[Updated 21 December 2020]
Oh, the woe of seeking that perfect place for an incredible meal together with your loved ones. Well, fret not my fellow companions for your cry for help has been heard! Here are 10 halal, spacious and not to mention, delicious restaurants for your next memorable year-end gathering.
1. Seoul Garden & Seould Garden Hot Pot
For fans of Korean food, this eatery needs no further introduction. Serving up Korean cuisine in a eat-all-you-can buffet, it is a nice and relaxing place for a family and friends get-together. Each table is set up with a stovetop grill at the centre for your hotpot and grilled meat. Upon seating, pick the soup base of your choice of either ginseng chicken, Thai tom yam, kimchi jjigae, or super kimchi soup. Then make your way to their buffet aisle where an endless array of seafood, marinated meats, sushi, side dishes, vegetables, fruits, and desserts are waiting to be devoured.
With this many food selection and not to mention unlimited food supply, the phrase 'eat to your heart's content' has never been truer. Click here to check out a list of their outlets and opening hours
Halal status: All Seoul Garden outlets in Klang Valley are halal-certified. You can check Seoul Garden's list of outlets on its website that lists the halal status of each outlet throughout Malaysia. For those still pending certification, we clarified that all ingredients including meats and sauces are sourced from halal-certified suppliers, and no alcohol is sold or used in the preparation and cooking of its food.
Outlet details:Click here for a full list of outlets and their opening hours
Website | Facebook | Instagram
P.S. Can't get enough of Korean cuisine? Check out this list of 18 Muslim-friendly Korean restaurants in KL!
2. Makan Kitchen at DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel
A delicious treat awaits you and your fellow entourage here at Makan Kitchen where dishes ranging from Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan, Kristang, and Iban cuisine are all in one place.
Touted as the true showcase of Malaysian dining for its enormous diversity of Malaysian food, there's always new food to try at every corner. They have different cooking sections dedicated to each cuisine as well as live interactive show kitchen where you can see with your very own eyes how your food is being prepared.
Halal status: Halal-certified
Opening hours: Open daily; 6AM-11PM
Address: 348, Jalan Tun Razak, Kampung Datuk Keramat, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603-2172 7272
3. Positano Risto
You'll be surprised to know that Singapore's top halal Italian restaurant has made its way to Malaysia! ? Ranked #1 on Tripadvisor amongst all Italian restaurants in Singapore, this establishment has indeed garnered praises for its refined take on authentic Italian cuisine and Muslims and even tourists were seen frequenting the restaurant for a good meal. And now, Malaysians can finally experience that too! ?
Situated at Publika, check out their signature pizzas! With a crispy thin crust handmade to perfection, Positano’s pizzas are to die for. We totally recommend the classic Margherita Pizza and Positano Signature Calzone ?
Or switch up your typical pasta routine and order the Signature Boston Lobster Fettuccine! ? This Bussorah St eatery whips up this delightful dish with perhaps the biggest star on the menu thus far – freshly cooked lobster garnished with cherry tomatoes and plenty of lobster bisque sauce. Now are you drooling? Plus, all dishes are served in sharing portions so it's definitely perfect for a massive gathering ? Do make a reservation before you make a visit!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours: Sun-Thu; 11AM-10PM, Fri-Sat; 11AM-11PM
Address: Block C1, Lot 2, Level G3, Publika Shopping Gallery, No. 1, Jalan Dutamas 1, Solaris Dutamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603-6411 3799
Website | Facebook | Instagram
4. Carnaval Churrascaria
Brazilian BBQ is pretty much unheard of in Malaysia, but don’t let the fear of the unknown hinder you. If anything, it’s more reason to make your way to Carnaval Churrascaria. ? The bright yellow, blue and green interior decor - the colours of the Brazilian flag ?? - of the restaurant is hard to miss, especially since it’s located at a corner shoplot. Starters and side dishes are all laid out on the buffet counter, offering plenty of choices that aren’t just limited to Brazilian delights. Even sambal belacan is available! ?
Once you’re seated, the waiters will come over to your table to serve you the restaurant’s main stars: juicy lamb shoulders and chicken ham among others, all sliced fresh off the skewers for you! The best part is the servers always make sure that your plates aren’t empty because they’ll come to serve you more meat. ? Remember to save some space for the restaurant’s famous grilled pineapples, though.
Halal status: Halal-certified
Opening hours: Open daily; 6PM-11PM
Address: 77, Jalan SS 22/19, Damansara Jaya, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: +603-77252252
5. Restoran Rebung Chef Ismail
In search of a gathering place that offers authentic Malay cuisine? Then head on over to Restoran Rebung Chef Ismail for some comfort dishes that are close to heart.
Located at the heart of Kuala Lumpur, this restaurant is known for its buffet spread of wide selection of Malay dishes and delicacies. From all sorts of lauk for your rice, to the many appetizers of laksa, mee rebus (noodles in sweet potato gravy), curry mee and more, you'll never run out of things to eat! Their dessert station which is filled with local sweet treats is also one not to be missed!
So enjoy the feast that has been meticulously prepared by the owner, the local celebrity chef Dato' Ismail Ahmad. Word has it he's always around so if you're lucky, you might come across him while you're dining there!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours: Open daily; 8AM-10AM, 11.30AM-3PM, 3.30PM-5.30PM, 6.30PM-10.30PM
Address: 5-2 Cascade Parking, Jalan Bukit Aman, 1, Jalan Tanglin, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603-2276 2525
Website | Facebook | Instagram
6. Beard Brothers' BBQ
Fulfill your love for meats by dining at Bread Brothers' BBQ. Serving Texas-style barbecue, their moist, juicy fall-off-the-bone brisket is achieved through a slow-smoke method that takes up to a whopping 20 hours of prepping and cooking ? Besides that, they’ve also got pulled lamb, lamb rib slab and beef rib bone - all of which you can enjoy through their meal sharing platters and so that every family member can enjoy a taste of all heir different meats.
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours: Tue-Thu; 12PM-2PM, 6pM-10PM, Fri; 6PM-10PM, Sat-Sun; 11AM-10PM (closed on Mon)
Address: P-G-01, Persiaran Tropicana, Tropicana Avenue Petaling Jaya, Malaysia 47410
Contact: +6012-319 0962
Website | Facebook | Instagram
7. Flora Terrace at Hampshire Place
This spacious, striking, and lavishly decorated space is the perfect place for both private and grand function be it birthday bash, baby shower, wedding, corporate event, or anniversary.
Known for its beautifully decorated splendor, Flora provides special customised packages for any events of your choice. They'll manage every aspect of the function from decoration to catering and performances so there'll be less hassle for you.
As for their menu, it consists of a Malay fusion to Western food such as Malaysian-style Aglio Olio Spaghetti with Pickled Tenggiri Fish, Grilled Spring Chicken with Polenta, Honey Glazed Salmon Linguini and Tapai Pulut with Green Tea Ice Cream and Mango Compote. Or you can request for a menu of your choice suited to your event!
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours: Open daily; 11AM-11PM
Address: 157, Persiaran Hampshire, Hampshire Park, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6019-223 3115 / +6012-463 6824 / +603-2181 0872
8. Ocean Hauz
Nothing says bonding time quite like getting your hands dirty with your fellow companions as you all share an assortment of fresh scrumptious seafood that's spread out on a table. Here, at Ocean Hauz, no cutlery is provided nor is it needed.
This seafood restaurant specialises in Cajun style seafood where freshly-caught crustaceans ranging from prawns, squid, mussel, clams, scallops, crawfish, king crab, to lobster are boiled. They are then mixed with their sauces of garlic pepper, spicy pineapple, lemon butter, sambal ijo or black pepper!
Your order will arrive in a bag loaded with delicious goodness of your choice and is then dumped onto the table. Don't be shy to get down and dirty with your food as you dine together with your friends and family. That's the whole purpose to this seafood dining experience after all ?
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours: Mon-Fri; 4.30PM-11PM, Sat-Sun; 12.30PM-11PM
Address: Persiaran Bangi, Seksyen 8, 43650 Bandar Baru Bangi, Selangor
Contact: +603-89123971
9. Jibby by the Park
For those who can't resist a little fresh air and appreciate a dose of greenery while brunching, there's no better place to start than at Jibby by the Park. With a lovely al fresco dining area, soak in some sunshine as you dine on hearty meals like Champion Brekkie, Australian Beef Sticky Ribs and Ayam Bakar Madu. Don't forget to snap some Insta-worthy pictures while you're there too!
Halal status: The central kitchen is halal-certified. Ingredients used are halal and no alcohol is served or used in its food preparation.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri; 10AM-10PM, Sat-Sun; 9AM-10PM
Address: FF-18 & FF-19, First Floor, The Waterfront@ParkCity, No 5, Persiaran Residen, Desa ParkCity, 52200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603-6263 1303
10. Ibrahim's Fatty Crab
Anyone who’s got a family or friend group full of seafood lovers, it's time to make dinner plans at Ibrahim’s Fatty Crab. Established in 2016, this is where people flock to in order to get their fill of halal Chinese food on top of the seafood dishes. While you're here, don't miss out on some of the eatery's top favourites such as scallop sauce fried rice, assam steam Red Snapper and French crab with Mongolian sauce. Just thinking about all these fresh and tasty seafood has got our mouths watering ?
Halal status: Muslim-owned
Opening hours: Mon-Fri; 5PM-12AM, Sat-Sun; 3PM-11PM
Address: No. 18, Jalan Avenue 1, Ampang, Kuala Lumpur 68000
Contact: +6011-1144 4131
And there you have it, 10 Halal restaurants in Malaysia for massive family and friends gatherings. As often heard, nothing brings people together more than having a good time over good food. So, go ahead and have a wonderful moment with those close to you ?