My First Visit to Bangsar Village in Kuala Lumpur
During my first trip to Bangsar Village in 2015, I was drawn in by the enticing recommendations of popular Bangsar blogger, BangsarBabe. To my delight, I discovered a plethora of upscale dining options, unique fusion cafes, and delightful pastry shops nestled in the heart of Bangsar. This vibrant locale exceeded my expectations, and with each visit to Kuala Lumpur, I find myself irresistibly drawn back to this remarkable neighbourhood.
Jalan Telawi is the main street in the Bangsar Village area
Located adjacent to Bangsar Mall, the taxi rank is a convenient starting point for exploring the vibrant shopping scene in Bangsar. This modern shopping destination houses a variety of designer apparel stores, specialty shops, home decor outlets, and an array of services all under one roof.
Wander through the charming Old Bangsar Village area, a traditional U-shaped market brimming with eateries, shopping options, bars, and diverse businesses.
Bangsar Village Shopping Malls cater to your culinary cravings with Western food outlets, ice cream parlours, and restaurants. For those staying in the area, Bangsar Village Mall boasts a supermarket stocked with a diverse range of Asian and Western products.
How to get to Bangsar from Bukit Bintang or KLCC?
A cab ride costs RM 15-20 from Bukit Bintang or KLCC. A GRAB (ridesharing app) can be much cheaper. After work, there might be some congestion on the roads. Bangsar is packed in the evening with people, and it is a popular hangout for shopping and trendy cafes.
Bangsar neighbourhood attracts an upper-middle-class residential population. Most amenities, including transport, shopping, and utilities are quite affordable by Kuala Lumpur standards. If you plan on relocating to this area you can find plenty of houses and serviced apartments offering a nice view of the city skyline.
Bangsar Cafe and Restaurants
Bangsar Village is laid out in a precise grid featuring many stores, cafes, and restaurants. This vibrant area draws in large crowds during lunchtime and evenings, while weekends are bustling with enthusiastic shoppers and food enthusiasts. A charming night street market springs to life near the mosque on weekend nights.
The assortment of bakeries, cafes, and patisseries in Bangsar Village showcases a captivating and diverse array of offerings. Antipodean Cafe and Yeast have cultivated a loyal following, attracting digital nomads and business professionals engrossed in their work on laptops and handheld devices.
Enjoying dinner at Knowhere in Bangsar Village
The cozy atmosphere at "Knowhere" was inviting, with dim lighting and comfortable seating that made for a perfect setting to unwind after a long week. As I perused the menu, I was delighted to find a fusion of classic Western dishes and local specialties, each dish offering a unique blend of flavours that tantalized my taste buds.
Sharing this culinary experience with a friend only added to the enjoyment, as we savoured each bite and toasted to good times ahead. "Knowhere" truly exceeded my expectations and left me eager to return for another unforgettable dining experience.
Bangsar Village is home to plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants
Jalan Telawi and Maarof attract large crowds over the weekend adding plenty of activity to this residential neighbourhood. Catering to the expatriate and affluent class, you can explore options for high-end dining and trendy hangouts. Rock Bottom Bangsar and Bar Atas enjoy a lovely ambience over the weekend nights.
Shopping Mall Bangsar Village Kuala Lumpur
While exploring the menus of various restaurants, we stumbled upon a charming home-style kitchen nestled between DeSoto SteakHouse and The Social. This delightful hidden gem is known as Cafe Pak Abu Maskan Kampag Asli.
Mr. Abu, the restaurant's owner, has a specialty in party decor, evident in the beautifully adorned first-floor sitting area with vibrant decorations, glass accents, and colourful furniture. Offering pre-set menus in the RM 25 price range, Abu excels as a gracious host, skillfully recommending dishes tailored to your taste and appetite.
A dessert bar in Mid Valley Mall Bangsar
As I strolled through Bangsar Village Mall, I was delighted by the diverse range of options it had to offer. From quaint grocery outlets to tempting ice cream parlours and the renowned Nandos restaurant, there was something for everyone. However, it was the charming Three Little Pigs and the Big Bad Wolf store that truly captured the hearts of the locals with its unique offerings.
The flavours of the delectable crab curry in a mild chilli sauce lingered on my taste buds, leaving me yearning for more. Equally impressive was the house specialty beef marinated in a secret sauce, a culinary delight that I couldn't get enough of. The authentic home-style dishes at this restaurant left a lasting impression on me, and I am already eagerly anticipating my next visit to Kuala Lumpur to savour them once again.
Adjacent to Bangsar Village stands the magnificent Masjid Sayedna Abu Bakar, a place where I sought solace and tranquillity through multiple prayer sessions during my stay in Bangsar. The serene atmosphere of the mosque added a spiritual dimension to my experience in this vibrant city, making it a memorable part of my visit.
Sri Nirwana Maju is a must visit Banana Leaf Restaurant in Bangsar
Sri Nirwana Maju Banana Leaf Restaurant is a must-visit if you have a taste for Indian curries served with several deep-fried snacks, fish, and chicken dishes. I fell in love with restaurants. The food is amazingly fresh and affordable. The restaurants attract large crowds for lunch. The food is traditionally served over banana lead with a rich serving of rice, curries and deep-fried vegetables. You can order many other popular Malaysian dishes and meat curries as well.
For coffee lovers, there are plenty of trendy French Patisseries and coffee shops offering an ideal atmosphere to sit and work on your laptop or simply enjoy the lively crowds in the neighbourhoods. Yeast, Coffee & Coffee, Puck Coffee Roastery, Antipodean Cafe and Jacelyn Cakes are some popular spots around Jalan Telawi.
Popular Bangsar Cafes
If you want to try local food you can visit Mahbub which is quite popular for Biryani (spicy rice cooked with lamb, chicken or any other meat) and many amazing local favourites. This restaurant also specializes in fried noodles, soup, lamb shanks, tandoori chicken, and other Indian specialties. If you are craving "desi food", Mahbub is the place to visit. Just around the block is another popular South Indian restaurant, The Bala's Banana Leaf attracts a large crowd.
Mahbub is a popular Biryani house serving a mix of Malay/Indian dishes
Other popular food outlets in Bangsar I visited include
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Antipodeans Breakfast - breakfast in bangsar
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Dancing Fish
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Coffee Coffee
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Monte's Western Delicacies
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Nirwana Maju's Banana Leaf Rice
Cafe Pak Abu is an interesting local restaurant with an impressive menu and unique dishes. The cafe owner makes a recommendation based on your taste and likes. I tried grilled beef, chicken curry, and a very tangy lemon drink. I highly recommend this cafe if you want to diversify your palate.
Shopping in Bangsar - Mid Valley Mall in Bangsar - Gardens Mall Bangsar
Bangsar has several modern and high-end shopping Malls. One of my favourites is Bangsar Village and Mid-City Mall. Bangsar Village Mall is located in the Bangsar Village area and has many fashion outlets. There are a large number of popular bars and restaurants located outside Bangsar Village. A taxi ride from Bangsar Village to Bukit Bintang is approximately RM 15.
Mid Valley Mall is a renowned shopping destination for both fashion enthusiasts and food connoisseurs alike. With an abundance of cafes, restaurants, food outlets, and clothing stores, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
Be sure to set aside 3-4 hours to fully immerse yourself in all that these Malls have to offer. The South Bangsar Area has seen significant development, attracting the affluent working class and expatriate community with a higher disposable income. As a result, luxury brands and top-notch services cater to this discerning clientele.
For those with a passion for shopping, a visit to Mid Valley Mall is a must. To make the most of your experience, consider starting your day early to explore this vibrant location. Adjacent to Mid Valley Mall is Gardens Mall, which boasts an array of quality shopping options and dining establishments, including popular fast-food chains. On the ground floor, you'll find essential grocery services and healthcare clinics to cater to your needs.
Visiting Mid Valley Malls with kids?
Kidzooona is a great place for kids' entertainment with a massive gaming arcade, and kids' games for all age groups. Narikiri is a shopfront for kids to use their imagination for role-playing. Other interesting games include Cyber Wheel, the slider ball pool, etc. Kidzooona is a great place for kids to socialize and learn new skills in a safe environment.
Where to stay in Bangsar Kuala Lumpur?
If you are planning to stay in Kuala Lumpur and want to explore the suburbia, I highly recommend staying in one of many boutique hotels or homestays in Bangsar. Check out the best rates online . Advance Booking can save up to 40%.
Staying at V E Hotel and Residences in South Bangsar
In July 2022 I stayed at V E Hotel and Residences in South Bangsar . This property is ideal for a family holiday because of its location and the number of quality eateries in the neighbourhood.
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"The Sphere" shopping Mall is adjacent to the Ve Hotel and Residence and contains many quality restaurants, bars, and cafes. I enjoyed laksa at a Nynonya restaurant at the Mall. Khan's restaurant is located at the Mall and is home to authentic north Indian cuisine.
Other popular hotels in Bangsar Area include:
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Alila Bangsar - very popular choice for most visitors
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The Boulevard St Giles (***** USD 90)
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Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar (**** USD 80)
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Orion Design Hotel (*** UD 25)
What are other interesting shopping areas in Kuala Lumpur?
Bukit Bintang is the heart of tourist activities in Kuala Lumpur. The most popular shopping malls like Pavilion Mall, Farenheit88, Sephora, and Sungei Wang are located within walking distance from each other. This area is easily accessible by monorail at Bukit Bintang Monorail Stop. A taxi ride from Bangsar to Bukit Bintang is around RM 15.
I suggest visiting Berjaya Times Square ( Imbi Station) in Bukit Bintang and Central Market in Masjid India for souvenirs, cultural artifacts, batik, and local crafts.
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