Top 10 Places For A Decadent Christmas Feast in Malaysia

Christmas is here! We all know its a season of giving, feasting, and the holidays! As you decide where to spend your holiday locally, we’ll help you whet your festive appetite with our Top 10 places for a decadent Christmas feast around Malaysia. And lucky for you, we’ve kept our list to places with affordable prices so everyone can dig in! 

PENANG

Penang is undeniably known for great food and when it comes to Christmas, it doesn’t disappoint either. For only RM88 per person, What The Duck offers you a 5-course meal consisting of three appetizers, a main course of either turkey roulade and cranberry sauce or baked salmon with crushed walnuts, dessert and even a bottle of wine for early bird bookings. 

Image by PublicDomainPictures from Pixabay 

It can be a real meat fest at Christmas and Emily’s Steakhouse is prepared to open its doors to all you meat-lovers on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day itself. Make space for traditional roast turkey, fillet tenderloin steak, and a whopping big tiger prawn thermidor - and that’s just the main course! Starters include a smoked salmon rocket salad and roasted pumpkin soup with toast. Finish your meal with a delightful dessert spread: sweet apple crumble, hearty bread pudding, Christmas cake and traditional mince pie. All this for RM188 per person. Yum! Pre-bookings are required.

Image by Social Butterfly from Pixabay 

Throw in a bit of luxe to your Christmas experience by dining at Penang’s famous hotel from the colonial era, the Eastern & Oriental Hotel. Named after its founders, Sarkies at the E&O tops the chart for a splendid Christmas experience with its special Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet spread and a live band performance from 6.30pm to 10pm. While this may be on the pricier side (RM309.00 per person), Sarkies has ensured that on Christmas Day itself, you’re treated to their buffet luncheon while listening to live Christmas carols for only RM179 per person. 

What The Duck

+604-227 8840

 40, Jalan Nagor, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang

Emily’s Steakhouse

+6019-839 6630

109, Lebuh Victoria, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang

Sarkies 

+604-222 2000

Lebuh Farquhar, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang

IPOH

Photo from thehavenresorts.com

For those who are spending Christmas with family in Ipoh this month, make your dinner booking at The Haven Resort Hotel on the 23rd or 24th of December for RM158 per person. The hotel’s buffet includes a carving station for roast turkey, lamb or beef and a variety of main dishes that also cater to pescatarians. Save some room for dessert because you have to try their Christmas log cake, raspberry mousse crumble, and the baked cheesecake that’s topped with fresh berries! 

By the way, The Haven Resort sits among Ipoh’s beautiful limestone peaks where guests can get some respite from the busy town and enjoy nature’s tranquility. Why not make this family get-together a full day affair by checking in earlier? You get to make full use of the hotel’s superb amenities before getting ready for dinner in a comfortable hotel room that overlooks a calming turquoise lake. Take it as the end-year break you deserve. 

The Haven Resort Hotel, Ipoh

+605-540 0000

Jalan Haven, Persiaran Lembah Perpaduan, 31150 Ipoh, Perak

SABAH

Christmas is special to many merry Sabahans and so you can expect popular hotels in its main city to cook up a festive experience. Kitchen @ 8 at The Marriott Hotel Kota Kinabalu will be hosting a Christmas Eve Dinner Buffet for RM180 per person, including free-flow beer, drinks, and special Christmas cocktails from 6 - 11pm. Their Yuletide Lunch Buffet on 25th December runs from 12 - 4pm at RM120 per person. Roast chicken, turkey and beef tenderloin are the staples for both events. With such great value, it is going to be a packed dining hall so make your booking way in advance to get a table. 

Also keeping in mind families who prefer spending the night in on Christmas day, Tanjung Ria Kitchen at Hyatt Regency KK opens its doors for lunch as well as dinner. Lunch (also called Brunch) starts at 12pm till 2.30pm and for RM120 per person (RM60 for children under age 13), you’ll get to dig in to classic family recipes shared by the hotel’s General Manager, Thor Gervasi. A hotel’s Christmas feast doesn’t get more authentic than that! 

Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel

+6088-286 888

Lot G-23A, Jalan Tun Fuad Stephens, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

Hyatt Regency Kinabalu

088-221 234

Salleh Sulong, Jalan Datuk Peter Mojuntin, 88991 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah

SARAWAK

Photo by Pullman Kuching

Meanwhile in Kuching, Puzzle Restaurant at Pullman Hotel pulls off one of the most affordable Christmas buffets starting at RM68 per adult and children below age 13 get 50% off the full price. Pullman is also taking orders for the festive Christmas Dundee cake and has delectably yummy gingerbread houses neatly wrapped for you to buy as gifts.  

There are many favourite pastimes that locals in Kuching have. Enjoying the sunset at the waterfront happens to be one of them. This Christmas, enjoy the sunset like a local from the view at Waterfront Hotel Kuching as you feast on Cafe Via Mare’s Christmas buffet spread. Doors open at 6.30pm and dinner costs RM88 per person but discounts apply for bookings made early! 

Pullman Kuching

1A Jalan Mathies, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak

+60-82-222 888

The Waterfront Hotel

+60-82-227-227

68 Jalan Tun Abang Haji Openg, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak

KUALA LUMPUR

A true Marvel fan would instantly recognise the origin of Knowhere Bangsar’s name. It was inspired by the floating head of a celestial being in the Marvel comic series. The restaurant keeps to its mysterious cosmic theme with murals of keyholes to different dimensions painted on its walls. What about the food? Relax, you’re nowhere near dining like an astronaut at Knowhere. Known for fusion food, their Christmas dinner menu is designed to give your tastebuds an extraordinary experience! Notable specials are the roasted spring chicken, au jus smoked duck breast, 300gm grain-fed sirloin steak and a sinful camembert cheese fondue. Dinner starts at RM120 per person and group bookings  of four get a complimentary bottle of wine. 

Photo from chezgastonkl

Many Christmas traditions and recipes that we’re familiar with are from Germany. For a different kind of Christmas cuisine, try French dining at Chez Gaston, Bangsar. Their Christmas Day lunch buffet is surprisingly affordable at RM99 per person and includes signature dishes such as the French potato salad, pork terrine, roast lamb and plenty of cheese to indulge in. Wash it all down with some of the finest French wines available at the restaurant. 

Knowhere Bangsar

+6010-220 2358

50, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59100 Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur

Chez Gaston by rendez-vous

011-3993 0036

12G, Jalan Bangsar Utama 9, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur

These ten places are our top for its variety, location, experience, and affordability. Pick one that suits you and your family, call early to book, and get your flight tickets with us for some of the best deals this holiday season. Have a very Merry Christmas and bon appétit!

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Sarah Lim