Cover image via Afiq Amran/Google Maps & Jenny Chin/Google Maps
Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, and WhatsApp for the latest stories and breaking news.
Ara Damansara has quietly become a foodie hotspot
After living here for over two years, we've seen the food scene explode. Back then, food listicles about Ara Damansara featured just seven to 10 restaurants — and honestly, that was about all you could find.
These days? Friends and colleagues are making the trip from PJ, KL, even Kota Kemuning just to makan here.
It's surprising, but it says a lot: Ara Damansara is now a food contender in the Klang Valley.
*Before we dive in: This list isn't exhaustive. It's a mix of places we've personally tried and loved, plus spots that consistently get high praise on Google Reviews. We've skipped over some popular OGs like Jatujak and Hock Seng — those are practically always full anyway.
First things first, you'll wanna know the hotspots. Most eateries in Ara Damansara cluster in a few key zones, with a few gems tucked away elsewhere. Here's a quick breakdown:
Image via SAYS
1. Opposite-Cantara Square (It's actually called Ara Permata): This is where most of the buzz is. New cafés, kopitiams, and restaurants seem to open up every other week. Traffic can be a hassle during peak hours, but it's worth it.
2. Everything Around Jatujak: Near the well-known Jatujak Bangkok Street Food, you'll find a mix of new eateries with their own flair. A great area to explore if you're in the mood to try something new.
3. Dataran Ara Damansara: Home to the popular Hock Song Kopitiam and Restoran Do Re Mi 123, this area has plenty to offer — fruit stalls, pharmacies, car workshops, restaurants, and more!
4. Shoplots by Maya Ara: You wouldn't notice this area unless you knew where to look. But it's one of our favourite makan zones, home to a few real hidden gems.
5. CITTA Mall: Ideal for a quick, no-fuss meal. CITTA Mall has a good variety of restaurants for your everyday cravings, plus the added convenience of grocery shopping.
6. Japanese Food @ Saujana: Near The Saujana Hotel and the Japanese School of Kuala Lumpur, this area has a handful of authentic Japanese restaurants. Great if you're in the mood for sushi or ramen.
Honourable Mentions: Oasis Square is mostly filled with offices, but there are a few decent lunch spots. NZX Ara Damansara also has a few of our must-visit eateries. Plus, a few other places below fall outside the main hotspots, but they're just as worthy of a visit.
Now, here's the ultimate guide of where to eat in Ara Damansara:
NOTE: Food spots arranged based on location, not popularity or writer's recommendation.
IF there is a spot you absolutely believe deserves to be on this list, email ([email protected]) with the restaurant and a short description on why you love it. ;P
Opposite-Cantara Square (Ara Permata):
Jamboo @ Ara Damansara
Image via Sam W/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.2 stars (103 reviews)
What the locals say:"Good for customisable lei cha bowls and fancy matcha drinks. Pasta is a bit mahals tho."
Cha Can Ting | 茶餐厅
Image via Rusputin Ang Ah Meng/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 3.9 stars (601 reviews)
What the locals say:"Love the kai si hor fun and yong tau fu. Kopi is decent too. It has an aircon seating section, while the main section is pet-friendly."
Dudu Yummy | 肥嘟嘟茶室
Image via Chow Hon Keong/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.1 stars (297 reviews)
What the locals say:"People usually come here for the Assam laksa, kai si hor fun, and cucur udang. Lunch time can get crazy and parking is sometimes impossible."
Shoraku Kopitiam
Image via edmund tam/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.2 stars (55 reviews)
What the locals say:"You can find the same ramen at the Uncle Soon Kopitiam opposite, but the good thing about this branch is that there's much more to order, from soba and udon to Korean food."
Cowboys Barbecue & Grill
Image via Afiq Amran/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.5 stars (476 reviews)
What the locals say:"One of the rare OGs on this list, Cowboys offers everything from burgers to briskets and beef ribs. Platters are a little pricey."
Bijou Cafe Ara Damansara
Image via SAYS
Google Reviews: 3.8 stars (336 reviews)
What the locals say:"We're a little biased, 'cause we've been frequenting Bijou from its original place to its little shed, now to its glasshouse. If you're not sure what to get, the Cuban latte never disappoints."
Wartek
Image via Jenny Chin/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.0 stars (770 reviews)
What the locals say:"One of the few spots you can get authentic, really delicious Indonesian food. Order a nasi uduk and a few side dishes, plus the bebek and ayam goreng Madura if you still have room."
Core Cafe
Image via azri azizi/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.4 stars (123 reviews)
What the locals say:"Food here is decent, matcha is good, but the best part is that the outdoors portion is pet-friendly."
Heritage Kopitiam 大马茶室 (Ara Damansara)
Image via G. L/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.1 stars (465 reviews)
What the locals say:"I would say they serve no-frills kind of food, but it'll do in a pinch if you're craving some Penang Hokkien mee or jawa mee."
Leetou Pods Cafe
Image via Leetou Pods Cafe
Google Reviews: 4.3 stars (71 reviews)
What the locals say:"While not as flashy as all the new cafés, Leetou Pods quietly serves up good coffee and offers kid-friendly play areas, perfect for working parents."
Born Butcher
Image via Nadhirah Syahmi/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.5 stars (146 reviews)
What the locals say:"A halal Western food spot that's generous with its portions. The oxtail stew and squid ink pasta are really delicious!"
Everything Around Jatujak:
Mongddang korean bbq (Ara Damansara)
Super value-for-money lunch set at Mongddang.Image via Mongddang korean bbq (Ara Damansara)
Google Reviews: 4.6 stars (167 reviews)
What the locals say:"This spot should be gatekept, but oh well. You get unlimited Korean side dishes you can refill, including jap chae and fish cake. Free drinks too! And lunch set is a steal, with a BBQ meat, kimchi jiggae, and rice for under RM20."
Rumah Steak & Cafe by IMCN
Image via Valerie Chin/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.8 stars (142 reviews)
What the locals say:"I would consider this Ara's Grub. They offer reasonably priced steaks, RM3 unlimited fries, and great service. What's not to love?"
PJ Khao Man Gai
Image via VOON/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.0 stars (330 reviews)
What the locals say:"Super long queues, but the green chilli with the chicken rice is so good. Lava egg rice is also a must-try."
Shan Mu
Image via Dil Sama/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.1 stars (76 reviews)
What the locals say:"The coffee here is one of the best in Ara Damansara. They also serve unique dishes like ochazuke. The main thing to come for is the wooden interior decor."
Lao Hu Zi 老胡子麻辣火鍋
Image via lee wanyen/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.9 stars (135 reviews)
What the locals say:"Reasonable hot pot place with nine soup varieties. You can also order dishes like their spicy crispy pork and fried brown sugar rice cake."
Dataran Ara Damansara:
There's actually a lot of food in Dataran Ara Damansara. We've heard of people raving over Hock Seng Kopitiam's pork noodles, Sarawak Laksa, and chicken rice — and they're pretty good.
Further down, you'll also find a lot of options at Restoran Do Re Mi 123 and S11 Mixed Rice, where you can get one of the cheapest plates of chicken rice. But here are some food spots you may not be aware of.
Jerry Burger
Image via Family Gurning/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.8 stars (4 reviews)
What the locals say:"This unassuming Ramly burger stall opens right outside 99 Speedmart, and they're known for their homemade beef patty burger, charred to perfection!"
LALAKOREA
Image via Allen Tang/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.5 stars (35 reviews)
What the locals say:"If you're craving home-style Korean comfort food, the soups here are amazing. And one of the best gimbaps you'll taste."
Shoplots by Maya Ara:
Restoran Thai Nyonya BBQ, Ara Damansara
Image via Henry Erik Estrada/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.2 stars (1,012 reviews)
What the locals say:"Get the crab fried rice, salted egg sotong, and pretty much anything off the menu. They also have the best red ruby, in our not-so-humble opinion."
Restoran Kacang Pool Haji Larkin JB (Cawangan Ara Damansara)
Image via Amirul Irfan Ahmad Sophian/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.6 stars (244 reviews)
What the locals say:"You can get Johorean style kacang pool here, and the nasi ambeng is worth a try too!"
Inoha Cafe
Image via Eunice Yuen/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.4 stars (177 reviews)
What the locals say:"One of the few places serving Japanese-style breakfast items like asagohan. Make sure to try the zesty yuzu steak if you can."
CITTA Mall:
Original Penang Kayu Nasi Kandar@Citta Mall
Image via Dan Tang/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 3.2 stars (718 reviews)
What the locals say:"Yes, it's expensive and it tastes alright. But sometimes, Kayu's nasi and roti just hit the spot, and it's convenient to have close by."
Déli Wau
Image via Daphne
Google Reviews: 4.1 stars (129 reviews)
What the locals say:"The nasi kerabu here is serviceable and has a nice spicy kick to it. Lunch sets here are also affordable for mall pricing."
Onde Onde @ Citta Mall
Image via Ammar Azmi/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.2 stars (653 reviews)
What the locals say:"They offer a variety of local dishes in one-person servings, which is nice. There's mee goreng, ayam berempah, and other curry dishes too."
Japanese Food @ Saujana:
Uroko Yakitori Sushi – Nova Saujana
Image via KHO ADAMS (adams kho)/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.3 stars (393 reviews)
What the locals say:"Slightly pricier, but the food here is superb. The quality of their sushi and sashimi is consistent, and the unari roll is especially tasty."
Ramen Izakaya TEMMA 居酒屋 天満
Image via Jess Lee/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.1 stars (35 reviews)
What the locals say:"This hidden gem is located within Saujana Villa itself. The ramen is hearty, but the yakitori skewers are really something worth travelling here for."
Honorable Mentions:
MiMi Korean Restaurant
Image via S L Chong/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.6 stars (502 reviews)
What the locals say:"This spot is in the slightly quieter area of Ara, just after Lotus's. They offer all kinds of Korean fare, but I'd say get the pajeon, kimchi jiggae, and bibimbap."
Pages Book Cafe
Image via Xiao Hui/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.7 stars (160 reviews)
What the locals say:"Good food and good atmosphere. Plus, it's a mini bookstore, so you can browse while waiting for your food to come."
Restoran 5 Beradik
Image via Restoran 5 Beradik
Google Reviews: 4.0 stars (100 reviews)
What the locals say:"You probably won't go out of your way to try this spot, but if you work or stay nearby, their nasi lemak and nasi goreng are solid. Plus, they have cheap breakfast sets too."
Underscore Coffee
Image via Edmund Kibo/Google Maps
Google Reviews: 4.4 stars (524 reviews)
What the locals say:"This local community café can get packed during peak hours in the morning, but they serve up a good cup of coffee and comfort food like ABC chicken stew rice."
Chai Restaurant
Image via Chai Restaurant
Google Reviews: 4.6 stars (287 reviews)
What the locals say:"The lunch spread is literally glorious. You can have your pick of banana leaf rice, chapathi, and appams. Do note that the meat dishes are slightly expensive."
LONTONG & CO Ara Damansara
Image via LONTONG & CO Ara Damansara
Google Reviews: 4.1 stars (382 reviews)
What the locals say:"It's not easy to find Laksa Johor, much less an authentic and tasty version. But the one at LONTONG & CO hits the spot. Their Lontong Darat is a must-try too."
My Masala
Image via My Masala
Google Reviews: 5.0 stars (34 reviews)
What the locals say:"Now located within S31 Happy Lucky Restaurant, you'll find the food here incredibly tasty and satisfying. Choose from a mix of homecooked South Indian dishes, that'll make you feel like you're eating grandma's cooking."
The Bunge
Image via SAYS
This café in NZX Ara Damansara not only serves coffee and pastries, but is also home to The Bunge, which offers affordable fresh flowers. You can also buy plants and other home decor items here, and it's the perfect place to hang if you want a serene afternoon.
