From a mod-Indian restaurant to a unique coffee cocktail bar, The Republik boasts some of KL’s best dining concepts
The Republik is arguably KL’s trendiest new dining destination. This elegant, recently-renovated colonial-style building in Damansara Heights houses two storeys of eateries, all featuring fresh dining concepts courtesy of Malaysia’s best and brightest restauranteurs and culinary stars. From a mod-Indian restaurant to a one-of-a-kind coffee cocktail bar, here are our top picks of places to dine in the next time you’re in The Republik.
1. Frangipaani
With its beautiful well-lit space and leafy, airy interiors, dining at Frangipaani is an all-round stellar experience. This modern South Asian restaurant serves drool-worthy Indian classics like a crab rasam, lamb rogan josh, butter chicken and malai kofta, to name a few. Its cocktail menu also measures up to the mains and truly packs a punch. Try the Indian Passion, a vodka and passionfruit puree concoction mixed with a dash of cumin mix and green chillies for an extra flavour kick.
The Republik, Lot No.M.03, Mezzanine Floor, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
2. Krung Thep
Krung Thep specialises in contemporary Thai dining that showcases Thailand’s famous culinary regions: Central, Northern, Southern and Isan. Soak up the flavours in a refined setting by restaurant veterans and Isan-born Chef Piyanat Yowabut. Must-try dishes include a Southern Thai yellow prawn curry, tom yam talay and of course, the pad thai goong.
G05, Ground Floor, Republik, 1, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
3. Nam
Nam is a newly opened French-Vietnamese establishment that wins big with its crispy roast duck. Helmed by the same team behind the likes of Kenny Hill Bakers and Nourish, it also serves classics like Vietnamese pho, made with cuts of grass-fed Australian beef. Other menu offerings include a savoury beef ribs curry served with baguette, coconut crêpes and soft rice paper rolls.
G.02-02, Bangunan Epicure, Republik Damansara Heights, 1, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Damansara, Malaysia
4. Happy Stan
Named for the travel writer Stanton Delaplane who introduced Irish coffee to the United States, Happy Stan caters to both barflies and coffee fans. It’s co-founded by the coffee specialists behind VCR, so you can expect only quality brews here. Power up with one of their strong cuppas or unwind with a signature coffee cocktail. Must-tries include the Cold Irish Coffee, a decadent blend of cold filtered coffee, single malt whiskey, sweetened with honey and muscavado and served with a dollop of double cream. Happy Stan also has a menu of non-alcoholic cocktails.
M.06, 1, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
5. Blonde
The latest venture from family-owned restaurant group Serai, Blonde is a mod-Malaysian eatery serving up an international menu of brunch and bistro classics with an unmistakable local twist. On its brunch menu, a Dutch-style pancakes served with plump homegrown figs from Shah Alam proves to be a crowd favourite, while mains like the Asian Platter, a spread of golden fried chicken spiked with curry leaves, piquant assam tiger prawns and smoky grilled squid, promises the heartiest of feasts.
G.03A, Republik Damansara Heights, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
