Central Market (Pasar Seni), Kuala Lumpur
Last updated: October 2026
| Address | Jalan Hang Kasturi, 50050 Kuala Lumpur |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 10 am – 10 pm |
| Entry | Free |
| What to buy | Batik, pewter, handicrafts, art, souvenirs |
| Nearest transit | Pasar Seni MRT / LRT station (2-minute walk) |
| Take me here | |
| Official site | centralmarket.com.my |
| Verified | Verified October 2026 |
What It Is
Central Market occupies a 1888-era Art Deco building on Jalan Hang Kasturi, originally built as the city's wet market. It was renovated in the 1980s and converted into a cultural and handicraft centre that now houses over 100 stalls and shops spread across two floors. The building is a designated heritage site and sits within walking distance of both Petaling Street and Merdeka Square.
The market is organised into cultural zones — Lorong Melayu (Malay crafts and textiles), Lorong India (Indian silks, jewellery and accessories), and Lorong Cina (Chinese calligraphy, tea and antiques). The Annexe Gallery upstairs hosts contemporary art exhibitions and cultural events.
What to Buy
Hand-painted batik is the standout — both fabric by the metre and ready-made clothing. Prices for a batik shirt start around RM40. Royal Selangor has an outlet selling pewter products, and several shops offer traditional Malay woodcarvings and wayang kulit (shadow puppet) figures. The ground-floor stalls also sell affordable souvenirs like keychains, fridge magnets and Malaysian snack packs.
For a hands-on experience, batik painting workshops (around RM35 per session) let you create your own piece to take home. Sessions run throughout the day and require no booking.
Food Options
The Kasturi Walk covered lane along the building's eastern side has a row of food stalls serving local dishes — nasi lemak, laksa, cendol and fresh coconut. The Precious Old China restaurant inside the market serves Peranakan (Nyonya) cuisine in a heritage setting, with mains from RM18 to RM35.
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings from 10 am to 12 pm are the quietest. Weekend afternoons see the most foot traffic, especially the Kasturi Walk food lane. Some individual stalls close earlier than the stated 10 pm, so aim to arrive by 6 pm if you want to shop thoroughly.
How to Get There
Pasar Seni station on both the MRT Kajang line and LRT Kelana Jaya line is a 2-minute walk from the main entrance. By car, the market car park is accessible from Jalan Hang Kasturi. Parking costs RM5 for the first hour.
Nearby
- Kwai Chai Hong — 5-minute walk east into Chinatown
- Petaling Street — 3-minute walk south for street market shopping
- Merdeka Square — 8-minute walk north along Jalan Hang Kasturi
Location
Photos
Visitor Reviews
-
★★★★☆September 2026
Great spot for souvenirs — I did the batik painting workshop for RM35 and got to take home my own piece. The market is well organised into Malay, Chinese and Indian cultural zones. The Annexe Gallery upstairs had a contemporary art exhibition that was a nice surprise.
-
★★★★★August 2026
The Art Deco building alone is worth a visit. Originally a wet market from 1888, now it houses over 100 stalls selling batik, pewter, woodcarvings and more. Got a handmade batik shirt for RM45. Pasar Seni MRT station is literally a 2-minute walk away.
-
★★★★☆July 2026
Spent about 90 minutes here browsing. The Kasturi Walk food lane outside has good nasi lemak and cendol. Prices at the stalls are slightly higher than at Petaling Street but the quality of the handicrafts is better. Some stalls close before the advertised 10 pm though.
-
★★★☆☆May 2026
If you are looking for genuine traditional crafts, the upper floor and the Indian section have better options. The ground floor near the entrance felt a bit touristy with standard fridge magnets and keychains. Precious Old China restaurant inside is excellent for Nyonya food though.
-
★★★★★April 2026
One of the best indoor activities in KL when it rains. We browsed the Royal Selangor pewter outlet, tried some traditional kuih at the food stalls and watched a wayang kulit demonstration. The air conditioning is a welcome break from the tropical heat outside.
Reviews sourced from Google Maps
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Central Market KL's opening hours?
Central Market is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, including weekends and public holidays. Some individual stalls close earlier around 8 pm, so visit before evening if you have specific shops in mind.
Is there an entrance fee for Central Market?
No. Entry to Central Market is completely free. You can browse the art, crafts and cultural displays without any ticket or booking.
What should I buy at Central Market KL?
Hand-painted batik fabric and clothing, pewter homewares from Royal Selangor, handmade leather sandals, and traditional Malay woodcarvings are among the best souvenirs. The Annexe Gallery upstairs holds rotating contemporary art exhibitions.