Nao Japanese Rooftop Dining
Nao occupies the second wing of The Troika's Level 23A sky dining complex, offering a Japanese-inspired alternative to Fuego's Latin energy next door. The concept blends Japanese culinary precision with a rooftop bar setting. Cocktails use yuzu, sake, shochu, and umami-forward ingredients in recipes that feel thoughtful rather than gimmicky. The sashimi and robata grill menu is genuinely good, not an afterthought to the bar program. The space seats about 70 across an indoor dining area with an open kitchen and an outdoor terrace shared with the sky dining complex's common area. The design is minimal and clean: light wood, paper screens, and restrained lighting that contrasts with Fuego's warmer palette. The crowd tends toward couples and small groups who want quality food and drinks with a view, without the DJ-driven energy of the adjacent venue.
What to Expect
The lift to Level 23A opens onto the shared sky dining landing. Turn left for Nao. The transition from Fuego's Latin warmth to Nao's Japanese restraint is immediate. Inside, the open kitchen draws attention, and the terrace beyond frames the KL skyline through clean-lined railings. The pace is slower than next door, and the atmosphere rewards lingering over small plates and careful drinks.
Calm, precise, and quietly impressive. The Japanese design sensibility creates a space that feels curated without being cold.
Ambient Japanese-inspired electronic and contemporary jazz. Quiet enough for conversation.
Smart casual. The crowd dresses well. Long pants and a decent shirt for men. The atmosphere discourages anything too casual.
Couples looking for a refined dinner-to-drinks evening. Japanese food and drink enthusiasts. Visitors who want a rooftop experience without party energy.
Cards and cash accepted. 10% service charge and 8% SST apply.
Price Range
Cocktails MYR 48-68, sake MYR 35-80/glass, beer MYR 25-35, food MYR 40-130 per dish
Cocktails ~$11-16/~10-15 EUR, sake ~$8-19/~7.50-17 EUR, beer ~$6-8/~5.50-7.50 EUR
Hours
Tue-Sun 5:00 PM to midnight. Closed Mondays
Insider Tip
The omakase-style tasting menu (around MYR 280 per person) is the best way to experience the kitchen. Pair courses with sake rather than cocktails for the full experience. Terrace seating gets cool after sunset at this altitude; bring a light layer. Arrive early for a window table on weekdays; weekends require booking.
Full Review
Where Fuego brings energy, Nao brings intention. The two venues share a floor and a view, but the experience is different in every other way. Step into Nao and the volume drops, the pace slows, and the attention shifts to the food and drinks.
The cocktail menu shows genuine thought. A yuzu gimlet balances citrus brightness with the right amount of sweet. A sake-based creation with shiso and cucumber tastes clean and precise. These aren't cocktails with Japanese ingredients grafted onto Western recipes; they're drinks built from a Japanese sensibility about balance and simplicity.
The food earns separate recognition. The sashimi is fresh, sliced properly, and served at the right temperature. The robata grill items, particularly the miso-glazed cod and the wagyu skewers, are restaurant-quality dishes served in a bar setting. The omakase tasting menu runs through the kitchen's strengths in a structured progression that pairs well with sake.
The terrace seating faces south toward the Twin Towers, sharing the same view as Fuego and Troika Sky Bar. The difference is the quieter soundtrack and the more intimate table spacing. On a weeknight, you might share the terrace with only three or four other tables, creating a near-private rooftop dining experience.
Pricing sits slightly above Fuego, reflecting the Japanese ingredients and the precision of the kitchen. Cocktails at MYR 48 to 68 are premium for KL but reasonable for the quality. Sake selections range from accessible junmai to premium daiginjo at prices that scale accordingly.
The Neighborhood
Shares Level 23A of The Troika with Fuego and Troika Sky Bar. Moving between the three venues is seamless. The building sits on Persiaran KLCC, north of the Twin Towers complex. After dinner, you can walk down to KLCC or Grab to Bukit Bintang in 10 minutes.
Getting There
Same approach as Fuego: lift from The Troika lobby to Level 23A, then turn left. KLCC LRT is a 12-minute walk. Grab from central KL costs MYR 10-18.
Address
Level 23A, Tower B, The Troika, 19 Persiaran KLCC, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Other Venues in KLCC-Ampang
Marini's on 57
Italian-run cocktail lounge on the 57th floor of Petronas Tower 3 with direct views of the Twin Towers. One of KL's most acclaimed bars for cocktails and atmosphere.
Fuego at Troika Sky Dining
Latin American rooftop bar and restaurant on the 23rd floor of The Troika with panoramic KL skyline views and a live DJ on weekends.
Mantra Bar KL
Upscale bar and lounge on Jalan P. Ramlee popular with professionals and the after-work crowd. Strong cocktail program with resident DJs on weekends.
Havana Bar & Grill
Cuban-themed bar inside the Mandarin Oriental with live jazz and Latin bands nightly. A KL institution since the hotel opened.
Blue Bar at Four Seasons
Sophisticated hotel bar on the ground floor of the Four Seasons KL with an extensive whiskey collection and live piano music on select evenings.
Troika Sky Bar
Open-air bar at the Troika Sky Dining complex with unobstructed Twin Towers views. Popular for sundowner cocktails and late-night drinks.