Several times a year, Malaysians will embark on what I like to call food pilgrimages, traveling long distances to satisfy deep-seated cravings for their favorite comfort foods or to try out new ones.

Everyone’s got a list of their personal favorites when it comes to places to go and dishes to eat, so we’ve compiled a handy list of hotels in popular food havens to keep in mind the next time your tummy starts rumbling:

If you’re more of a night owl and love staying out late at trendy bars and restaurants, then Changkat Bukit Bintang is the place for you. Ramada Suites is a mere 3 minutes away on foot from the famed nightlife hub, so you won’t have to worry about grabbing a cab back to your hotel. It’s also popular among families due to its strategic location near KL’s main tourist attractions.

Rates start from: RM270++

Stay at Ramada Suites Kuala Lumpur City Centre to enjoy KL’s renowned nightlife.

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Just down the road from Suria KLCC shopping center is Crown Regency Serviced Suites. You’ll be spoiled for choice with all the restaurants nearby like Senya Izakaya, Samad Al Iraqi and Skillet At 163. Its spacious suites offer plenty of room for you to bring a few fellow food lovers along, in addition to a glittering night view of the nearby Petronas Twin Towers.

Rates start from: RM180++

Stay at Crown Regency Serviced Suites near KLCC’s finest restaurants.

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Set within Kuala Lumpur’s bustling Golden Triangle in Bukit Bintang, you’ll find the yummy street food of Jalan Alor and a variety of Middle Eastern restaurants right at your doorstep. Its central location means that you can easily walk to shopping centers such as Pavilion, Lot 10, and Berjaya Times Square, while the Bukit Bintang MRT station is about a five-minute walk away.

Rates start from: RM110++

Stay at Hotel Imperial Bukit Bintang for some of KL’s top street food.

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Located on Lorong Baru just off Jalan Macalister, Sunway Hotel Georgetown is right next to the city’s commercial center and minutes away from the UNESCO World Heritage Site. For an authentic taste of Penang’s cheap, lip-smacking street food, check out the New Lane hawker stalls at the end of the road. It’s got all the must-eats, like char kuey teow, chicken wings, satay, and wantan mee.

Rates start from: RM230++

Dig in to Penang’s famous street food near Sunway Hotel Georgetown Penang.

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You haven’t been to Penang if you haven’t tried the culinary delights of Gurney Drive. At night, the seaside esplanade’s hawker stalls and restaurants come alive, so it’s the perfect spot to tuck in for dinner after a long day of sightseeing. Sandwiched between Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon, you’ll never run out places to eat while staying at G Hotel Kelawai.

Rates start from: RM480++

Revel in Gurney Drive’s foodie paradise at G Hotel Kelawai.

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For a cozy stay in one of Penang’s many heritage hotels, choose Areca Hotel. Its service and hospitality is impeccable, while its location is strategic. What’s even better (for the typical foodie, at least) is the fact that local favorite Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul is right behind. There are also a variety of kopitiams nearby to savor a traditional breakfast of kopi kaw and kaya toast.

Rates start from: RM310++

Get your dose of Penang laksa and cendol near Areca Hotel.

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This bohemian hotel is set in the heart of Ipoh’s historical Old Town, where you’ll find a good mix of old-time favorites serving dim sum and tau fu fah (soybean pudding) next to newer hipster cafes with Western or fusion fare. Luckily, everything’s within walking distance, so you can work off what you’re eating – that’s what they mean when they say “balanced lifestyle”, right?

Rates start from: RM300++

Make your tummy happy with a stay at Happy 8 Retreat @ Old Town.

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This charming heritage hotel is also set in Old Town. Vegetarian foodies will be happy to note that there’s vegetarian food available at Kedai Kopi Enam Belas just down the road. You should also try Ipoh’s famous white coffee at Nam Heong White Coffee, just two minutes away from the hotel by foot.

Rates start from: RM70++

Experience the old world charms of Ipoh Old Town at Ban Loong Hotel.

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You can’t visit Ipoh without trying its bean sprouts chicken, so guests at Bedrock Hotel are in for a treat, as one of the top restaurants serving the dish is only a five-minute walk away. Even closer is Restoran Nasi Lemak Ayam Kampung, serving – you guessed it – nasi lemak with fried chicken, as well as other Malaysian favorites.

Rates start from: RM250++

Snack on some bean sprouts chicken near Bedrock Hotel.

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Located on Jalan Trus near the city’s commercial center, guests of Amari Johor Bahru have easy access to popular shopping malls such as JBCC, City Square, and Komtar JB. Be sure to buy a freshly-baked banana cake from Hiap Joo Bakery, just 10 minutes down the road. You can also use a ride-hailing service to take you to Mee Rebus Stulang Laut for Johor’s take on the dish.

Rates start from: RM200++

Take in Johor Bahru’s chill vibes at Amari Johor Bahru.

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Nope, that’s not a typo – the three L’s in Belllo Hotel’s name represents its dedication to providing guests with “a great Location, a fantastic Lifestyle and a Lasting impression”. There are many food options surrounding the hotel, from kopitiams to Indian restaurants. Hua Mui Restaurant’s Hainanese Chicken Chop is a crowd-pleaser.

Rates start from: RM130++

That Hainanese Chicken Chop looks good, doesn’t it? Stay at Belllo Hotel JB Central and try it!

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Located in city’s business district, Mutiara Johor Bahru’s Meisan Szechuan Restaurant is known for its halal dim sum, attracting droves of dim sum lovers. Close by, KSL City Mall also offers a wide range of restaurants.

Rates start from: RM200++

Want some (halal) dim sum? Try Mutiara Johor Bahru’s.

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Offering guests a scenic view of the Kuching Waterfront, Grand Margherita Hotel’s location in the city’s shopping and financial district provides heaps of dining options. For some of the freshest seafood, head to Top Spot Food Court’s Lin Loong Seafood for some good ol’ Chinese-style dishes.

Rates start from: RM130++

Dine on the catch of the day near Grand Margherita Hotel.

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The red-painted walls at Threehouse Bed & Breakfast are sure to prime your appetite, so it’s a good thing that hawker stalls are scattered around the area. Just around the corner is the cafe-lined Carpenter Street for the caffeine-addicted. The Main Bazaar and Kuching Waterfront are also five minutes down the road on foot.

Rates start from: RM20++

Check out Kuching’s cafe scene around Threehouse Bed & Breakfast.

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Jalan Pandungan is well-known as a food haven in Kuching. Muslims flock to the famous Teresa Laksa stall to get a taste of halal Sarawak Laksa and Kolo Mee, which is only four minutes away from Batik Boutique Hotel, as Mohammad Lim’s handmade Mushroom Chicken Noodles.

Rates start from: RM230++

Slurp up Kuching’s finest noodles near Batik Boutique Hotel.
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With such a wide range of accommodation options across the country, it can be a challenge to pick the one that’s best for you. To be in the know when it comes to Malaysia’s stand-out stays, keep your eyes peeled for Traveloka’s ‘Super Stays’ posts, a bi-weekly hotel special featuring our top picks!