One of the international cuisines that most locals love to crave is Italian food, specifically pizzas and pasta. While we have localised and commercial (read: fast food) varieties available, let’s not forget the restaurants that serve authentic and even fusion Italian recipes. Below are the Top 10 Italian Restaurants in KL & Selangor worth checking out.
1) Pomod’Oro
Authenticity matters the most for Pomod’Oro, bringing the genuine taste of Italian cuisine to the locals with its fine menu selections. Start your meal with one of its Antipasti varieties such as Bruschetta Classica (classic bruschetta bread with marinated fresh tomatoes, virgin olive oil & basil) and Parmigiana Di Melanzane (baked eggplant with mozzarella, parmesan cheese & tomato sauce). Moving on to the mains, they have a variety of homemade pasta — all of which are freshly prepared daily using only the best ingredients possible. Or indulge in a few slices of thin-crust pizza cooked in a wood-fire style.
pomodoro.com.my | FB: Italianrestaurantkl | IG: @italianrestaurantkl
2) ZENZERO Restaurant & Wine Bar
Operating since 2013, ZENZERO Restaurant & Wine Bar delight your palates with its eclectic choice of Italian cuisine. The combination of fresh and quality ingredients is incorporated in every dish, no matter it’s something as simple as the Classic Minestrone Soup or Mushroom Soup. They also serve homemade pasta like Lobster and Burrata Tortelloni and Angel Hair with Sardinian Bottarga. If you prefer seafood and meat-based entrées, savour the taste of sous-vide Atlantic Black Cod Fillet or others like Organic Chicken Roulade and Braised Black Angus Beef Cheeks. Set lunches are also available with an optional starter & main course or starter, main course & dessert.
zenzerogroup.com | FB: zenzerogroup
3) Tosca
Located at DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur, Tosca welcomes its guests with homey interiors overlooking the poolside views. Their menu consists of exquisite Italian dishes from starters to mains. Open up your palate with one of the antipasti selections such as Bruschetta Romana (toasted sour bread with choice of toppings) and La Burrata (burrata cheese with locally sourced tomatoes, basil pesto, aged balsamic, arugula & toasted pine nut). Next, indulge in its seafood varieties like pan-seared Alaska codfish with eggplant caponata (Merluzzo Con Caponata) or salt-crusted whole seabass with lemon cream butter & side dish of the day (Branzino In Crosta). Classic pizzas from Margherita to Calzone are also available.
eatdrinkhilton.com/tosca-doubletreekl | FB: DoubletreeKL | IG: @doubletreekl
4) Ciccio
Ciccio’s speciality mostly lies in its traditional wood-fired pizza. Choices are aplenty here, covering various tomato-based varieties like Ciccio, Margherita and Capricciosa. They use only the finest ingredients that go into the pizza dough before cooking them in a wood-fired oven. They also serve homemade pasta and risotto as well as other Italian dishes like Gamberoni (grilled king prawns with spicy citrus dressing & mixed salad) and Stinco Di Agnello (braised lamb shank in red wine & herbs with mashed potatoes). Good foods aside, you can also enjoy the rest of your night with one of their signature cocktails.
ciccio.com.my | FB: cicciobarpizzeria | IG: @cicciobarpizzeria
5) Fellini Ristorante & Caffe
The rustic feeling of Fellini Ristorante & Caffe makes you feel at home as you enjoy one of their delicious Italian cuisines. Their menu offers familiar choices like Bruschetta Bianca served with marinated tomatoes or marinated mushroom & parmesan cheese. Or order the share-worthy Calabrese Platter consisting of imported Italian cold cuts and cheese. If you need something warm, dig in one of their hearty soups like the classic Minestrone cooked in a tomato herb broth. For mains, they serve the likes of assorted risotto, pork dishes and traditional tomato-based pizzas.
IG: @fellini_pj
6) Monnalisa Ristorante Italiano
The Hartamas Shopping Centre houses plenty of recommended eateries and one of them has to be the charming Monnalisa Ristorante Italiano. This restaurant is a favourite among many locals and expats alike, thanks to its delectable array of Italian cuisines. As expected, you will find menu options like the classic bruschetta to the pasta and pizza — all made using quality ingredients and prepared with love and passion. They also served other main dishes like the slow-cooked chicken drumstick & thigh Spezzatino di Pollo and Branzino all’ Acqua Pazza (whole-baked seabass in a white wine cherry tomato sauce). Don’t forget to pair your meal with one of their house selections of red or white wine served in a glass or pick a bottle.
FB: MonnalisaMY
7) Enorme
The word “Enorme” in the name of the restaurant simply means “enormous” or “extremely large”. And if you happen to dine with a large group, you can choose one of their enorme-sized pizzas from Al Funghi (button mushroom, honey-baked ham, mozzarella & tomato sauce) to Pepperoni (beef pepperoni, oregano, black pepper, white cheese, mozzarella & tomato sauce). They even serve pasta and risotto varieties in regular or platter sizes. Also, look out for their value-for-money weekday set lunches served with iced lemon tea, soup of the day and dessert.
enorme.com.my | FB: enormemalaysia | IG: @enorme.malaysia
8) La Risata Bar Pizzeria Ristorante
La Risata has two outlets in Ampang and Damansara, offering a wide array of Italian foods to satisfy your taste buds. From antipasti to meat and seafood-based dishes, there’s something for everyone here. And let’s forget their scrumptious choices of white and red pizzas. Among them include the traditional Pizza Margherita and Mushroom & Ham Pizza as well as others like the beef bacon Pizza Carbonara, smoked Duck Pizza and squid ink Brazed Octopus Pizza. Once done, unwind at the bar to enjoy a glass or two of their extensive wine selections from the likes of Australia, Italy and France.
la-risata.com | FB: larisatarestaurant | IG: @larisatakl
9) Portofino Ristorante Italiano
Portofino, which operates two branches in Bangsar’s Lucky Garden and Bangsar South’s The Sphere, specialises not only in Italian cuisine but also fusion foods that combine European and Asian culinaries. Some of their recommended dishes include tha antipasti Sicilian Arancini (deep-fried stuffed saffron rice balls with mozzarella & mushrooms and served with Grana Padano fondue) and Fritto di Mare (deep-fried tiger prawns, squid rings & mixed vegetables served with tartare sauce). For pasta lovers, they have notable choices like Spaghetti Carbonara and Pappardelle with Lamb Ragout. Other mains like Roman-style thin crust pizzas as well as hearty meat and seafood plates are also available.
portofino.my/portofino | IG: @portofino.my
10) a’Roma dinings
The bustling Taman Paramount neighbourhood is no stranger to its local and international food galore. One of them includes this authentic Italian dining experience at a’Roma Dinings. Explore their tasting menu consisting of homemade croccante, antipasti, soup, pasta, mains and dolce. Or order one of their well-curated a la carte menus with recommended options like homemade artisanal Italian breads, Shrimp Couscous Salad, Tuscan Vegetable Soup and Mushroom Risotto, just to name a few.
aromadinings.com | FB: aromadinings | IG: @aromadinings
That’s not all! More Top 10s in Malaysia are waiting to be discovered!
