Bukit Bintang is best known as the fashion and entertainment hot spot of Kuala Lumpur. It is a place where high-spirited bustle and colourful sights create a feast for the senses! Whether you are here for a short visit or a longer stay, listed below are some of the must visit attractions when you are in Kuala Lumpur.
Changkat Bukit Bintang is an avenue where a large number of KL’s most popular bars and restaurants can be found. It is a trendy place that is great for pub crawling. It is actually located just behind Jalan Bukit Bintang, so it’s very convenient, especially if you are staying around the Bukit Bintang area. The buildings are unique because they used to be pre-war, colonial shop-houses that were refurbished and turned into upmarket pubs and restaurants – most of which serve western food.
Kuala Lumpur is well known as an international shopping haven. There are more than eight large shopping centres ranging from the ultra exclusive Starhill Gallery and the newly-erected trendy Fahrenheit 88 to the downmarket Sungei Wang Plaza and gadget haven Low Yat Plaza located within the Bukit Bintang area.
Berjaya Times Square is one of the biggest shopping centres within Bukit Bintang. It one of the city centre’s most easily located mall. The 48-storey twin-tower complex first opened its doors in 2003 and each of its 203m towers offers a host of retail stores, dining venues and entertainment outlets. Besides that, the mall also houses the largest indoor theme park. The theme park has 14 specially designed rides including a thrilling roller coaster perfect for young kids.
Many tourists will find that Malaysia has a proud but, underappreciated culinary heritage. Quite a number of people would like to recreate the wonderful meals they have tried for their friends and family to enjoy back home. If this sounds like you, then the Starhill Culinary Studio at upmarket Starhill Gallery should be recorded as one of the must go places in your list. Starhill Gallery is a one-stop centre for those seeking indulgence and memorable experiences while in the city.
Chef Wai, YTL’s Corporate Executive Chef, heads the teaching forces behind Starhill Culinary Studio. He teaches his classes with energy, flair, and vast knowledge starting from food preparation tips such as how to properly handle the kitchen utensils to knowledge of herbs. You’ll not only learn how to cook, but also how to do it like a pro chef.
Classes are held almost every day, and besides ‘Malay’ and ‘Hawker Food’ classes (in which you get to learn how to make local favourites such as rendang, nasi lemak and mee rebus), there are also classes for Japanese dishes and French bite-sized snacks like macaroons and pralines; so there really is something for everyone here.
A class at Starhill Culinary Studio is priced at around RM188 unless otherwise stated, and the duration is three hours, inclusive of an informative demonstration by the chef, a hands-on cooking session, a lunch or afternoon tea or light evening meal, and a goodie bag containing an apron, a chef’s hat, a printed recipe and a notebook. To join any available classes, prospective students can view the schedule via their website to secure booking, or call +603 2782 3810 to book.
Bukit Nanas Forest Reserve is one of the oldest permanent forest reserves in the country. If you love to blend into nature, don’t miss this 100-year-old forest reserve. It covers an area of approximately 11 hectares and is the only remaining tropical rainforest in the heart of the city.
The nature trails are very well maintained and it’s worth including a visit here if you plan on visiting the KL Tower. A complimentary nature walk is available for those who purchase tickets to the tower’s observation platform.
Jalan Alor is one of the most famous roads in Kuala Lumpur for food, comprising of various hawker stalls and seafood restaurants. It is located just behind Jalan Bukit Bintang and is a short walk away from Changkat Bukit Bintang. This is usually a favourite after-clubbing dining spot in the Golden Triangle area. Not only is the hawker food a main draw but the atmosphere there is also truly memorable. Jalan Alor stays loud and vibrant throughout the night with vendors busy grilling chicken and beef skewers.
El Cerdo is situated along Changkat Bukit Bintang. It offers a porcine-centric menu that is generously portioned, perfect for diners. It’s signature dishes include German crispy knuckle that is perfectly seasoned with herbs and tangy garlic, with a side serving of creamy potato dumplings, tart sauerkraut and delicious mustard beer sauce. El Cerdo is also a great place for after-dinner drinks, serving a selection of beers, wines, cocktails and liquors.
Five Sen5es, located in The Westin KL, has a decor that mixes contemporary style with some 19th Century Asian influences in the form of local artwork, timber furniture and wooden floors with tile inlays. It offers an endless range of dim sum that will leave your ‘senses’ tingling for more. Simply Dim Sum is based around the concept of Eat All You Can offers for lunch with a combination of various menus which makes it an excellent choice for lunch or dinner. If you are a fan of ‘little treats’, it is surely a must visit place for you!
Hutong Food Court is an award-winning gourmet food hall housing more than 20 neon green-lit stands. These are popular hawker stalls from Kuala Lumpur and Penang who have been handpicked to set up shop in this prime location. Located on the lower ground floor of Lot 10 Mall, the decor looks a little like old Beijing Village with narrow ‘alleyways’ linking stalls. The price ranges between RM10 to RM18 for a meal.
Outback Steakhouse, an Australian themed steakhouse was established in Tampa, Florida in 1988, spanning across 23 countries in America, Europe, Asia, Australia and the Middle East. In Malaysia, it is located at Low Yat Plaza around Bukit Bintang area.
It serves Australian cold water lobster tails, Beef Quesadillas, Red wine Marinated Kangaroo Steak, Bush Tucker Eye Fillet Steak, Crocodile Skewers with Lemon Myrtle Sweet Chili, Chicken On The Barbie, Steak & Shrimps Perfect Combo, Wine etc.
