10 new restaurants, cafés, and bars in Malaysia to visit in July 2024

Under the guidance of the two Michelin-starred chef Sidney Schutte, Molina has opened in the heart of the city. The restaurant brings its own interpretation of European fine dining to The Face Style Hotel, offering guests avant-garde plates set to a backdrop of the city’s skyline.

Its menu spotlights seafood while celebrating the versatility of vegetables—an ethos evident in dishes such as Sepia, a medley of verbena, red hornweed, and goat’s cheese and Brussels Sprout, a dish of caviar, sea urchin, coffee, and sunchoke. 

REXKL finally has a ramen spot! The arts and dining hub has welcomed one of its newest additions, Raijin Ramen Bar. The contemporary noodle specialist pays homage to Japanese culinary techniques while imbuing bowls with a distinctly Southeast Asian twist. Find soulful pork bone soups infused with green chilli paste, classic black garlic tonkotsu ramen, and a selection of yakitori. 

A laidback coffeehouse by day and a cocktail bar by night, Neighbour Club is a must-visit whether you’re in need of a midday pick me up or are getting ready for a night out in Chinatown. During the day, you’ll be able to sip on iced matcha lattes, hot chocolate crafted from Pahang-sourced cocoa, or kaya butter coffee. Once the sun sets, you can venture into JWC Cabinet, the space’s hidden cocktail haunt for tipples on tap. 

Fubu House has opened at The Row on Jalan Doraisamy, offering a laneway for restaurants and boutiques to showcase contemporary Japanese plates. Seafood and poultry are placed on pedestals here, with a menu of sake-steamed clams accompanied by silky tofu, salmon carpaccio dotted with pickles, and aged duck bread plated on a bed of fried burdock. 

Did someone say pub classics? Bringing the best of British cuisine to KL, Lad & Fry offers a menu of fish and chips and a corner dedicated to craft beer. While its full menu is still underway, you’ll be able to tear into tender fillets of deep fried perch paired with mushy peas and wash your meal down with a can of craft beer courtesy of Alright Provisions. 

Yet another addition to REXKL, Summation joins the Chinatown hotspot and brings with it all the sweets you desire. The pastry joint specialises in canalés with perfectly webbed interiors and caramelised crusts. Find these pastries in every flavour imaginable, from dark cocoa nutmeg to pandan kaya.

Alongside its signature bake, you can also tuck into pillowy madeleines infused with vanilla bean and lemon zest, financiers accented with brown butter, and scones dotted with cranberries. 

See also: 11 places to explore in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur
 

Hurry Hari is one of George Town’s latest openings. The minimalist café proves a perfect hangout for those seeking respite, complete with handcrafted beverages and sweets. You’ll be able to stick to caffeinated classics like long blacks and lattes or venture into the realm of inventive brews with the spot’s espresso tonic.

If you’re constantly plagued by indecision, opt for its Mood Drink and let the baristas surprise you with a mystery caffeinated mocktail.

Tucked inside a camera store is Super Slow Bar, a specialist in all things caffeine. You’ll find a variety of brews in a space perfect to spend laidback Saturday afternoons. Alongside coffee creations, the café also offers a selection of non-espresso based beverages. 

Black Salt has recently blossomed in Bukit Damansara, enriching the suburb’s dining scene with plates informed by both European and Asian cuisine. Soulful plates are this restaurant’s specialities. Order its char siew made in-house, panfried Chee cheong fun with salted egg sauce, and a variety of tapas, and finish your meal with a brandy-flambéed crepes suzette.