Twelve floor-to-ceiling storeys of glass look straight across at the Petronas Towers, close enough to read the lights. THIRTY8 sits on the 38th floor of the Grand Hyatt at 12 Jalan Pinang, the hotel's signature restaurant since it opened in 2012, and the room is built around its show kitchens and its view. The cooking is international grill: Australian Black Angus beef tenderloin, wok-fried Alaskan cod, dim sum and a raw bar. À la carte plates run from about RM 18 to RM 259.
The Kitchen
THIRTY8 opened with the Grand Hyatt Kuala Lumpur in 2012 on the 38th floor at 12 Jalan Pinang, in the KLCC district beside the Petronas Towers. The culinary program is led by director of culinary Grzegorz Odolak, known as Chef Greg, a Polish chef with more than twenty years across international hotels. The format is built around open show kitchens, with Western grill, Chinese wok and Japanese stations working a single floor.
The signature plate is the Australian Black Angus beef tenderloin from the grill, and the wok-fried Alaskan cod fillet is the order regulars repeat from the Chinese kitchen. Around them the menu spans a raw bar, dim sum at lunch, and a long list of grilled meat and seafood, with à la carte plates running from about RM 18 to RM 259. The cooking is hotel-international rather than chef-driven invention, executed cleanly and plated for the setting. The view and the show kitchens carry the experience, and the wine and cocktail list at the adjoining lounge is among the better hotel pours in the city.
The Room
The room wraps the 38th floor in glass, so almost every seat reads the Petronas Towers and the KLCC skyline. The ceilings are high, the design is dramatic and dark, and the show kitchens throw light and movement into the centre of the floor. Sound sits at a comfortable hum, lighting is low and city-lit, and tables are spaced generously for a high-rise dining room. Dress is smart; smart-casual is accepted, athletic wear is not. The window two-tops and the corner tables nearest the towers are the seats to request when you book.
Best for Close a Deal
Book THIRTY8 for closing a deal because the room makes the case before you do. Three reasons it works: the view across to the Petronas Towers reads as serious without a word, the tables are spaced far enough apart that terms stay private, and the international menu means no guest is stuck without something to order. Request a window table, let the Black Angus tenderloin anchor the meal, and move to the lounge for the final handshake over a cocktail. Picture the towers lit at night, the city below, and a contract signed at altitude. See our guide to closing a deal for more.
Not for diners chasing chef-driven invention or a bargain. This is a hotel grill priced for the view; the room and the towers are the draw more than the kitchen.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is THIRTY8 Kuala Lumpur worth it?
Yes, for the view and the setting more than the cooking. THIRTY8 is the Grand Hyatt's signature restaurant, wrapping the 38th floor in glass with the Petronas Towers in full view, and Chef Greg Odolak's kitchen turns out a clean international grill led by the Black Angus tenderloin. It is hotel dining priced for the outlook, so it earns its bill for an occasion that wants a backdrop rather than a tasting-menu pilgrimage.
How hard is it to book THIRTY8?
Booking is easy to moderate. The room is large and takes reservations on TableCheck and directly through the Grand Hyatt, so a table is usually available with a few days' notice. The squeeze is the window seats, which face the Petronas Towers and go first, so request one specifically when you book, especially for sunset and weekend evenings. High tea and weekend brunch are popular too.
What should I order at THIRTY8?
Order the Australian Black Angus beef tenderloin from the grill, the signature plate, and the wok-fried Alaskan cod fillet from the Chinese kitchen. The raw bar and lunchtime dim sum are worth adding, and the adjoining lounge pours one of the better hotel wine and cocktail lists in the city. À la carte plates run from about RM 18 to RM 259. See our Kuala Lumpur dining guide for more.
Is THIRTY8 good for closing a deal?
Yes, it is well suited to a business dinner. The view across to the Petronas Towers signals seriousness, the tables are spaced for a private conversation, and the international menu suits any guest. Request a window table and move to the lounge afterward for a quieter drink. For more rooms like it, see our guide to closing a deal.