Malay minibreak: 48 hours in Kuala Lumpur

Editor’s note: Aarthi and Aakriti offer a trusty (and extensive) 48-hour guide to Kuala Lumpur. They have everything from casinos to quaint stamp stores, high-rise bars and delectable street food. There’s even a handy food glossary—so you aren’t left staring at the menu. 

Written by: Aakriti Anand & Aarthi Ramnath

Malaysia is a blend of the old and new. Malay, Indian, and Chinese traditions blend with expat culture of the Aussies and the Irish. Forty eight hours isn’t enough to do justice to all of it—but we’ve done our very best. Worth noting: Malaysia is a mall-crazy country, with more than 170 malls in the Klang Valley area alone. So don’t be thrown by the number of notable eateries, or must-visit stores in a shopping centre—or attached to one. But we’ve done our best to make sure you see a lot more than malls in these precious 48 hours. Come let’s KL, lah!

Getting around 

Public transport: The city is well connected via buses and metro—with super affordable tickets. The best part: these stations open in front of all the touristy places. You can either get tickets from the manned ticket counters or through self-service dispensers which take both cash and card—and are present at the station. 

Depending on how heavy your travel plans are, you can also buy the MyCity Pass which allows unlimited rides on RapidKL lines LRT, MRT, Monorail, BRT, as well as bus networks Rapid KL bus and MRT feeder bus services for one, two, and three days. The starting price for these passes are RM 30 for a non-Malaysian. Alternatively, you can get the KL travelpass from the manned counters at the airport—which includes one train ride to and fro from the airport to the city on the KLIA Ekspres—plus two-day unlimited city travel on the metro lines. The tickets are priced at RM 125.

There’s also a hop-on-hop-off bus service which runs from 9 am to 6 pm for the day time rides and then from 8 pm to 10 pm for a night time trip—which requires pre-booking on this website. 

Hail me a cab: Another way to get around is to hail cabs using the Grab app. Much like Uber or other ride-hailing apps, the rides are readily available (and subject to surge pricing during rush hours), and you can either pay by cash, or connect your credit card or forex card. The minimum fare for an app starts at RM 2, with additional waiting charges and charges per kilometre, depending on the class of car you choose. Grab also has a rental taxi service where you can keep the same cab for up to eight hours, depending on your plans for the day.

On currency: The main currency in Malaysia is the Ringgit—denoted as RM—and most places accept card payments, so it’s handy to keep a forex card on you. However, some food stalls and smaller souvenir shops, or even retail stores like Daiso, are cash-only, so it’s also a good idea to have some cash in hand—roughly budgeted at about RM 150 a day.

Where do I stay?

Mandarin Oriental, KLCC: located right between the Petronas Towers and the Kuala Lumpur City Centre Park, this is one of the most convenient places to stays–and also one of the most lavish. With plenty of room options with either a view of the park, or of the city, our favourite has to be the Twin Towers View Room King, which has a gorgeous view of the Petronas Towers. Prices start at Rs 16,700 per night, and the Twin Towers room can be booked at Rs 20,300 a night.
Banyan Tree, Jalan Conlay: Just off the City Centre, this hotel is all about the luxury, right from the rooftop dining, to a pool that looks onto the skyline, and even bathtubs in the rooms that offer a gorgeous view of the landmark Menara Tower. The Signature Sky Retreat King room is the perfect way to pamper yourself. Prices start at Rs 28,400 per night.

The Gardens, Mid Valley: For a mid-range option that also offers great accessibility, try The Gardens hotel in Mid Valley. A comfortable stay with views of the city, the hotel also has a really cool infinity pool worth checking out. Rooms start at Rs 7,300 per night.

DoubleTree by Hilton, Jalan Tun Razak: As reliable five-star hotels go, DoubleTree ticks all the boxes, right from the fancy pool to the plush beds. It doesn’t boast of a great view to boast, but it’s a good place to park yourself for two days in the city. Rooms start at Rs 9,050 for a room with two twin beds.

Hey. I’m on a tight budget…

YWCA Kuala Lumpur: This is a fantastic option for solo women travellers—and personally vetted by Aarthi who stayed here in June. The property is situated right in front of the Merdeka metro station and is a 5-6 minute walk from Petaling Street Market aka KL Chinatown. The rooms are comfortably sized and there’s a shared bathroom area—which was sufficiently neat. Only women and couples can stay here—no bachelors allowed, sorry! The room starts at Rs 2,500 per night.
The Bed at KLCC: This is a capsule hotel but they also offer single occupancy private rooms and family rooms. The property is at the heart of the city—walkable from the Petronas Twin Towers and KLCC park. The pods here will cost you Rs 3,500 for a night. Bonus: There’s also a swimming pool on the property.

A quick food glossary

Before we dive into the guide, here’s a translated list of culinary terms that will come handy when you’re ordering your khana.

Nasi: denotes a rice dish, and those with the word ‘Goreng’ are usually fried. So, popular options tend to be Nasi Lemak, which is rice with chicken and condiments, or Nasi Goreng, which is fried rice with egg and vegetables added to the mix. 

Mee: is a noodle dish, and normally refers to yellow wheat noodles. Popular dishes include Mee Goreng which is a fried noodle dish with egg, or Curry Mee—noodles are served in a bowl of curry or soup. 

Laksa: means soup. It will often be coconut-based. Varieties may include a standard Curry Laksa—which is spicy and creamy—or the Assam Laksa—which is a sour and tangy version—thanks to a generous amount of tamarind. 

Roti: Think Kerala parotta—thick, flaky, and delicious. There are many types–such as Roti Canai which is a flaky variant with a soft interior, usually served with a curry and/or sambal. Roti Tisu is a conical version served with sugar–which makes for a great midnight meal.

Mamak: are not a dish. That’s the word for 24-hour eateries that typically serve street food. These places are also known for their tea and Milo drinks– a popular chocolate drink. 

Teh: is the Malay word for Tea. There's Teh Tarik—which is milk tea—or even Teh O Limau as in lemon tea. If you see the word ‘Ais’ next to a listed beverage, it simply means ‘iced’. So Teh O Ais would be an iced black tea, or a Milo Ais would be iced Milo.

Day one: Scenic sights & city lights 

Breakfast: Most breakfast places open at 7 am. Smaller stalls stay open till about 11 am—and almost always have a queue. We personally recommend a hearty Nasi Lemak from Alor Corner (map). The stall has been around since 1980 and is a modest, family-run business. A single serving costs RM 3, which comes with the usual condiments of a spicy sambal, a hard boiled egg, fried peanuts and anchovies, and fresh cucumber on the side. Vegetarians, fret not: you can get yourself a Potato Curry Puff which is flaky and delicious.

For a more sumptuous spread, head to the Village Park Restaurant (map). Get the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng (aka with Fried Chicken). Watch out for spicy sambal, though—maybe get a Teh Ice to wash it down. A single portion of the Ayam Goreng variant costs RM 9. If you’re looking for a lighter bite, get yourself some Roti Bakar or Toasted Bread with kaya jam (coconut jam) from Heritage Kopitiam (map). 

Putra Mosque: Start your day with a visit to the Putra Mosque right next to the Putra Lake (map). This blush pink mosque—made of rose-tinted granite—has a massive central dome, along with eight smaller domes. Since it is a place of worship, it’s ideal to dress conservatively, and women are directed to a counter for a pink robe to wear throughout the visit. Visiting hours in the morning are 9 am to 12.30 pm, and then from 2 pm to 6 pm, but, but, but: it may be closed on Fridays. While the mosque is stunning to look at, the real perk is getting a traditional boat ride on the Putra Lake. You could get on the Cruise Tasik sightseeing boat, which takes you all around the waterbody with guided information. Boats start at 10am and each cruise lasts 45 minutes, with tickets priced at RM 30 per head. Alternatively, you could get a traditional boat or a Perahu, which is a six-seater wooden boat that takes a quick tour around the lake for 25 minutes, and is priced at RM 20 per head. 
Mini-shopping break: Before you head to lunch, you can take a short detour by cab for some trinket shopping at the Daiso store in Mont Kiara (map). This Japanese everything-store has all kinds of tiny knick knacks—from magnets to coasters and other souvenirs, along with adorable little travel-friendly grooming kits, and art supplies. Good to know: It’s a cash-only store, so keep those Ringgits handy. 

A streetside lunch: For lunch, a quick cab ride will take you to Kepong Baru to reach Restoran Penang Corner (map) for a typical streetside meal. You can try the Assam Laksa, or a sour noodle soup. If you're feeling adventurous, choose the white curry mee which comes with cuttlefish, pork blood cubes, prawns. The bowls start at RM 7 and go up to about RM 10.

Alternatively, you can take the metro to Pasar Seni aka Central Market—for a jaunt in Chinatown! Your first stop should be Tang City Food Court (map)—which is a six-minute walk from the metro station. Here you’ll get street hawker style Hainanese chicken rice and fried Kway Teow—flat rice noodles fried with chilli paste, bean sprouts and shrimp.
Another lip-smacking option in this area: Sin Kiew Yee Shin Kee Beef Noodles (map)—which is a four-minute walk from the metro. The menu of this family-run small shop is customisable. It consists of three types of noodles and choice of in-house beef meatballs or tender cut meat. You’re guaranteed a hearty and comforting bowl of noodle soup—though be ready to queue up! Psst, they accept only cash so be sure to have RM 15 on you!
For a sit-down experience: If you prefer to sit down and chow in peace, head to Palmierra28 (map) at Merchant’s Lane, which has jungle-themed interiors and lovely staff. For those who can’t handle spicy food, try the buttermilk chicken which comes with a serving of salad and rice.
For vegetarians, Aarthi highly recommends Tea & Co cafe (map) which serves interesting Asian-continental fusion and has yummy mushroom dishes. This cafe has an excellent selection of baked goods and sweet treats as well. 

For more sugar cravings, you can drop in at Mixue (map) for the boba drinks—approved by our resident boba enthusiast, Aarthi. Or you get a caffeine kick at Yew Yew Coffee (map)—a super low-key and chill place for everything from matcha drinks to black coffee. She also highly recommends a bite of a sweet treat called muah chee. It is made of mochi sprinkled generously with sesame seed powder—which nicely fits into the category of Asian people’s highest compliment for dessert, ‘not too sweet’.

Treat to remember: While you’re in the area, don’t miss out on a selfie with the brilliant Chinatown-themed murals and decor at Kwai Chai Hong (Little Ghost Lane), while savouring a soft serve from Pandan Republic (map).
Some quick pit stops: To beat the heat, you can briefly visit BookXcess (map)—a cool labyrinthine bookstore inside an old single-screen movie theatre. It’s perfect to up your insta game—or simply bask in the presence of books!
Another low-key activity to consider is the YuYan Tea house (map). They have a wide variety of Chinese teas—from an expensive RM 100 to affordable RM 10. They also offer tea ceremony demos. Aarthi got a delightful colour-changing tea pet. The first brew in a tea ceremony is always offered to this little figurine. Read more about why tea pets are used in Gongfu tea ceremonies here.

Souvenir shopping: Petaling Street is the Sarojini market of KL. The bustling street lies at the heart of Chinatown (map). It is lined with shops owned by traders from China, India, and Bangladesh, selling knock offs, handbags, luggage bags, hoodies, T-shirts, dresses, electronics, watches and all sorts of other goodies. And just like in Sarojini, be ready to bargain!
On to Central Market: Take a left turn after Petaling Street to reach the oldest shopping malls in the area—in a building that dates back 1888. Here you can get all sorts of souvenirs—including Malaysian batik, Pewter (copper alloy), coffee and teas. A must-visit: the Loka Made stationary and stamp store—where you can also send a postcard to anyone at any address. It takes about a month or so to reach the person. They also sell jigsaw puzzles, keychains, fridge magnets—in case you’re looking for hatke souvenirs.

The KLCC square: Hop on the metro or a cab and head for the ‘high’-light of the day—the KLCC square! First stop: the Malaysia Tourism Centre or MTC to get a taste of Harriston Chocolates (map) for some Ruby Chocolate. Malaysia is the only Asian country that has permission to make this treat—which is naturally pink with a distinctive berry-like flavour. The more adventurous can also pick up Curry Powder chocolate or the Durian filled variant. Prices start around RM 20 for a bar. 

After all that walking, soak in the lush green oasis at the KLCC park, Designed by Brazilian architect Roberto Burle Marx, it offers the best view of the famous Petronas twin towers. Also, check out the man-made lake in the middle of the park with a symphony fountain—though it looks far prettier at night.
Petronas Twin Towers: The best time to visit the towers is right around dusk—so check the estimated time of the sunset before booking your tickets online. The tour offers limited time slots and takes you to the 86th floor. You get a 360-degree view of the city—and a beyond beautiful sunset to behold.
Drinks & dinner: You can stick around at the observation deck to either grab a drink at the bar or head to the Heli Lounge Bar (map). And yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like—a rooftop bar, set on a helipad. The place is reservation-only. You toast to the Petronas Towers right next door—while sipping on a signature cocktail like the Touch Down. They also have a number of the classics, including a fab Dirty Martini. Grab some bar bites in the form of cajun spiced fries or popcorn chicken while you’re at it. The average cost of a cocktail is RM 49 and bites start at RM 20.
Once you come down from the high (literally) you can dive straight into a Korean BBQ meal at Palsaik in the Sunway Velocity mall (map). The restaurant has some of the best pork dishes on offer. Get their Premium Pork Set to try as many as you like, starting at RM 158. You can opt for add-ons of beef, prawn, mushrooms and grilled rice cakes. Or if your appetite isn’t as large, choose a Bibimbap bowl—starting at RM 23. Aakriti recommends the classic version with just veggies and a fried egg on top. 

For a streetside experience, head to Jalan Alor (map)—rated as one of Asia’s best food streets. The area is accessible by metro or cab, but be ready to walk–as you might in Chandini Chowk. The area is atmospheric and lively with bands performing in the square. Take your pick among dumpling and pancake stations, mango and sticky rice, fish steamed in bamboo, ice cream stations, durian, barbeque—you name it! This goes without saying but carry cash!

Day two: Heights of adventure 

We have two options for how you can spend your second day in Kuala Lumpur—either, make the trek up Batu Caves and wind down with some art and culture, or take a drive up to Genting Highlands, just outside the city, amid natural splendour, exciting theme parks, and maybe even a night at the slots!

Breakfast: Head over to Nasi Kandar Bestari, a mamak just outside Publika mall for a taste of Roti Canai, or Roti Tisu. They even have instant noodle options like Maggi and Indomie, prepared Malaysian style, usually with a fried egg on top. Also grab yourself a Milo Ais or a Teh O Limon Ais to kickstart the day.

If you’re looking for a break from local cuisine, we’d recommend the very pretty Breakfast Spot in Bukit Bintang (map). You can either sit inside the tiny cafe or outside, in the glass-panelled enclosure. The building is decorated with lovely murals that add to the ambience. Their sandwiches are delicious, especially the Lemongrass Chicken. Or you can choose to have eggs in any style with a sourdough toast, or baby pancakes. You can also try their selection of coffees, or their spin on a matcha latte. Prices for a sandwich start at RM 23.

Option 1: Keep it in the city

Batu caves (map): Situated 13 km north of KL, this 400 million-year-old cave system is easily accessible via road or KTM Komuter trains (RM 20 for one way trip). Climb 272 rainbow-coloured steps to visit the Murugan temple—that was built in the late 19th century by Indian immigrants who settled in the area. It is one of the most important Hindu temples outside of India and attracts devotees from both the local and international tourists. The temple is known for hosting the annual Thaipusam festival at the end of January—which is one of the most significant Hindu festivals in Malaysia.  

Fun fact: The statue of Lord Murugan—unveiled in January 2006—at the height of 42.7 metres—is believed to be the tallest Lord Murugan statue in the world. There’s not much to do here except drink coconut water and take pictures!

Apart from the Murugan kovil, there’s also the Art Gallery Cave and Museum Cave which have a large collection of statues and paintings from Hindu mythology. The Ramayana Cave has an artwork that tells us the story of Lord Ram. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can also venture to the North Eastern side of the cave complex—which has the entrance to the Damai Caves—which is more of a trek and rock-climbing activity. 

Best time to visit: Early morning or at noon. This goes without saying, be careful of the macaques on your way up and down the stairs.  FYI: The temple is open from 6 am to 9 pm—and entry is free. 

Lunch: If you’re in the mood for a treat after all that trekking up and down the stairs of Batu Caves, take a cab ride to the Ipoh Road Yong Tow Foo stall (map). You can find a variety of dishes like brinjal and ladies’ fingers stuffed with fish paste or meat paste, along with bean curd. Grab a side of chee cheong fun, a kind of rice noodle roll served with an earthy and flavourful gravy. 

Another option: head to the Quizinn by Rasa food court in NU Sentral Mall (map), where you can enjoy a version of Yong Tau Fu. What we love: The prep is exciting to watch as you pick ingredients for a bowl, along with a noodle base and a curry or soup, adding some freshly steamed and cooked veggies or meats to the mix. Bowls are priced between RM 9 and 12, depending on the size.  

An artsy evening: With a full belly and half a day to go, head over to the Rissim Contemporary art gallery (map) in Bangsar Village—where you can check out exquisite art by emerging Malaysian artists. The space was established in 2019 and has regular exhibits that you can track on their Facebook page. Note: the gallery is only open Friday through Sunday. 

If you’re a fan of the performing arts, opt for Bobo KL (map)—also in Bangsar. One of the best jazz bars in the city, they always have live performances or stand up comedy. You can always go early and hang and grab a cocktail like I’m Coconut About You—which has vodka with pandan syrup and coconut water. Or ask the barkeep to surprise–with the Bartender Mood. The munchies– Patatas Bravas and Bitter Gourd Chips—are yummy. Tickets start at RM 60 and can be found here. Cocktails are an average RM 44.
Dinner: One of the most surprising and rewarding experiences in KL is the eight-course all-vegetarian/vegan degustation dinner at Barat Vegeliciously Mediterranean (map). The courses include a sumptuous pumpkin soup, aglio olio with grilled lemons, pistachio carbonara and more. The degustation menu costs RM 100 per head, and it’s best if you make your reservations in advance.
Another upscale option is the Alexis Bistro (map) in Bangsar. Jump straight to the mains with the duck confit—served with a pomme puree and side salad. FYI: it tastes as French as they come. For vegetarians, their wild mushroom risotto is a great pick from the otherwise limited options. Save some space for the peach and banana crumble, or the carrot cake. Don’t forget to savour their excellent wine menu.  

For a more luxe experience: We haven’t personally been, but Troika Sky Dining—on top of the iconic Norman Foster building—offers brilliant views of the skyline. There are a number of restaurants you can choose from: Fuego (Tapas), Strato (Italian), Mr Chew’s Chino Latino Bar (Mexican-Asian fusion) and Fritz (French).

Option 2: A Highland jaunt

How to get there: One way to get to Genting Highlands is to rent a car from a service like Europcar or GoSo Rent a Car, for a whole day. GoSo allows you to rent from the KLCC pick-up and drop-off point, with hatchback rides starting at RM 160 per day. Here, you can travel at your own pace, since the cable car back down shuts at 11 pm.  

If you’re not hiring a car, catch a bus from KL Sentral station to Awana Bus Terminal. Tickets cost RM 10 (tickets here). Buses start as early as 8 am and take about 90 minutes to get to Awana terminal. From there, it’s another short but scenic ride on the Awana Skyway Cable Car.

Amusement park time! A great one to start with is SkyWorlds. Check out the Eagle Mountain area which truly leans into an American vibe. The main attraction here is a dirt-bike-style roller coaster ride, which makes you feel like you’re taking an exhilarating road trip across Eagle Mountain. They also have a musical show that’s filled with rock-n-roll energy, to get your adrenaline pumping. If that’s not your jam, try a ‘Robots’-themed experience and even an ‘Ice Age’ world. Tickets to the theme park can be booked here and start at RM 128 per head.
Lunch: The parks have various food options, with in-house restaurants based on their themes. Aakriti recommends the Secret Garden Hotpot dining experience in the Central Park area—which uses produce from their own greenhouse and gardens. Buck’s Cafe in the Ice Age world is a popular choice—no-brainer pastas and grills, and enough vegetarian options. 

Your post lunch adventure awaits at Ripley's Adventureland—yep, the same one as the TV show, ‘Ripley’s Believe It or Not!’ This theme park comes with multiple attractions including the Odditorium museum, filled with pop culture memorabilia and oddities from around the world. They also have a gorgeous Infinity Room, filled with infinity mirrors and gorgeous lights,  for you to sit and gaze into as you take in your hectic day. Tickets for Adventureland can be found here. It shuts at 10 pm.
Dinner: The SkyAvenue mall (map) offers a dimsum-heavy meal at Din Tai Fung, right from the soup dumplings to the steamed spinach, and even a portion of the fried rice with pork chop. Or you can head to Zouk, for the Fuhu pop-up dining experience within the Crockfords Club, where you can get a portion of the signature wasabi prawn, or stir fried scallops with broccoli in XO sauce, or get an a la carte portion of stir fried greens in a choice of sauces—we’d go with the chili padi for that extra kick. 

Risk it all!: Close out your Genting jaunt with a trip to the casino—one of the only on-land casinos in Malaysia. The Sky Casino has it all—Blackjack and Poker tables, slot machines to keep you busy, and an open buffet to ensure you’re well-fed as you try your luck at the games. You will need to keep your passport handy for verification, and there are enough ATM machines around in case you need extra cash.