Thai Arch Kitchen & Bar @ Hartamas — Restaurant in Kuala Lumpur

Thai Arch Kitchen & Bar, situated on the ground floor of Hartamas Shopping Centre in Kuala Lumpur, offers a delightful fusion of authentic Thai cuisine and a vibrant dining atmosphere. Our recent lunchtime visit with a group of four provided a comprehensive experience of the establishment’s offerings.

Ambience & Setting

The restaurant boasts a spacious and aesthetically pleasing interior, characterized by modern Thai-inspired decor. The seating arrangement is comfortable, and the overall ambiance is enhanced by natural lighting, creating a warm and inviting environment. A small stage is present, presumably for live band performances during dinner hours, adding to the restaurant’s charm. Notably, there is a designated smoking section, catering to diverse patron preferences.

Culinary Experience

Our meal comprised the following dishes:  •   Chicken Wings: These were particularly flavorful, with a crispy exterior and juicy interior, indicating adept preparation. •   Spicy Seafood Tom Yum: While the soup had a commendable level of spiciness, it lacked the depth and richness typically associated with traditional Tom Yum, rendering it average in comparison.  •   White Rice: Served as a staple accompaniment, the rice was well-cooked and complemented the main dishes effectively. •   Coconut Drinks: These were refreshing and served in generous portions, providing a cooling counterbalance to the spicy dishes.

Portion sizes were notably large, which, while generous, may contribute to the perception of higher pricing, especially considering the restaurant’s location within a shopping centre.

Service & Hospitality

The staff demonstrated a high level of attentiveness and professionalism throughout our visit. They were prompt in addressing our needs and provided insightful recommendations, enhancing our dining experience. The restaurant was not particularly busy during our lunchtime visit, allowing for more personalized service.

Entertainment & Additional Features

Although there was no live performance during our visit, the presence of a stage suggests that live music is a feature during dinner hours, potentially enriching the evening dining experience. According to their social media updates, Thai Arch hosts live band performances from 8:30 PM to 10:30 PM daily, except Sundays, and features a DJ from midnight to 2:00 AM on Saturdays . These entertainment options, coupled with the restaurant’s ambiance, make it a suitable venue for both casual dining and special occasions. 

Pricing & Value

While the quality of food and service is commendable, the pricing leans towards the higher end, which may be attributed to the generous portion sizes and the restaurant’s upscale setting. Patrons should consider this when planning their visit, especially for larger groups or special events.

Overall Impression

Thai Arch Kitchen & Bar successfully combines authentic Thai flavors with a sophisticated dining environment. The attentive service, coupled with the restaurant’s ambiance and entertainment offerings, creates a memorable dining experience. While pricing is on the higher side, the quality and portion sizes justify the cost for those seeking a premium Thai dining experience in...

My short verdict? For someone who values hygiene, don't come. For those who don't care that much and can eat anything under the sun, sure, come and try it out.

This was my first time here, and it will most likely be my last. The reason being, my partner and I immediately felt itchy in our throats after the meal. Usually, this is caused by using highly repeated cooking oils, and I have to say, the tomyum in the pot tasted like iron. I'm not sure what's causing it.

For all the food we ordered, taste-wise, the pandan chicken was nice, and that's all, the others were so-so. They all tasted similar to what you could find in Thailand, but portion-wise, they were small even for a petite size lady. Take a look at that mixed mushroom tomyum, there were literally only a few mushrooms floating in loads of tomyum. Not even a few strands of other types of vegetables. I guess they expect us to finish the soup and feel full out of it. The total cost of the food (attached pic) was RM85. It's pricey, I would say, judging that the food portion (excluding the lunch set) was relatively small.

Nonetheless, since our throats didn't feel well immediately after the food, we rank this restaurant poorly. The female waitress was even coughing everywhere she goes. I understand that she's wearing a mask and may not be too sick to be entitled to an MC, but please don't stand near your dining clients and cough. It's just bad. It sounds bad and looks bad.

Anyway, do take note that the establishment is doing promotions like leaving a review and earning dessert, so read with a pinch of salt. I didn't participate because I don't think they will want to gift a client who ranks...

We love Thai food and constantly seek out Thai restaurants as we think it is the best in terms of flavours.

I think first and foremost, Thai Arch needs to decide if it wants to be a bar or a restaurant. Thai Arch food has potential but with too many issues to deal with, the focus on food quality is lost. On entering the restaurant I was greeted with wall to wall beer kegs. Not something I want to see when I eat (hence an earlier review about poor ambiance). Service was prompt, but the food was disappointing. The red tom yum was average. It lacked a certain richness normally found in this. For me it tasted a little 'harsh'. The papaya salad was good. With lotsa nuts, some fresh shrimp, it was a good mix of sour and sweet flavours that fill your mouth. The deep fried grouper was a total disappointment. It was definitely too large a fish for 2 people (who had 1 plate of rice between them) but more importantly, the fish lacked any flavours. It was a typical sweet & sour Chinese restaurant dish. And most of it left unfinished. The coconut jelly was nice but anything with coconut is nice. Service was good. The bill came...