Indian Empire — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

Indian Empire Restaurant in Bukit Bintang delivers an outstanding Indian dining experience right in Kuala Lumpur's bustling heart. From the moment you step in, the vibrant, colorful interior and soft traditional music create a welcoming vibe that's perfect for families, couples, or solo diners craving authentic flavors. The staff, like attentive waiter Seshathri or chef Harikrishna, greet you warmly, explain menu options based on your preferences, and check in without being pushy—service feels genuinely hospitable, even during peak hours, though waits can happen in this busy spot. Food steals the show with halal-certified, fresh ingredients shining in every dish. The butter chicken is creamy, rich, and succulent, paired perfectly with fluffy garlic naan or butter naan that reviewers call the best in KL. Biryani arrives aromatic and perfectly spiced, while starters like chicken tikka or gobi 65 pack bold, grilled flavors without overpowering heat. Vegetarians rave about palak paneer, aloo gobi, and paneer tikka masala—portions are generous, tastes authentic North and South Indian, and everything feels freshly made. Lassis, especially mango, refreshingly cap off meals.Value shines through with reasonable prices for such quality—no frills, just solid bang for your buck in pricey Bukit Bintang. It's clean, spacious enough despite the lively crowd, and ideal for repeat visits, whether lunch, dinner, or Ramadan feasts. Minor gripes like occasional slow service fade against the magic of moist tandoori chicken and spice-packed curries. If you're near Pavilion or Jalan Alor, skip the tourist traps—Indian Empire is your go-to for memorable, flavorful Indian food that lives up to the hype. Highly recommended;...

"I recently had the opportunity to dine at the Indian Empire Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, and while the experience was generally positive, there were some notable drawbacks.

The Indian food served at the hotel was good.

One of the major challenges was the crowd. The hotel's dining area was always packed, and I had to wait for at least 20 minutes to get a seat.

While waiting is understandable, it would be great if the hotel could find ways to manage the crowds more efficiently.

The service was also a mixed bag. Some of the staff members were polite, friendly, and attentive, which made the dining experience more enjoyable.

However, I had a disappointing encounter with one staff member who seemed quite rude. When I asked him if I could get medium-spiced fried rice, he curtly replied that they only had two options: normal and spicy.

What struck me as odd was that the next day, I saw the same staff member being friendly and explanatory with Western customers. This inconsistency in service made me feel that there might be some bias or discrimination at play.

Another area of concern was the quantity of food served. Given the prices charged, I expected more generous portions. Unfortunately, the amount of food served was quite less, which made the experience feel overpriced.

Overall, while the Indian Empire Hotel has its strengths, particularly in terms of the taste of the food, there are areas that need improvement. With better crowd management, more consistent and friendly service, and more generous food portions, the hotel could elevate the dining experience for...

Update 2025 - Been twice in two days. OK Today wasnt planned, but I was passing and needed to eat. Pander Tikka Masala absolutely divine, with a butter naan and some pickle. Yesterday Neem fish curry, couple of naans and rice. Far too much food, had to take some rice and bread home with me. Was lovely too.

2024 - Just spot on, an easy 5 stars.

My wife found this place online and I'm so glad she did. Start to finish perfect, well nearly perfect. I had the Chettinad fish, which was lovely and soft with quite a strong flavour to it. The sauce was very rich, a deep dark brown with a strong blend of cinnamon, cloves and other spices. Good amount of fish with a very generous amount of sauce. Went with a Lachha Paratha but had order a garlic naan as well because there was so much sauce. My other half had the Fish Pollichatu, this was just lovely! Fish steaks marinated in a thick tomato and onion spiced mix then wrapped in banana leaf and grilled. Flavour was heavenly.

Something that made this place stand out was the service and the staff. Shout out to the guy in the hat who was on the door and looking after customer as he was very attentive and always with a natural demeanor. Same for the rest of the staff. We were checked on a few times to make sure everything was OK and if we needed anything. It felt really natural and was a nice touch.

Pretty much only eat Indian food when in KL and we will most definitely be coming...