The short answer
Sri Nirwana Maju (Bangsar Baru): what visitors should know first
A good pick for a South Indian banana leaf lunch in Bangsar. The base set is vegetable-based and can be eaten without meat, but the restaurant also cooks meat and fish, so it is not pure vegetarian. Expect queues from about 11 am and basic seating; confirm hours before you go.
Useful facts
Sri Nirwana Maju (Bangsar Baru) facts at a glance
- Location
- 43 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, Kuala Lumpur
- Dining style
- Casual mamak-style Indian restaurant
- Price signal
- Base set about RM9 in a 2018 review; confirm now
- Signature order
- Try: banana leaf rice with vegetable sides
- Good for
- Mixed vegetarian and non-vegetarian groups
Why it matters
Why Sri Nirwana Maju (Bangsar Baru) is worth your time
Banana leaf rice is the South Indian meal Malaysians associate with Bangsar and Brickfields, and Sri Nirwana Maju is one of the places named in the guides we opened, including Zafigo and Time Out, which shortlisted it for banana leaf awards in earlier years.
It matters to Indian visitors because the format is familiar yet distinct: Malaysian Indian cooking, with a mamak-style room and a different spice balance from home. The vegetable base makes it workable for flexible vegetarians, while mixed groups can order meat or fish on the side. It is more informal and crowded than a sit-down restaurant, so it suits those happy with plastic chairs and a short wait rather than anyone who needs quiet and air-conditioning.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Banana leaf set
Rice with vegetable dishes, poppadoms, pickles and rasam served on a leaf.
- 02
Add-ons for meat eaters
Chicken 65, fried chicken and fish can be ordered on top of the base set.
- 03
Bangsar location
It sits on Jalan Telawi 3, close to the cafes and shops of Bangsar Baru.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The restaurant is at 43 Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, an area of cafes and shops reached easily by taxi or e-hailing car from the centre. The Occasional Gourmand describes lunch queues starting around 11 am, with a wait of about 12 minutes at 11:30 am, and suggests allowing extra time or accepting a folding table on the footpath of the neighbouring shop.
The meal is a banana leaf set: white rice served on a leaf with vegetable dishes and poppadoms, with pickles, dried chillies and rasam on the side. The base set described by that review included cucumber raita, stir-fried spinach and deep-fried sweet gourd, and cost about RM9 at the time of writing, so treat prices as approximate. Meat and seafood dishes such as Chicken 65 can be added, and refills of vegetables are the usual custom at banana leaf restaurants.
Vegetarian visitors can order the base set and skip the add-ons, but Time Out does not say which dishes are meat-free and the kitchen also cooks meat, so ask about gravies and shared utensils. Strict Jain diners should not rely on this restaurant.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Arrive before 11 am to avoid the lunch queue
- Ask which gravies are vegetarian before ordering
- Confirm opening hours, as published ones may be old
- Take a taxi and ask for a table with a chair back
- Avoid if you need strictly Jain or pure vegetarian food
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, south-west of the city centre
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Best time
- Early lunch, before queues build around 11 am
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Seating is limited and Time Out's older review says tables are hard to get, with some diners on plastic chairs along the corridor. Arrive early, ask for a table with a back, and expect noise and heat at the peak lunch hour.
- Tickets and access
- No reservation is mentioned in the pages we opened; arrive before the lunch rush. Time Out's 2014 review lists daily hours, but these may have changed, so check before travelling. Ask what is vegetarian when ordering.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Sri Nirwana Maju (Bangsar Baru)
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
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Travelling with parents?
Seating is limited and Time Out's older review says tables are hard to get, with some diners on plastic chairs along the corridor. Arrive early, ask for a table with a back, and expect noise and heat at the peak lunch hour.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is Sri Nirwana Maju vegetarian?
No. The base banana leaf set is vegetable-based, but the restaurant also serves meat and seafood, so ask about gravies if you eat strictly vegetarian food.
Is it comfortable for older travellers?
Seating is limited and can mean plastic chairs or a footpath table at busy times. Go early and expect noise.
How much does a meal cost?
A 2018 review gave about RM9 for the vegetarian base set. Prices change, so check on the day.
Sources and further reading
- The Occasional Gourmand: Sri Nirwana Maju
- Time Out Kuala Lumpur: Sri Nirwana Maju
- Zafigo: best street food in Kuala Lumpur
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
