The short answer
MTR 1924 (Brickfields): what visitors should know first
A good choice for a South Indian vegetarian breakfast, lunch or dinner in Brickfields. The menu is vegetarian, but sources do not say whether eggs, onion or garlic are used, so Jain and strict diners should ask before ordering.
Diet
What we checked
- Indian. An Indian restaurant outside India. Checked November 2026 · Source
Menus and kitchens change. If you follow a strict diet or have an allergy, confirm with the restaurant before you order.
History and context
The story behind MTR 1924 (Brickfields)
The MTR name comes from Mavalli Tiffin Rooms, a vegetarian food shop started in Bangalore in 1924 by two brothers, according to Free Malaysia Today. The Brickfields restaurant was the first MTR in Kuala Lumpur and opened in December 2017, as recorded in a 2018 review.
Useful facts
MTR 1924 (Brickfields) facts at a glance
- Location
- 69 Jalan Thambipillay, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur
- Dining style
- Sit-down South Indian vegetarian restaurant
- Price signal
- Mid-range for Brickfields; confirm current prices
- Signature order
- Try: rava idli, masala dosa or the mini thali
- Hours (published)
- About 8am to 10:30pm; weekday afternoon break per Time Out
- Good for
- Families wanting a familiar vegetarian meal near KL Sentral
Why it matters
Why MTR 1924 (Brickfields) is worth your time
For Indian visitors the appeal is familiarity. MTR, short for Mavalli Tiffin Rooms, began in Bangalore in 1924, and this Brickfields restaurant was its first outpost in Malaysia. It brings Karnataka-style tiffin dishes such as rava idli and bisi bele bath to a city where menus are otherwise dominated by pork, seafood and shared woks.
It also fits well into a day in Brickfields, where temples, flower garlands and Indian sweet shops sit close together. A meal here gives older travellers a dependable, fully vegetarian sit-down option near the station, with a menu they will recognise. Do not treat it as a Jain kitchen: that is not claimed anywhere we checked.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Rava idli
Steamed semolina cakes served with chutney, sambar and ghee, a dish tied to the MTR name.
- 02
Dosa range
Reviewers mention masala, podi, onion rava and neer dosas among the options.
- 03
Mini thali
A steel-tray set meal served at lunch and dinner, with sweets such as kesari bhath to finish.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
MTR sits on Jalan Thambipillay in Brickfields, the Little India quarter a short walk from KL Sentral station. The room is decorated with framed history boards and vintage photographs, and reviewers describe it as simple, clean and welcoming, so it suits a relaxed family meal rather than a rushed stop.
Coverage of the restaurant consistently names the same dishes. Masala dosa and rava idli come with chutney and sambar, and the rava idli is served with ghee. Podi dosa, onion rava dosa, vada and bisi bele bath also appear on reviewers' tables. The mini thali, a steel-tray meal, is served at lunch and dinner only, and the menu ends with sweets such as badam halwa and kesari bhath, with filter coffee or mango lassi.
Because ghee is used with several dishes, the food is vegetarian but not vegan. Published pages do not state whether eggs, onion or garlic are used, so ask the staff if you follow a Jain or no-onion diet. Order a mix of dishes to share if the group is large; portions are described as generous.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Ask about egg, onion and garlic if your diet requires it
- Confirm opening hours, as the weekday afternoon break is reported
- Order the mini thali only at lunch or dinner
- Walk from KL Sentral in daylight and in cooler hours
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Jalan Thambipillay, Brickfields (Little India), near KL Sentral
- Time needed
- 45 to 75 minutes
- Best time
- Breakfast or an early lunch, before the weekend rush
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Brickfields is flat and the restaurant is a short walk from KL Sentral, though pavements are uneven in places. Sources describe the room as clean and comfortable, but do not mention lifts or step-free access, so ask staff if mobility is limited.
- Tickets and access
- No booking was mentioned in the sources we read; arrive at off-peak hours or phone the restaurant on the number on its listing. Confirm opening hours before travelling, as published hours differ slightly between sources.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near MTR 1924 (Brickfields)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Brickfields is flat and the restaurant is a short walk from KL Sentral, though pavements are uneven in places. Sources describe the room as clean and comfortable, but do not mention lifts or step-free access, so ask staff if mobility is limited.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is MTR in Kuala Lumpur vegetarian?
Yes, it is described as a South Indian vegetarian restaurant. Sources do not say whether egg is used, so ask if that matters.
Is it suitable for Jain diners?
Not confirmed. No source we read says the kitchen avoids onion, garlic or root vegetables, so ask staff before ordering.
What should I order?
Reviewers name rava idli, masala dosa, podi dosa and the mini thali.
Sources and further reading
- Time Out Kuala Lumpur: MTR Malaysia
- Free Malaysia Today: MTR, serving south Indian vegetarian food since 1924
- Malaysian Foodie: MTR 1924 Brickfields
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
