Dewakan

Dewakan is the most celebrated restaurant in Malaysia and the one to book if you want to understand where modern Malaysian cooking is heading. It began in 2015 as an educational project at KDU University College in Shah Alam under chef Darren Teoh, and in 2019 it moved to its present home on level 48 of Naza Tower in Platinum Park, next to the KLCC district. It won its first Michelin star in 2022 and became Malaysia's first two-star restaurant in 2023, a rating it holds in the 2026 guide, and it has also received a Michelin Green Star for its sustainability work. In 2019 it was the first Malaysian restaurant to enter Asia's 50 Best Restaurants.

The cooking is built on Malaysian produce, much of it rarely seen on restaurant menus. Teoh and his team source ingredients from across the country, from forest fruits such as buah kulim to ulam raja and other wild herbs, along with seafood and meat from local producers. The result is a single tasting menu served to the whole table, with optional beverage pairings. Expect a long, carefully paced meal in which familiar Malaysian flavours appear in unfamiliar forms, served 48 floors above the city.

Dewakan is open for dinner from Monday to Saturday, from 6pm. Book online through the restaurant's website; there is a waiting list when dates are full, and solo diners are asked to reserve by email. For groups of six or more a 50 per cent non-refundable deposit is required, and cancellations must be made at least 24 hours before the day of dining, as late cancellations and no-shows are charged per guest. The dress code is described as elegantly smart: men must wear long trousers and open-toed shoes are not permitted, although jackets and ties are not required.

This is a special-occasion restaurant for food-focused couples and small groups. The restaurant says it is not suitable for children, partly because of the length of the meal, although young adults are welcome and are served the same menu as the rest of the table. Tell the team about allergies or dietary needs when you book, as the menu is set.

Naza Tower stands on Persiaran KLCC, a short ride from the Petronas Twin Towers. Taking a taxi or ride-hailing car to the tower is the easiest way to arrive, and you can combine dinner with a drink in the KLCC area beforehand.