 9 a.m. to midnight. Admission is free. To find it, simply walk along Lorong Panggung and follow the red lanterns toward the gate with the letters 鬼仔巷 on it. It’s only a few minutes away from Pasar Seni metro station. If you’re looking for a retro place to have breakfast or lunch in the area, Ho Kow Hainan Kopitiam located around the corner is a great option. Established in 1956, this no-nonsense kopitiam has been a popular fix among the locals—so popular that there can be an hour-long queue on Sundays!

KL’s Chinatown revolves around Petaling Street – one of the most historical parts of the city. Discover a profusion of temples showcasing a microcosm of different cultures and religions. Why go? Being a multi-cultural country means embracing different religions and beliefs, and a wander through Chinatown will bring you to Sri Mahamariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in KL. There’s also a succession of Taoist temples honouring Guan Di (God of War), Kuan Yin (Goddess of Mercy) and Chan See Shu Yuen, a former clan house. Don’t miss: The Sin Sze Si Ya Temple is the oldest Taoist temple in KL and was built by Yap Ah Loy, the third Kapitan Cina, in 1864. Get your fortune told by the temple caretaker after rattling the kao chim (fortune-telling sticks). -TimeOut

Pulau Carey (or Carey Island) is home to the indigenous Mah Meri tribe and the Mah Meri Cultural Village, a space where the tribe shares and passes on their cultural heritage.

creative space / great for people watching

BOOKXCESS STORES CAN BE FOUND all across the southern Malay Peninsula, from Penang to Singapore, but it’s no cookie-cutter chain all of whose branches look the same. On the contrary, it aims to make each of the locations feel different and unique—a fantastic destination for all book lovers. The RexKL location that opened in late November 2021 particularly stands out among these. More of a creative art center than a shopping mall, RexKL is housed in a repurposed movie theater originally built in 1947. Once an icon of Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, the single-screen cinema with a capacity of 1000 went through numerous fires, first in 1972 and then in 2002, after which the theater went defunct.

In 2020, Time Out listed Taman Paramount as one of the top 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world—and for good reason. The slender stretch of Jalan 20/13 is where cool kids go to be and be seen, but it’s still very much its own suburb with ol’ school charm by the spades, as much as a destination for dining, drinking and thrifting as it is for auto repair and kedai runcit provisions.

This suburb (also known as Bukit Damansara) has everything you need and want for a full day (or two) of exploration. It was primarily a residential and office area, but recent years have seen plenty of swanky restaurants (Birch), cool bars (Skullduggery, JungleBird) and trendy live music spaces popping up in the neighbourhood.

Here you can find one of the world's largest flagpoles

bigger night market in KL

wave pool and waterpark place

Come dusk, this street becomes a cacophony of aromas, noise and food. Hawker stalls and roadside restaurants clamour for your attention offering all kinds of local and regional cuisines.

good local live music scene

good live music / pub vibe with events often