Lucas NeoSure, there’s so much to do, but having a good breakfast in Kuala Lumpur is essential before you start the day. With so many choices on what to eat in the Malaysian capital city — whether it be local Malaysian fare or fancy Western platters — there’s definitely an option for everyone. Here are our top 10 breakfast spots for you to start your day right!
1. Nasi Lemak Tanglin
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Start the day proper with Malaysia’s national dish! One of the best places to have this delicacy is at Nasi Lemak Tanglin, which has been dishing it out to the hungry masses since 1948. While there are many places that serve Nasi Lemak, this particular store opens at 7am to cater to the early birds. Wake up early, have a nice plate of nasi lemak and head off for your day in Kuala Lumpur.
Ordering at Nasi Lemak Tanglin is very straightforward. You can just order a standard nasi lemak (2 RM) which comes with the rice, ikan bilis and sambal sauce. For those who have a bigger appetite, add-ons include chicken (4.50 RM), beef (4.50 RM), sotong (4.50 RM) or even cow lungs (4 RM).
Address: Tasik Perdana, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 7am – 1pm daily
2. TG’s Nasi Kandar
If you’re an early riser, head down to one of the many ‘mamak’ stalls selling traditional Malaysian food. These stalls are open 24 hours, making a very late supper possible – or perhaps a very early breakfast in Kuala Lumpur. One of these stalls is TG’s Nasi Kandar, located centrally in the tourist district of Bukit Bintang.
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TG’s Nasi Kandar sells – what else – nasi kandar, a meal where you select side dishes to go along with your rice, which definitely makes for a hearty breakfast! TG’s Nasi Kandar also sells roti canai (or more commonly known as roti prata) for those who would like to start their day with a plate of prata.
Address: 3, Tengkat Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Bukit Bintang
Opening hours: 24 hours daily
3. Yut Kee Restaurant
For a traditional Hainanese breakfast, look to Yut Kee Restaurant, which has been serving its speciality fare since 1928. The number one dish on the menu is the classic Hainanese pork chops (RM 12.50), which come with side vegetables and gravy. If you are there on the weekends, Yut Kee Restaurant also serves the upgraded roast pork option (RM 19.50).
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Another dish to try at Yut Kee Restaurant is the roti babi (RM 10), which is deep-fried bread stuffed with pork slices and onion stuffing. This local burger is available only at Yut Kee Restaurant, so it is definitely a must-try. Hey, who says you can’t have it for breakfast in Kuala Lumpur?
Address: 1, Jalan Kamunting, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 7.30am – 3pm daily, closed Mondays
4. Dolly Dim Sum
Dolly Dim Sum was founded by two sisters, with the aim of offering all-day traditional dim sum within a modern setting. If you crave delicious dim sum for breakfast, this is the place to go to. Besides the usual steamed and fried dim sum (around 9RM per portion), Dolly Dim Sum also has rice and noodle dishes for you to try.
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While there are other dim sum shops to have breakfast in Kuala Lumpur, they are not convenient to reach by public transport. With shops at three of the largest malls in Kuala Lumpur, you are never far from a Dolly Dim Sum store. Before you shop till you drop, why not head to a Dolly Dim Sum outlet to replenish your energy with delicious dim sum first?
Address: Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang Street, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 11am – 10pm (weekdays), 10.30am – 10pm (weekends)
5. Ah Weng Koh Hainan Tea
You can never go wrong with bread and coffee for breakfast in Kuala Lumpur. And when it comes to local coffee, the Hainanese do it best! Located in the new ICC Pudu shopping mall, Ah Weng Koh Hainan Tea serves up the traditional Hainanese breakfast of kaya toast and coffee. The place is always packed with people, so do go down early or be prepared to wait a while before you’re able to enjoy your toast and coffee.
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Just like your typical kaya toast shop, the offerings at Ah Weng Koh Hainan Tea are standard. The kaya toast comes in two forms: on toast or in steamed buns (both 2.40 RM each). After having the kaya toast, wash it down with their famous Hainan Tea (2.40 RM) or kopi (2.40 RM). For those in the know, you can also order cham, which is a blend of their tea and coffee.
Address: ICC Pudu, Jalan 1/77C, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 5.30am – 2pm daily, closed Mondays
6. Restoran 168 Wanton Mee & Curry Mee
Having noodles for breakfast is quite common in Malaysia, so why not be like the locals and have some noodles for breakfast yourself? We recommend Restoran 168, which is conveniently located in the old district of Pudu. Even though the shop is right next to the new ICC Pudu mall, it still feels like a traditional hawker stall selling authentic good food.
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While there are other dishes such as porridge and claypot rice, Restoran 168 is known for their Malaysian noodle dishes such as wanton mee and curry mee. The noodles, priced at just 7 RM for a normal portion, are affordable and delicious. If you have the appetite to spare, we definitely recommend trying both noodle options for breakfast.
Address: 2-2, Jalan Brunei Utara, Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 7am – 4pm daily, closed Mondays
7. LOKL Coffee Co
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LOKL Coffee Co is the place to hang out if you’re shopping in the Chinatown area. This café is unique in that it serves both local-style coffee (7 RM, with milk 8 RM) and western-style coffee (americano at 8.50RM, cappuccino/latte at 12 RM). If you cannot decide how you want your morning cuppa, just head down to LOKL Coffee Co.
Besides having good coffee, LOKL Coffee Co also offers a selection of breakfast items if you are planning to have one with your cuppa. The breakfast specials at LOKL Coffee Co include the hearty big breakfast (29 RM) or the chicken and waffles (25RM), with lighter selections available too.
LOKL Coffee Co prides itself on its three promises: fast service, friendly waiters, and consistently tasty food. With its guarantee, you can be assured that you will enjoy having breakfast here!
Address: 30, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday 8am – 5pm, Tuesday 8am – 3pm
8. Antipodean Café
Located in the posh district of Bangsar, Antipodean Café is another one of those cafés that aim to bring the Australian coffee culture to Malaysia. While the café is open all day, it is well known for their array of Western breakfast options that come in hearty portions.
Image Credit: Antipodean Cafe
As part of their breakfast offering, Antipodean Café serves up a hearty big breakfast or the classic eggs Benedict among other things. Their extensive menu is scrawled on the walls of their restaurant, so feel free to browse through before ordering. After ordering some food, be sure to get your morning coffee too — this Australian café makes a mean cup of cuppa.
Address: 20, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Sunday – Thursday 7.30am – 10pm, Friday – Saturday 7.30am – 11pm
9. VCR
Image Credit: Schmick Coffee TV Singapore
While the name reference of the café might seem a bit old, the coffee and food at VCR is anything but. Nestled behind the towering structures at Bukit Bintang, this café serves many different kinds of coffee. Other than the usual cappuccino and latte, there are also atas hand brew options such as the Aeropress, the Chemex and the Kalita Wave.
If you are looking for something to eat instead, the breakfast at VCR is available in different cuisine styles. Besides the usual big breakfast options, other unique offerings available include the Scandinavian breakfast or the Turkish style eggs.
Address: 2, Jalan Galloway, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 8.30am – 11pm daily
10. Breakfast Thieves
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Known as one of the top breakfast spots in Melbourne, Australian brand Breakfast Thieves has opened their second outlet in Kuala Lumpur. The co-owners, who are all Malaysian, wanted to bring the Australian café culture back to their homeland. Hence, they decided to open up another store in the Malaysian capital city.
Located in the heart of Bangsar, Breakfast Thieves specializes in Australian breakfast cuisine with an Asian twist (think: french toast with coconut jam, granola with red bean pudding). For those visiting after 11am, they also have brunch offerings for you to choose from.
Address: 29, Jalan Bangsar, 5, Jalan Riong, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 9am – 5pm daily, closed Mondays
There are so many breakfast options in Kuala Lumpur, you could be eating a different dish for breakfast each day of your trip! While we’ve come up with a list of our top ten places to have breakfast in Kuala Lumpur, there are many more options for you to have your first meal of the day.
