Al Rawsha Restaurant — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

I recently visited Al Rawsha Restaurant in KL with high hopes for a memorable dining experience, but unfortunately, my visit was far from satisfactory. I feel compelled to share my disappointment through this review, highlighting three major concerns: the uncomfortable temperature due to a lack of proper air conditioning, the low quality of the food, particularly the stale salads, and the extremely unclean restroom facilities.

First and foremost, the lack of proper air conditioning in the restaurant made the dining experience extremely uncomfortable. The hot temperature was unbearable, leaving me and other patrons sweating throughout the meal. It was evident that the establishment did not prioritize the comfort of its customers, as the hot and stuffy environment made it difficult to enjoy the meal fully. Adequate ventilation and cooling systems are essential in a restaurant, and it was disappointing to see such negligence in this regard.

Additionally, the quality of the food, especially the salads, was far below expectations. The salad ingredients seemed stale, lacking freshness and vibrancy. It was clear that the ingredients had been sitting for an extended period, resulting in a lackluster and unappetizing meal. As a customer, I expect freshness and quality when dining out, but unfortunately, Al Rawsha fell short in this aspect.

To make matters worse, the state of the restroom facilities was appalling. The toilets were not only dirty but also seemed to be neglected in terms of maintenance and hygiene. It is unacceptable for a restaurant to neglect such an essential area, as cleanliness and sanitation are crucial aspects of any dining establishment. The lack of attention to the restroom facilities greatly diminished my overall impression of Al Rawsha.

Given these issues, I cannot recommend Al Rawsha Restaurant to others. The uncomfortable temperature due to inadequate air conditioning, the low quality of the food, particularly the stale salads, and the extremely dirty restrooms all contributed to a disappointing dining experience. I hope the management takes these concerns seriously and makes the necessary improvements to provide a better experience for...

MENU VERDICT :

1. Chicken Shawarma • The big shawarma is cut into several pieces and served on a big plate with chilli sauce, sour onion sauce laid out separately on the side. The shawarma is very good. The pita bread is soft and thick. The chicken filling is tender and very dense in the wrap. There is also french fries in the meal which is nice extra in the dish. Personally feel this dish provides the best value of the bunch thanks to its excellent portion, quality and flavour. Highly recommended

2. Al-Rawsha Chicken Mansaf • Huge portion especially the amount of rice. The received chicken wing part is surprisingly smaller than I expected for an Arabic restaurant (which I'm glad about because it's actually normal size in typical serving). The chicken is tender. The biryani rice has a pleasant aroma to it and quite tasty. The dish is also served with traditional Lebanese gravy. The gravy has a dense and thick greasy texture, not for me personally but certainly a unique taste.

3. Guava Juice • The juice is extremely dense, almost a bit too dense I feel although it gets a bit lighter as the ice cubes melt down. But the juice is legit. No additives or flavouring, just pure blended guava fruit. Recommended

THE GOOD : • Impressive castle-like building with enchanting Mediterranean decor inside that plays song and shows from middle-east • Very huge place, 2 storeys high with plenty of seating especially big tables for big eating occasion. The place is quite clean • Extremely extensive selection of food, beverages and deserts • Good service. Orders get delivered quickly • Cash and cards payment supported • Online food delivery and self-pickup are available via Grab Food • Good facilities (toilets, surau) • Close proximity to TRX, MyTown mall and IKEA Cheras

THE NOT-SO-GOOD • Unsurprisingly, overall menu prices in the higher-end price range • No e-wallet payment (except for kebab / shawarma vendor)

TIPS • For public commute, the closest metro station is MRT Tun Razak Exchange and can walk across Jalan Tun Razak via pedestrian crossing bridge in front of AA Tower, then walk straight...

Al Rawsha doesn’t hide. The place looms like a medieval fortress, glowing red and green under the night. It’s the kind of sight that makes you stop, look twice, and wonder what’s going on inside. Holding its ground in Kuala Lumpur since 2001, the food leans heavy on heritage. Recipes are anchored in time, not trends.

On a good day, the lamb mandi is tender, fragrant, and piled high on rice that feels endless. Kebabs arrive smoky, hummus is smooth, mulawah bread still warm. Portions are gigantic, enough to feed a family twice over. For many, this is the best Arab food in town, generous, satisfying, celebratory.

But cracks can show sometimes: cold chicken fahsa, dry shawarma, reheated kebabs. A kunafa rumoured to be made with sliced cheese instead of cream cheese, chewy, greasy, and expensive. Some call it authentic and soulful; others say it’s a shadow of what it once was when the place was just a small stall in Kampung Baru. There are staff like Nayla and Sadiah, remembered by name for their smiles and care. Diners thank them personally, grateful for attention that feels rare in the chaos. Then there are the others, rude, distracted, or absent entirely. Orders come wrong, complaints brushed aside.

The space itself is big. Private dining rooms, VIP sections, shisha corners, plenty of room for families, parties, even office events. But size doesn’t mask age: old furniture, stuffy air, sweat-soaked evenings when the AC is off. Prices are another fault line. Some say fair for the portions; others cry overrated, especially when a plate of shawarma costs nearly RM30 and arrives dry, small, and forgettable. But still, Al Rawsha inspires loyalty. Families have been coming here for years, marking birthdays, farewells, iftar meals. For them, it’s tradition,...