#BUROEats: 12 New Restaurants, Cafés & Bars Around KL & PJ to Explore in May 2025
Make way for May
The BURO guide to the must-know new restaurants, cafés, and bars around KL and PJ that are worth checking out this May 2025.
May is here and we are once again on the lookout for the best new restaurants, cafés, and bars around KL and PJ to try. In this edition of #BUROEats, we introduce you to 12 new spots that are worthy of keeping on your radar. Whether you’re in for some comforting Japanese fare, want to treat your sweet tooth to some churros, or simply want a chic new spot to visit for a nightcap, you’re in the right place. So get your group chats out and start your planning!
1. RHEA
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The Karls Group has welcomed its newest member with the opening of Rhea, located in the heart of Bukit Damansara. Designed to be your dining retreat from the busy neighbourhood, Rhea is home to globally-inspired bites that will feed you all day long. Its menus are graced by the likes of the Big Ben Duck & Waffle, a truffled chicken pot pie, a New York-style smashed double cheeseburger, and so much more so you’re guaranteed to be well-fed while here.
Address: 01-02, Ground Floor, Menara Milenium, 8, Jalan Damanlela, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 7.30am to 10pm (weekdays) | 9am to 10pm (weekends)
Contact: +6011 6260 6610
2. BENIHANA
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The world-famous teppanyaki restaurant brand Benihana is finally here, opening its doors smack dab in the middle of the city at Suria KLCC. Diners here will be treated to endless theatrics that don’t skimp on flavour as the trained chefs work the flaming grills with undeniable finesse. A great experience for the entire family, the restaurant has got everything you need for a memorable dining experience, including a Midori Kaiseki course, grilled seafood, marbled meats, and more.
Address: LOT LC-401, LC-401A & LC-407, Level 4, Suria KLCC, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am to 10pm (daily)
Contact: +6017 558 8014
Website | Reservations | Instagram
3. LO & BEHOLD
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Chinatown has welcomed a fun new hangout for bargoers and city dwellers alike to discover. Lo & Behold—located below its sister establishment Up & Away—is here to deliver comfort bites and sweet treats late into the night. Highlights on the menu include its honey gochujang chicken, ramdon with grilled oysterblade steak, creamy Thai tomyum pasta, baja fish tacos, and more. Our advice: pop by with a group of friends before your night out, so you can sample more of its dishes and line your stomachs well!
Address: 141G, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 12pm to 12am (Tuesday to Sunday)
Contact: +6017 588 2247
4. HARUKI NABE KAISEKI
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If Japanese comfort food is your ultimate weakness, you’ll want to add this place to your list ASAP. Nestled in the busy neighbourhood of Damansara Jaya, this cosy hangout is our new go-to for bubbling broths, appetising small plates, perfectly charred grilled meats, and more. A meal here wouldn’t be complete without one of its nabe pots, such as the Wagyu beef shabu-shabu or the chanko nabe. The interiors and booth seats here also add to the experience, giving diners comfort and privacy during their meal.
Address: 38, Jalan SS 22/25, Damansara Jaya, 47400 Petaling Jaya
Opening hours: 5pm to 11pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
Contact: +6017 720 0930
5. TONDA PIZZA ROMANA (KIARA BAY & BAMBINO KL)
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Tonda Pizza Romana, brought to you by the minds behind Round Pizza Napoletana, is popping up all around KL, so pay attention if you love your slices fresh and saucy. Its first outpost is located in Kiara Bay Kepong’s Common Space. The stars of the show here are its Malaysian-built Adella brick ovens, which create the perfect firm crusts. You can’t go wrong with a classic Pork Pepperoni pizza or turn to the Funghi e Tartufo for something a little more fancy.
On the flip side, you won’t have to wait until you get home for that post-night out slice anymore. Tonda Pizza Romana is also firing up their ovens from within the Bambino KL space. Bringing some freshly baked slices to your cocktail nights, this pizza specialist is all about achieving the perfect thin-ish crusts with toppings that will have you wanting more. Also, keep your eyes peeled for their new location, launching soon in Taman Desa.
Address:
- Kiara Bay: Common Space Kiara Bay, Lot No. G-2, G-3, G-4, Karya Bayu Metropolitan, Kiara Bay, 51, Persiaran Putra Bayu, Kepong, 52100 Kuala Lumpur
- Bambino KL: 21-M, Jalan Medan Setia 1, Bukit Damansara, 50490 Kuala Lumpur
6. PIZZA DAY
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Another pizza specialist to look out for this month is Pizza Day over in Taman Desa. Headlining the menu are its rectangular-shaped Roman thin crust pizzas, made in an Italian-built modular oven with quintessential Italian ingredients of the highest quality. Ordering here is easy as it currently only offers its course-by-course menu that spans three variations of pizzas, three focaccia sandwiches, and three desserts—all for just RM78+ per person. While there may be no way to tell exactly what you might be getting on any given day, you can rest assured that you’ll be feasting on what chef deems is best—sort of like a pizza omakase.
Address: 53G, Jalan 1/109e, Taman Desa Business Park, 58100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 11.30 am to 2.30 pm & 5.30 to 10 pm (Wednesday to Sunday)
Contact: Call +603 7972 1818 | WhatsApp +6013 329 1918
7. NAPOLIA
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Completing the trio of new pizza-focused restaurants to check out in KL this May 2025 is Napolia. Taking over Pizzeria Dihyang’s former space, this new eatery brings a slice of Naples to the Chow Kit neighbourhood. Its menu goes beyond the typical pizza offerings with the likes of pizza portafoglio and pizza fritta on offer. The former, loosely translated to “wallet pizza”, is a portable version of pizza, folded and wrapped in oven paper. Meanwhile, the latter is simply fried pizza, a decadent yet irresistible version of the dish. With Solania tomatoes being used in its sauces, you can expect nothing but the brightest and most flavorful of sauces on your pizzas. Other dishes to sample include the frittatina (pasta fritters with cheese and besciamella), croquettes (mashed potato croquettes), and volcano-shaped arancini.
Address: 14G, Jalan Yap Ah Shak, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 6pm to 11pm (Sunday to Thursday) | 12pm to 3pm & 6pm to 11pm (Friday and Saturday) | closed on Monday
8. RYE @ HILTON PETALING JAYA
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Hilton Petaling Jaya has welcomed its brand new watering hole, Rye, where the cocktails take centre stage. Perfect for your post-work nightcaps or a catchup with your favourite people, Rye has everything you need for an easygoing time, including warm lighting and live music. Get a taste of the tropics with the signature Hilton Blue Hawaii or go for something on the classic side of things with the Ryegroni. Rye also offers curated food pairings and private rooms for those who want a more complete or intimate experience.
Address: 2, Jalan Barat, PJS 52, 46200 Petaling Jaya
Opening hours: 4pm to 1am (Wednesday to Sunday)
Contact: +603 7955 9122
9. THE OKAJU BAR
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Okaju Japanese Grill has welcomed a new chapter with the opening of The Okaju Bar. Dedicated to the after-hours sessions alongside some stellar bites, this chic hangout will be your go-to for your slower nights out on the town. For a complete Okaju experience, pop by after your meal at the restaurant, where your appetite will savour everything from the first bite to the last sip.
Note: The Okaju Bar is currently temporarily closed for renovations. Follow its Instagram for updates.
Address: G30 & G31, Ground Floor, Starhill Gallery, 181, Jalan Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10pm to 2am (Friday and Saturday)
10. GIGGLES
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Those who frequent the Taman Sea neighbourhood now have a new all-day eatery to check out with the opening of Giggles. Its food menu is dotted with flavours from cuisines of the world, spanning plates both big and small. Menu highlights include its smoky and spiced chicken chop, nasi lemak with ayam berempah, jerk chicken on sourdough, mac and cheese, and kombu butter tiger prawns. For dessert, take your pick from its selection of cakes or settle for a scoop of its very own gelato.
Address: 19, Jalan SS 23/15, Taman Sea, 47400 Petaling Jaya
Opening hours: 8am to 10pm (daily)
Contact: +6012 360 3131
11. SWIRL
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Popping up in Seksyen 17, Swirl is here for all your soft serve needs. This pet-friendly café offers an incredible variety of soft serve-centric treats such as sundaes, cookie bowls, and more. On the drinks side of things, you can choose from a range of kombucha that will do wonders for your gut too. Keep an eye on its Instagram account to find out what its monthly specials are! And if you happen to bring your furkid along for the ride, make sure to stop by its sister brand Haiwan just next door to pick up some bespoke pet accessories and more.
Address: 76, Jalan 17/1a, Seksyen 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya
Opening hours: 12pm to 11.30pm (daily)
Contact: +6011 5559 6118
12. CHULOP @ THE EXCHANGE TRX
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Chulop has landed at The Exchange TRX, bringing its delectable dough treats to the bustling city centre. Its storefront is located at Market Lane, where you can pop by for a quick to-go box or stay a little longer for a mid-shopping snack break. We are fans of its original churros but its pandan churros with gula Melaka dip are also worth ordering. For a truly indulgent sweet treat, go for a box of its special churros with toppings such as its cookie crunch churros and s’mores churros.
Address: Lot GS.06, Market Lane, The Exchange TRX, Persiaran TRX, 55188 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am to 10pm (daily)
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