Dishes from Pepper Bakery & Bistro, Kantin, and Common—new restaurants to visit in August (Photo: Instagram / @pepperbybrickhouse, @kantingranary, @commonerspace)
Cover Dishes from Pepper Bakery & Bistro, Kantin, and Common—new restaurants to visit in August (Photo: Instagram / @pepperbybrickhouse, @kantingranary, @commonerspace)
Dishes from Pepper Bakery & Bistro, Kantin, and Common—new restaurants to visit in August (Photo: Instagram / @pepperbybrickhouse, @kantingranary, @commonerspace)

Explore the new restaurants, bars, and cafés that August has to offer

Our dining scene experiences constant evolution. Fresh faces continually emerge, punctuating our established and diverse culinary landscape with welcome innovation and novelty. Every month seems to offer up a slew of new restaurants and charming coffeehouses, keeping things exciting for bona fide foodies and die-hard cafe-hoppers. 

We put together a list of recently opened dining venues at the beginning of each month, compiling new restaurants, cafés, and bars into a handy guide you can refer to when in search of the next must-visit eatery. The month of August is meant for exploration, with new openings that will take your café hopping and dinner plans around the Klang Valley. 

Head to Basil Gourmet Store for an Italian deli experience just a stone’s throw away from the city centre or brave the foot traffic of The Exchange TRX to check out its newest Japanese barbecue spot. If you’re in the city, head to Kantin in REXKL for authentic East Malaysian eats and stop by Park90 in The St Regis Kuala Lumpur for a glass of wine. 

Read more: 9 must-try chocolate chip cookies in the Klang Valley

1. Tanba Japanese BBQ & Sukiyaki, The Exchange TRX

Japanese   |   Kuala Lumpur City Centre
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Photo 1 of 2 Cuts of Wagyu beef (Photo: Instagram / @tanba.trx)
Photo 2 of 2 The spirit selection at Tanba Japanese BBQ (Photo: Instagram / @tanba.trx)
Cuts of Wagyu beef (Photo: Instagram / @tanba.trx)
The spirit selection at Tanba Japanese BBQ (Photo: Instagram / @tanba.trx)

The Exchange TRX has welcomed one of its newest additions, Tanba Japanese BBQ & Sukiyaki. Diners can indulge in a yakiniku buffet or à la carte sukiyaki plates of A5 Japanese Wagyu, Kurobuta or Berkshire pork cheek, and other premium cuts paired with an extensive range of condiments, sides, sake, and Japanese craft beer


Tanba Japanese BBQ & Sukiyaki, The Exchange TRX

Address:  L1.45.C, 1/F, Plaza The Exchange TRX, Persiaran TRX, Imbi, 55188 Kuala Lumpur

2. Park90 Kuala Lumpur

Kuala Lumpur Sentral
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Photo 1 of 2 Park90 in The Drawing Room (Photo: Instagram / @thedrawingroom.kl)
Photo 2 of 2 A glass of wine from Park90 Kuala Lumpur (Photo: Instagram / @thedrawingroom.kl)
Park90 in The Drawing Room (Photo: Instagram / @thedrawingroom.kl)
A glass of wine from Park90 Kuala Lumpur (Photo: Instagram / @thedrawingroom.kl)

Set to open in The Drawing Room in The St Regis Kuala Lumpur on July 31, Park90 will add to the city’s extensive lineup of wine bars with its impressive wine list and sommelier service. Renowned for its expertly sourced and curated wines, its Singapore location has garnered acclaim for celebrating diverse terroir and grape varieties while offering limited releases and rarer varieties.

Ezra Tan and Justin Ho are set to helm Park90 Kuala Lumpur and provide guests with unparalleled recommendations and sommelier service.


Park90 Kuala Lumpur

Address:  6, Jalan Stesen Sentral 2, Kuala Lumpur Sentral, 50470 Kuala Lumpur

3. Basil Gourmet Store

Italian   |   Kuchai Lama
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Photo 1 of 2 A plate of pasta from Basil Gourmet Store (Photo: Instagram / @basilgourmetstore)
Photo 2 of 2 Meatball puttanesca and carbonara (Photo: Instagram / @basilgourmetstore)
A plate of pasta from Basil Gourmet Store (Photo: Instagram / @basilgourmetstore)
Meatball puttanesca and carbonara (Photo: Instagram / @basilgourmetstore)

While the majority of people you follow on Instagram may be experiencing Euro Summer, you won’t have to fly around the globe to dine at an Italian deli. Basil Gourmet Store has recently expanded its retail store of Italian pantry staples and cured meats to include a menu of the cuisine’s most satisfying plates.

Nestled in Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park, Basil Gourmet Store is home to sourdough focaccia sandwiches stuffed with mortadella and fior di latte, cold cut platters served with artichoke dip, spicy meatball puttanesca, guanciale-dotted sourdough pizza, customisable pasta, and more. 

See also: The best European delis in the Klang Valley


Basil Gourmet Store

Address:  37, Jalan Kuchai Maju 6, Kuchai Entrepreneurs Park, 58200 Kuala Lumpur

4. Kantin

Local   |   Chinatown
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Photo 1 of 2 Kantin’s take on nasi kerabu (Photo: Instagram / @kantingranary)
Photo 2 of 2 Rainforest fried rice (Photo: Instagram / @kantingranary)
Kantin’s take on nasi kerabu (Photo: Instagram / @kantingranary)
Rainforest fried rice (Photo: Instagram / @kantingranary)

With the recent revamp of REXKL’s food hall, it is no surprise that new restaurants have weaved their way into the dining hub. Kantin is one such new restaurant and brings East Malaysian cuisine to Chinatown. You’ll find a menu of “tribal” inspired plates from rainforest fried rice accented with local greens, gula apong chicken satay, sotong bakar with lepa sauce, and Norwegian salmon dressed in an island marinade. 


Kantin

Address:  80, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur

5. Cheevit Cheeva, The Row KL

Chow Kit
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Photo 1 of 2 Thai-style bingsu (Photo: Instagram / @d_chum)
Photo 2 of 2 Shokupan-topped bingsu (Photo: Instagram / @ringxii__)
Thai-style bingsu (Photo: Instagram / @d_chum)
Shokupan-topped bingsu (Photo: Instagram / @ringxii__)

One of Thailand’s most beloved dessert spots has made its way to Kuala Lumpur. Cheevit Cheeva has opened its first Malaysian location at The Row KL, housing its signature Thai-style bingsu topped with fixings inspired by the cuisine. For a cold dessert with a twist, try its shaved ice accented with salted egg yolk, Thai milk tea bingsu, or a frozen take on mango sticky rice. 


Cheevit Cheeva, The Row KL

Address:  40g, Jalan Doraisamy, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur

6. Fluoro

Coffeehouse   |   Subang
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Photo 1 of 2 A shot of espresso (Photo: Instagram / @fluoro.bevs)
Photo 2 of 2 Fluoro’s menu (Photo: Instagram / @fluoro.bevs)
A shot of espresso (Photo: Instagram / @fluoro.bevs)
Fluoro’s menu (Photo: Instagram / @fluoro.bevs)

A recently opened coffeehouse in Subang Racquet & Gold Centre, Fluoro offers a lineup of café favourites to those spending a day on the courts. Find a selection of espresso-based brews, matcha creations, and chocolate infusions here. 


Fluoro

Address:  9577, Jalan SS 16/1, Ss 16, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor

7. Cleaver Shed

Steakhouse & Grill   |   Taman Tun Dr. Ismail
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Photo 1 of 2 Steak from Cleaver Shed (Photo: Instagram / @cleavershed)
Photo 2 of 2 Prawn aglio olio (Photo: Instagram / @cleavershed)
Steak from Cleaver Shed (Photo: Instagram / @cleavershed)
Prawn aglio olio (Photo: Instagram / @cleavershed)

As its name suggests, Cleaver Shed is one of the Klang Valley’s newest steakhouses. Situated in TTDI Plaza, this neighbourhood steakhouse offers the classics from Wagyu striploin and Argentinian ribeye to grilled New Zealand lamb tenderloin and chicken chops dressed in a Cajun-style marinade.

Expect each protein-heavy plate to be complemented by mixed salad and a choice of chimichurri, béarnaise, black pepper, garlic aioli, or smokey barbecue sauce. 

Don’t miss: Where to eat and drink in TTDI 


Cleaver Shed

Address:  B-01-05, Plaza TTDI, Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur

8. Pepper Bakery & Bistro

Bukit Damansara
Tatler Asia
Plates from Pepper Bakery & Bistro (Photo: Instagram / @pepperbybrickhouse)
Above Plates from Pepper Bakery & Bistro (Photo: Instagram / @pepperbybrickhouse)
Plates from Pepper Bakery & Bistro (Photo: Instagram / @pepperbybrickhouse)

Pepper Bakery & Bistro is a new Bukit Damansara spot that can feed you breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast favourites and elevated brunch plates are on the menu here, alongside a selection of refreshing cocktails. Expect brioche French toast with whipped ricotta, braised Australian oxtail tacos, seafood vongole spiced with yuzu kosho, and a gin-spiked limau ais. 


Pepper Bakery & Bistro

Address:  7, Jalan Setiapuspa, Medan Damansara, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur

9. Oregano by Affogato

Local   |   Petaling Jaya
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Photo 1 of 2 Sarawak laksa and kolok mee (Photo: Instagram / @oregano.kl)
Photo 2 of 2 A bowl of Sarawak laksa (Photo: Instagram / @oregano.kl)
Sarawak laksa and kolok mee (Photo: Instagram / @oregano.kl)
A bowl of Sarawak laksa (Photo: Instagram / @oregano.kl)

Another one of August’s new restaurants brings East Malaysian cuisine to the peninsular. The latest venture of the team behind Kuching’s Affogato, Oregano, is a must-visit when searching for Sarawak laksa and kolok mee.

You’ll also be able to find an array of brunch plates with a local twist, from ayam geprek aglio olio and buttermilk chicken waffles to soft shell crab salted egg butter rice. 


Oregano by Affogato

Address:  35, Jalan SS 4c/5, Taman Rasa Sayang, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

10. Common

Cafe   |   Taman Tun Dr. Ismail
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Photo 1 of 2 A pesto and salmon grilled cheese from Common’s Shah Alam branch (Photo: Instagram / @commonerspace)
Photo 2 of 2 Eggs and toast (Photo: Instagram / @commonerspace)
A pesto and salmon grilled cheese from Common’s Shah Alam branch (Photo: Instagram / @commonerspace)
Eggs and toast (Photo: Instagram / @commonerspace)

After making a name for itself amongst the gourmands of Shah Alam, Common has made its way to TTDI. Set to open this month, its second location is expected to serve its signature breakfast plates, sourdough grilled cheese sandwiches, and coffee.

While an outlet-specific menu hasn’t been confirmed, its caramelised onion and mushroom grilled cheese, hearty tomato soup, and pastries will most likely be found in TTDI. 


Common

Address:  Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur

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Chelsea Rozario
Writer, Tatler Dining Malaysia, Tatler Malaysia
Tatler Asia

About

Chelsea is a Dining Writer for Tatler Malaysia. When she’s not eating or writing about eating, she’s probably deciphering which oat milks froth the best for homemade flat whites. 

Work

Chelsea writes about where to find great food and is passionate about exploring the cultural significance of different cuisines.