New Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Kuala Lumpur: July 2019

Taking over Bakar along Lorong Kurau is a new concept by The Big Group. All about josper-grilled chicken, solo diners can feast on the Quarter Chicken + 2 Sides (RM22) with options such as the Chicken Salt Chips and Roasted Sesame Yuzu Coleslaw. Look forward to super juicy, well-cooked meat with sexy grill marks on the outside. Otherwise, come with the gang to tuck into a Whole Chicken (RM45) and the Gravy Baby Fries (RM15). Boost up the flavours with their delicious housemade sauces – we’re big fans of the Toum Garlic Sauce (RM3) and the Piri-Piri Ketchup (RM2).
Photo by Burppler Rueann Dass

This stylish spot along Jalan Kamunting serves all-day brunch and lunch in familiar flavours. Burppler Jesius Enamourez raves about the impressive Rise & Shine Eggs Benedict (RM28). She especially loved its unique combo of beetroot-cured salmon on bubble and squeak (a potato and cabbage-like pancake) with bunga kantan (torch ginger flower) hollandaise. There’s also the delicious Hainan (RM22), scrambled eggs with sriracha aioli on a hot cross bun with Sarsi-glazed beef bacon (RM8). For a morning caffeine jolt, the refreshing and floral Nitro Cold Brew with Manuka (RM18) will do the trick.
Photo by Burppler Jesuis Enamourez

Landing in buzzy SS15 is Taiwan’s most popular croissant chain! It’s just a street away from the infamous bubble tea lane, so get a friend to line up for drinks while you grab the snacks. Go gaga over their delightful selection of freshly baked custard-filled croissants made with quality ingredients like European natural butter and Japanese flour. Bestsellers here are the sweet and tangy Raspberry Panna Cotta Croissant (RM9.70), decadent Hazelnut Macron Croissant (RM8.50) and the savoury Golden Cheese Croissant (RM8.30).

Ara Damansara folks, listen up! Come by this quaint specialty cafe for awesome cuppa joes. Between the Seasonal Coffee or the Everyday Blend, go for the former that's personally handpicked by the owner! On our visit, the Black (RM9) sported pleasant fruity notes while milk coffee fans will adore their White (RM11) that’s sweet and very smooth. Feeling peckish? Choose from an array of locally-baked cakes, savoury croissants and sourdough bread served with butter.

Perfect for the next get-together, this bar-restaurant in USJ offers tasty Japanese fusion grub to pair with your sake and beer (best accompanied with the live band performances!). Burppler jionghui lim came and left with a happy belly thanks to their Sweet Potato Fries with Creamy Miso Sauce (RM16), Saba Shioyaki (RM18) and the crispy Mushroom Charcoal Pizza (from RM30) topped with cherry tomatoes, mushrooms and sweet teriyaki sauce that she describes as "magic". Swing by before 7pm to enjoy their happy hour deal of five mugs of Tiger Beer at only RM44! Ps. They just opened a second outlet in Bukit Jalil.
Photo by Burppler jionghui lim

Look to this gorgeous double-storey cafe for celebration meals with your girlfriends. We're loving the glasshouse concept made even prettier with cosy rattan furniture and fresh plants and flowers tucked in corners. Portions here are large, so we suggest ordering to share. Start with the Happy Harvest (RM28), a platter of seasonal veggies picked from their very own urban farming lab on the first floor. On mains, the house recommended ‘Lala’ Land (RM28), their version of spaghetti vongole with a spicy sauce made with Bentong ginger, is worth an order. End on a sweet note with a slice of Kuih Gulung (RM22), gula Melaka-infused with pandan kaya lava and vanilla ice cream.

A cool kopitiam has popped up in Sunway Mentari – spot cute cartoon-esque drawings of kopitiam grub like kopi o and chicken rice on the walls here. You’ll find standard hawker food like Curry Mee (RM7), Chicken Rice (RM7) and Bak Kut Teh (RM14) but we especially enjoyed the Chee Cheong Fun (RM1.20, a piece) in delicious curry gravy. Alternatively, look to the all-day breakfast menu featuring classic eggs with toast and croissants. Order the Ham & Egg Croissant (RM7.90) for a delicious combination of flaky croissant, perfectly fried egg and ham – what’s not to love? Wash it down with a hot cup of Cham (RM2.40).

Joining the stretch of new restaurants at Bangsar South’s The Sphere is this all-day dining cafe offering plant-based mylk, vegan food and plenty of gluten-free options. Bulk up with the Pork Belly Bowl (RM25) that sees tender vinegar-braised pork belly with fragrant sesame rice alongside charred Chinese kale and an ajitsuke egg. Also good is the vegan-friendly Mushroom Field Sange (RM17) that offers a medley of mushrooms (oyster, shimeji, and buttons) on sourdough bread. Find more good protein for your diet in their Yo Soy’ Nuts (RM16) smoothie made with soy milk, yoghurt, banana, Medjool dates, almonds and walnuts.
Photo by Burppler Jesuis Enamourez