SARAVANAA BHAVAN

52, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2287 1228
Open daily 8:30am- 11:30pm
If you are looking for a traditional vegetarian fare, then Saravana Bhavan is a great choice. Already a popular restaurant in India, this international restaurant also has locations in Canada, UAE, France, the UK, Singapore, USA. The menu is endless with starters, local and regional offerings, dosa, set meals and more all making an appearance. To top it off are Indian delights like gulab jamun, rava kesari and carrot halwa, just the sweet touches you want for Deepavali meal.
Must try: The SPL Executive Lunch, which lets you sample a host of classic dishes like soup, roti, appalam, dhal butter fry, plain palak, vegetable butter masala, vegetable pulai, raitha and ice cream. There’s a limited number per day though so get there earlier.

KANNA CURRY HOUSE

29, Jalan SS17/45, Section 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya
Tel: 03-7958 4814
Open daily 7am to 10pm
When it comes to ‘banana leaf rice’ most agree that Kanna Curry House is one of the best in town even if the service is a little bit slap dash. The food more than makes up for it, which is perhaps the reason why this is place is jam-packed every lunch hour. The highlights have to be the choice of curries – fish, chicken, dhal, mutton – all made using delightful heavenly spices. Add on the requisite side dishes and papadum, and what you have in front of you is a meal worth the potential wait. For an added treat add in a serving of fried-on-the-spot squid with a massive dose of fried onions?
Must try: Everything! You might suffer later but it’s worth it.

CHATMASALA

295G, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2260 3244
Open: Thursdays to Tuesdays, 7:30am to 11:30pm; Wednesdays 3:30pm to 11:30pm
It calls itself the perfect place to enjoy hot, tasty, fresh vegetarian food in the heart of KL’s very own Little India, Brickfields and we’re not about to argue. Since 2004, ChatMasala has been serving the city with South and North Indian food like pani poori, dhal poori and cauliflower gopi 65 as well as chicken and mutton dishes made from authentic Indian recipes using mock meat. Maybe it has something to do with the Indian and Nepalese chefs here that make the dishes so original.
Must try: Forget the main meals, check out their traditional chaats (Indian savoury snacks). Typically served at roadside tracks from stalls or carts in India, try the popular dahi aloo puri for a more unique Indian food experience.

SPICE OF INDIA

LG9, Feast Food, Starhill Gallery, 181 Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2141 7857
Open daily 11am to 11:30pm
With a luxurious choice of Northern and Southern Indian cuisine, Spice of India offers one of the town’s best Indian fine dining experiences. Forget noisy crowds, forget rude waiters – at Spice of India, you’ll be treated like a Maharajah. Specialties include malai kebab, jhingga tandoori, kulcha do pyaza, roomali roti and more. Make sure to order the homemade Indian ice-cream (mango kulfi and pista kulfi) to end a perfect meal.
Must try: Nothing like a mixed tandoori platter to meet your tandoori cravings. With a combination of specialties, bite into skewers of perfectly cooked tender and juicy meat.

ARYAN

Lot 1-10-11, Level 1, The Weld Shopping Complex, 76 Jalan Raja Chulan, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel: 03-2031 4211
Open Mon to Sat, 12pm to 10am; Sun by reservation only
Chic décor with truly authentic Northern Indian cuisine – nobody does it better than Aryan, located. Enjoy both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, all created with the signature style of its chef, Nandu Lal. Favourites include murg lahori, daniya goshy, mutton achari and more. There for lunch? Don’t miss out on the Executive Set Lunches (from Mon to Fri, 12-2:30pm) where you can select the best of Aryan with its chicken or mutton briyani set, tandoori chicken set and more. A lunch buffet is also available. Can’t get enough of Aryan’s food? Check out its website (www.aryanrestaurant.com) for recipes online.
Must try: The Aryan Feast, where you will be served tiger prawns, crabs, chicken tikka, mutton kebab, fried fish with salad on a hot plate.