Aliyaa
A cherished haven for authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, offering a captivating dining experience with rich flavors and warm hospitality.
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Aliyaa
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A cherished haven for authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, offering a captivating dining experience with rich flavors and warm hospitality.
Must-Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss the Crab Meat (Jaffna style) or Mutton Paal Poriyal for an authentic Sri Lankan taste.
Flavorful Starters
Consider Fish Cutlets with sauce or Nandu Rasam for a delightful start to your meal.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Sri Lankan
Price
$$$
Phone
+60 17-883 3738
Address
No 48 G&M, Jalan Medan Setia 2, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Website
aliyaakl.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Sri Lankan Flavors
Experience a vibrant tapestry of bold, complex flavors that transport you to Sri Lanka, celebrating its rich culinary heritage.
Signature Seafood Kolaiyal
Savor perfectly cooked seafood dry-fried with roasted spices, curry leaves, and a touch of heat for an addictive dish.
Award-Winning Wattalapam
Indulge in this delectable Sri Lankan pudding crafted from coconut, brown palm sugar, eggs, and aromatic spices.
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Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Must-Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss the Crab Meat (Jaffna style) or Mutton Paal Poriyal for an authentic Sri Lankan taste.
Flavorful Starters
Consider Fish Cutlets with sauce or Nandu Rasam for a delightful start to your meal.
Save Room for Dessert
Indulge in sweet Appam or the award-winning Wattalapam Dessert.
Plan Your Visit
Booking ahead is recommended, even on weekdays, to secure a table.
Tips
from all over the internet
Must-Try Signature Dishes
Don't miss the Crab Meat (Jaffna style) or Mutton Paal Poriyal for an authentic Sri Lankan taste.
Flavorful Starters
Consider Fish Cutlets with sauce or Nandu Rasam for a delightful start to your meal.
Save Room for Dessert
Indulge in sweet Appam or the award-winning Wattalapam Dessert.
Plan Your Visit
Booking ahead is recommended, even on weekdays, to secure a table.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Aliyaa is highly praised for its authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, featuring bold flavors and perfectly cooked dishes. Diners consistently highlight the exceptional service, warm hospitality, and inviting ambiance, making it feel like a home away from home. While generally excellent, some dishes might be milder than expected, and a few find the desserts on the sweeter side.
"I recently had the pleasure of dining at Aliyaa and it was nothing short of extraordinary. From the moment I stepped in, the warm hospitality and aromatic spices transported me straight to the heart of Sri Lanka.
The menu is a vibrant showcase of authentic Sri Lankan cuisine, and each dish bursts with bold, complex flavors. The lamprais—a fragrant banana leaf-wrapped parcel of rice, meat, and sambols—was a standout, packed with flavor and cooked to perfection.
One dish that absolutely stole the show was the seafood kolaiyal. Perfectly cooked prawns and squid were dry-fried with roasted spices, curry leaves, and just the right amount of heat, creating a dish that was intensely flavorful, smoky, and addictive. The sothi—a light turmeric and coconut milk curry—offered a soothing contrast, while the beetroot curry added a sweet, earthy touch that brought harmony to the entire spread.
The appam were a true highlight—crispy, lace-edged bowls with soft, fluffy centers that paired beautifully with creamy coconut milk and brown sugar.
What sets this place apart is the attention to detail and authenticity. The chefs clearly know and love the food they create, and it shines through in every dish. This is not just a meal—it’s an experience.
If you're looking to explore the true essence of Sri Lankan cuisine, Aliyaa is a must-visit. Extraordinary food, heartfelt service, and a cultural journey in every bite."
B Inthumathi Batumalai
"The food, service and atmosphere is top class and worthy of a fine dining establishment. Everything I had was good quality and tasted fine, although some dishes worked better than others.
The meal started on a high note with some complimentary Rasam served in small cups. I'm not sure what type of rasam it was but it may possibly be the tastiest rasam I've ever had. Compliments to the Chef!
The Fish Cutlets were tasty but had a strong fishy aroma, perhaps from the type of fish used? The Lamb Cutlets were better in terms of taste and aroma and I preferred it over the fish.
The stars of the meal for me were the Sambols or salads. The Gottu Kola, Bitter Gourd Salad and Amma's Eggplant Salad were all unique and tasty. All the salads were seasoned with grated coconut and sliced onions. These are ubiquitous of Sri Lankan cuisine and are Highly Recommended. Stir Fried Four Angle Beans were on the Daily Specials and this was very good too.
I found the Fish Sothy to be a little too thick with coconut cream for my liking. It was also lacking some spiciness from green chilies which are usually added. The Drumstick Curry was similarly a little too thick with coconut cream but had a nice sourness. Both would pair nicely with string hoppers.
The Signature Mutton Paal Poriyal was a dry preparation, but I felt it was somewhat mild compared to the spicy and fiery versions in Sri Lanka.
Both the Vegetarian and Chicken Kothu were decent with the choice of String Hoppers. Personally I prefer the Kothu with Roti instead.
Kulaiyal are packets of rice with choice of Vegetables, Chicken, Lamb or Seafood. The Vegetable and Seafood versions we had were decent but I felt the rice ended up rather mushy from the steaming. I'd prefer just plain rice with the dishes, like in a Lamprais packet.
Masala Tea was rather disappointing as it came with frothed milk. Not something I'd expect in a good Sri Lankan tea, and it felt out of place."
John D'Cruz (Kajangfood)
"Each dish was bursting with rich spices and cooked to perfection. The layers of flavour in the curries were deep and comforting, just like a home-cooked meal. What stood out most was the balance between Indian richness and Sri Lankan zest, a true celebration of both cuisines. Also huge shout out to our server (Sun), who was always there with us to through out the meal."
Sashalini Sasha
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Signature dishes include Crab Meat cooked in Jaffna style, Mutton Paal Poriyal, and the Seafood Kolaiyal. Don't miss the Appam and the award-winning Wattalapam for dessert.
Yes, Aliyaa offers numerous vegetarian options, with dishes like Amma's Eggplant Salad and Beetroot Curry being highly recommended.
While not strictly enforced, the restaurant offers an upscale dining experience, so smart casual attire is generally recommended.
It is recommended to make a reservation, especially for weekday evenings, to ensure you get a table.
The ambiance is described as elegant and captivating, with decor inspired by Sri Lankan culture, creating a warm and homely feel.
Many diners mention a complimentary and delicious welcome drink, often described as Rasam, which is highly praised.
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I like the refined use of spices in Sri Lankan cuisine,” says Christian, continuing: “And at Aliyaa you experience it in an upmarket setting, showing not just the diversity of cuisines, but also experiences, to be had in Kuala Lumpur.” Sri Lankan staples such as kottu (chopped flatbread stir-fry), string hoppers, lamprais (rice baked in banana leaf) and crab from Colombo are served in this elegant restaurant in Damansara Heights, alongside a menu of wines and delicious cocktails, like the Old Ceylon, Colombo Passion and Kot – featuring fresh coconut water, dark rum and coconut rum.
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Just a few doors down is Aliya, which offers classic Sri Lankan dishes that have been keeping customers coming back for more. Gin Rik Sha’s highlight is their classic, homey Indian dishes with international flair. Having been around for a couple of years, Huckleberry Food and Fare has the bread and butter the neighbourhood needs.
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From an assorted array of light bite appetisers to a full assemblage of tasting sets, this popular Bukit Damansara restaurant has you covered when it comes to running the gamut of Sri Lankan cuisine. While Amma's Crab is a firm favourite, the fish cutlets come highly recommended and the Flaming Appam is a sweet ending to a lovely night. Not to be missed as well is the award-winning Wattalapam Dessert, a delectable Sri Lankan pudding crafted from coconut, brown palm sugar, eggs and spices such as cinnamon and cardamom.
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Aliyaa, a cherished haven in Kuala Lumpur for authentic Sri Lankan cuisine since 2008 and a Michelin Guide Bib Gourmand restaurant for 2024. Embracing the essence of the sacred elephant, the restaurant’s ambience is adorned with elegant paintings and soft lighting, creating a captivating dining atmosphere. With recipes steeped in Sri Lankan tradition, and curated by native chefs boasting over 10 years of experience, each dish tells a story of the island’s rich culinary heritage.
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Experience the bold and aromatic flavors of Sri Lanka at A Li Yaa, one of Kuala Lumpur’s hidden gems for South Asian cuisine. The ambiance, inspired by Sri Lankan culture, sets the tone for a meal packed with rich, spicy curries, tangy chutneys, and fluffy string hoppers. Signature dishes like devilled prawns and lamb kottu roti highlight the diversity of Sri Lankan spices and cooking techniques.
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If you love spices, you’ll want to spoil your tastebuds at Aliyaa — the Michelin Bib Gourmand Award winner that specializes in preparing authentic Sri Lankan cuisine. Some of the not-to-miss dishes are its Odiyal Kool (RM75) — a seafood soup that has to be ordered 24 hours in advance —, Mutton Paal Poriyal (RM68), and Amma’s Eggplant Salad (RM16). It is truly where flavors speak for themselves.
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Unquestionably, the most up-market place offering Sri Lankan food in KL, Ali Yaa, or to give its full title ‘Ali Yaa Island Restaurant’, has for quite some time been regarded not only as one of the top Sri Lankan restaurants in KL but one of the best restaurants in KL, period. It is not difficult to see why. If you have the coin to pay for it, the quality of the food at Ali Yaa is excellent.
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The menu features a variety of dishes that showcase the bold and vibrant flavors of Sri Lanka. Signature offerings include Jaffna Crab Curry, Mutton Kulaiyal, and Sri Lankan String Hoppers. The cozy and inviting ambiance, combined with the delicious food, makes Aliyaa a must-visit for fans of South Asian cuisine.
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If you love Indian food but haven’t tried Sri Lankan food, then you’ve got to try this place!. Serving a range of authentic and well-spiced Sri Lankan dishes, our favourites are the Jaffna Prawn Curry, Devilled Chicken, Biryani and Appam. Location: Bukit Damansara Website Reviews
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