An insider’s guide for what you really want to do when you visit.
Don’t expect to find recommendations for temples or monuments here. Instead, you’ll find parks, markets, quirky stores, restaurants, the arts, bars, and clubs.
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From the great outdoors to art galleries, museums and more, these are some of the best things to do in town.
What once housed the Selangor Zhongshan Association is now an independent arts and research hub. One can find art spaces, a café and a bakery, a bookstore, and a library here.
An industrial-themed space converted from a former commercial printing factory, APW houses hip eateries, a co-working space, and a series of markets and events.
Within the Petronas Twin Towers, the MPO hosts an extensive lineup of concerts, from classical masterpieces to film music, pop, jazz, and traditional.
Also known as the Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve, this ancient rainforest right in the heart of the city features a canopy walk for visitors to walk amongst the gigantic trees.
Once a centre for brick-making in KL’s early days, Brickfields today is known as Little India. Expect a vibrant mix of temples, textile and jewellery shops, and authentic South Indian cuisine.
Independent shops, a mega bookstore, and more: There’s a reason they call Kuala Lumpur a shopper’s paradise.
Nala specialises in hand-drawn Asian inspired designs. Their bright bold patterns are imprinted on stationery, clothing, and homeware.
The mother of all bookstores in Kuala Lumpur, this Japanese chain is like a giant library with over 300,000 titles in English, Japanese, Chinese and Malay.
A Singapore-based design store with a goal to make good design accessible to all. Come for locally-inspired gifts, homeware and clothes.
Local streetfood, contemporary cafés, and fine dining restaurants – Kuala Lumpur has it all.
Chocha means ‘sit down and drink’ in Hakka. Enjoy Asian dishes with a modern twist and a curated selection of teas in a stylish, postmodern setting.
Spicy Caribbean-style BBQ, served from an open kitchen in a lively courtyard. The drinks list includes mescal, tequila and natural wines.
This popular brunch and lunch destination in a pre-war shophouse serves comfort food to travellers exploring the heritage district. Get a seat in its bustling courtyard.
Sleek and refined, Proof brings a quiet but distinct elegance into the pizza scene in Kuala Lumpur, mainly serving artisanal, wood fire oven-baked pizzas.
A fine dining restaurant serving classic Indochinese fare from Lao, Vietnamese, and Khmer kitchens, with an intimate setting within a forest reserve.
From rooftop bars to speakeasies, end your evening at these top spots in the city.
Set on a rooftop helipad with spectacular views of the city. There’s also an indoor bar and lounge downstairs with quirky, aeronautical-themed décor.
Step past the vintage toy shopfront and enter an atmospheric hidden cocktail bar set in a former brothel. Headed by renowned bartender Angel Ng.
A hidden bar resembling an opium den, with atmospheric red velvet decor and live cabaret performances. Grab street food from a cart just outside, operated by the bar.