Coast by Kayra is a modern Indian restaurant in Kuala Lumpur that has been acknowledged by the Michelin Guide for 2025. Located at The Starhill shopping mall, this sister restaurant of Kayra, which was established in December 2023, received its own Michelin recognition within a year of opening.
Both restaurants specialize in modern Kerala cuisine, with Coast by Kayra placing a heavier emphasis on seafood dishes like oysters, tiger prawns, crabs, and seafood biryanis.
We decided to go to Coast by Kayra to sample their menu items, including main dishes and desserts, in order to provide you with a review.
A contemporary twist on traditional Kerala dishes.
During our visit to Coast by Kayra, we discovered that it had not yet been recognized in the Michelin Guide 2025. Despite this, the food was exceptional, and we were confident that it would soon receive a Michelin nod – a prediction that ultimately came true.
The restaurant offers a wide variety of dishes without pork, making it easy for customers to choose. The menu includes detailed descriptions of each dish, specifying how the lamb is cooked and if mango is used in the sauce. Additionally, all meats used in the dishes come from suppliers that follow halal guidelines.
We were excited to learn that the chefs have a strong enthusiasm for their profession.
Mini dishes: Small servings of Dahi Puri Shooters and Mud Crab & Fennel Seed Bisque.
If oyster shooters had a relative from India, they would be similar to the Dahi Puri Shooters, which cost RM50 for 4 pieces.
Begin enjoying this meal by tasting the dahi puri, which is filled with yogurt and crab meat, and then follow it up quickly with a shot of crab rasam.
The difference in flavor between the smooth filling and the tangy, ocean-inspired rasam was remarkable. Dahi puri provided a more satisfying bite than pani puri because of the addition of yogurt.
This delicious appetizer increased our excitement for the following dish: Mud Crab & Fennel Seed Bisque priced at RM50.
Resembling a traditional French bisque, this soup had a smooth and velvety texture with subtle ripples when stirred. It was infused with Indian spices that added a bold flavor, and each spoonful contained chunks of crab meat.
We boldly dipped the pumpkin seed roti into the soup several times until it was dripping with deliciousness. This was the best way to fully enjoy both the bread and the soup.
Varieties of poultry dishes include chicken kebab, duck kulcha, and Malabar lamb stew.
The Chicken Kebab at Coast by Kayra is a familiar dish priced at RM50, but the way they prepare it makes it feel like a work of art. The plain yoghurt is shaped like a quenelle with a French touch, perfect for dipping into the smoky and gravy-coated chicken pieces. The cucumber mango roll served on the side acts as a refreshing break for your taste buds between each bite.
We tried to enjoy this dish in a reserved manner, but our actual reactions were quite the opposite.
It was difficult to hide my excitement and joy when every element on the plate blended together so well and tasted delicious – just like how a child can't help but smile when enjoying their favorite chocolate.
We could taste similarities to French cuisine in the dishes we had sampled, and this French influence was also present in their Duck Kulcha dish. The duck breast is cooked using the French sous vide method, and then seasoned with Indian pepper fry.
Despite its bold appearance, this dish did not have an overpowering taste. The chili oil added a subtle heat to the tender duck, leaving a lasting warmth in our throats.
Fortunately, we don't have to touch the food with our hands because the chefs skillfully place all the delicious duck on top of an Indian kulcha bread, allowing us to easily hold everything together like a taco.
Next, the Malabar Lamb Stew priced at RM65 was served, marking the beginning of our indulgence in various gravies.
Immersed in a flavorful curry with coriander, the lamb pieces were cooked to a perfect balance of tenderness and size, with a nice combination of meaty and slightly gamey flavors. The stew had a deep, rich aroma that begged to be paired with roti and naan.
Seafood dishes available include Spicy Squid and Snapper cooked in a traditional style.
Our knowledge of spinach in Indian cuisine was limited to Palak Paneer until we tried Squid Kanthari (RM65) at this dining establishment.
The grilled squids are placed in a spinach curry, resembling a ship in the ocean. Bird’s eye chillies are added for a spicy kick.
Since we were new to spinach curry, we were surprised to find out that it contained spinach, as the taste of it was not very strong. We appreciated the subtle earthy flavor, as a stronger taste could have made the curry taste more like a vegetable puree.
The Snapper Chuttuli dish, priced at RM60, featured a mango and yoghurt curry that had a shiny appearance similar to a polished car. The vibrant curry brought a lively flavor to the dish with a hint of acidity, complementing the pan-seared red snapper fillet perfectly.
Vegetarian option: Grape Pacadhi
We knew what ingredients were used in their Grape Pacadhi (RM30) – red grapes, curry leaves, and mustard yogurt – but we were unfamiliar with how they tasted when combined.
To make this dish, curry leaves are cooked in hot oil until fragrant and then combined with sweet grapes. This mixture is then placed on top of a bed of yogurt mixed with mustard. The yogurt has a creamy texture and a flavor similar to hummus, which adds a savory element to the dish.
This fruit dish had a luxurious feel to it, making it a must-try for those who have never experienced it before.
Seafood Biryani is a type of biryani dish that includes
We decided to order a Seafood Biryani (RM250) for four people, even though there were only two of us. It didn't bother us. The staff recommended it, saying their customers love it, so we didn't hesitate to try it.
The basmati rice had a light and moist texture, and a strong aroma that paired nicely with the grilled blue swimmer crabs, sea tiger prawns, and squids. The dish was not overly seasoned, allowing each bite to have a perfect balance of flavors.
The inclusion of raisins, pickles, and cashews in the biryani was also enjoyable as it brought a variety of flavors and textures to the dish.
Sweet treat: Cocoa and coconut combination
The dessert served was a delicious locally-made dark chocolate with a biconcave shape called Cocoa-nut. Inside the chocolate was a filling made of jackfruit and calamansi jam. Alongside the chocolate were cookie crumbs, two small sponge cakes, and a jackfruit-flavored ice cream with a creamy texture similar to frozen yogurt.
There was a stark contrast in flavors. The dark chocolate was extremely bitter, almost like pure cocoa powder, while the other components were very sweet. We enjoyed the balance of opposites in this dessert.
Experience top-notch contemporary Indian dishes at Coast by Kayra in Kuala Lumpur. This restaurant is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys flavorful spices. The skilled chefs expertly blend strong spices and creamy sauces to create mouthwatering curries that leave diners wanting more.
We decided to not finish the Seafood Biryani because we realized we had overestimated how much our stomachs could handle.
Location: The Starhill, Ground Floor, Lot G03-G05, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur. Operating hours are from 11:30am to 11pm every day. For inquiries, you can contact 017-215 7264 or visit Coast by Kayra's Instagram page.
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Image on cover modified from TheSmartLocal Malaysia.
Images taken by photographer Hans Leong.
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