Central Market Kuala Lumpur

Central Market Kuala Lumpur

Central Market Kuala Lumpur
4
Points of Interest & LandmarksFlea & Street Markets
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
About
Known to locals as Pasar Seni, this bazaar houses more than 350 shops retailing traditional goods, art collectibles, local handicrafts, and more. The three zones—Lorong Melayu, Lorong Cina and Lorong India—feature stalls that highlight the three main races in Malaysia. Experience the different cultures and heritage as you browse through the shops. You can also snag unique souvenirs like Borneo pearls, Wau Bulan (a traditional Malay kite), and the quintessential Batik for keepsakes. When hungry, don’t miss trying local hawker fare like nasi kandar, goreng pisang, or ais kacang for a much-needed energy boost. The market is also within walking distance from Petaling Street. – Tripadvisor
Duration: 2-3 hours
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  • Tedistravelling
    Queensland, Australia197 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Good for your KL souvenirs.
    Central Market is located in the Chinatown area of KL. This is a fairly average mall but great for purchasing souvenirs of KL. 2 levels of similar items with reasonable fixed and haggle style prices. Worth a look if you’re visiting the neighbouring Petaling Street mall. It’s about 4 mins walk. Opening time is 10am.
    We appreciate your positive feedback. And glad that you have a good time during your visit, we will continue to work hard and improve our services.
    Written 27 February 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 February 2024
  • Bonnieblue
    98 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Reasonable prices, lots of interesting shops, worth a visit
    It was a blisteringly humid day when we went - felt like 40 degrees, spent a good while checking out the various shops, there's also a very interesting room detailing the history of the market, no one was in there but it's worth taking a look. You can actually get an ordinary taxi outside without having to use an app which is a miracle but remember to negotiate! Loved some of the antique shops, one of them filled so high and full that we couldn't see the shopkeeper! Prices are reasonable for what you would expect and we spent a good three hours or so there.
    We are truly grateful that you took the time to leave us a positive review. We are happy to know that you have a pleasant time during your visit here. And we hope to see you again soon.
    Written 27 March 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 26 March 2024
  • Dan L
    Bunbury, Australia9,013 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Artefacts reflect the culture of Maylasia.
    We enjoyed our visit to the Central Markets, not too busy on the day we visited, great banter with the stall holders and departed with a few local handicrafts, a couple of pleasant dining experiences and good memories. The market is reputed to house some 350+ outlets that showcase a range of goods from the ethnic mix that is Maylasia. In our younger years we would have departed with many artefacts but have become more discerning in senior year, buying the occasional trinket as a gift or memento, but generally something useful to us. My wife spent time in the shoe stores and I, GSY Shop with its fine selection of Beryl's chocolates.
    Hello, thank you so much for taking your time to write a review about your recent trip to Central Market. We truly value our customers feedback and reviews as it is important to us to strive for better. We glad that you enjoyed your trip, thank you for your kind words and we hope to see you again here soon.
    Written 3 April 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited March 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 1 April 2024
  • 3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Come here for magnets
    Very strange place Prices, yes, vary from store to store. But the set of goods is almost identical. But the prices for postcards, magnets, bells in some shops are much cheaper than in the city (2 times) On the second floor there is “batik” - I don’t know much about fabrics, but it’s too “sandy” for my skin.
    Hi, thank you for taking your time to leave a review. We pleased to know you have a good time during your visit and we hope to see you again in the future.
    Written 22 May 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 15 May 2024
  • nyalpi
    Hong Kong, China217 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    A place to buy mass-produced souvenirs
    Lots and lots of shops. All indoors and air conditioned. A place to buy souvenirs, mostly mass-produced items, mostly with various Malaysian themes. Not many places to sit, other than in food court. One corner had some boards with narratives history of the city, with a few photos, which was interesting.
    Thank you for taking your time to leave a review. Yes you may find a lot of souvenirs here as we are centre for Malaysians culture, art, and craft. Again thank you for leaving a review, as it is important to us improve our services.
    Written 3 June 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited April 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 23 May 2024
  • fire-tower
    3,480 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    A good visit overall
    Visited Central Market on an early Saturday afternoon and the market is fairly crowded. There was a supermarket, food court, eateries, clothing and vintage stores, etc. A good visit overall.
    Hello, thank you for leaving us a fantastic review. Your kind words are what keep us striving for better. We are glad to know you have a good time during your trip to Central Market Kuala Lumpur. We hope to see you again
    Written 3 June 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 May 2024
  • Wikumj
    Redhill, United Kingdom432 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Not bad if you're in the area
    This was a comfortable experience for tourists, with it being indoors and air-conditioned and the stores nicely presented. (Better than the more chaotic outdoors street market nearby). Good food options too. However the clothes and souvenirs were a bit tacky for our tastes - we had a better shopping experience in the large malls.
    We are truly grateful for your positive review and kind words. And we are pleased to know that you have a wonderful time during your visit here. We will keep improving and we hope to see you again with more great things for you to experience in future.
    Written 5 June 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 4 June 2024
  • Javichu R
    La Coruna, Spain139 contributions
    3.0 of 5 bubbles
    Normal and somewhat simple
    2-storey market with souvenir shops and some food shop. It is easily and in a short time. We were very struck by such high prices, and in some cases unpleasant treatment. Still, we stayed with the good experience we had. Very close to Sri Maha Mariamman Temple
    Thank you for leaving us a review, we truly appreciated it. Your feedback will surely help us to improve our services and we look forward to see you again here.
    Written 25 June 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 22 June 2024
  • Marge
    Birmingham, United Kingdom561 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Loved the Art area.
    Nice air conditioned market area with good variety of stalls and plenty of souvenirs on sale. Clean & tidy too. The art area was particularly interesting and you can sit and paint your own batik pictures there. Sad to see so many homeless people out there back of this area.
    Thank you for leaving a wonderful review, we utterly appreciate it. We will continue to strive for better.
    Written 2 July 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 25 June 2024
  • Zimminaroundtheworld
    Okinawa Prefecture, Japan1,982 contributions
    4.0 of 5 bubbles
    Great Place for Souvenir Shopping
    I went to the Central Market a few times while visiting Kuala Lumpur. I found the complex to be clean and well organized. Most of the shops were catered to tourists as they sold Kuala Lumpur souvenirs. I was expecting more food, but it was primarily shops. There were a few food vendors outside and a grocery store inside. This is a great place to come to and escape the heat.
    Thank you soo much for your kind words and also for taking your time to leave us a great review. We are so glad to hear you had a great experience with us. We look forward to welcome you again in future to Central Market Kuala Lumpur.
    Written 2 July 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited May 2024
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 28 June 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles5,033 reviews
Excellent
1,287
Very good
2,261
Average
1,228
Poor
193
Terrible
65

These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
This service may contain translations provided by Google. Google disclaims all warranties, express or implied, with respect to translations, including any warranties of accuracy, reliability, and any implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and freedom from forgery.

Nour Hisham
Cairo, Egypt
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023 • Family
I was sooo glad to visit such an old place like the central market as it was constructed since 1888 ! It is two floors only but the ground floor is full of great souvenir retailers that buy souvenirs with reasonable prices ! I bought most of my magnets and key chains from their shops . The toilet there was so clean but chargeable u should pay few ringgit to enter so no problem for me . I recommend u to go there and china town at the same time because the central market is so small and u can stay for few hours not the whole day and also because it is from a walking distance from china town so save your day go both at the same day . They both are worth the visit 👍🏻
Written 29 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, Thank you for your visit to Central Market Kuala Lumpur. We are pleased to know that you enjoy your time here at Central market. We appreciate all reviews and comments to improve our services. And just to let you know there will be newer and exciting things will be available soon at Central Market. So, we would like to welcome you again to the Central Market. Hope to see you soon, stay safe alright.
Written 17 May 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Louise
Australia
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2025 • Couples
This is a great market space with many authentic small business retailers - it’s so refreshing to visit a market with mainly genuine handmade goods or niche gifts and not just the same rip off designer products you find in Bali markets!
This is a great place to visit in the afternoon as it’s even air conditioned and was great to escape the KL heat! Some sellers also have painting activities on offer for only 15RM which looked great for families! Make sure to go to the toilet prior to coming as the toilets do charge - we didn’t use them just thought this was important to note.
Written 2 January 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello, thank you for your thoughtful review! Your feedback motivates us to improve. We're happy to learn of your positive experience and we look forward to having you back in the near future. See you soon!
Written 3 January 2025
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

RIchard035
Northwood, UK
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Family
Central market is an indoor market close about 10 minutes walk from the Masjid Jamek MRT station. It is an indoor market on two floors with individual stores a lot like small shops in an indoor mall. The shops sell the usual selection of souverirs, clothing, jewellery, art work, etc. This is much smarter than the typical Asian street market. Having said that, prices are still very cheap. There is a small museum on the history of the building and toilet facilities that are subject to a small charge.
Written 26 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for your incredibly kind words. We’re delighted to see that you had a positive experience overall. Your input is important to us, and we’re committed to making any necessary improvements. And we can’t wait to welcome you back for another wonderful experience.
Written 31 July 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2024 • Couples
Kuala Lumpur Central Market is a vibrant hub that perfectly captures the essence of Malaysian culture. From traditional crafts to mouthwatering street food, it’s a must-visit for anyone wanting to dive into the city’s rich heritage and charm.

On my first visit, I found the cutest dresses—and they were such a hit that I went back the next day for more, only to discover they were already gone. Lesson learned: if you see something you love here, snag it immediately! To top it off, I had the tastiest duck that same day. It was so delicious that I returned for more on Thanksgiving (knowing turkey would be hard to come by), and it did not disappoint.

The street food here is second to none—flavorful, fresh, and full of variety. Beyond the food, I also scored some incredible finds, like several chic Prada bucket hats for my friends and a gorgeous Chanel ceramic watch.

What really stood out was the warmth of the vendors. By the second day, the shopkeepers I bought from recognized me—they greeted me with hugs, high-fives, and even better deals! It felt like such a genuine and immersive shopping experience that I’ll remember for a long time.

Kuala Lumpur Central Market is more than a place to shop and eat—it’s a cultural experience that wraps you in the spirit of the city. Whether you’re hunting for unique souvenirs, indulging in amazing food, or just soaking up the lively atmosphere, this place is a gem you’ll want to revisit.
Written 30 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello there, we are absolutely thrilled to read your review, moreover to know that you had a wonderful experience during your visit to Central Market. And to know that you come here twice really makes us delighted, as it inspires us to work harder so everyone can have the same experience as you are or even better. We are preparing for more attraction next year, and we would love to welcome you back here. Until we meet again, we wish you and your loved ones well and best of luck.
Written 3 December 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

よしめ
Chiba, Japan
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2023 • Family
I came here to buy sea cucumber soap as a souvenir. There were two stores, and I looked at both and bought at the store with the large soap. One was 20 ringgits (600 yen). If you buy 10, you get 200 ringgits as a bonus, so it's 160 ringgits, or 540 yen each. They are pale in color and their effects seem to be slightly different. I'm looking forward to them making my skin smooth. Bags were 5 ringgits (150 yen) each, and at the card store, I bought an A5 clear file with a picture of Malaysia for 8.5 ringgits (255 yen). I was able to shop in a cool atmosphere.
Google
Written 19 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello there, Greetings from Central Market Kuala Lumpur We are glad that you enjoyed your trip to Central Market Kuala Lumpur. Our tenants sell variety of product with affordable prices and we excited to know that you are able to experience it. And just to let you know, we will have a new attraction called ‘Pasar Besar’ a Malaysian marketplace in Central Market Kuala Lumpur that will be opening soon. And we would like to invite you to come here again and experience it. Thank you for taking your time to leave a review, we truly appreciate it. Stay safe and see you soon.
Written 21 August 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

nephronking
Liverpool, UK
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2023 • Couples
My childhood haunt with many of us fascinated by the artistic and cultural richness Malaysia has to offer under 1 roof. The architecture of the building itself is worth the visit. In it many stalls including the Penang Pewter just as good as the Selangor Pewter. Many kerosene, kites, bags hand crafter and made with utmost skill and talent. The paintings are amazing. You could have your portrait painted for as little as $250.
Written 14 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, We are so happy to hear that you are enjoying your visit to Central Market Kuala Lumpur. It’s always rewarding to hear kind words, and as a matter of fact, we love that you love us :) Thank you for taking time out of your day to leave us this super kind review [you put a big smile on our faces]. From all of us at Central Market Kuala Lumpur, we look forward to seeing you again soon!
Written 25 September 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Pietro M
Phnom Penh, Cambodia
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2022 • Family
Compared to other historical markets in SE Asia, KL's Central Market is very well maintained, clean, and air conditioned.

There's a nice food quarter / mini hawker center where you can try some local things, but that's probably the reason you'd go because the shops leave a lot to be desired.

Mostly just the same tourist knick knacks I'm sure you can find all over the place (and in the nearby Chinatown). Also a lot of the market was either closed or under construction when we went, with covid its hard to tell how many of the closed shops were permanently shuttered. The prices are for the most part fair but don't expect to find anything too unique or handmade.

Overall it's not a must do while in the city if you're pressed for time, but worth checking out if you're near the Chinatown area.
Written 24 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your recent visit to Central Market Kuala Lumpur. We are now in the midst of bringing something new, and exciting (under renovation) and with the reopening of international border, we do expect more retailers to be operating their businesses at Central Market Kuala Lumpur soon. If you happened to be in KL again in the near future, please do visit us to see what's new, and we at Central Market Kuala Lumpur look forward to welcome you again. Stay safe.
Written 25 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Mariusz S
Baulkham Hills, Australia
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2024 • Couples
This is a good spot to take a break from rain or heat. There is more variety here than Petaling Street Market in my opinion which was just a very cheap fake product style. Here you can get some genuine gifts of value.
There are some art centres which are very interesting, food, gift shops and some boutiques.
A good place to check out shopping when you are visiting KL.

Can get busy and it's not huge, so an hour or two is plenty of time.
Written 15 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for the positive review. We are delighted that you had a good times during your visit to Central Market Kuala Lumpur. And we are looking forward to welcome you again on your next visit.
Written 19 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Deepak
Suva, Fiji
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2024 • Couples
Central Market and the Kasturi Walk is s shopping market for souvenirs, gifts and all whilst visiting KL.

Not too far from the MRT or a short walk, you can get off at either Pasir Naser or Masjid Jamek and reach there in no time whilst looking at the 118 Merdeka building.

The food court on the first floor serves delicious food from Momos, lamprais and nasi lemek. Nice Batik stores on the first floor as well.
Written 15 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Your review motivates us to keep pushing forward and sets the tone for excellence in all that we do. We’re humbled by your support and look forward to welcome you again. Thank you.
Written 19 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Massimo e Irene
Pisa, Italy
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2024 • Couples
The market consists of an indoor structure (ground floor and first floor) with many shops of various kinds (clothing, souvenirs, gifts, catering) well maintained and in which additional specific markets are set up in the main corridor on weekends. Outside next to the closed market there is a street also set up with stalls and shops. That's interesting.
Automatically translated
Written 2 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We appreciate you taking the time to write a review, and we are happy that your trip to Central Market Kuala Lumpur went well. Can’t wait to welcome you again, and we wish you well. Until then, stay safe ya
Written 4 August 2024
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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CENTRAL MARKET KUALA LUMPUR (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

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