11 new restaurants, cafés, and bars in Malaysia to visit in May 2024

Bringing together Latin flavours and Japanese fare is Arigato, a fresh face in Bangsar South’s dining scene. Dishes on the menu are informed by Japanese techniques but distinctly echo Latin influence through marinades, hero proteins, and aromatics.

Arigato gives familiar sashimi a facelift, offering yellowtail in the form of tiradito, a Peruvian preparation of raw fish and marinated salmon ceviche. The restaurant also offers a comprehensive yakiniku selection comprising carne asada short ribs, Wagyu tongue, and other prime beef cuts. 

See also: Oo Edo Tofu crafts authentic Japanese tofu in the heart of KL

No trip to the beach is complete without cocktails. Dilam doubles down on this by serving seaside refreshments the Malaysian way—accompanied by hearty plates of nasi lemak. An unassuming stall tucked in Batu Ferringhi’s Tropical Spice Garden, cocktails here are pint-sized showcases of tropical flavours.

Visit Dilam in May for a quick weekend getaway or much-needed dose of coastal breeze and try its blend of rum, ginger, and lime or opt for something a little sweeter like its concoction of gin, berries, and lemon. 

Perhaps one of the most celebrated recent openings was that of Jalan Imbi’s Grumpy Bagels. The charming café puts bagels at the forefront of its operation, showcasing their versatility in experimental flavour combinations and classic preparations executed soulfully. Freshly baked bagels are artfully arranged on the café’s display counter daily, physicalising its chalkboard menu.

For a quick bite, opt for its classic or everything bagel smeared with one of many cream cheese options from maple walnut to garlic herb. The café also offers diners the option of casual sit down meals of bagels topped with pulled beef, poached eggs, and avocado or its take on New York’s favourite meal—a bagel topped with lox, cream cheese, and capers. 

Bangsar’s newest wine bar is the epitome of quiet luxury. Unpretentious sophistication seeps into every corner of Juno, from its curated menu to its atmosphere that lies somewhere between that of cosmopolitan jazz bars and casual neighbourhood hangouts. You’ll be able to pair a myriad of vibrant small plates with any glass (or bottle), from marinated oysters and scallops complemented by pomelo and orange slices to charcuterie platters and homemade gnocchi. 

Spearheaded by Chateau Dionne’s chef Andy Choy, NICE Bistronome imbues French bistro classics with a touch of Italian influence. A stone’s throw away from Seventeen Mall, you’ll be able to experience delicacies of both cuisines in the centre of PJ. Begin a meal here with escargot swimming in garlic butter or burrata complemented by figs and hazelnut crumble before tucking into servings of Mediterranean vegetable ratatouille, duck leg confit with stracciatella, and sole meunière doused in beurre blanc. 

Nestled in Subang’s up-and-coming lakeside community hub, A Scoop Of is the brainchild of Whimsical—a Desa Parkcity gelato specialist. Set to officially open at the beginning of May, A Scoop Of fuses a traditional Italian dessert with Malaysian flavours. Order a double scoop of its apam balik-inspired gelato or lychee and thyme sorbet on a handmade cone and park yourself by the lake for a makeshift picnic. 

The opening of Luna Kitchen marks a welcome refresh to Chinatown’s dining scene. Luna Kitchen stands out amidst a plethora of coffee shops and bespoke bakeries, focusing on cuisines unfamiliar to local palates. Russian and Eastern European cuisines helm the café, which currently offers a selection of sourdough sandwiches filled with locally cured deli meats, homemade bakes, and great cups of coffee. Later this year, the restaurant will open its hot kitchen and begin dishing out plates of its defining cuisines.

Don’t miss: 11 places to explore in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur
 

Sharing a space with Tyler Coffee Workshop, Single Dose Coffee is the latest addition to Bangsar’s bustling coffee scene. The coffeehouse showcases the diversity of beans sourced from across the world, housing a curated, ever-changing collection of roasts and origins. Its most recent lineup of beans, which will most likely change tomorrow, includes a Gesha variety with notes of grapefruit, nectarine, and pomegranate and a natural-processed coffee reminiscent of blackberry jam, dark cherry, and honey. 

One of Japan’s most beloved shaved ice spots will make its Malaysian debut on May 1. Known for its four hour wait-times during summer, Sakanoue Café specialises in kakigori. The Japanese dessert is incomparably fluffy, crafted from unflavoured, delicately shaved threads of ice.

Following a string of pop-ups in Singapore, Sakanoue Café will be bringing its signature flavours to Kuala Lumpur, from strawberries and cream and chocolate mint to uji matcha and yuzu mascarpone. 

Beginning its lamb chop-grilling, protein-powered journey with a neighbourhood hawker stall, The Charcoal Grill has opened its second brick and mortar location in Damansara Uptown. The grill house's signatures make charcoal the star of the show, using open flames to lend dishes a distinct smokiness. Its menu comprises playfully named dishes from Cish & Fhips, classic battered fish and chips, and What the Duck, marinated duck breast served with jalapeño chimichurri and blackberry wasabi sauce. 

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