Kuala Lumpur is a hustle-and-bustle type of city that, like many other major cities in the world, does not sleep. It is famous for its traffic jams but also for food, shopping and sightseeing. As a 20-something who has lived in KL for ten years and taken numerous foreign visitors around, I have some recommendations for travelers looking to explore KL within a range of budgets.
11 Places
2 City Tips
11 Places
Healy Mac's 12 Bar Cafe
Restaurants
TGI Friday
Restaurants
Menara Kuala Lumpur
Observation Decks & Towers
KLCC Park
Parks
Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
Art Museums
Royal Selangor Visitor Centre
Visitor Centres
Merdeka Square
Points of Interest & Landmarks
Hard Rock Cafe
Restaurants
Madam Kwan's KLCC
Restaurants
The Royal Museum (Old Istana Negara)
History Museums
dunmetiel's City Tips
- Bring light, summer clothes. Only a cardigan or long sleeve top is enough for mountaineous regions. Malaysia is a majority Muslim country and a modesty in dressing is required.
- Tipping is not essential in restaurants. Tips are usually given to therapists in spas and lobby boys in hotels, although not compulsory.
- Healy Mac's 12 Bar CafeRestaurants (Bar, European, Pub, Irish)See more photos
dunmetiel Says:Great place for good food and service. Band plays on the weekends but expect an 'older' crowd. Great service. Location is slightly away from the main city centre, but this is great if you don't want the crowds and jams.
Tips- Try the garlic bread with cheese for starters
Plan to stay: 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #695 of 4,718 restaurants in Kuala Lumpur- An Average Bar 03/12/2019
- No atmosphere given that it's an Irish Pub 11/11/2019
- Healy Mac's 12 Bar Cafe
▼Address:222 Jalan AmpangKuala Lumpur 50450MalaysiaPhone:+60 3-4251 2700Hours:Sun - Sat11:00 am - 1:30 amOther: - TGI FridayRestaurants (American, Bar)See more photosdunmetiel Says:
A big chain in Malaysia, it serves great American food in a cosy, festive ambience. Great service.
Tips- Try the starters
Plan to stay: 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #946 of 4,718 restaurants in Kuala Lumpur- Bad service tgi Friday pavilion 20/03/2023
- TGIF Pavilion 01/01/2022
- TGI Friday
▼Address:Ground Floor, Life CentreKuala LumpurMalaysiaOther: - Menara Kuala LumpurObservation Decks & TowersSee more photosdunmetiel Says:
Great overview of KL city and its surrounding areas.
Tips- Go if you have little time in KL
Plan to stay: Less than 1 hourFrom the communityRanked #28 of 352 things to do in Kuala Lumpur- Best views of KL... Better than petronas!! 21/08/2023
- Time your visit 15/08/2023
- Menara Kuala Lumpur
▼Address:No. 2 Jalan PunchakOff Jalan P RamleeKuala Lumpur 50250MalaysiaPhone:+60 3-2020 5444Price range:US$52 - US$52Hours:Sun - Sat9:00 am - 10:00 pmOther: - KLCC ParkParksSee more photosdunmetiel Says:
The Twin Towers is a must-see for any visitor in KL. Great architectural wonder and beautiful to see at night. Shop at the Suria shopping mall.
Tips- Take photos from the gardens in front of the building, along Jalan Ampang. Gives better angles compared to the KLCC Park on the opposite side of the building.
Plan to stay: 2-3 hoursFrom the communityRanked #2 of 352 things to do in Kuala Lumpur- Worth stopping by, but feels somewhat artificial. 27/08/2023
- A calm Oasis in middle of bustling KL 20/08/2023
- KLCC Park
▼Address:Jalan AmpangKuala Lumpur 50450MalaysiaHours:Tue6:00 pm - 10:00 pmWed - Mon6:00 am - 10:00 pm - Islamic Arts Museum MalaysiaArt MuseumsSee more photosdunmetiel Says:
Well-maintained and interesting. The only museum worth visiting in Kuala Lumpur. Quiet and a very peaceful place.
Tips- Go if you like museums and/or are interested in Islamic history and culture
Plan to stay: 2-3 hoursFrom the communityRanked #6 of 352 things to do in Kuala Lumpur- A must see collection of orientalist art 01/09/2023
- A stunning & tranquil refuge from KL’s commercial centre 27/08/2023
- Islamic Arts Museum Malaysia
▼ - Royal Selangor Visitor CentreVisitor CentresSee more photosdunmetiel Says:
Must-do for all visitors in KL. Shows history and process of making Malaysian pewter. What's best is that entry and guided tour is completely free!
Tips- Location is on the outskirts of KL city, so plan your travel properly. Suggest to drive or take a cab.
Plan to stay: 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #4 of 352 things to do in Kuala Lumpur- It was a fantastic tour by Nicky. She was informative accommodating and extremely polite! We loved her! 22/09/2023
- Worth the quick visit 22/09/2023
- Royal Selangor Visitor Centre
▼Address:4 Jalan Usahawan 6Setapak JayaKuala Lumpur 53300MalaysiaPhone:+60 3-4145 6000Hours:Sun - Sat9:00 am - 5:00 pmOther: - Merdeka SquarePoints of Interest & LandmarksSee more photosdunmetiel Says:
Place of historical significance and great old architecture. Great for history buffs. Nothing much to do here, but go for the photos and sightseeing.
Tips- Can be hot in the daytime or rainy, so bring an umbrella!
Plan to stay: Less than 1 hourFrom the communityRanked #34 of 352 things to do in Kuala Lumpur- Must visit while Traveling KL 23/08/2023
- Beautiful 17/06/2023
- Merdeka Square
▼ - Hard Rock CafeRestaurants (American)See more photosdunmetiel Says:
As with all other HRCs in the world, is a great restaurant and bar for nightlife. However, smoking is allowed here at the moment and the places will get extremely smokey later in the evening!
Tips- Go early for dinner then stay for the band
Plan to stay: 2-3 hoursFrom the communityRanked #185 of 4,718 restaurants in Kuala Lumpur- Good food, probably most expensive ever eaten 18/09/2023
- Avoid their cocktails!!! 12/09/2023
- Hard Rock Cafe
▼Address:No. 2 Jalan Sultan IsmailNo 2 Jalan Sultan IsmailKuala Lumpur 50250MalaysiaPhone:+60 3-2715-5555Price range:US$7 - US$36Hours:Sun - Thu11:30 am - 12:00 amFri - Sat11:30 am - 1:00 amOther: - Madam Kwan's KLCCRestaurants (Asian, Malaysian)See more photosdunmetiel Says:
A restaurant for high-end local food. Best part is that Mdm Kwan has managed to elevate Malaysian local/street food to an upmarket standard without sacrificing the taste! Must try.
Tips- Nasi Bojari
Plan to stay: 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #186 of 4,718 restaurants in Kuala Lumpur- Mood spoiler 31/08/2023
- Come here only if you are very hungry! 22/08/2023
- Madam Kwan's KLCC
▼Address:Lot 420/421 Level 4 SuriaSuria KLCCKuala Lumpur 50088MalaysiaPhone:+60 3-2026 2297Hours:Sun - Sat11:00 am - 9:30 pmOther: - The Royal Museum (Old Istana Negara)History Museumsdunmetiel Says:
The Royal Museum is located at the old royal palace along Jalan Istana, so very authentic and gives you an amazing experience of walking down the halls where all the Kings and Queens have done in the past. Very well done and interesting. Be prepared to be wowed with the royal "his" and "her" bathrooms!
Tips- Slightly outside the city centre, so plan your travel - take a tour bus or drive/cab
Plan to stay: 1-2 hoursFrom the communityRanked #80 of 352 things to do in Kuala Lumpur- Do not waste your time or money 12/03/2020
- Interesting 07/03/2020
- The Royal Museum (Old Istana Negara)
▼Address:Jalan IstanaKuala Lumpur 50460MalaysiaPhone:+60 3-2272 1896Hours:Sun - Sat9:00 am - 5:00 pmOther:
