Not defined by a particular cuisine, Skillet cooks freely and creates dishes that come from “wild ideas”. Executive head chef Raymond Tham serves a fun-filled menu featuring dishes such as octopus with tiger milk, compressed watermelon, Chulpe corn, passion fruit and cucumber snow; and slow-cooked beef short ribs in coffee with pomme purée and seasonal vegetables.

Bar: Coley

Another popular haunt from Asia’s 50 Best Bars 2018, Coley attracts KL’s most glamorous socialites with its cool ambience, innovative cocktails and tasty food. Coley’s list of cocktails features Aloe Vera Margarita with Cimarron Silver Tequila, aloe vera and lavender bitters, and Saffron Sour with saffron-infused bourbon, vanilla syrup, egg white, lemon and sugar.

Street food: Jalan Alor

No trip to KL is complete without experiencing the electric atmosphere of the city’s Jalan Alor night market. You will find street hawkers selling local dishes to crowds of hungry visitors who wait in line as buskers play music. Sample local favourites including barbecue chicken wings, satay skewers, oyster omelettes, coconut ice cream and pig on the spit, best enjoyed on a plastic chair with a cold beer in hand – just like the locals.

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Bar: Skullduggery

Hidden in a back alley, the dimly lit Skullduggery is an exclusive bar asking to be Instagrammed. The walls are adorned with copper skulls and the talented bar team shake up innovative concoctions like the San Junipero with Citadelle Gin, lemon, aromatised wine, raspberry and red wine reduction, pink peppercorn, vanilla and egg white.

Restaurant: Limapulo

At Limapulo, people come for the curry laksa and they stay for the friendly service. This is the place to be if you want authentic Nonya food.

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Bar: Three X Co

Kuala Lumpur is known for its speakeasy-style cocktail bars, and Three X Co is one of the most popular in town. Finding the venue is part of the journey with the bar’s Facebook page suggesting: “Ask but most people won’t know, knock but there is no door, seek and you may find …” It’s all very ominous but rumour has it that Three X Co is on the third floor of the Bangsar Shopping Centre behind a wall panel disguised by a Muhammad Ali poster. Once inside you’ll find stylish clientele lounging among the emerald walls, gold accents and leather sofas.

Restaurant: Cantaloupe Troika Sky Dining

Reservations are essential if you want to dine at this restaurant. Offering a menu designed by chef Christian Bauer and infused with Spanish, French, Italian and Greek flavours, your taste buds will be in for a memorable experience. Stand-out dishes from the current menu include torched tiger prawns with spice crumble, ginger flower cream and frisée; seared ox tongue with glass noodles, lemongrass salad and burnt onion; and ginger-pickled watermelon with ricotta, caraway seed and cashew nut brittle, honeycomb and cucumber soup.

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Bar: Heli Lounge Bar

Who doesn’t want to drink cocktails on a helipad-turned-rooftop bar? Located on the 34th floor of Menara KH, Heli Lounge Bar’s rooftop pièce de résistance is a helipad by day and one of the city’s coolest hang-outs by night. With a portable drinks station and a few scattered chairs and tables, it’s the uninterrupted 360 degree views of the city that are the real drawcard.

Restaurant: Marini’s on 57

Spend an evening at the glamorous Marini’s on 57 rooftop bar and embrace the elegance of this iconic venue where the champagne is kept on ice, the cigars are imported and the freshest Italian seafood is flown in from Italy. Make a booking in the Italian restaurant for elegant fare with dishes such as beluga caviar, Maine lobster tail, Iberico lamb prepared three ways, and pumpkin panna cotta.

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