Akar

Akar is one of the newest names on Kuala Lumpur's fine-dining map. Run by chef-proprietor Aidan Low, it sits on Jalan Aminuddin Baki in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, a residential suburb in the west of the city, and it gained its first Michelin star in the 2026 Michelin Guide Malaysia. Akar means root in Malay, and the restaurant's cooking is closely tied to its chef's own background.

Low spent time working in Japan and France before returning home, and his menu brings those experiences together with his Malaysian roots. The Michelin inspectors describe the approach as refashioning European recipes with Japanese, French and Malaysian influences. Dinner is served as a set menu, presented as a culinary journey through the chef's personal history and memories, so the experience feels more like a story told over several courses than a choice from a list.

The kitchen uses some unusual techniques. Ingredients may be cooked in melted beeswax, dry ageing is part of the repertoire, and some items are seared in a claypot, a nod to one of the most familiar vessels in Malaysian Chinese cooking. Instead of a conventional wine pairing, Akar offers pairings of local rice wine and sake, which suits the food well and is a good opportunity to try Malaysian rice wines that are rarely seen elsewhere.

According to the Michelin Guide, the restaurant serves dinner from Tuesday to Saturday, with lunch on Friday and Saturday, and is closed on Sunday and Monday. Reservations are made online through the booking link on the restaurant's website. The inspectors flag Akar as good for solo dining, which makes it a sound choice if you are travelling alone and want a memorable meal. Couples and small groups of food lovers will also enjoy it. Tell the restaurant about allergies when you book, as the menu is set in advance, and allow two to three hours for dinner.

TTDI is roughly 20 to 30 minutes by car from the city centre, depending on traffic, so a taxi or ride-hailing car is easiest. The area has a relaxed neighbourhood feel, with cafes, bars and other restaurants nearby, and DC. by Darren Chin, another Michelin-starred restaurant, is also in TTDI.