18 French restaurants to try in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor

From boeuf bourguignon to confit de canard, here’s the complete guide for your French fix in the Klang Valley.

1. Rendez-Vous at Bangsar

Chef Benjamin Reilhes infuses imagination and intelligence into Rendez-Vous’ menu, the result of having refined his prowess at venues like Paris’ Michelin three-star Le Pré Catelan and Toulouse’s Brasserie des Beaux Arts.

Address: 100 Lorong Maarof,, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Read review: Rendez-Vous: New Chef
Find: Contact details and map for Rendez-Vous

2. French Feast at Tengkat Tong Shin

Founder Jean-Michel Fraisse and chef Mickael Cornutrait do justice to classics like boeuf bourguignon, gloriously tender red wine-braised beef cheeks with glazed vegetables that successfully convey both depth of flavour and dimensions of texture.

Address: 20, Tengkat Tong Shin, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Read review: French Feast
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3. Bistro a Table at Petaling Jaya

One of the Klang Valley’s most thrilling chefs, Isadora Chai calls her cooking “adaptive French cuisine,” but that barely hints at the breadth of the menu’s imagination in this stylishly comfy suburban restaurant.

Address: 6 Jalan 17/54, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Read review: Degustation menu at Bistro a Table
Find: Contact details and map for Bistro a Table

4. Maison Francaise at Changkat Kia Peng

A ravishing residence transformed into an elegant eatery, this three-level bungalow, spilling over with porches and terraces surrounded by a lush garden and swimming pool, is a brilliant hideaway, still well within the city (scarcely a five-minute drive from KLCC) but with a miles-away feel.

Address: 5 Jalan Changkat Kia Peng, 50450 WP Kuala Lumpur
Find: Contact details and map for Maison Francaise

5. Nathalie’s Gourmet Studio at Solaris Dutamas

Snail vol au vent, croques and crepes form some of the highlights at this playground for contemporary French temptations by chef Nathalie Arbefeuille.

Address: Unit A4-1-05, Solaris Dutamas, 50480 Jalan Dutamas 1, Kuala Lumpur
Find: Contact details and map for Nathalie’s Gourmet Studio

6. Restaurant DC at Taman Tun Dr Ismail

A combination of classical French and modernist techniques underpins the craftsmanship of Malaysian chef Darren Chin, who applies his training in French kitchens to food to a perceptive use of ingredients both local and foreign in often unexpected forms.

Address: 44 Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Read review: DC by Darren Chin
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7. 2OX at The Row

Brittany-born chef Thierry Le Baut populates this restaurant’s repertoire with time-honoured Gallic cooking to bring the tastes and textures of a Parisian bistro to KL.

Address: 56G Jalan Doraisamy, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Read review: 2OX: 2016 menu
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8. Topshelf at Taman Tun Dr Ismail

Topshelf stands out amid TTDI’s sea of pubs and cafes for its easy, welcoming charm and its more-than-respectable range of French fare (with some Italian flourishes) at suburb-suitable prices.

Address: 61, Lorong Rahim Kajai 13, Taman Tun Dr. Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Read review: Chef’s table dinners at Topshelf
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9. Enfin by James Won at Menara Hap Seng

This modern French restaurant ranks among the city centre’s most beautiful new venues, occupying the sort of space that bolsters expectations of a exceptional experience.

Address: Lot 2-05, level, Menara Hap Seng , 2.01, Jalan P Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Read review: Enfin by James Won
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10. The Red Herring at Plaza Damas

This cosy French restaurant helmed by Malaysian chef Xer-Li Woo features the likes of pork terrine, chicken liver pate and pork chops cooked with garlic and wine.

Address: Block M, Plaza Damas, Jalan Sri Hartamas, Kuala Lumpur
Read review: The Red Herring
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11. Le Bistro 33 at Subang

This French-helmed venue seeks to bring a bit of Europe to Subang, combining boulangerie fare with basic bistro-style cuisine – it’s a pleasant eatery with affable service and a competently executed menu that seems to be winning over this neighbourhood.

Address: No.33 Ground Floor, Jalan USJ 10/1G, 47620 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Read review: Le Bistro 33
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12. Chez Lioniel at Alliance Francaise

Chef Leoniel Dg’s eponymous cafe at the Alliance Francaise de Kuala Lumpur language and cultural centre offers a deep dive into a sea of French fare – expect everything from steak tartare to salade lyonnaise, moules marinieres to boeuf bourguignon, hachis parmentier to gratin dauphinois to quiche lorraine.

Address: 15, Lorong Gurney, 54100 Kuala Lumpur
Read review: Chez Lioniel
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13. Pinch at Bangsar

A pinch of Paris, a dash of suburban sophistication: This European-inspired bistro champions mainly French and Italian influences, with a broad repertoire that bounds from steak tartare to pork ragu pappardelle. Founded by chef David and his compatriots Chye and Matthieu, this is a neighbourhood hangout with a smooth, easy-going charm and soothing, chilled-out vibe.

Address: Ground Floor, Oasis Village, , Oasis Ara Damansara, 47301 Selangor
Read review: Pinch
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14. Café de Paris at Pavilion

Bringing a slice of its namesake city to KL’s Pavilion mall (buttressed by a bit of the Eiffel Tower), this French-inspired bistro bids ‘bon appetit’ with a sweeping menu that spans bouillabaisse to boeuf bourguignon.

Address: Lot 3.06.00, Level 3, Pavilion, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
|Read review: Café de Paris
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15. Bistro Richard at Sentul

Lakeside dining with a French flavour at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre.

Address: Sentul Park, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah, 51100 Kuala Lumpur
Find: Contact details and map for Bistro Richard

16. Yeast Bistronomy at Bangsar

A triple threat of a bistro, boulangerie and wine bar, courtesy of Frenchman Christophe Chatron-Michaud and his Malaysian-born wife, Lissan Teh.

Address: 24G Jalan Telawi 2, 59100 Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
Find: Contact details and map for Yeast Bistronomy

17. Café Café at Jalan Maharajalela

Café Café is a long-time survivor that has attracted customers for well over a decade to its romantically lit, Parisian-inspired setting.

Address: 175, Jalan Maharajalela,, 50150 Kuala Lumpur
Find: Contact details and map for Café Café

18. Lafite at Shangri-La Kuala Lumpur

One of KL’s best-known bastions of French gastronomy, Lafite has evolved in the hands of a succession of chefs over the years; current creations include crayfish timbale with Cognac juice and crepe suzette flambéed with Grand Marnier.

Address: Shangri-La Hotel Kuala Lumper, 11 Jalan Sultan Ismail, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Find: Contact details and map for Lafite