Opened in October 2021, this gem sits at the end of a block of colonial-era shophouses. Despite being smack in the centre of the city, its calming ambiance, blending vintage historical charm with contemporary twists, makes it the perfect hideout.
Attached to their boutique hotel of the same name, Bestow is a popular spot among tourists. But it isn’t just a pretty face, it’s a culinary journey around the world.
Speaking with FMT Lifestyle, manager Mariam Balyh said that since they opened the restaurant during the pandemic when international travel was not allowed, they wanted to offer guests dishes from all over the globe. As such, their menu travels from Canada to the Middle East, all around Europe and back to Asia.
One of the standout dishes is the hearty and soulful beef stroganoff. “We have constantly made changes to the menu based on feedback, but this stroganoff has remained since day one. It’s a favourite among customers,” Balyh mentioned.
Each bite of the stroganoff reveals tender beef in a velvety sauce that’s creamy yet not overwhelming. The sauce, a rich gravy, has a mild, and comforting flavour profile, perfect to mop up with toast or alongside a bed of garlic butter rice.
The dish’s popularity at the restaurant is such that customers often request the stroganoff sauce as a side to their poutine.
Speaking of poutine, this Canadian classic is another must-try. Thick, wedge-cut fries are drenched with rich gravy, melted cheese, crispy beef bacon, and spicy jalapenos. This dish, rare even in the trendiest Klang Valley restaurants, is a playful twist on potatoes. When savoured hot off the plate, it’s pure, unapologetic indulgence.
Indoors, you can’t help but admire Bestow’s beautiful interiors. It spans two floors: the ground floor and a quieter upstairs loft, both decked out with wooden furniture and ample natural sunlight filtering through transparent ceiling panels.
Explaining their choice of this heritage building for the restaurant, Balyh shared that it was an abandoned shop lot. The team embraced the building’s history, keeping its original structural frame and repurposing materials.
While Bestow boasts various unique dishes, they also serve crowd favourites like pasta.
Their smoked duck aglio olio is a standout option. Loaded with mushrooms, garlic, cherry tomatoes, eggplants, basil, chili flakes, parsley, and parmesan, it’s a true flavour explosion. The in-house smoked duck slices are generously piled on, hitting you with a smoky punch right from the first bite.
For a hearty and comforting meal, the Mediterranean Baked Eggs are a good pick. Picture a sizzling clay pot filled with a rich tomato stew, mushrooms, and eggplant, topped with perfectly baked eggs. Tangy from the tomatoes and enriched with earthy flavours, it’s cooked to the perfect consistency – ideal for scooping up with a slice of sourdough toast.
“In Syria where I’m from, this is a very popular breakfast dish. It is actually consumed throughout the day, sort of like nasi lemak,” shared Mariam.
And you really get your money’s worth when dining here – every dish comes in generous portions!
With so many more global dishes to choose from such as butter chicken masala, burgers, and a variety of unique pizzas, you’re truly spoilt for choice at Bestow.
Now, if you’re not in the mood for a full meal and just want to soak in the ambiance, grab a slice of their many delicious cakes, all sourced from a home baker. Pair it with coffee or even their homemade kombucha for a refreshing pick-me-up.
Why wait any longer? Delicious food, a to-die-for ambiance, and reasonable prices await at Bestow Restaurant!
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Bestow Restaurant
82, Lorong 1/77a, Imbi
55100 Kuala Lumpur
Business hours:
10am-10pm: (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday)
10am-12am: (Friday and Saturday)
Closed on Tuesday