Receiving a MICHELIN Star is no easy feat. To acquire one, a restaurant must be evaluated on five universal criteria. According to the Michelin Guide, the five criteria are: the quality of the ingredients, the harmony of flavours, the mastery of techniques, the personality of the chef as expressed through their cuisine, and the consistency both across the entire menu and over time.
Each star even has its own meaning. A restaurant with one MICHELIN star means that its cooking is high-quality and worth a stop for. Two stars show that the restaurant serves excellent cooking and is worth a detour. Three MICHELIN stars is the highest recognition. Restaurants that achieve this prestigious distinction have proven that they have exceptional cuisine, and are worth a special journey for.
Following the announcement of the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2025, we take a closer look at the esteemed restaurants in Malaysia that have acquired and even retained the honourable MICHELIN Star rating. From the list, a total of 6 restaurants including 2 new ones have been graced with a one MICHELIN Star rating due to their high-quality dishes. And, only one restaurant in Malaysia dons a two MICHELIN Star rating. These restaurants sit at the top of Malaysia’s culinary scene, highlighting the best of Malaysia’s flavours.
Celebrating New One MICHELIN Starred Restaurants
Chim by Chef Noom
This restaurant serves authentic Thai flavours with an innovative twist, bringing delight to anyone who tastes it. Founded by MICHELIN Starred Chef Noom, he brings his expertise to Malaysia – exemplifying exceptional Thai cuisine to the Malaysian food scene. Despite opening the restaurant in 2024, he has quickly proven his mastery and earned the prestigious one MICHELIN Star rating for his restaurant for the 2025 edition of the MICHELIN Guide. Chef Noom is joined by Head Chef Willy, another masterful cooking expert who has helped the restaurant in its culinary journey.
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Molina
Joining the list of one MICHELIN Star is Molina, led by two MICHELIN Starred Chef Sidney Schutte. Complemented by the stunning skyline view of the Petronas Twin Towers, the restaurant showcases exquisite innovative dishes that highlight European cuisine using local Asian Ingredients.
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Retaining The One MICHELIN Star Glory
The MICHELIN Guide renews every year. This is to ensure more restaurants have a shot of being recognised, but also, restaurants who have been awarded before would have to keep up the consistent quality to retain their status. Receiving a MICHELIN Star rating for the first time is already a high achievement, but retaining it for the following year is an even more arduous journey. For the 2025 edition, Malaysia lists 4 restaurants that have kept their one MICHELIN Star from the previous year, proving their consistency in serving high-quality cuisine.
Restaurant au Jardin
This European contemporary, French-inspired restaurant was first awarded one MICHELIN Star in 2022, and has kept it ever since. Au Jardin’s culinary philosophy, “La Cuisine Naturelle,” is centered around celebrating the pure flavours of fresh, high-quality ingredients. A unique feature of this restaurant is that it sources its ingredients locally, maximising the best of Malaysian produce with a European twist. Highlighting the natural menu and ingredients is the interior, decorated with lush greenery and makes guests feel as if they have stepped “into a garden”.
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Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery
This restaurant offers a nostalgic atmosphere paired with the best menu of Peranakan cuisine. Chef Beh Gaik Lean, or ‘Auntie Gaik Lean’ is a culinary expert, offering authentic Baba & Nyonya dishes from old-school recipes, with ingredients made from scratch. Her expert handling of ingredients and excellent presentation of Peranakan flavours have rightfully earned the eatery a one MICHELIN Star Rating.
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Beta
Beta offers the best of local Malaysian cuisine with a contemporary twist. The dishes at Beta highlights Malaysia’s rich cultural heritage, utilising culinary expertise and techniques to enhance traditional recipes. Recognising that dining is a multi-sensory experience, the restaurant has created an ambiance that complements the flavours of the food, ensuring a delightful culinary journey for guests.
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DC. By Darren Chin
Led by Chef Darren Chin who has 14 years of professional cooking experience, the DC Restaurant is a sophisticated culinary destination serving an excellent array of French contemporary cuisine. The chef’s expert techniques in creating delectable and innovative dishes, paired with the restaurant’s elegant ambiance and impeccable service has let it maintain the esteemed one MICHELIN Star rating.
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Worth a Detour: Malaysia’s Only Two MICHELIN Starred Restaurant
The proud owner of this prestigious rating is Dewakan, a Malaysian contemporary restaurant serving beautifully crafted dishes boasting authentic Malaysian flavours. It is certainly a restaurant worth making a detour for, to experience the best of local Malaysian cuisine. Dewakan, the name a fun blend of the Malay words for “god” and “food”, celebrates the abundant natural resources of Malaysia. The restaurant aims to connect diners with the people and culture behind each ingredient. The restaurant adopts a nose-to-tail approach, reducing food waste and maximising all of what the local ingredients can offer. This sustainable practice has also landed them a MICHELIN Green Star, being the first ever restaurant in Malaysia to do so.
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