As the festive season approaches, DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur invites diners to gather, indulge and celebrate at its all-day dining restaurant, Makan Kitchen, where Christmas 2025 unfolds under the evocative theme “The Season to Savor.” More than a festive buffet, the experience is designed as a culinary journey — a joyous tapestry of international and local cuisines brought together in a spirit of abundance, warmth and togetherness.
Well regarded for its multi-kitchen concept, Makan Kitchen transforms into a vibrant festive marketplace during the holidays. Each culinary station tells its own story, yet together they form a seamless celebration of flavour and craftsmanship. Under the guidance of Executive Chef Gerald Chong, the festive menu strikes a confident balance between indulgent classics and thoughtfully executed regional favourites.
Festive Centrepieces That Anchor the Celebration
The festive journey begins at the carving station, where the Slow-Roasted Wagyu Beef Leg commands attention. Slow-roasted for over 14 hours, the beef retains its natural jus, resulting in a texture that is remarkably tender and succulent. The beautifully pink centre — where the juices are most concentrated — delivers depth and richness with every slice.
Served alongside classic accompaniments such as Yorkshire pudding and sweet corn, the beef pairs seamlessly with black pepper sauce and Dijon mustard, allowing diners to tailor each bite to preference. Sharing the spotlight is Roast Chicken with Chestnut Stuffing, a comforting festive pairing that captures the essence of Christmas through familiar flavours and hearty warmth.
Another notable highlight is the Baked Salmon on Cedar Plank, where gentle heat and aromatic cedar smoke infuse the fish with subtle complexity. The French-style Slow-Baked Lamb Neck with Mirepoix and Natural Jus adds further depth to the spread, offering fork-tender meat balanced by the sweetness of slow-cooked vegetables.
Indian Kitchen: Layers of Spice and Celebration
Among the many offerings, dishes from the Indian Kitchen stand out for their bold flavours and layered savouriness. The Mud Crab Dum Briyani is particularly memorable — richly aromatic, deeply satisfying and deserving of its reputation as a must-try dish. Equally compelling is the Goan-Style Red Snapper, whose tangy curry base awakens the palate and invites diners to explore more of the buffet.
Seafood, Salads and Refined Beginnings
Seafood lovers will find much to savour at the Seafood on Ice section, which presents fresh oysters, poached whole Norwegian salmon, and salmon gravlax. These chilled offerings are complemented by a thoughtfully curated selection of salads, including dill potato salad with quail eggs, pumpkin and quinoa salad with pomegranate and nuts, Greek salad with Alpine feta and caramelised walnuts, and beetroot Niçoise salad.
The cold section is completed with chicken terrine and an assortment of artisan cheeses, offering a refined and balanced start to the festive meal.
Live Grill, Noodle Station and Comforting Soups
The festive atmosphere continues at the Live Grill, where the aroma of open flames draws diners in. Here, chefs prepare Ayam Bakar Madu (honey-glazed roast chicken), grilled Australian lamb shoulder, and grilled prawns, all served hot, smoky and succulent.
For comfort seekers, the Noodle Soup Station allows guests to customise their bowls with a choice of noodles, ingredients and either spicy or non-spicy broth, prepared à la minute by the chefs. Nearby, the soup counter offers the deeply satisfying Wild Mushroom and Chestnut Velouté, rich with earthy flavours yet balanced enough to enjoy alongside freshly baked bread rolls.
A World of Kitchens Under One Roof
Makan Kitchen’s festive buffet unfolds across its signature culinary zones:
World Kitchen features dishes such as wild mushroom orzo pasta with mushroom duxelles and truffle oil, BBQ braised free-range chicken with caramelised sweet potato, oven-baked pumpkin with herb sauce and Alpine feta, kumara potato au gratin, and roasted Brussels sprouts with root vegetables and dried cranberries.
Malay Kitchen celebrates comforting local favourites including prawns in spicy tomato paste, coconut fish curry with Thai basil, grilled stuffed squid with glutinous rice, and classic chicken and beef satay with peanut sauce.
Chinese Kitchen offers steamed fish with cordyceps and king soy sauce, honey marmite prawns, steamed free-range chicken with goji berries, roasted chicken and duck, wok-fried noodles with seafood, old cucumber chicken soup, and the gently sweet snow fungus with longan.
Indian Kitchen continues to impress with slow-roast Australian lamb shoulder with varuval spices, signature free-range chicken tandoori, freshwater prawn moilee, malai kofta, kurkuri bhindi chaat, sepang kilangu fry, and brinjal podi.
Festive Spiced Punch: A Warming Sip of the Season
Adding to the festive mood is the Festive Spiced Punch, a warming beverage made with fruit juice, fresh fruit slices, Dilmah tea, cinnamon and aromatic spices. Best enjoyed warm, it evokes the comforting nostalgia of Christmas by the fireplace — soothing, fragrant and gently celebratory.
Sweet Finale: A Whimsical Dessert Wonderland
No Christmas celebration would be complete without dessert, and this year’s Sweet Finale is presented in a whimsical pirate theme, adding a playful note to the festivities. The pastry team showcases an extensive array of confections, including mascarpone coffee log cake, vanilla strawberry log cake, speculoos cheesecake, black forest cheesecake, mixed nut tart, orange cranberry clafoutis, and Victoria strawberry shortcake.
Traditional favourites such as Christmas fruitcake, stollen, panettone, mince pies, and assorted festive cookies sit alongside delightful treats like madeleine towers, cake pops, macarons, Morello cherry truffles, and a flowing chocolate fountain. Ice cream with cones and toppings ensures a joyful ending for diners of all ages.
More Than a Meal
Beyond the feast itself, guests are invited to engage with the hotel’s thoughtfully designed Christmas installation, the “Sustainable Tree of Hope.” Made with sustainability in mind, the tree encourages diners to write their ideas on recycled paper tags, sharing suggestions on how DoubleTree Kuala Lumpur can further enhance its sustainability efforts — a meaningful reminder that celebration and responsibility can coexist.
In addition to Makan Kitchen’s festive buffets, diners may also explore seasonal set menus at Tosca Italian Trattoria, located beside the hotel’s swimming pool, offering an alternative festive dining experience with an Italian flair.
A Season Truly Worth Savoring
With its expansive culinary range, global influences and thoughtful festive touches, Makan Kitchen at DoubleTree by Hilton Kuala Lumpur delivers a Christmas celebration that feels generous, inclusive and deeply satisfying. The Season to Savor is not merely a buffet — it is a celebration of flavour, tradition and the simple joy of sharing good food during the most wonderful time of the year.