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

Having officially launched on February 14, Sōfte is Kuala Lumpur’s newest ice cream specialist. At the helm of the dessert spot is Chef Elwyn Boyles—his background in pastry and creating edible art evident in each of Softe’s offerings. Ingredients traditionally used in Asian cuisine are spotlighted here, redefining classic ice cream flavours. A mint and matcha ice cream accompanied by pandan syrup and coconut jelly was the first item conceptualised by Boyle, with curry leaf Madeleines being the latest.

Housing elevations of traditional Spanish fare, Las Meninas should be at the top of your list when hunting for tapas. Staying true to its defining cuisine, Las Meninas offers seafood-forward plates like paella de marisco and boquerones with fresh anchovies. While hearty meat dishes are also available, a crowd favourite proves its grilled octopus tacos. The restaurant has a full-service bar with bespoke cocktails and an impressive selection of Spanish and international wines.

Founded by Ellina Amin, Nik Affan and Ozeir Mohamed, Pucks Coffee is the latest addition to KL’s coffee scene. Its interior is steeped in creativity and eccentricity, dotted with a macédoine of vintage decor and street art. Coffeehouse staples can be found here alongside down-to-earth small plates like grilled cheese sandwiches. The café aspires to house a film processing lab and eventually become a community space.

Yakiniku is, at its core, focused on the art of grilling meats, and so is Yakiniku Botan. Featuring only the finest ingredients, the Setia Alam eatery offers a wide selection of premium meats and fresh seafood, from wagyu tenderloin to Japanese oysters. The restaurant also offers an array of a la carte options, including staples like Japanese curry and beef gyoza. Pair a meal here with one of the many spirits available. We recommend umeshu plum sake.

Feliz highlights a cuisine derived from seafaring, Japanese migration, and cultural exchange of the late 19th century. Specialising in Nikkei cuisine, a fusion of Japanese and Peruvian elements, Feliz offers vibrant Latin-American ingredients complemented by Japanese culinary precision. Its gunkan anticuchero and tartare de atun Nikkei prove notable highlights. 

Copper Grillhouse boasts a 50 year legacy of spearheading North Indian cuisine across continents. The restaurant celebrates traditional Indian flavours and preserves techniques passed down through generations by handcrafting every curry, marinating grills for over 24 hours, and baking tandoor-cooked bread daily.

Lesser known cuisine dishes alongside familiar counterparts can be found here, from chickpeas soaked in a tea leaf infusion with pomegranate powder and Patiala-style fish simmered in onion gravy. Its drink menu is similarly an ode to India’s rich reservoir of flavours, with mocktails inspired by the subcontinent’s ingredients.

Having established itself as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to ramen, Kyoto’s renowned plant-based ramen specialist has made its way to Kuala Lumpur. Towzen does not compromise on the dish’s defining silkiness, supplanting conventional pork bone broth with a blend of soy milk, dashi, and soy sauce. The restaurant also offers broth crafted from walnut milk to pair with particularly umami or fiery additions like black sesame or Sichuan mala.

With community building at the forefront of the restaurant’s intentions, Noa focuses on both nourishing meals and small plates designed to be shared. Situated beside The Courts at Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club, expect hearty breakfasts, protein shakes, sandwiches, and pastry. Its small plate selection traverses a variety of cuisines, from gin and tonic-cured salmon tacos to an assortment of kushiyaki. Its drinks menu is equally impressive, showcasing kedondong mojitos, coconut calamansi margaritas, and Latin-inspired cocktails. 

A private dining experience helmed by Chef Liang, Liang’s Dining showcases contemporary Chinese cuisine. The eatery proves an ode to modernity and tradition, uplifting the cuisine’s defining ingredients with a distinct sophistication. Each dish is refined, immaculately plated, and always pays tribute to culinary heritage. Expect black chicken mushroom garum and cauliflower scallops with chlorophyll alongside a chrysanthemum and red date dessert inspired by family recipes.