The best halal restaurants in Kuala Lumpur

For a taste of ‘la dolce vita’, head to Positano Risto in Publika. It’s a Muslim-owned and -operated restaurant celebrating the best of Italian cuisine in a casual setting with a menu that creatively departs from doctrine — no pork, no wine, all halal. ‘La Stella’, the eatery’s signature eight-pointed sourdough pizza topped with pepperoni, turkey ham and dollops of creamy burrata cheese is a highlight, as are the ravioli filled with slipper lobster and the slow-cooked lamb shank served with smooth mashed potatoes. Save room for desserts, in particular, the tiramisu assembled tableside with coffee-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream and meringue, finished with shavings of dark chocolate and a dusting of cocoa powder.

Status: Halal-certified

A meal at Khan’s requires an empty stomach. The menu, designed for sharing, is made of biryanis, curries, grills and tandoor, full of flavour, spice and everything nice. Kick things off with a mango lassi, followed by a platter of aloo chaat, papadi chaat, and pani puri, all crispy and crunchy and topped with spiced yogurt, onions, and tomatoes. The stars of the show: the hyderabadi lamb shank biryani slow-cooked in a sealed dum; ‘Khan’s Cha-Cha’ fish head curry served with eggplant and okra; and the tandoori kebab platter would pair wonderfully with flat roti and naan. As well as the main dining room, there’s an al fresco area and spacious seating to accommodate larger groups, making this a great spot for a party.

Status: Muslim-owned, ingredients sourced from halal suppliers, pork-free, does not serve alcohol

In a city full of good Japanese food, Kingu Kongu is a fun spot that stands out from the pack for its Muslim-friendly menu of contemporary Japanese cuisine covering everything from sushi, sashimi and yakitori to don and soba — a broad appeal that keeps the tables turning over, especially on weekends. Come for the beef tataki, grilled whole squid, and unagi maki with cheese (Malaysians love all things cheese, after all). Note: The Muslim-owned restaurant doesn’t have its halal certification yet, but it states that it serves only food made with halal ingredients, and does not offer alcohol on its menu. There’s a prayer room on-site.

Status: Muslim-owned, ingredients sourced from halal suppliers, pork-free, does not serve alcohol 

Dancing Fish is a lively restaurant with a legendary ikan goreng joget done six ways: from tank to table, fresh ikan nila is deep-fried to perfection and served with baby octopus in a curry infused with keluak, or with a mango kerabu, or a sambal or other toppings and sauces. There’s truly something for everyone with a thirty-page menu featuring cut-above Malay-Indo classics, plus salads, soup, curries, meat and poultry, seafood, and dessert. Standouts include charcoal-grilled marinated beef ribs in a gulai lemak pedas; bebek panggang with sambal balado; and tiger prawns in gulai nanas cili api pedas.

Status: Pork-free, ingredients sourced from halal suppliers. However, the restaurant also serves a small menu of alcoholic beverages so please be advised to dine at your discretion.

Beirut Habibi is the kind of place you’d want to visit with a big group, if only to sample as many of the ample plates as possible. For breakfast, it channels the charm of Australian café culture with a Middle Eastern twist; think a big breakfast featuring lamb kofta or a chickpea fatteh served alongside crispy sumac flatbread. Come dinner, dishes often take the form of massive platters heaving with grilled chicken, lamb, roasted whole fish or other protein, best paired with mountains of pilaf rice, herb labneh, and salads of cucumber, pomegranate and tomatoes. The dips are a must — when in doubt, order the signature hummus — served with piles of pillowy flatbread.

Status: Pork-free, ingredients sourced from halal suppliers, does not serve alcohol 

The name says it all at this cosy, no-fuss Vietnamese diner. Here, they serve up some of the best phở bò in the city: sliced beef, silky noodles, steaming broth, the whole works. Though beef is its best seller, other phở options include chicken, smoked duck, and prawn. The bánh mì is excellent too. Also on the menu are spring rolls, salads, stews, and rice paired with grilled chicken, prawn curry, or a simple fried egg. To drink, there’s lemongrass ginger tea or Vietnamese drip coffee served hot or cold. Round out the meal with bánh flan — crème caramel flan, Vietnamese-style.

Status: Pork-free,  ingredients sourced from halal suppliers, does not serve alcohol 

One of the few spots in town that does all-day dim sum and à la carte classics, all halal, LèTen is equally primed for a one-person lunch or a banquet for the corporate year-end dinner. On dim sum, all the standards are available, whether it’s deep-fried dumplings, steamed glutinous rice with chicken, or silky parcels of prawn-stuffed chee cheung fun. Dim sum aside, be sure to order the deep-fried tilapia paired with a sweet-sour sauce, the kung pao chicken, and tofu simmered in a savoury gravy, served on a sizzling hot plate.

Status: Pork-free, does not serve alcohol 

Let’s not fight about fried chicken. Fried chicken is always a good thing. Fowlboys, one of Time Out’s favourite fun-loving chicken shops, serves up some of the city’s crunchiest Southern-style fried chicken. Chicken thighs are available in two-piece with whole buttermilk waffles with honey butter and maple syrup, and are just as juicy as their burger counterparts sandwiched with pickles and sauces and sides — you have to pick a spice level, but be warned, we sweat even at ‘mild’, and it dials all the way up to ‘x-tra hot’ featuring the Carolina Reaper. Snacks include deep-fried mac and cheese and wings served with celery and ranch dip. Cool off with a milkshake. 

Status: Muslim-owned, ingredients sourced from halal suppliers, pork-free, does not serve alcohol