Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2026: Akar & Terra Dining Earn Their First Stars

A full rundown of the Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2026 list, including all the new stars, Bib Gourmand picks, and more!

It is indeed that time of year again! The Michelin Guide has unveiled its Kuala Lumpur & Penang list of 2026 and we were at the ceremony to get you the scoop. Back for the fourth year running, the guide aims to recognise the extraordinary culinary talent right here in Malaysia. Comprising eateries of all shapes and sizes, the list extends across the capital and the Pearl of the Orient up north with every category covered, except for the elusive three-star ranking. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BURO Malaysia (@buromalaysia)

Last year, we saw the crowning of Malaysia’s first-ever two Michelin-starred establishment, Dewakan, who was also awarded the inaugural Green Star. In this 2026 edition, the Michelin Guide recognised a total of 151 establishments, with eight one-starred and one two-starred names alongside 58 Bib Gourmand and 84 Michelin Selected picks. Below, you’ll find the full list of honourees and more. 

TWO MICHELIN STARS & GREEN STAR

Dewakan, led by chef Darren Teoh, has retained its two-Michelin-star status, including its Green Star. According to the guide, a two Michelin-starred establishment is “worth a detour” and Dewakan is just that. Teoh and his team maintain an extraordinary standard of cooking that is dedicated to sparking conversations about the Malaysian food system by showcasing the potential of our endemic ingredients. 

ONE MICHELIN STAR

All six restaurants who have previously been awarded one Michelin star managed to retain their status. This year, however, two Taman Tun Dr. Ismail establishments have joined the list: Terra Dining and Akar. While both restaurants march to the beat of a modern Malaysian drum, they each possess a distinctive character that has earned them this accolade, plus a loyal legion of fans). 

Here is the full list of one Michelin-starred restaurants: 

1. Beta
2. Chim by Chef Noom
3. DC. by Darren Chin
4. Molina
5. Au Jardin
6. Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery (Penang)
7. Akar
8. Terra

BIB GOURMAND

Malaysia’s Bib Gourmand list welcomes five new eateries to the list, celebrating the humble eats that our local palate loves. According to the Michelin Guide, this distinction “celebrates exception food at affordable prices”. With these new five additions, the total number of Bib Gourmand establishments around Kuala Lumpur and Penang is now at 58.

The new Bib Gourmand restaurants are: 

1. Gulainya (Kuala Lumpur)
2. Lama (Kuala Lumpur)
3. Awesome Char Koay Teow (Penang)
4. Bee Hwa Cafe (Penang)
5. Sifu (Penang)

MICHELIN SELECTED

Malaysia’s army of Michelin Selected restaurants also gets a major boost this year with 11 new additions to the list, which brings the total number of recognised names to 84. These are the restaurants that “reflect the pulse of a dynamic dining scene in motion, where new ideas, fresh perspectives, and culinary ambition are constantly in motion.” 

The new Michelin Selected restaurants are:

1. Bidou (Kuala Lumpur)
2. Jie (Kuala Lumpur)
3. K (Kuala Lumpur)
4. Kazu (Kuala Lumpur)
5. Kuki (Kuala Lumpur)
6. Shu (Kuala Lumpur)
7. Blacklinen (Penang)
8. Du-An (Penang)
9. Mémoire (Penang)
10. Peninsula House (Penang)
11. Sood by Chef Ton (Penang)

SPECIAL AWARDS

Aside from the stars and restaurant-specific accolades, the Michelin Guide Kuala Lumpur & Penang 2026 has also recognised three individuals—one per category—who have truly pushed the needle forward on the local dining landscape. They are as follows:

1. Young Chef Award: Chef Chin Hua Wong of Shu
2. Service Award: Maverick Fung of K
3. Opening of the Year Award: Bidou

For more BURO food and drink reads, click here.