Cover Atas' 18 vegetable tea (Photo: Atas)

These Malaysian restaurants are perfect for the plant-forward diner

This story was first published on May 5, 2021, and updated on February 14, 2023.

At first glance, most fine dining restaurants in Malaysia may not seem to cater to the plant-based diner. However, upon further inspection, many do offer vegetarian tasting menus or are more than happy to accommodate specific requests with advance notice. 

With produce-driven dining on the rise, we've put together a selection of fine dining restaurants that either offer vegetarian tasting menus or are able to provide plant-based dishes upon request.

See what each restaurant is presently serving this season.

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Studio Restaurant

Tatler Asia
Above A dish on Studio Restaurant's vegetarian menu, featuring brassica, ceps and a pine nut sauce (Photo: Studio Restaurant)

Boasting modern European tasting menus and natural wines, Studio Restaurant offers a eight-course dinner suited to plant-based diners. While the menu lists ingredients rather than dish descriptions, as to not give too much away before the experience, diners can expect to indulge in a selection of vegetarian creations crafted by chef Christian Recomio. 

The menu begins with a delicate yuba tart, before moving on to heartier offerings such as the truffle porridge with fermented white asparagus. We've been told that the sweets have just been given a makeover with a pre-dessert of rock melon and milk ice cream before the final dessert of coconut, raspberry and liquorice. 

Studio Restaurant | 38-1, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur | +6016 425 0773

See also: Where to have afternoon tea with the best views in Malaysia

Gooddam

Tatler Asia
Above Truffle and mushroom risotto (Photo: Gooddam)

Depending on your appetite, choose from Gooddam’s three, four, or six-course vegetarian menu, which takes inspiration from the region of Emilia-Romagna. All menus begin with a series of stuzzichini (Italian snacks) including a charred tomato and melon sorbet, a winter truffle tartlet and rosemary focaccia. 

The extensive six-course menu follows with both a cold and hot antipasto, before a primo of ricotta ravioli with pickled pumpkin. Choose from the truffle and wild mushroom risotto or grilled cauliflower steak for a main course. For dessert, we can't recommend the signature tiramisu enough, though the brown butter ice cream with balsamic does tempt. 

Gooddam | Lot B-G-07, The Hub SS2, 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya | @gooddamco/Instagram

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Restaurant au Jardin

Tatler Asia
Above Magnum sorbet (Photo: Restaurant au Jardin)

Produce-driven Restaurant au Jardin is one of Tatler Dining’s Top 20 Restaurants in 2023. Vegetables shine in the vegetarian menu, The Green Degustation, which begins with a delicate heirloom tomato tart with a nut and sour cream sorbet.

Expect to be impressed by creations such as highland cabbages with smoked eryngii tartare and gorgonzola dumpling with chayote before leading up to a harissa-spiced main of roasted and butter-poached aubergine.

Restaurant au Jardin | 125, Jalan Timah, 10150 George Town, Penang | +6012 428 9594

Nadodi

Tatler Asia
Above Yesterday, a dish made with steeped rice, moor milagai crumble and coriander oil (Photo: Nadodi)

Titled The Road Home, Nadodi’s 10-course vegetarian menu is sure to satisfy plant-based diners. Begin with a trio of snacks before the menu kicks off with a selection of street staples—idli and sambar with a banana flower fritter.

Other dishes to expect during the course of the menu include grilled asparagus, fermented rice cakes, stuffed okra and a hearty serving of classic biryani.

Nadodi | Lot 183, 1st Floor Jalan Mayang, Off, Jalan Yap Kwan Seng, Kampung Baru, 50450 Kuala Lumpur | +6017 296 9520

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The Brasserie

Tatler Asia
Above Highlands carrots with baby leeks (Photo: The Brasserie)
Tatler Asia
Above Onion with truffle, tapioca and toast (Photo: The Brasserie)

Both a five and seven-course vegetarian menu are available at The Brasserie, which is helmed by chef Keith Hooker. Expect dishes such as salt-baked celeriac, vialone nano (Italian medium-grain rice) risotto and highland carrots with baby leeks. Desserts include an indulgent medley of dark, milk and white chocolate.

The Brasserie | The St. Regis Kuala Lumpur, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur | +603 2727 6666

See also: 5 things you probably didn’t know about pizza

Aliyaa

Tatler Asia
Above Cashew curry (Photo: Aliyaa)

One of Tatler Dining’s Top 20 Restaurants in 2023, Bukit Damansara-based Aliyaa serves some of the most authentic Sri Lankan food in town. While there is no plant-based tasting menu, most items on the menu are vegetarian-friendly with string hoppers and appam as a staple.

From starters and snacks to salads and curries, vegetarians will not feel restricted when ordering. Begin with stir-fried cashews, followed by vegetable cutlets, Jaffna seafood soup and eggplant salad. Not to be missed is also the kuliyal, a mix of oven-baked dishes, served on a banana leaf.

Aliyaa | No 48 G&M, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur | +6017 883 3738

Atas

Tatler Asia
Above Truffle onsen tamago (Photo: Atas)

While Atas does not have a vegetarian tasting menu, the lunch and a la carte menu boast some of the best vegetables dishes in town, created by executive chef Mandy Goh.

The 18 Vegetable Tea is rich with umami, infused with a plethora of Cameron vegetables and aromatic sage. Not to be missed is also the truffle onsen tamago as well as the Cameron corn flan with burnt butter and quinoa.

Atas | The RuMa Hotel and Residences, 7, Jalan Kia Peng, 50450 Kuala Lumpur | +603 2778 0888

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