There is a new wave of restaurants in Kuala Lumpur that dedicate themselves to the arts of primitive cooking. These are kitchens that put fire, smoke and time at the centre of the plate, whether its the warm glow of a Josper oven humming in the background or a theatrical open-fire hearth anchoring the space.
There is something so primal yet poetic about food kissed by fire. In the 2020s, there is evidently a trend or return to form in kitchens all around the world, going back to more primitive and appreciative methods of food preparation.
Here are some of the best restaurants in the city where fire does the talking, and where eating feels all the more elemental and emotional.
Where The Embers Sing:
- Bar.Kar, G Tower
- CHARR, The Manor KLCC
- Pyro, Damansara Kim
- Carbon, Kota Damansara
- Ignis Kuala Lumpur, The Sphere
- Atelier Binchotan, Taman Desa
- Pickle Dining, Chinatown
- Corks Out, Bukit Bintang
1. Bar.Kar, G Tower
A Michelin Selected 2025 restaurant, Bar.Kar‘s name is inspired by the Malay word bakar meaning “to burn”; and is also a play on the word bar, referring to its signature counter seating where guests and witness to magic of open-fire cooking upfront.
Menu must-tries include the Egg & Toast, Grilled Fresh Prawns, Dry Aged Corn Fed Chicken, Burnt Leek, Char Siew Wagyu Beef Rice and Chocolate Lava Cake. If you’re visiting during lunch, the 3-course Executive Lunch menu offers excellent bang for your buck at only RM108++.
Menu | Instagram | Reserve here
2. CHARR, The Manor KLCC
Perched atop The Manor on Jalan Stonor, CHARR Dining by Chefs Chee Mun and Xing, and Kenneth Ngai offers a compelling rooftop dining experience that can be communal or intimate depending on the occasion. Using only locally-sourced mangrove wood, the open kitchen showcases synergy from hearth to pass imbued with the unmistakable aroma of smoke.
Menu must-tries include the Pomme Anna, Beef Tongue on naan bread, White Corn with fermented jalapeno, Catch of the Day, and Lava Tart with smoked vanilla ice cream.
Menu | Instagram | Reserve here
Read also: CHARR Dining, KLCC: Where Fire Meets Flavour
3. Pyro, Damansara Kim
Also powered by mangrove wood, Pyro is helmed by Chef Louis, formerly of Burnt Ends Singapore where he was inspired by the art of open-fire cooking. The bar-style seating offers an engaging and interactive dining experience with the team of young chefs.
Menu must-tries include the Oyster in Fire Ember & House Special Sauce, Mayura Signature Striploin, Asparagus with Burnt Cream, and Grilled Fish with homemade chili sauce.
4. Carbon, Kota Damansara
Located a short distance from the city centre, Carbon is a casual dining space that revolves around its kitchen that showcases fire and smoke right in front of diners’ eyes. The restaurant uses contemporary techniques while staying true to the timeless art of cooking with fire.
Menu must-tries include the Hokkaido Scallop, Delicious Greens with crispy duck & beetroot, Signature 21 Day Aged Duck Breast, Galician Octopus, Beef Brisket, and Not a Tiramisu. If you’d rather not make that many decisions, opt for the 10-course Chef’s Tasting Menu including off-menu specials and desserts.
Menus | Website | Instagram | Reserve here
5. Ignis, The Sphere
Ignis, meaning fire in Latin, is a woodfire grill restaurant that artfully blends modern European and Asian flavours. The menu curated by Chef Desmond Chong is comprised of all-Malaysian produce from land and sea, in a farm-to-table concept.
Menu must-tries include the Yellowtail or Scallop Ceviche, Smoked Honey Corn, fresh handmade pastas, 1kg Meat Platter, and Smores with Altara Dark Chocolate. Ignis also puts forth a compelling weekday lunch menu featuring housemade pasta and rice bowls with its signature char.
Menu | Instagram | Reserve here
6. Atelier Binchotan, Taman Desa
The Michelin Selected Atelier Binchotan is an intimate 17-seat open kitchen by husband-and-wife duo Chef Ka Hong Lau and Celine Choong with a “barbecue bistronomy” concept that marries Japanese binchotan grilling with inventive, ingredient-driven dishes. The ever-evolving menu showcases a blend of local and global flavors, emphasizing seasonal produce and refined techniques.
Menu must-tries include the Kaya Toast with Foie Gras, Mini Pork Burger, Duck Breast, and any of the coal-kissed meats.
Menu | Instagram | Website | Reserve here
7. Pickle Dining, Chinatown
Fire and fermentation are the name of the game at Chinatown’s Pickle. Chef Danial Thorlby draws inspiration from his time in Paris, London and New York to champion transformative techniques that make every plate feel like a conversation between past and present.
Menu must-tries include the tasting menus (with a minimum two guests) that take diners on a curated journey through processes like pickling, curing, fermentation and open-fire cooking. Pair your meal with a bottle of natural wine from the sipping menu.
Menu | Instagram | Reserve here
8. Corks Out, Bukit Bintang
Touting the moniker “Malaysia’s 1st Charcoal Grill Omakase”, Corks Out‘s Bukit Bintang endeavour features dry-aged charcoal-grilled goodness dished out from its open kitchen. The modern industrial space doubles as an excellent wine bar as expected from the Corks Out brand. Chef Ken Lim expands on his repertoire from pastry chef to grillmaster at the helm.
Menu must-tries include the 6-course Charcoal Grill Omakase (of course!), and Griglia al Polpo, Cavolo Griglia, Petto D’Anatra, and Chef Ken’s Mini Basque Cheesecake
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