Food + Drink

#BUROEats: 13 New cafés and restaurants to explore in KL & PJ in May 2024

Bites of May

02.05.2024

By Amanda Fung

FEATURED IMAGES: @GRUMPYBAGELS, @THECHARCOALGRILL_, AND @SHAKESHACKMY / INSTAGRAM
#BUROEats: 13 New cafés and restaurants to explore in KL & PJ in May 2024

We’re never short of new blooms in our local dining scene. The last few weeks have seen a ton of new eateries popping up all over the area, including Grumpy Bagels, Kooky Bowl, Nareo Donut, and more. To make your food hunting adventures a little easier this month, here are our top picks of new cafés and restaurants in KL and PJ that you need to visit this May!

 

1. SKILLET

Though it isn’t a new arrival on the scene, Skillet has finally revealed its revamped location in Menara Hap Seng after weeks of anticipation. Offering a taste of Europe’s finest flavours, Skillet promises a classy and refined dining experience at the hands of its talented chefs led by chefs Raymond Tham and Eric Kit. Whether you’re there for lunch or dinner, you’ll be enjoying creative modern plates such as quail eggs with fermented soybean chilli and tiger prawns with ramsons and angel hair pasta.

Address: Lot 1-01, Menara Hap Seng 3, Level 1, Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 12pm to 3 pm & 6pm to 10 pm (Thursday to Sunday) | 6pm to 10pm (Tuesday to Wednesday) | Closed on Mondays

Contact: +6019 212 1240

Website | Instagram | Facebook

 

2. GRUMPY BAGELS

 

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Housed within an old bungalow along Jalan Imbi is your new go-to for your bagel fix: Grumpy Bagels. Its lineup includes both savoury and sweet options, so there’s something for everyone on the menu. Whether you’re in for an open-faced sandwich or something more substantial like its Signature Grumpy Breakfast, you’re bound to scratch your bagel itch when here. Plus, you could even get in an Instagram photo or two thanks to its cosy and well-decorated space.

 

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Address: 5, Jalan Kamunting, Off Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm (Monday to Sunday) | closed on Tuesday and Thursday

Contact: +6011 1113 4985

Instagram | Facebook

 

3. N.I.C.E BISTRONOME

 

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Coming to you from the team behind Chateau Dionne is N.I.C.E Bistronome, an eatery to visit for hearty and vibrant European fare. Its menu takes inspiration from the flavours of the French Riviera town, Nice, so you can expect refreshing and summery dishes all year round. Among its menu’s highlights are the Niçoise salad, tiger prawn pasta, burrata and fig salad, escargot, and duck leg confit.

 

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Address: 939, Jalan 17/38, Seksyen 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya

Opening hours: 11am to 11pm, daily

Contact: +6011 5110 7309

Instagram

 

4. SHAKE SHACK

 

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Perhaps one of the biggest openings to grace our local dining scene this year was the launch of Shake Shack at The Exchange TRX. Its menu spans both Shake Shack classics and city-exclusive specials, including the TRXopical Park frozen custard and the Bunga Raya shake. As for its burgers, you can’t go wrong with a classic ShackBurger or the SmokeShack if you love beef bacon. 

 

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Address: Plaza The Exchange TRX, PL.11.0, Persiaran TRX, Imbi, 55188 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 10am to 10pm, daily

Website | Instagram | Facebook

 

5. LUNA KITCHEN

 

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Blossoming along Jalan Tun H S Lee is Luna Kitchen, a café—currently in its soft launch phase—that serves heartwarming baked foods. Its space is simple and comfortable, perfect for a little bite alongside some coffee in the heart of the city. Menu highlights include its lemon blueberry loaf, lemon poppyseed loaf, and banana loaf. Look forward to more Russian and European fare from its hot kitchen that is slated to launch soon. 

 

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Address: 196, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 9am to 5pm (Wednesday to Monday) 

Contact: +6019 332 0988

Instagram

 

6. NAREO DONUT

 

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Consider your doughnut cravings taken care of thanks to Taman Paramount’s latest newcomer: Nareo Donut. Its pillowy lineup includes indulgent variants such as Boston Cream and Tiramisu. Those who prefer more fruity bites can go for its Mandarin Yuzu, whereas fans of local flavours can try its Coconut Kaya. While you’re there, pick up a cuppa for your coffee fix of the day, courtesy of Curate Coffee Roasters beans. 

 

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Address: 37G, Jalan 20/14, Taman Paramount, 46300 Petaling Jaya

Opening hours: 9am to 6pm (Tuesday to Sunday)

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7. KOOKY BOWL

If you’re looking for a quick yet hearty lunch that is customised to your taste buds, head to the brand new Kooky Bowl in Bandar Sunway. Its menu allows you to make your own trays, letting you choose your proteins, carbs, and greens. Round off your meal with its signature selection of desserts and cakes that you’ve probably seen at its sister outlets, Kooky Cream and Kooky Plate. 

Address: 23, Jalan PJS 11/9, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya

Opening hours: 10am to 10pm, daily

Contact: +6012 675 7396

Instagram

 

8. BARRA KL

 

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Get a taste of Barcelona’s best at Chinatown’s Barra. Chef Ignasi Prat was born in the Spanish city and is bringing all of its signature flavours to its space right here in Kuala Lumpur. Decked in hues of green and brown, its space is classy and offers counter seating for those who want to be face-to-face with the action of the kitchen. On the menu, you’ll find a slew of modern tapas plates with dishes such as Spanish rice cooked in lobster broth with Carabinero prawns and grilled Atlantic octopus. 

 

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Address: 158, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 6pm to 10.30pm (Tuesday to Sunday)

Contact: +6016 588 3966

Instagram

 

9. BELLY AND MEL

 

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Over in Mont Kiara, Belly and Mel has emerged as a new brunch spot worthy of checking out. This bright café was born out of a collaboration between two well-known eateries: Belly and CC by Mel. You’ll find Japanese, Western, and Chinese flavours on its creative plates that serve crowds from brunch all the way to dinner. We recommend the Belly’s Breakkie for anyone looking for a hearty start to their day and the Trio Taco for those who enjoy a fusion of flavours. Meanwhile, don’t forget to quench your thirst with one of its signature craft drinks such as the Frizzy Lo Hon Go or the Double Milo Latte. 

 

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Address: GF, 163 Retail Park, 8, Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur

Opening hours: 11am to 10pm, daily

Contact: +6012 895 3966

Instagram 

 

10. THE CHARCOAL GRILL

For all things fiery and flavourful, make a reservation at The Charcoal Grill. The restaurant started as a stall in Subang Jaya and Shah Alam and eventually moved to a permanent home in Kota Kemuning, making this Damansara Uptown location its second branch. On the menu, you’ll find all sorts of grilled staples from its headlining pork collar chops to prawn tacos. To add some Asian flavours for your meal, sample its Malaysian rempah chicken chops or Balinese-style sticky glazed pork ribs. 

Address: 62G, Jalan SS 21/58, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya

Opening hours: 12pm to 3 pm & 6pm to 10 pm (Tuesday to Sunday)

Contact: +6011 2631 3135

Instagram | Facebook

 

11. NEIGHBOUR CLUB

 

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The best of coffee and cocktails come together at Neighbour Club, tucked along Jalan Sultan. The latest addition to the JWC Coffee Roastery group’s team of cafés, Neighbour Club serves up skillfully brewed coffee as well as silky smooth matcha and some snacks. You can also look forward to a full pastry menu, which will be released as it moves out of its soft launch phase. Once the sun goes down, the space serves as a façade for an exciting cocktail bar that is hidden behind its walls. 

 

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Address: Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur

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12. YUM YUM SENG SENG

 

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Head to B.Land in Petaling Jaya for a fun meal with Yum Yum Seng Seng. Named after the infamous Chinese toast, this quaint eatery serves all sorts of soul food from a creamy prawn spaghetti to a tangy seafood tom yum soup. If you’re visiting in the evenings, you’ll also get to enjoy some live music as you tuck into your meal.

 

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Address: B.Land Bunch, 2, 51A, Jalan 51a/225, 46100 Petaling Jaya

Opening hours: 11am to 10pm (Tuesday to Friday) | 10am to 10pm (Saturday and Sunday) | closed on Monday

Contact: +6017 928 8924

Instagram

 

13. CHUNKY X LOS TACOS

Find cookies and tacos under one roof at this new Taman Paramount café by the teams behind Chunky and Los Tacos. Start your meal here with a beef birria taco or a chicken tinga burrito, both of which promise an explosion of flavours. Then, move on to sweet treats like a crookie—a hybrid between a croissant and cookie—or a classic chunky sea salt chocolate chip cookie. 

Address: 57, Ground Floor, Jalan 21/12, Taman Paramount, 46300 Petaling Jaya

Opening hours: 11am to 9pm (Tuesday to Sunday)

Instagram (Chunky) | Instagram (Los Tacos)

 

 

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