The best neighbourhoods in Kuala Lumpur to live, play, and work

Best for heritage 

In the shadows of the Twin Towers, KL’s oldest Malay enclave thrives with the feel and flavour of a tightly-knit community and its traditions. Glimpse century-old ancestral homes on stilts, a mosque, herbal and sundry shops, barbers and tailors at work, and children at play. Pick up a kueh (delicacy) streetside and converse with friendly locals. Stick around as day turns to night to see markets, warung, or roadside eateries pop open.

What to do Wander around – marvel at traditional houses like Rumah Limas for its intricate carvings and garbled roofs, then take in the façade of the Masjid Jamek Kampung Baru with its mosaic-adorned gateway. Also, don’t miss the now-abandoned replica of the 1930s Sultan Suleiman Clubhouse.

What to eat Have nasi dagang (fish curry rice) and mee celup (noodle soup) at Chunburi Seafood. Charcoal-grilled chicken is a must-have in KL, and there are few places better than Ayam Bakar Wong Solo. Try nasi lemak, what else, at the famous Nasi Lemak Wanjo and for skewered, grilled meats, there’s Satay Padang. 

Best for nightlife 

Buzzing Chinatown has reinvented itself. Anchored by the Petaling Street market, delightful red-roof houses, and temples, the area is now home to a new crop of bars and restaurants in refurbished pre-war shophouses – turning Chinatown into a hotspot. If you like your neighbourhood with a little grit and a lot of life, you’ll be seduced.

What to do Begin with a sundowner at Upper House’s rooftop bar, which comes with enviable views of Merdeka 118, before working your way to Jao Tim to see local musicians perform or to REXKL to catch a gig. You’ll have to book in advance to nab a seat at KL’s top bar Penrose, or otherwise slip into the dimly-lit speakeasy PS150. End your night with some dancing at Concubine.

What to eat There is plenty to eat in Chinatown. Enjoy regional comfort fare like cincalok fried chicken at Cho Cha Foodstore and for grilled, fermented dishes, try Pickle Dining. Yet nothing beats a plate of Hokkien noodles streetside at the 100-year-old Kim Lian Kee stall.

Best for culture

Brickfields is a captivating mix of influences – savour the diversity through ancient temples, mosques, churches, and ashrams. Affectionately known as Little India, the pulsating Jalan Tun Sambanthan turns into a riot of colour and noise during Deepavali, with traders peddling textiles, aromatic spices, incense, jewellery, and flowers.

What to do Visit some of Brickfields' decades-old places of worship like the elegant Vivekananda Ashram, the Buddhist Maha Vihara, and the Kandaswamy Hindu temple with its stunning gopuram. There's also the Madrasah Gouthiyyah and the St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Cathedral to round out the incredible mix of cultures in the district. Combine this with some shopping for sarees and salwar kameez at favourites Bollywood Fashion and Preet’s. Also, squeeze in a visit to the Temple of Fine Arts to watch Indian classical dancers swivel during lessons or browse contemporary art at Wei-Ling Gallery.

What to eat Have claypot curries at Seni SattiSorru or cheap, tasty home-cooked dishes at Lawanya Food Corner. There’s also Maya Mess for banana leaf rice and Annalakshmi for vegetarian buffets. For something different, try Sin Kee for Hainanese dishes and Anak Baba for Peranakan fare.

Best for hipster vibes

Taman Paramount has the rizz – thanks to a cluster of small, groovier fashion and lifestyle shops, thrift stores, bougie cafes and bars that have sprouted organically around long-standing hawkers, kedai runcit and auto shops. This local fusion makes the neighbourhood a day-to-night playground for the cool kids.

What to do For fashionable vintage, check out FIFTH and Del’cs Retail. Just a few doors down is select-store Ilaika, which stocks everything from stationery to bespoke ceramics. Be sure to poke your nose into Awe Gallery, which hosts edgy exhibitions and pop-up markets. For those keen on photography, creative hub Zontiga conducts workshops and talks. 

What to eat Start your day with some nasi lemak or curry mee at Sin Tong Hong Kopitiam. If you’re after seriously good coffee, look no further than One Half. For dessert, have some fluffy waffles at Fluffed Cafe and Dessert Bar. In the evening, the neighbourhood transforms. It’s best to get into line early for Chan Kee Roast Duck (they sell out fast). Chipta 11a, meanwhile, will leave a lasting impression with its curated sushi and sake meal. Post dinner, enjoy a wide range of craft beers at Monster and Beer or sip chic cocktails at Terumi. Highly recommended for oenophiles – the lively wine bar Psychotic Operator for house pours by the glass at happy-hour prices.

Best for families 

This upmarket neighbourhood – with its lavish bungalows and townhouses – holds great appeal for families. But Damansara Heights has become a destination in its own right. Lively enclaves like the Five and Republik bring a fun element to the neighbourhood. New cafés, restaurants, artisan shops and malls have also moved in yet Damansara Heights has retained its laid-back charm and a strong sense of community.

What to do Take young kids to the National Science Centre for interactive exhibits or to Petit Parc, an indoor playground at Pavilion Damansara. For some quiet time, enjoy reading together at the Damansara Community Library. Frankitas is perfect for mums to browse ethnic bags and purses, jewellery and homeware while Qra stocks excellent food products for your pantry.

What to eat Family-friendly restaurants include Croisserie and Huckleberry for coffee and pastries while A1 Bistro serves nasi kandar (rice and a variety of curries). There’s Nero Nero and Pomod’Oro for pasta and pizzas, and Yum Me Place for hawker favourites.

Best for foodies

The Imbi neighbourhood is mostly off the tourist radar but when it comes to eating out, nowhere compares to it for the sheer variety and quality of food, or the nostalgia. Cantonese food is fantastic in this part of town – dig into everything from kopitiam favourites to steaming bowls of noodles round the clock.

What to do Shop at quirky stores at Berjaya Times Square and pick up computers and electronics at Imbi Plaza at a budget. For some art and culture, try your hand at batik painting at Jadi Batik, or stroll and discover the Fei Har Ching Ser Temple and the quaint Jalan Imbi Chapel.

What to eat The list is endless. Have breakfast at Sakura Restaurant for their famed nasi lemak and at Win Heng Seng for staples like chee cheong fun and handcrafted pork-ball noodles. Come lunch time, head to Overseas Restaurant for Cantonese classics or Restoran New Imbi Garden for sang har mee. Hip eateries, in repurposed bungalows, like Grumpy Bagels and Flour, a fine-dining Indian restaurant, are reinventing the scene.