10 Best Indian Restaurants in Malaysia | Best of Food 2023

Indian cuisine is more than curry and biryani rice. A large country with diverse culture, Indian cuisine is so diverse that you’ll always find something new to try in each region. But no ticket needed, there are a plethora of places where you can enjoy Indian foods in the most authentic form across Malaysia. With an extensive variety of Indian restaurants available, which then is the best Indian restaurant in Malaysia? In our Best of Food series, we have curated the latest 10 Best Indian Restaurants in Malaysia, providing quality recommendations to suit your lifestyle and budget. For the ultimate guides, also check out our best Japanese restaurant and vegetarian restaurant recommendations!

This article was last updated on 11 January 2023

Best Indian Restaurants  in Malaysia

1. Gajaa at 8

The beautiful city of Kerala is a culinary haven. And thanks to its long coastline, most of the Kerala cuisine features a lot of seafood such as mussels, crabs, fish and prawns, all of which are cooked with various spices that make the food so flavour-rich. Here at Gajaa at 8, everything is made by the chefs that originated from Kerala, thus representing the authentic Kerala style of cooking. 

Just like in Kerala, you’ll expect a lot of seafood here. Among its extensive menu, we found Sea Monster (a monstrous Tiger Prawn slow cooked in tangy & spicy pineapple-based gravy and Kanthari Fish (grilled fish fillet served with the spicy creamy coconut sauce) to be our most favourite dishes. If you want something other than fish, we’re sure that Paneer Story will highlight your gastronomic experience here.

2. Betel Leaf

While most Indian restaurants focus on serving a specific cuisine of a region in India, Betel Leaf caters to all Indian food lovers by serving both South and North Indian cuisine. Some local dishes are available, too – with a touch of Indian-style cooking, of course! On top of its extensive menu, you’ll be surprised that all of the foods here hit the spot – whether it’s Palak Paneer or Gobi Manchurian is what you’re after. 

Upon arriving, you’ll be welcomed by a classic South Indian ambiance, with artefacts, paintings and sculptures that will make you feel as if you’re in a grand Indian wedding. Meanwhile, the strong aroma of spices throughout the room and the view of flavoursome dishes will raise your gastronomic craves.

3. Qureshi

The Qureshi Restaurant is where you’ll find the tastiest North Indian-style kebab. You’ll find a myriad types of kebab here, from the one that’s made with stone slabs to open fires, but their bestseller is always the Signature Burrah Kebab, which is a tandoori lamb chops with spiced vinegar, potlee and peshawari masala. If it’s still not enough to satisfy your gastronomic senses, you’ll also find other top-notch Indian dishes such as Tandoor Entres, Rogan Josh, and a sensational range of curries and biryani. 

The founder and the one behind the helm is a man of the same name, Imtiaz Qureshi, a chef who has been serving top rulers of India for years, before opening his own restaurant to share his ‘royal’ foods to everyone.

4. MTR

The latest Indian restaurants may grab all the headlines, but it is the old-school MTR that is always leading the line as one of the best Indian food destinations. Started from a humble beginning in 1924, MTR grew into stature and name when its founder Yagnanarayana Maiya experimented with rice rava (due to the shortage of rice in World War 2) and invented Rava Idli in 1943. Its signature Rava Idli remains their favourite menu to-date, although you’ll also find other outstanding dishes such as Ragi Dosa and Crepes, as well as their well-known filter coffee. 

5. Sagar Restaurant

With 6 outlets throughout the nation, Sagar Restaurant is one of the most successful Indian restaurants in Malaysia. Offering authentic Northern Indian cuisine, their foods include Tandoori Chicken, Samosa, Seekh Kebab and various ice creams, but you’ll be spoilt for choices because there are over 250 dishes on their menu. But whatever your main food is, we highly recommend finishing with Pista Kulfi as an appetiser so you’ll understand why everyone wants to go back! 

6. NZ Curry House

Located just across the Petronas Twin Towers, the NZ Curry House is the favourite lunch spot for the workers around the area. It’s a great place to relax and unwind with some good Indian food and nice seating and elegant surroundings before going back to the business. You’ll find a myriad of Indian dishes here, from the tasty maggi soup to chicken tikka, butter chicken to cheesy garlic naan, and there are some local and Western options too. Plus, it’s pork- and meat-free, which is a perfect destination for all of the cultural groups around to gather and purely enjoy the food.

7. Spice Garden

Putting Spice Garden on this guide to the best Indian restaurants might be a little cheating considering it’s actually a Middle Eastern and Indian fusion restaurant. But that’s what it’s all about: a perfect marriage of two cuisines to create the tastiest dishes possible. 

All of the foods here are cooked in a tandoor, which is a barrel shaped open topped clay oven fired buy charcoals, where they roast lambs, chicken and fish to perfection. Whether it’s the Khazana Bryiani or Gulab Jamun is what you’re after, you’ll find the dishes in Spice Garden always hit the spot. Furthermore, they also offer vegetarian-friendly, halal and vegan options. 

8. Malabar Palace

Like we said before, Kerala cuisine is like magic; it feels so good in your palate that you’ll want to crave it all over again. So, here’s another authentic Kerala restaurant, the Malabar Palace. Offering a classy, royal-like interior, Malabar Palace allows the patrons to enjoy Kerala foods in style. 

However, instead of being known for its seafood, the Malabar Palace is well-known for its signature Saffron-flavoured Malabar Biryani. It is a basmati rice flavoured with rare Irainian saffron and enriched with spices, nuts, fruits and fresh herbs with choices of chicken, lamb, prawn or fish.

9. Namaste India

If non-mainstream Indian food is what you’re after, check out Namaste India. The restaurant is known for the chef’s creativity that adds his own flair to the menu so the guests can always experience something new. You’ll find a good Tandoori Chicken here, but anti-mainstream menus such as Hara Bhara Chaat and Achari Paneer Tikka are what you should try on. Plus, there are also a myriad of scrumptious Indian street foods that’s perfect for appetisers to desserts.

10. Khan’s Indian Cuisine

The Khan’s Indian Cuisine isn’t just a place to enjoy Indian foods. Elegantly designed with a modern setting and luxurious interior, it’s a perfect place to enjoy time with your family and special ones, all the while tasting its mouthwatering meals. 

All the dishes on the menu here look appealing. It may be hard to decide, but what stand out for us is to start with the tandoori broccoli and mushroom as an appetiser, get the flavourful Hyderabadi Dum Biryani as the main and finish with Phirnee (rice and reduced milk pudding) as an appetiser. After meals, enjoy your quality time relaxing with beverages and light snacks.

We hope that our guide on the 10 Best Indian Restaurants in Malaysia will help you to find the best Indian restaurant in Malaysia. Do also read our other buying guides too. Please do share this along with your friends if you have found this useful. Do look forward to more buying guides that we will be releasing soon!

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