Established 1963
The Malaya Grosvenor Place, opening April, 2025.
Continuing the tradition. The Malaya Moves to the Heart of the CBD.
The Malaya was founded in 1963 by Wong Tai See. A merchant seaman who migrated to Australia from Hong Kong in the 1940s.
One of Australia’s longest-standing family-owned restaurants, The Malaya, will embark on an exciting new chapter this autumn. After 23 years at King Street Wharf, the restaurant will host its final service on Saturday, 29 March, 2025 before relocating to Grosvenor Place at 225 George Street, bringing its beloved dining experience into the CBD. This move also marks a symbolic return to George Street, where The Malaya first opened its doors in 1963 at 787 George Street.
Inspired by the aromatic and spice-driven Nonya flavours encountered by Wong See on his Southeast Asian travels, but shaped by the scarcity of exotic ingredients in 1960s Sydney, the original Malaya was forced to create its own unique recipes that challenged the then conservative Australian palate.
Based in Haymarket, close to Sydney’s Central Station and Chinatown, the original incarnations of The Malaya Restaurant were renowned among generations of students, journalists, police and professionals alike. In 1996 Wong See’s son Lance made the decision to follow the direction of the city’s development and move to brand new premises by Darling Harbour at King St Wharf.
Now under the stewardship of third-generation siblings Duan and Isabella Wong, the relocation to Grosvenor Place represents a new era for the family legacy. “We’ve loved our time at King Street Wharf,” says Duan Wong, “but moving to the heart of the CBD allows us to better serve our guests and reconnect with a more dynamic dining neighbourhood. We might be leaving the water views behind, but we’re gaining something just as special—two levels of dining and an outdoor terrace with a rooftop feel that brings a whole new energy to the venue.”
A New Lease of Life
The move to Grosvenor Place will see The Malaya take up residence in a two-level, 180-seater space marking the next chapter in its storied history. Fans of the restaurant can rest assured that while the location is changing, the experience will remain as familiar as ever. “Bella and I have been refining the menu over the last few years, with a focus on fresher, bolder Malaysian flavours but we always have the consistency of the menu in mind,” says Duan Wong. “Our move to Grosvenor Place is not about reinventing our menu which we have always seen as the key to our longevity. All the favourites like our Laksa, Beef Rendang, Szechuan Eggplant, and Otak Otak will be there, though there will also be a few new dishes and some amazing live seafood options. We’re also very excited about the introduction of an elevated wine and beverage program to better complement our food and enhance the overall offering.”
The new location will also feature two semi-private dining spaces, accommodating 30 and 50 guests, making it ideal for both intimate celebrations and corporate events. Designed in collaboration with Anouk & Co and the Wong family, the space will balance contemporary elegance with the warmth and familiarity that long-time diners have come to cherish.
A Legacy of Culinary Evolution
For over 60 years, The Malaya has witnessed the evolution of Sydney’s culinary landscape firsthand.
In its early years, the menu was shaped by the limited availability of Southeast Asian ingredients in Sydney. Wong Tai See imported what he could, mostly dried spices, but many dishes were adapted to what was available – the reason the laksa still uses dairy instead of coconut milk today. As fresh ingredients became increasingly accessible in the 1970s and 1980s, the menu expanded with a renewed focus on more vibrant Malaysian and Nonya flavours. This era saw the creation of some of today’s most popular dishes, including Kapitan Prawns, Rendang, and Opor Ayam. In 1996, second-generation owners Lance and Givie Wong modernised the restaurant and shifted its focus to polished service, curated wine lists, and corporate dining. The move to King Street Wharf in 2001 marked another significant milestone, as The Malaya became one of the precinct’s inaugural restaurants.
Across six decades, The Malaya remains one of the few restaurants where generations of families continue to dine together, with some loyal patrons following its journey for more than 50 years.
The Malaya hosted its final service at King Street Wharf on Saturday, 29 March, 2025, with the new Grosvenor Place venue opening its doors in April 2025. Guests can look forward to the same comforting flavours, attentive service, and warm hospitality that have defined The Malaya since 1963—now in a space that reflects the next chapter of this extraordinary family legacy.