7 hidden gems in KL (Kuala Lumpur)
Kuala Lumpur is the capital of Malaysia and a strategic point every traveler probably passes through at least once on their journey through the world.
There are many things to see in Kuala Lumpur, as well as in the rest of Malaysia. However, in this post, we will focus on the capital, specifically on all the hidden gems that can be found in Kuala Lumpur.
We lived in KL for over a month and were able to appreciate many things that this city has to offer to tourists and locals. The capital of Malaysia is a vibrant and modern city that also preserves its customs and traditions.
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Many tourists passing through here decide to visit Kuala Lumpur for a short time, thinking that in one or two days they can see everything.
They couldn’t be more wrong in making that decision, as this city, besides offering iconic sites like the Petronas Towers or the Television Tower, has many incredible hidden gems worth visiting during your next stay in Kuala Lumpur.
In this post, we don’t intend to promote the idea that you should skip the main tourist attractions in KL, as they definitely deserve a visit and they are also some of the best attractions you’ll see in Malaysia.
What we aim to achieve by writing these lines is to encourage you to add these hidden gems to your KL itinerary according to your preferences. We are sure that more than one of these hidden spots mentioned here will captivate you.
So here is our list of 7 hidden gems in Kuala Lumpur:
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1) Book xcess (Chinatown) – Hidden gems Kuala Lumpur
The Chinatown district itself is one of the most emblematic and characteristic areas of the entire city. It’s worth a visit just to see the market and its beautiful buildings. Beyond its charm, this neighborhood is one of the best places in the city to stay without spending a fortune (although it’s becoming more popular in the past year).
Within the same area, there are many interesting things to see and explore, and one of them is this hidden gem, Xcess Library inside the RexKL establishment. Opened in 2021, on the upper floors of this building, right in the heart of Chinatown, this is a truly unique library with intriguing beauty.
We say it’s the perfect spot for capturing cool photos, finding a great international book, or simply relaxing in its fantastic silence. We stumbled upon it by chance and we liked it so much that we decided to add it to our list of hidden gems to see in Kuala Lumpur. Don’t miss it! You will discover something amazing.
2) Her house bar – Hidden gems Kuala Lumpur
Ready for a great time in Kuala Lumpur’s vibrant nightlife?
This place certainly couldn’t be considered a hidden gem, as it’s a speakeasy, making it not so easy to locate.
The entrance from the street looks anything but the access to one of the coolest bars in the entire city. They offer delicious and well-crafted cocktails, as well as some appetizers.
This bar is quite well-known among locals and industry experts, and despite its reputation, during our visit, we didn’t see many tourists. Her House is always located in the Chinatown area, and to find it, you should follow the directions we provide here.
If you’re looking for a good cocktail to start or continue your night out, undoubtedly, this is a hidden spot you must visit in Kuala Lumpur.
3) Beer Bank – Hidden gems Kuala Lumpur
If you read correctly, we wrote the Beer Bank because, inside it, you’ll find the best beers from around the world.
This hidden gem you must see in Kuala Lumpur is neither just a bar nor even a simple beer store, but a hybrid, or better said, a combination of both.
Drinking in bars or restaurants in Malaysia, in general, can be expensive, not only due to the high alcohol taxes imposed by the government but also because of the service charge that all bars add to each drink (this represents 3-5% of the total cost).
Despite this, at Beer Bank, you can save some money during your next stay in the city. Inside the venue, you’ll find many fridges full of beer. You choose the one you prefer, pay the normal price (supermarket price), and if you want to drink it right there, they serve it in a cold glass. You also have the option to take it home or to your hotel.
We discovered this place by chance in the Bukit Bintang neighborhood, and it turned out to be a true find for beer enthusiasts like us. If you enjoy beer, don’t miss the opportunity to visit this hidden gem in Kuala Lumpur.
Our tip: When we travel we always make sure to have travel insurance. Our personal recommendation is Truetraveller as they have great support and health coverage around the world. And don’t worry if you forget about it, you can purchase the insurance during your trip!
4) The Zhongshan building – Hidden gems Kuala Lumpur
On their website, they present it as follows: “An urban rejuvenation project, energized by a close-knit community of artists, researchers, designers, artisans, and musicians” and we couldn’t express it better.
This extremely hipster building in Kuala Lumpur is the perfect place if you’re looking for an original gift or if you’re interested in art, music, and research. From the outside, it may look like a regular building; however, inside, you can find everything from delicious coffee to quality vinyl records, artworks, and unique handmade clothing.
The charm lies in exploring the various floors of the building and being surprised. We assure you that this spot is undoubtedly one of the best hidden places you must visit in Kuala Lumpur.
5) Tommy le Baker – Hidden gems Kuala Lumpur
Although this place is situated on the ground floor of the Zhongshan building we mentioned earlier, we believe it deserves its own space on the list of hidden places you must see and visit in Kuala Lumpur.
Malaysian food is incredibly rich and diverse, but who can resist a freshly baked croissant or a sandwich made with homemade sourdough bread?
We know the answer: ‘no one,’ not even us.
That’s why we’ve included it in this list. The sandwiches they prepare are delicious. With good homemade bread, 3-4 quality ingredients, and a lot of love, these delights turn into genuine treats, especially considering how difficult it can be to find good bread in Kuala Lumpur or Malaysia in general.
The owner told us he learned how to make bread in France and then returned to his homeland after several years, with the aim of offering a quality European product to the locals and expatriates residing in the capital.
We can say he has fully achieved his goal, and if your craving for European food grows, Tommy Le Baker is one of the hidden spots for food you must visit during your next stay in Kuala Lumpur.
6) The Row – Hidden gems Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur doesn’t lag behind any other city in its ability to transform old, depressing, and often abandoned places into entertainment hubs for everyone.
In this case, we’re talking about ‘The Row’ an urban revitalization project that’s absolutely worth visiting on your trip to Kuala Lumpur.
22 shop-houses have been transformed into a beautiful area for dining, eating, or spending the afternoon. For instance, we stumbled upon this area by chance simply because a pizzeria that promised wonders (and it truly delivered) was located in one of these buildings.
Apart from enjoying a delicious pizza, we discovered this unique neighborhood with interesting shops and restaurants that are definitely worth trying during your visit to the city.
It is a perfect hidden gem in KL to eat and hang out.
7) Botanical Gardens
It might surprise you how many tourists decide to skip this visit for one reason or another. Not us, in fact, we’ve decided to add it to this post about things to see in Kuala Lumpur because this massive lung of the city holds many hidden gems within.
From a Bamboo Playhouse where you can relax to the spice or exotic plant areas, this park is huge and we’re confident you’ll find something intriguing that captures your attention.
Honestly, we recommend it because taking a walk and unwinding in a park outside the more chaotic areas of the city can often be quite refreshing. Absolutely recommended.
Map with all locations
Conclusions
We’ve reached the final parts of this post, and we hope that in your next visit to the capital of Malaysia, you’ll have time to explore one or all of these hidden gems.
Clearly, Kuala Lumpur has much more to see and offer, so if you have any favorite spots in the city, don’t hesitate to share them with us. We’d be happy to visit them next time we’re in the city because there will be a next time; a piece of our hearts remains there.
Every month, we come out with posts about travel tips or food from all around the world, so we’ll be here waiting for you. There’s a whole world left for us to discover together.
Until next time, your traveling (and food-loving) friends at Fun Food Travelling.
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