From Sarawak laksa and Hokkien mee to nachos and pizzas by the slice, here are new dining concepts in KL that give a modern spin to the traditional hawker centre
1. Tiffin at the Yard
Tiffin at the Yard started as a limited-run pop-up food destination and is now a favourite hangout of KLites. Located inside a charmingly refurbished old railway building at Sentul Depot, it houses a curated collection of stalls. Whether you’re looking for fresh pasta, Sarawak laksa, overloaded burgers or even smoked salmon ice cream (really), you’ll find it at Tiffin. PT189-PT183-PT185 Jalan Strachan, Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. tiffin.my
2. Lucky Lucky Foodstore
Located next to a beautiful lake-park, Lucky Lucky is the newest addition to the dining scene of Cheras, a suburb in KL. The upscale food court is blessed with lots of natural light and has 12 stalls offering a mix of traditional hawker and dai chow (stir-fry) fare, as well as nachos and burritos (Machos!), corn dogs (Chunz) and baos (The Bao Guys). Komune Living & Wellness, 21 Jalan Tasik Permaisuri 2, Bandar Tun Razak, Kuala Lumpur. luckyluckyfoodstore.com
3. The Back Ground
This converted old cinema is a hotspot all over again, not least for its all-day food hall. The Back Ground – eclectically furnished, atmospherically lit and extremely well curated – is as much an entertainment spot as it is a dining destination. Here you can tuck into local favourites, New York-style pizza by the slice, artisanal ice cream and some of the best cocktails in the city, while listening to live music. 80 Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur. rexkl.com
4. Lot 10 Hutong
Hutong sprawls across the basement level of Lot 10, one of KL’s oldest malls and a short walk from Petronas Towers. This isn’t your average foodcourt. Hutong was the first in the city to bring together KL’s best hawker stalls, hole-in-the-wall restaurants and family favourites, and place them in a premium city-centre location. Come with a big group and order everything – from Hokkien mee and beef ball noodles, to roast duck rice and dim sum. Lot 10 Shopping Centre, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur. lot10hutong.com
5. Artisan’s Playground by Cookhouse
There is a lot going on at Artisan’s Playground. First of all, it’s home to 15 micro-restaurants, including a lobster bar, specialty coffee bar, Sri Lankan favourite Aliyaa, gelato and more. Then there’s the private dining rooms, chef’s tables, workshops, cooking demonstrations. Oh, also live music and sometimes even magic shows. All housed in an open-concept space that can be switched up for events and performances. Rivercity Plaza, Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur. artisansplayground.my
