30.08.2025

Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur unveils a dining above the clouds

The newly opened Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur has truly positioned itself as the city’s newest dining destination - a place where innovative flavors, local heritage, and refined service converge high above the bustling streets of the capital city.

Photos courtesy of Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.

Words: Nina

 

As Malaysia prepares to celebrate another year of sovereignty, the nation's dining landscape receives its most elevated addition yet. Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, perched atop the magnificent Merdeka 118, has unveiled three distinct culinary destinations that perfectly capture the spirit of Malaysian independence.

The timing of this launch, coinciding with the nation's 68th Merdeka celebrations, speaks to something deeper than mere coincidence. In a tower that bears the name of independence itself, these venues represent Malaysia's culinary coming of age, where local heritage meets global sophistication at unprecedented heights.

L to M: Merdeka Grill Chateaubriand

R: Cedar-wood Roasted Salmon with Caviar and Smoked Butter Sauce at Merdeka Grill.

 

Merdeka Grill: Where Heritage Meets Excellence

Merdeka Grill establishes itself as the crown jewel of Kuala Lumpur's fine dining scene, combining world-class techniques with theatrical tableside artistry. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Stig Drageide, whose Norwegian heritage brings unique perspective to Malaysian ingredients, the restaurant creates something entirely new - a celebration of premium cuts and sustainable seafood elevated by local sourcing.

The menu reads like a love letter to both tradition and innovation. Nordic Vendace Roe with red onion and crème fraîche on shokupan bridges Scandinavian finesse with Asian sensibility, while the signature Cedar-wood Roasted Salmon with caviar and smoke butter sauce demonstrates how global techniques can honour premium ingredients. The pièce de résistance - 7 Days Dry Aged Chateaubriand with freshly grated wasabi and sherry vinegar beef jus - is prepared tableside with ceremonial precision.

Perhaps most intriguingly, Penang Vanilla Ice Cream crowned with Oscietra Caviar represents the fearless creativity that defines modern Malaysian cuisine - unexpected, luxurious, and entirely original.

"At Merdeka Grill, each plate tells a story that lingers beyond the table," explains Chef Drageide. "My philosophy is to honor every ingredient with respect, elevating it through global techniques to create an experience that is refined and memorable."

With seating for 97 guests and floor-to-ceiling windows framing Kuala Lumpur's sprawling skyline, every meal becomes a celebration of how far Malaysia has ascended - both literally and figuratively.

L: A 19kg house-made 70% Dark Chocolate Block by
Executive Chef Holger Deh (pictured here) at Cacao Mixology & Chocolate

R: Cacao Mixology & Chocolate Bartender-Garnishing Cocktail.

 

Cacao Mixology & Chocolate: Innovation in a Glass

Cacao Mixology & Chocolate transforms the traditional bar concept into something uniquely Malaysian. Here, the complexity of cacao meets sophisticated mixology against the city's glittering backdrop, with bossa nova providing the perfect soundtrack for elevated conversation.

The venue's centrepiece - a 19-kilogram house-made 70% dark chocolate block by Executive Pastry Chef Holger Deh - is chiseled tableside in a ritual that transforms chocolate into performance art. Signature cocktails like the Cacao Nut Highball, featuring Kelantan 70% Cacao Bitters with pandan coconut soda, celebrate local ingredients through international techniques.

L: Signature highlight, Botok Ikan, served at the all-day dining restaurant, Park Lounge

M: Umai ikan merah live sauce pour

R: Masala sosa live actionn close up.

 

Park Lounge: Preserving Culinary Memory

Park Lounge serves as the cultural heart of this triumvirate, dedicated to reviving Malaysia's long-lost recipes with contemporary refinement. Signature dishes like Botok Ikan - spiced mackerel steamed in banana leaf with coconut and wild leaves - represent more than cuisine; they're acts of cultural preservation.

The reimagined afternoon tea experience, featuring the signature Mille Feuille sliced tableside and accompanied by Park Hyatt's exclusive Rooibos Hibiscus blend with mangosteen, elevates Malaysian hospitality traditions to luxury standards.

A Love Letter to Malaysia

As our beloved Malaysia marks 68 years of independence, these three venues feel like the most beautiful love letter to our nation's culinary soul. Standing 75 floors above our magnificent city, this is what dining dreams are made of.

Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur hasn't just opened restaurants; they've created a temple to Malaysian culinary sovereignty. Every dish, every perfectly orchestrated moment proves that our hospitality, our sheer audacity to dream big, can indeed touch the heavens.

Merdeka has never tasted so extraordinary.

 

FOR DINING RESERVATIONS

Phone: +603 2303 2721

Email: diningreservations.kulph@hyatt.com

Website booking:

● Merdeka Grill - Click here

● Cacao - Click here

● Park Lounge - Click here

OPERATION HOURS

Merdeka Grill

● Lunch: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM (Last Order 2:00 PM)

● Dinner: 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM (Last Order 9:30 PM)

Cacao Mixology & Chocolate

● Daily: 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM (Last Order 11:30 PM)

Park Lounge

● Daily: 6:30 AM – 10:30 PM

● Breakfast: 6:30 AM – 10:30 AM (Last Order 10:15AM)

● Lunch: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM

● Afternoon Tea: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Last Order 4:30PM)

● Dinner: 5:00 PM – 10:30 PM (Last Order 9:30 PM)

For further information, please visit www.parkhyattkualalumpur.com and discover the refined experiences of Merdeka Grill, cacaomixology and Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur.

About the Author

Nina, Beauty, Wellness & Lifestyle Editor

Rooted in the sensual pleasures of life, Nina is a Taurus at heart—drawn to beauty, comfort, and timeless indulgence. Her writing for GC reflects a deep appreciation for the art of living well, from restorative wellness rituals and luxurious escapes to the pleasures of a perfectly crafted meal. With an instinct for aesthetics and a devotion to quality, Nina curates experiences that soothe the senses and elevate the soul. For her, elegance isn't just a style—it's a way of being.

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