Cover Aliyaa Experience Menu (Photo: Aliyaa)

Straight from the pages of the latest instalment of the Tatler Dining Guide, here's the selection of the top Indian and Sri Lankan dining venues

A great Indian or Sri Lankan meal is flavourful and packed with aroma and spices, from glistening curries best mopped up with appam or hearty platters of biryani. Whether you're seeking comfort food in a familiar neighbourhood restaurant or looking for a fine dining establishment, we have a plethora of options for you to choose from here in Malaysia. 

You'll be spoiled for choice when deciding where to dine with our round-up of five of the city's best restaurants for Indian and Sri Lankan food, in alphabetical order, from this year's Tatler Dining Guide. 

Read more: 9 new restaurants, cafes and bars in Malaysia to try in March 2023

Sri Lankan   |   $ $ $ $   |   Damansara Heights
Tatler Asia
Above Crab curry (Photo: Aliyaa)

Must Try

  • The Aliyaa Experience
  • Jaffna Style Crab Curry
  • Tiger Prawns Varuval

Expect warm hospitality at Aliyaa, with a crew that knows their way around the menu. The food comes in hot and tickles one’s senses in every good way. Service at the restaurant is excellent—with attentive staff who check in on guests frequently, and are familiar with the menu.

Notable dishes include the crab curry, which can be served in five styles and flavours. Choose to have it Jaffna style, which is spicy but delectable. The tiger prawn curry is also spot-on and worth a try. With the wide selection of dishes, diners are spoilt for choice. 


Aliyaa

Address: 48, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur


Indian   |   $ $ $ $   |   Damansara Heights
Tatler Asia
Above Chicken haryali kebab (Photo: Frangipaani)

Must Try

  • Crab Meat Xec Xec
  • Lamb Rack
  • Prawn Balchao

Frangipaani has always been a dependable name in the city for fine Indian cuisine. Located in the upscale dining hub of Damansara Republik, it boasts an elegant space and an attentive service that doesn’t feel obtrusive.

Dishes here are meant to be shared. Try the butter chicken with a side of garlic naan, which is a signature. Needless to say, it does not disappoint. Don't miss the crab meat xec-xec, flavoured with coconut, coriander and red chilli. 


Frangipaani

Address: The Republik, Lot No.M.03, Mezzanine Floor, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur


Indian   |   $ $ $ $   |   Bangsar
Tatler Asia
Above Dahi Puri shots (Photo: Kayra)

Must Try

  • Curd Sago with Prawn Pickle
  • Pineapple Pachidi Tart
  • Crab Chamandhi Pera

Visit Kayra for authentic Kerala dishes in a vibrant setting with friendly service. Fresh ingredients are used in highlights such as the Fish Moilee Biryani, Prawn Mango Curry and Chicken Putu. Don't miss also one of the appetiser stars, the Dahi Puri shots—crispy rice shells packed with tapioca in a tamarind and sweet yogurt sauce to be chased down with a tomato rasam shot.

The menu has something to offer for meat lovers, vegetarians and vegans, and the restaurant provides a great atmosphere for couples or for a group of friends.


Kayra

Address: F-8, 1, Jalan Telawi 1, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur


Indian   |   $ $ $ $   |   Kuala Lumpur City Centre
Tatler Asia
Above Cut the Crab (Photo: Nadodi)

Must Try

  • Degustation menu

Refining Indian cuisine, one of the world’s most ancient, and presenting it to diners with a creative flair is what separates Nadodi apart. Incorporating modern techniques, Nadodi elevates humble dishes by intensifying flavours and creating depths to present a tantalising culinary journey that traverses the lands of India and Sri Lanka.

The Nadodi Globe is the restaurant’s signature biryani that has a wonderful combination of flavours. Visiting the restaurant is sure to result in a memorable outing.


Nadodi

Address: Level 7A, Four Seasons Hotel, Jalan Ampang, City Centre, 50450 Kuala Lumpur


Sri Lankan   |   $ $ $ $   |   Bangsar
Tatler Asia
Above Jaffna crab curry (Photo: The Lankan Crabs)

Must Try

  • Jaffna Crab Curry
  • Negombo Crab Curry
  • Black Pepper Crabs

The Lankan Crabs boasts delicious Sri Lankan cuisine with a focus on crab curries—a must-try for those who love these crustaceans. The restaurant is usually busy, crowded and full of bustle.

Eating with your hands is best so come prepared to get messy when devouring the crab dishes—our favourite is the Jaffna-style crab curry. The biryanis and other non-crab dishes on the menu are excellent as well—there is something for everyone. This is a restaurant that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser in your social group with its value-for-money food that is undeniably flavourful.


The Lankan Crabs

Address: 4, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur


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