Repurposing heritage buildings is a way to preserve them and prevent these buildings from becoming eyesores. We have curated 9 heritage buildings that have been turned into restaurants in KL. Dine in for good food, drink and memorable experiences!
- The Hungry Tapir
An unwanted shop lot in Chinatown has been transformed into a stunning plant-based vegan / vegetarian restaurant. This is also the only vegan / vegetarian restaurant to have a full service bar! How cool is that! Steeple ceilings with exposed wooden beams and a brick wall comprise the interior of the restaurant. Potted plants are kept all around to bring out the rustic elements of the building. 100% local ingredients are used in the preparation of the food and drinks, talk about au locale! Try their Rainbow Ulam Fried Rice that is served with papadom and hedgehog mushroom skewers (vegan satay y’all!). Actually it’s hard to choose just one dish from their menu because every item on their menu holds its individual taste and personality. Vegans and vegetarians rejoice, The Hungry Tapir is here to serve you!
Vegetarian / vegan
Address: 135, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-2022 2137
- LOKL Coffee Co.
Housed in a heritage building along Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, LOKL Coffee Co. has become a part of his historic area. This chic and cozy cafe located in the middle of the city is a perfect place to have a hearty breakfast and great coffee. Their menu is very much an east-meets-west concept here. Fusion versions of local and western favorites as well as Malaysian originals are served with a flourish that’s just mind-blowing! Have their kopi susu, strong local coffee sweetened with condensed milk for a traditional start before moving on to food. Their Oatmeal Waffles with Bananas, Honey Pecans and Gula Melaka Syrup lean on the sweeter side but blend perfectly with the toasted pecans and vanilla-like bananas. This is one of the cafes that even tourists love!
No pork, no lard
Address: 30, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50100 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +6018-968 5515
- Sarang Cookery
Pre-war colonial houses line Jalan Galloway and this is where you will find Sarang Cookery, a restaurant specializing in Peranakan, Malay and Chitty dishes. Housed in a refurbished pre-war colonial house, most of its old charms remain intact and from the outlook, you will feel as if you have gone back in time. Family photographs of the proprietors and antique cupboards line the walls of this restaurant. Sarang’s Nasi Ulam is a favorite among patrons and the dish stands up for it! A variety of local herbs, steamed rice, vegetables, prawns and dried fish are served on a rice winnower. Mix up everything with a spoon and dig in for an aromatic and complex burst of flavors that will leave your eyes in a cross! They also provide cooking classes for those who are interested, 2 in 1!
No pork, no lard
Address: 8, Jalan Galloway, Bukit Bintang, 50150 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +6012-332 7638
- Chocha Foodstore
An old building along Petaling Street has been taken over but still has its rustic charm and natural style. Original colors of the hostel that it once was remain. A retractable roof allows in plenty of fresh air and natural lighting for a raw feel. Expect elevated Malaysian cuisine at this restaurant, a welcome respite from typical Western fare. Generally meant for sharing, be sure to bring your foodie-in-crime to polish off those plates! Natural wines and cocktails are available from their sister bar, Botakliquor. Have a go at their Silver Catfish with Mango Sambal and Kadok Leaves. Lean grilled fish with crispy skin is served alongside bitter kadok leaves and mango sambal for layers of flavor in this humble yet powerful dish. Chocha makes us want to chacha!
No pork, no lard (serves alcohol on-site)
Address: 156, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-2022 1100
- Manja
A 100-year-old colonial building houses Manja, a bar and restaurant in the heart of KL. Restored to its former glory, the rich culinary history of the British colonies influence the cuisine here. Malaysian ingredients are cleverly weaved into the dishes creating a nostalgic dining experience like no other. To let down your hair before the main meal, sip on Manja’s Palm Rum, a cocktail of Dark Caribbean rum with a splash of Aperol and house-made grapefruit bitters, palm sugar, sharp lime juice and green apple foam. A must-try which is on every table is the Borneo Coconut Tuna Tartare, liquid nitrogen is poured around the bowl to create a misty appearance as you delve in! Enjoy multicultural influences in Manja’s culinary repertoire!
No pork, no lard (serves alcohol on-site)
Address: 6, Lorong Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur, 50250 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +6012-373 7063
- Leaf & Co. Cafe
The century-old colonial-era heritage building opposite Kwong Fook Wing tailors now houses Leaf & Co. Cafe, a chic and laid back place for good food and great company. It was formerly a mess hall built by Kwong Yik Bank’s co-founder Cheong Yoke Choy. Here, you will find reinforced wooden beams and original furniture from the yesteryears. A small garden of potted herbs is located in the centre of the building. A large airwell lets in plenty of fresh air and natural lighting. Chicken lovers will be clucking in delight as they have a variety of dishes revolving around this fowl. The creamy butter cream chicken is a must-try here paired with their signature coconut latte. Check this place out for its interesting architecture that appreciates bare bones as its aesthetics!
No pork, no lard
Address: 53, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-2020 2220
- Merchant’s Lane
You may accidentally pass by the unassuming blue door which leads you upstairs to Merchant’s Lane in Petaling Street. This pre-war shophouse has been converted into a speakeasy cafe that has been pulling in the crowds like mad! The interior of the building has been given the most minimal of changes. Expect graffiti-adorned walls, exposed beams and plenty of natural lighting in this cafe. This place is also known as the best brunch spot in town! Their Cheesy Chicken Tortilla is redolent with spices, served with a chunky peanut relish by the side. Italian Chow Mein is also a crowd-pleaser where pasta is stir fried with rendang for a Malaysian twist! Put Merchant’s Lane on your cafe-hopping list and you won’t be disappointed!
No pork, no lard
Address: 150, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +603-2022 1736
- Concubine
We may have watched scenes in old Chinatown like in the MeWatch series The Last Madame on TV. What if it was replicated and you’re given the chance to have a feel of what it was like in these pleasure houses? That’s where Concubine comes in. Mahjong nights, gang lord reunions, women of the street, opium smokers and Chinese merchants were once the patrons in Concubine’s halls. Age-worn walls and original wooden structures have been kept intact with murals of olden days pleasure women adorning the walls in parts of this restaurant bar. It’s almost a female-slanting establishment with its pink walls and plush sofa seating areas. Asian-inspired, the menu here is quite impressive. The Green Tea Smoked Lamb Rack is a true crowd-pleaser with the smoky and floral notes teasing your taste buds that arise from the green tea smoking. The Ginger Torch Flower Cocktail is dreamy with contrasting flavors that will pop in your mouth. There is no question why you shouldn’t visit Concubine!
No pork, no lard (serves alcohol on-site)
Address: Lot 2, Jalan Panggong, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +6014-711 2185
- Light Capture Cafe by H.O.N.
Cafes in pre-war buildings are all the rage and this one speaks for itself too. Housed in an abandoned building which has seen better days, fire-licked walls and exposed beams makes you feel as if you are eating in a museum at Light Capture Cafe. A local designer thoughtfully put his ideas into this spacious three-storey cafe. Sweettooths will have a blast as their cheesecakes, ranging from Oreo Cheesecake to Burnt Cheesecake, are so sinfully delicious, you may not want to leave! The Piccolo Latte is a match made in heaven for these cakes! They also serve substantial dishes like pastas and all-day breakfasts, so make sure you don’t visit with a full belly!
No pork, no lard
Address: 81 & 83, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.
Contact: +6010-232 8183
Written By Kartini Kannan
