Molina — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

My wife and I make it a point to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants whenever we travel — and I can confidently say, Molina KL by Chef Guillaume De Poorter deserves at least two more stars. This was one of the most refined and memorable dining experiences we’ve had anywhere in the world.

The moment we stepped into the restaurant, we were welcomed by an atmosphere that was elegant yet unpretentious — softly lit, minimal in design, and genuinely intimate. From the first bite to the last, the entire meal unfolded like a beautifully composed symphony. We began with a wild mushroom tartlet delicately crowned with black garlic and chervil — a tiny but powerful burst of umami, followed by a wooden tray of amuse-bouches adorned with dried flowers, as stunning visually as it was inventive in flavor. Each bite felt like an invitation into Chef Guillaume’s world: creative, restrained, deeply technical, and full of character.

The scallop dish was one of the most memorable — paired with bone marrow and salsify, it showcased incredible balance, with just the right touch of richness and acidity. Bread service often goes unnoticed, but here it was a highlight of its own — two tall, golden bricks with a caramelized, buttery crust and soft, airy crumb. Easily some of the best bread we’ve had in any fine dining restaurant.

When it came time for the main course, we chose the Hanwoo beef. It arrived plated like artwork, alongside morel mushrooms and mulberries in a lovage jus. The meat was tender, beautifully marbled, and complemented by an elegant earthiness and sweetness that lingered long after the last bite.

Dessert at Molina is not just an ending — it’s a continuation of the story. The sunchoke dessert, presented with dark chocolate, coffee, and calamansi, was playful and refined. It brought brightness, bitterness, and creaminess together with incredible harmony. Even the sheep’s yoghurt course, which came just before dessert, impressed with its clever mix of pistachio, avocado, thyme, and preserved lemon.

Though we didn’t go for the full wine pairing, we each sampled two glasses, and they were immaculately chosen. The non-alcoholic pairing was also exceptional — clearly given the same thoughtfulness and nuance. We deeply appreciated the effort in making both options feel equally sophisticated.

Service was smooth, attentive, and quietly confident — the kind that enhances the experience without ever drawing attention to itself. Every staff member was knowledgeable and gracious, effortlessly guiding us through the courses and pairings.

We’ve dined at many Michelin-starred establishments across the world — from Eleven Madison Park to Narisawa to L’Arpège — and Molina KL is absolutely on that level. A hidden gem in Kuala Lumpur that more people need to discover.

We’ll definitely return — and bring friends. Bravo,...

I made my reservation almost a month in advance and selected the default 5-course option, including a note to contact me regarding a RM100 top-up for an in-house birthday cake. I assumed I would receive confirmation of my selection. However, halfway through our meal, I noticed another table enjoying a 7-course service, and no one had confirmed our course choice.

When we inquired about switching to the 7-course option, we were told that it would disrupt the dining experience since we were already well into the meal. Instead, we were offered to pay almost RM200 to “top-up” for lobster—which essentially brought the price in line with the 7-course meal. I requested an extra amuse-bouche to match the 7-course offering, only to be met with a condescending remark from the staff - “your piece of lobster is bigger” (Really? Let me attach a photo for you to judge) Proceeded to top up anyway to see what’s the hype on the lobster about. (Please don’t bother) This totally spoil our mood and lost my appetite. I did not even finish the rest of the course meal and taking a bite or two just to taste. At this point I just wanted go home.

The experience was further marred by the wine pairing. On one occasion, the staff poured our wine without any explanation or introduction, which detracted from the overall experience. At dessert, we were asked if we wanted tea or coffee without being informed that there was an additional RM40 (excluding taxes) charge for two cups of black coffee—mediocre at best. It’s not that we mind paying for the coffee but it would nice to let us know imo?

Paying nearly RM2,500 for what turned out to be a subpar experience at a Michelin star establishment was extremely disappointing. I expected a level of service and communication commensurate with the restaurant’s reputation and price point.

Ps/ nobody introduced the meaning behind “Molina” lol we had to ask and ok it’s a good...

𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐕𝐈𝐒𝐈𝐓 𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐊𝐋

MOLINA by 2 MICHELIN Star Chef Sidney Schutte of Spectrum in Amsterdam is here to raise the bar of KL’s fine dining scene

MOLINA isn’t any progressive European restaurant but a 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐮𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 with its visionary, avant-garde approach, where every dish defies conventions, transcends expectations and is full of scintillating surprises

Perched on the 51st floor of The FACE Style with a stunning backdrop of the Twin Towers, the minimalistic interior is beautifully designed with Nordic tones 🌃😍

The gastronomic, cosmopolitan 7 course menu inspired by chef Sidney’s global culinary travels showcases a superlative series of impeccably intricate, cleverly counterintuitive creations that pushes the boundaries of culinary artistry

Be prepared to savour paradoxical combinations that miraculously harmonises on the palate such as the luxurious bowl of T’lur caviar & Japanese uni with 𝐜𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐮𝐫𝐫𝐞 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐜, the novel crispy hazelnut 𝐬𝐮𝐠𝐚𝐫 𝐬𝐩𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 paired with extremely fresh, succulent lobster poached in tonka bean, foie gras & beetroot jus for a delightful touch of sweet acidity to 𝐯𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞-𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐞𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐬 including both the herbaceous gorgeous garden of bright, zesty sorrel, rhubarb wheatgrass, basil, fennel & white chocolate and the theatric nitrogen carrot meringue drizzled with pumpkin caramel & smoked butter.

Check out my full review and video on HAPPYLIZZIEEATS on...