Updated for Deepavali 2026 · November 2026
Deepavali falls on Sunday 8 November 2026, and in most states Monday is a replacement holiday, so it's a long weekend of banana leaf lunches, murukku runs and open-house feasting. Here are our picks across Malaysia, from legendary leaf-rice shops and Little India sweet counters to the hotel Deepavali buffets we could confirm, with this year's dates and prices.
Updated October 2026
☪︎ Halal status shown here is based on public sources and may change. Please check that the restaurant holds a valid JAKIM (or state religious authority) halal certificate before dining — look for the certificate on display or verify at myehalal.halal.gov.my.
Our ten best bets for a festive meal this year, from banana leaf legends to a vegetarian temple kitchen and two confirmed hotel spreads.
Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Banana leafMichelin-listedOpen latePork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice with fried squid, fried chicken and mutton curry
The banana leaf name most KL families know, and a Michelin-listed one too. On the long weekend the queue snakes down Jalan Telawi, so come early for the fried squid and mutton curry before the trays run low.
Seksyen 17, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Banana leafCrab curryFamily-friendlyPork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice with salted fish curry, crab curry and fried chicken
PJ's crab curry and salted fish curry benchmark. A full leaf here, ladled with three or four gravies, is about as festive as an ordinary lunch gets.
Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
VegetarianPay as you wishBuffetBrickfields
Order: Vegetarian North and South Indian buffet: dosa, curries, rice and sweets
A volunteer-run vegetarian kitchen inside the Temple of Fine Arts where you eat your fill and pay what you feel is fair. It is the gentlest way to share the Deepavali spirit, and a good pick for guests who keep a strict vegetarian table.
Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Banana leafBrickfieldsNear sweet shopsPork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice with mutton varuval, fried snake bitter gourd and dhal rasam
A Jalan Scott stalwart in the middle of the Brickfields Deepavali bazaar. Fuel up on mutton varuval and crispy bitter gourd here, then walk off lunch hunting murukku next door.
IOI Resort City, Putrajaya, Putrajaya
Deepavali 2026 buffet1–15 NovBrunch & dinnerHotel
Order: Deepavali buffet with biryani, benne dosa, prawn curry, butter chicken, rasmalai and payasam
The longest-running hotel Deepavali spread we found this year, served daily from 1 to 15 November, so you are not fighting for one sold-out sitting. Brunch is 12pm–3.30pm and dinner 6.30pm–10.30pm. Halal status is not stated by the hotel, so ask for its halal certificate if that matters to you.
Jalan Putra, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Deepavali 2026 hi-tea7–8 NovBuy 3 free 1Indian sweets
Order: Deepavali hi-tea: putu mayam, lamb varuval, fish head curry, paneer, laddu, jalebi, murukku and payasam
A proper open-house table in hotel form: Indian classics sit beside nasi lemak and char kway teow, and the dessert line has the festive sweets most people only get at a friend's house. Groups of four save with the buy-3-free-1 deal. Halal status is not stated by the hotel, so ask for its halal certificate if that matters to you.
Klang town, Klang, Selangor
Banana leafKlangOld-schoolPork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice with spicy fried chicken and fish curry
Klang's old-school banana leaf address, run for decades near the railway station. Pair it with a walk down Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang's Little India, for sweets and festive shopping.
Little India, George Town, Penang
Banana leafLittle IndiaBudgetPork-free
Order: South Indian banana leaf meal with vegetable curries, papadum and raita
A Penang Street classic serving simple South Indian leaf meals at friendly prices. Right in the heart of George Town's Little India, so the festive lights and the sweet stalls are on your doorstep.
PJ Old Town, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Banana leafLunch onlyCrab rasamPork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice with crab rasam, mutton varuval and fried calamari
A lunch-only PJ Old Town mess famed for its crab rasam. Go before 1pm, and pick up murukku from the stalls around Medan Selera on the way out.
Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Banana leafBangsarCrab curryPork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice with crab curry and fried snake bitter gourd
Sri Nirwana's neighbour on Telawi, and the easier table when the other queue is too long. Crab curry and fried bitter gourd are the orders.
More leaf-rice favourites and a meat-free thali spot for the long weekend.
Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Banana leafHome-styleTTDIPork-free
Order: Mutton bone marrow curry with banana leaf rice
Home-style TTDI cooking with a cult following for the mutton bone marrow curry. It feels like eating at an aunty's place, which is the whole point this week.
Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Banana leafThosaiBangsarPork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice with stingray masala and mutton curry; beetroot thosai
A Lucky Garden favourite where the stingray masala and beetroot thosai pull regulars back. Good for a relaxed post-prayer brunch.
Bukit Gasing (Seksyen 5), Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Banana leafFamily-friendlyPJPork-free
Order: Banana leaf set with salted fish & crab curry and mutton varuval
A Bukit Gasing local loved for salted fish and crab curry. Quieter than the Bangsar giants, so you can actually sit down as a family.
Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Banana leafBudgetBrickfieldsPork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice with fried chicken and mutton curry
A no-frills food court stall in Brickfields with honest fried chicken and mutton curry. Cheap, fast, and handy between bazaar errands.
Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
VegetarianThaliBangsarClosed Tuesday
Order: Vegetarian South Indian buffet with Gujarati touches: puri, dhokla, curries and thali
Bangsar's go-to vegetarian kitchen, cooking light, home-style South Indian food with a Gujarati accent. A calm, meat-free option for the vegetarians in your group.
Where to stock up on murukku, laddu and palkova in Brickfields, Masjid India, PJ and Klang Little India.
Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Indian sweetsMurukkuBrickfieldsTakeaway
Order: Murukku, mixture, laddu and traditional sweets by weight
A Jalan Scott sweet shop that turns into a festive scrum in the last week before Deepavali. Buy the savoury snacks early; popular trays sell out fast.
Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Indian sweetsNorth IndianBrickfieldsGift boxes
Order: Palkova, jalebi, laddu, gulab jamun and coconut candy
The North Indian counterpoint on Jalan Scott, best known for milky palkova. Grab a mixed box if your open house needs something beyond murukku.
Little India, Jalan Tengku Kelana, Klang, Selangor
VegetarianIndian sweetsKlang Little IndiaTakeaway
Order: Vegetarian meals plus packed sweets: palkova, burfi, laddu and halwa
The Chennai chain's outpost on Klang's Little India strip, handy for a vegetarian meal and a box of sweets in one stop. There are also branches in Brickfields and Masjid India.
Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Indian sweetsMasjid IndiaPunjabiClosed Wednesday
Order: Laddu, barfi, jalebi, murukku and samosa
A Masjid India name for festive sweets and savoury snacks, with Punjabi food on the side. Note it closes on Wednesdays.
PJ Old Town, Petaling Jaya, Selangor
MurukkuOpen year-roundPJTakeaway
Order: Murukku in 20+ flavours: cheese, garlic, chilli, masala
A year-round murukku specialist, which is a lifesaver when the festive bazaars are picked clean. Fun flavours for the younger crowd at your open house.
Hotel Deepavali buffets and hi-teas with dates and prices confirmed for 2026.
KLCC, Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur
Deepavali 2026 buffet1–15 NovFrom RM45Hotel
Order: "Taste of India" Deepavali buffet with Indian and Malaysian dishes
The cheapest hotel Deepavali buffet we found in the city, running for two weeks. The listing describes the buffet as halal certified; check the certificate at the counter. A best-dressed contest runs on 8 November.
Klang, Klang, Selangor
Deepavali 2026 hi-tea8–9 NovKlangHotel
Order: "Rangoli & Flavours" Deepavali hi-tea buffet
Klang's hotel option over the long weekend, two days of festive hi-tea. The 20% early-bird rate needed payment before 1 November, so expect the regular price now. Halal status is not stated by the hotel, so ask for its halal certificate if that matters to you.
Shah Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor
Deepavali 2026 hi-tea8 Nov onlyLive stationsHotel
Order: Deepavali hi-tea: lamb shoulder biryani, chicken varuval, putu mayam and pani puri counters
A wallet-friendly Deepavali Day hi-tea with live putu mayam and pani puri, plus pool access for the kids. One session only, so book. Halal status is not stated by the hotel, so ask for its halal certificate if that matters to you.
George Town's Little India for leaf meals and vegetarian thali, plus a beachside Deepavali buffet.
Little India, George Town, Penang
Banana leafLittle IndiaTandooriPork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice with chicken curry, chilli-fried fish and bitter gourd fritters
The Penang Street flagship of a northern chain, busy from breakfast to dinner. Banana leaf at lunch, then tandoori and naan at night, with the festive lights of Lebuh Penang right outside.
Lebuh Penang, George Town, Penang
VegetarianThaliLittle IndiaPork-free
Order: Vegetarian banana leaf meals and thali
A long-running vegetarian kitchen in Little India for thali and meat-free leaf meals. The calm choice on Deepavali morning, when many observe a vegetarian meal.
Batu Ferringhi, Batu Ferringhi, Penang
Deepavali 2026 buffet8–9 NovBuy 1 free 1Beachfront
Order: "Feast of Flavours" Deepavali dinner buffet
A beachside Deepavali dinner where the buy-1-free-1 deal makes the RM188 tag much easier for couples. Its regular seafood night does not run on public holidays or their eves. Halal status is not stated by the hotel, so ask for its halal certificate if that matters to you.
Ipoh's favourite banana leaf, Buntong's snack village and an old-town thosai stop.
Ipoh, Ipoh, Perak
Banana leafIpohHome-stylePork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice with chicken varuval, prawn sambal and mutton curry
Ipoh's best-loved leaf meal, cooked like home food, with standout beetroot and chicken varuval. Closed Mondays, so note the 9 November replacement holiday falls on a Monday.
Kampung Kacang Puteh, Buntong, Ipoh, Perak
Kacang putihMurukkuThird generationTakeaway
Order: Kacang putih in many varieties, plus murukku
Buntong's Kampung Kacang Puteh is where Perak stocks up on festive snacks, and this family business is now run by its third generation. Go early in the week; the last weekend gets packed.
Ipoh Old Town, Ipoh, Perak
ThosaiBreakfastOld TownVegetarian options
Order: Masala thosai, poori, kothu parotta and Madras coffee
The Ipoh branch of the northern Indian-restaurant chain, a dependable old-town stop for thosai and poori. A good breakfast before you head to Buntong for snacks.
Two JB hotel Deepavali buffets with confirmed 2026 prices and a neighbourhood banana leaf option.
Taman Century, Johor Bahru, Johor
Deepavali 2026 hi-tea8 Nov onlyBuy 5 free 1Hotel
Order: Deepavali Day hi-tea buffet
JB's friendliest-priced Deepavali hi-tea, with a buy-5-free-1 deal that suits big family groups. One afternoon only. Halal status is not stated by the hotel, so ask for its halal certificate if that matters to you.
Southkey, Johor Bahru, Johor
Deepavali 2026 buffet6–8 NovBuy 3 free 1Hotel
Order: Deepavali buffet with chicken varuval, lamb masala and chicken paratel
Three days of lunch and dinner sittings near Mid Valley Southkey, with a buy-3-free-1 offer for adults. Handy for Singapore visitors crossing over for the weekend. Halal status is not stated by the hotel, so ask for its halal certificate if that matters to you.
Banana leaf picks if you are spending the holiday in KK or up in the highlands.
Bandar Berjaya, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Banana leafSabahDaytimePork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice with fish curry, dhal and papadam
Kota Kinabalu's well-known banana leaf house, with a good fish curry and dhal. Breakfast-to-late-afternoon hours, so plan lunch, not dinner.
Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang
Banana leafCameron HighlandsHoliday tripPork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice with assorted curries and papadum
If you are spending the long weekend in the cool Cameron air, this Tanah Rata spot serves a warming leaf meal with papadum.
Tanah Rata, Cameron Highlands, Pahang
Banana leafRoti canaiCameron HighlandsPork-free
Order: Banana leaf rice, roti canai
A second Tanah Rata choice for banana leaf and roti canai, useful when the town is full of holiday crowds.
Deepavali is on Sunday 8 November 2026. Monday 9 November is a replacement holiday in most states, but the rules differ by state and for schools (Sarawak does not gazette Deepavali as a public holiday), so check your state calendar.
Yes. Several are one-day sessions on 8 November (De Palma Shah Alam, Grand Paragon JB), and group deals like buy 3 free 1 fill up fast. Book by phone or WhatsApp and confirm the final price including tax.
From RM45 for a weekday lunch at ibis KLCC, about RM68–RM138 for most hi-teas and buffets, and up to RM198 for dinner at Le Méridien Putrajaya or RM188 (buy 1 free 1) at PARKROYAL Penang. Check whether a price is nett or plus tax.
Most banana leaf restaurants and Indian sweet shops are pork-free but not halal-certified. Hotel listings mostly do not state halal status, and the ibis KLCC listing says halal certified. If halal matters to you, ask to see a valid JAKIM certificate or search the outlet on the MyeHALAL portal.
Many family-run shops close or shorten hours on 8 November so staff can celebrate. Check the shop's latest social media posts or call before you go, and plan for crowds on Saturday and Monday.
Jalan Scott in Brickfields, Jalan Tengku Kelana in Klang's Little India, Kampung Kacang Puteh in Buntong, Ipoh, and Penang's Little India around Lebuh Pasar and Lebuh Penang. Go early in the week, because popular trays sell out before the weekend.