For those who are looking to celebrate Christmas in an intimate setting, or just want to take the time off from cooking, you have come to the right place. Holiday feasts are plentiful in Kuala Lumpur, and we’ve done the hard work of narrowing down 10 restaurants that will suit any occasion – from private dinners and buffets to the elaborate, fancy shindigs. Now, the most wonderful time of the year can finally begin!
Teatime doesn’t get any fancier than this. Round up your posse for a Chopard-themed afternoon tea where you’ll be surrounded by fresh pine aromas from a 16 ft-tall pine tree embellished with decorations by Chopard. The menu includes mini gingerbread spiced Kugelhopf orange jam and vanilla cream, Muscovado and chestnut cake, caramel éclair, macarons, raspberry and white chocolate Swiss rolls, scones, chocolates as well as canapés.
Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur. 03 2179 8883. www.mandarinoriental.com/kuala-lumpur/. Until Dec 28. RM198 nett (inclusive of one bottle of mini Moët); RM148 nett (inclusive of one hot beverage).
For a slightly unconventional Christmas meal, Antara Restaurant – set in a century-old restored building on Raja Chulan – offers a special Nyonya lunch buffet that includes dishes such as pai tee, popiah, otak-otak, mee siam, satay with nasi impit, assam fish curry, penang char, and last but not least, cendol and a selection of nyonya kuih for dessert.
2 Lorong Raja Chulan, KL. 03 2078 8881. www.antararestaurant.com. Dec 23-25, 12noon-4pm. Adult, RM130++; child, RM65++.
Much of Cantaloupe’s appeal come from its décor and view overlooking the stunning Petronas Twin Towers. But really, it’s the food that has ensured the restaurant’s staying power. This festive season, the restaurant is offering French oyster with caviar d’Aquitaine, smoked ocean trout, Australian rock lobster, corn-fed chicken consommé, koji fermented pigeon, spiced apple cider sorbet with lavender sugar tuile, slow-cooked lamb, chocolate sorbet and the indulgent Mont Blanc dessert.
Level 23A, Tower B, The Troika, 19 Persiaran KLCC, KL. 03 2162 0866. www.troikaskydining.com/cantaloupe. Dec 24, 6pm onwards. RM580++ per person.
Staying true to its French culinary roots with an Asian twist, Cilantro has crafted an elaborate Christmas Eve menu that features capellini with Oscietra caviar, confit of foie gras with condiments, lobster consommé, cod and scallop en croute, granite and two way of poulet de Bresse with truffle jus. End dinner on a sweet note with white chocolate ice cream, berries and warm ganache.
368 Jalan Tun Razak, Taman U Thant, KL. 03 2179 8082. www.cilantrokl.com. Dec 24. 6-10.30pm. RM658 nett per person.
As if dining at the Colonial Cafe isn’t a #throwback moment already, the hotel dedicates the festive season to some of the most famous entertainers of the century: Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Dean Martin, Joey Bishop and Peter Lawford – who are all members of The Rat Pack. Feast on roast turkey, braised beef cheek, puddings and mulled wine while being serenaded by the Solianos who will be belting out famous tunes such as ‘Fly Me To The Moon’, ‘The Lady Is A Tramp’, ‘Merry Little Christmas’ and ‘Baby It’s Cold Outside’.
5 Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, KL. 03 2785 8000. www.majestickl.com. Dec 24, RM280 nett person; RM380 nett with wine pairing. Dec 25, RM220 nett; RM320 with wine pairing.
Had one too many Christmas puddings or can’t decide what to have for dinner? Leave it to the chefs at Nobu. Their seven-course omakase dinner includes scallop quinoa salad with yuzu dressing, pan-seared Chilean sea bass with truffle sauce, smoked Wagyu with yuba and nori sauce, and a dessert platter of Genmaicha Bavarian with chestnut cream, chocolate raspberry mousse and coconut granite ‘snow’.
Level 56, Menara 3 Petronas, Persiaran KLCC, KL. 03 2164 5084. www.noburestaurants.com/kuala-lumpur. Dec 22-25. RM560++ per person. Reservations can be made for 6pm or 8.30pm seatings.
If you’re looking to impress your guests, the newly refurbished Sage won’t disappoint. Finesse is one of the restaurant’s house specialties, as evidenced, once again, in their Christmas Eve menu that reads like – pardon the hyperbole – poetry. Look out for tranche of tuna chūtoro with sea urchin and caviar, honey soy glazed Muscovy duck breast with goose liver and truffle risotto, étuvée of Ikejime Kinmedai fish with mirugai and nori chilli broth, blood orange granite with Grand Marnier jelly, Japanese A4 beef with truffle mash and noisette butter sauce, slow cooked hillside lamb rack with blue cheese and miso sauce (alternatively, pan roasted Maine lobster with sea scallop and Nantua sauce) and for dessert, Guanaja dark chocolate marquise with cherry brandy anglaise and gold leaf.
The Gardens Residences, Level 6, The Gardens, Mid Valley City. 03 2268 1328. www.sagekl.com. Dec 24, 6pm onwards. RM468 per person; child, RM238 per person.
For an intimate and private dinner party, the standard-bearer for contemporary yet simple dining Table and Apron can host up to 20 guests. Choose from a line-up of homemade pies, pâté and terrines, roast chicken and their best-seller last year, house-cured crispy porchetta. The latter, which easily feeds 10 to 12 people, is served with sourdough bread and whipped butter Dijon mustard, house-made sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, crispy kale and glazed carrots, salad of market greens, and gingerbread pudding with vanilla ice cream.
23 Jalan SS 20/11, Damansara Kim, PJ. 03 7733 4000. www.tableandapron.my. Until Dec 31. Roast chicken, RM300++; porchetta, RM480++. Call for private dining reservations.
The modern Asian restaurant with a convivial wine bar is all fancied-up for Christmas, trotting out dishes such as turkey with sage and chestnut dumplings, Vietnamese prawn cocktail and mango roll, cranberry hoisin glazed duck tacos with pickles and shallots, brown butter garlic fried rice with nori and Asian charred lettuce. To finish, a decadent chocolate cremux with coconut custard and coconut espuma awaits you.
8-5 Jalan Batai, Plaza Batai, Bukit Damansara, KL. 03 2011 1117. www.sitkarestaurant.com. Dec 22-25. 7pm onwards. Reservations are required.
Inspired by his recent trip to Europe, Chef Darren Chin has specially crafted a winter menu with a choice of four, six and eight courses. Expect new interpretation of sea scallop carpaccio, snow crab, foie gras, wagyu and a selection of seasonal vegetables. If you still need any convincing, the restaurant’s ‘Kaki’ dessert – a clementine sherbet with yuzu curd, sesame wafer, almond crumble – or the ‘In Depth’ – a light crunch meringue with black sesame panna cotta, red cherries and crème fraiche sorbet – will charm even the most discerning diner. Each menu also allows you to add on winter black truffle (20g to 30g) at just RM288.
44 Persiaran Zaaba, TTDI. 03 7731 0502. www.restaurant-dc.com. From 7pm onwards. Available throughout December. Course meal from RM328++ per pax.
