The Klang Valley’s dining scene has welcomed a slew of new F&B venues since the start of the year and it doesn’t seem to be slowing down any time soon. This March, The Eat List brings you to the usual Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya neighbourhoods such as TTDI, Petaling Street, and Bukit Bintang – and even beyond to Setia Alam.
With a variety of cuisines spanning Sri Lankan, Italian, Japanese, and European, there’s something new for every palate to discover. Take your pick from our roundup of 13 new cafes, bars, and restaurants below.
Ministry Of Crab
Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Crab, a world-renowned destination for premium mud crabs and freshwater prawns, officially opened its doors in Kuala Lumpur on 27 February, 2025 to much anticipation. Making its debut at TUAH 1895 (located in front of LalaPort), Ministry of Crab has been ranked among Asia’s 50 Best Restaurants for eight consecutive years from 2015 to 2022.
The KL outpost upholds the restaurant’s no-freezer policy, with seafood air-flown directly from Sri Lanka every fortnight to ensure freshness. Among the must-try dishes here include the Crab Liver Pate (dubbed the caviar of Ministry of Crab); Black Pepper Dashi Crab, and Garlic Chilli Prawn. The restaurant also has private rooms available for intimate events and bookings.
Address: GF-03 M-02, TUAH 1895, 2, Jln Hang Tuah, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, 5.30pm – 10.30pm | Friday to Saturday, 5.30pm – 11.30pm
Contact: 017-773 3680
W ministryofcrab.my | I @ministryofcrab.kl | F @ministryofcrab.kl
CHARR
Woodfire-kissed cuisine meets Cantonese ‘wok hey’ at CHARR, a new wood-fire BBQ restaurant in The Manor, KLCC. CHARR’s culinary philosophy is rooted in the age-old tradition of charring – hence the name – a technique that enhances natural ingredients through caramelisation and the Maillard reaction. Highlights on the menu include Pommes Anna with Herbs Crema & Smoked Trout Roe, Chicken Wings with Pad Kra Pao & Fermented Hot Sauce, and Seasonal Fish with Singapore Laksa.
CHARR is also home to a dynamic bar offering a election of signature cocktails, wines, and locally crafted beers that complement the smoky, bold flavours from the kitchen. Plus, the beverage program incorporates sustainable practices such as repurposing pineapple skins for house-made tepache. Aside from the main menu, CHARR is set to offer Chef’s Table experiences and curated tasting menus.
Address: 47-3A, The Manor, 3, Persiaran Stonor, City Centre, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 6pm – 11pm, Wednesday to Sunday | Closed on Monday & Tuesday
Contact: 017-894 5447 | Online Reservation
圭 K
Simply named 圭 K for “kaiseki” – a style of traditional Japanese cuisine featuring a series of small intricate dishes – this new establishment in Ilham Tower offers fine dining at its best. Helmed by Chef Hidemichi Seki, formerly of the two-Michelin-starred Tenku Ryugin, K is a product three years in the making. Blending refined Japanese culinary techniques with Malaysia’s rich natural bounty, this ever-evolving menu presents attention to detail with every course.
Address: Ilham Tower, 8 Jalan Binjai, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia 50450
Opening hours: 7pm – 11pm, Wednesday to Saturday
Contact: 012-409 2114
W kkualalumpur.com | I @k.aiseki
Moto
Tucked in D’Network @ Setia Eco Park, Moto is Setia Alam’s latest European restaurant and bar. Part of the Hanareya Group, Moto embraces the group’s ethos of celebrating Japanese culinary traditions and produce, while blending it with classic European dishes.
Chef William Cheang helms the kitchen, bringing with him years of experience working in global kitchens to curate a la carte lunch and dinner menus with his personal touch. Some of his personal recommendations include the Nicoise Salad, Signature Bouillabaisse, and Roman Carbonara, to name a few. Meanwhile, the bar offers an array of carefully crafted cocktails to complement the food or to enjoy on their own.
Address: Lot 2 & 3, Ground Floor, Jalan Setia Nusantara U13/17 Seksyen U13/17, Setia Alam, 40179 Shah Alam, Selangor
Opening hours: 12pm – 3pm, 5.30pm – 1am daily
Contact: 014-343 4091
W hanareyagroup.com | I @dine_in_moto
Social Room
Brought to you by the team behind KARLS Group, Social Room is a bar and lounge space designed to spark great conversations. Situated inside Menara Milenium in Damansara Heights, it offers a cosy and inviting atmosphere adorned with elegant decor, making it an ideal spot for evening gatherings. Currently in its soft-launch phase, patrons can expect crafted cocktails and fine spirits, as well as freshly brewed coffee from its sister cafe, Supernormal.
Address: Level 1, Menara Milenium, 8, Jalan Damanlela, Bukit Damansara, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 5pm – 10pm | Closed on Sunday
Kailash Parbat
Renowned Indian vegetarian restaurant chain Kailash Parbat has recently opened its first Malaysian outpost in Kuala Lumpur’s NU Sentral Mall. Established in the 1940s by the Mulchandani brothers in Karachi, the brand has evolved from a humble roadside stall to an international chain with locations in countries such as the United States, Singapore, and the Netherlands. The restaurant specialises in Indian vegetarian street food, particularly ‘chaat’ – a category of savoury snacks known for their vibrant flavours. One must-try here is the KP Chaat Platter, a sampler of spicy-savoury snacks.
Address: LOT LG27 & LG28, Nu Sentral, Shopping Center, Jalan Tun Sambanthan, Brickfields, 50470 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 11am – 10pm daily
Contact: 019-668 4528
IPPUDO | MAiSEN
Malaysia made culinary history with the launch of the first ever IPPUDO | MAiSEN concept at The Gardens Mall, combining two well-loved Japanese restaurants under one roof. This innovative concept brings together the best of both worlds, allowing patrons to simultaneously enjoy the rich, flavourful ramen of IPPUDO and MAiSEN’s crispy, tender tonkatsu. Each dish celebrates their joint dedication to quality and craftmanship, with highlights such as Shiromaru Special, IPPUDO Kuro Special, and Nankotsu Tantanmen.
Address: Lot-T217 & 218, 3rd Floor, The Gardens Mall, Lingkaran Syed Putra, Mid Valley City, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10.30am – 10pm daily
Contact: 03-2201 6238
W ippudo.com.my | I @ippudomalaysia | F IppudoMalaysia
No.27 Petaling Street
No.27 Petaling Street is the new kid on the block in KL’s bustling Chinatown. Housed in a beautifully restored heritage building, this hidden gem blends old-world charm with understated contemporary appeal, creating an inviting space for coffee enthusiasts and cocktail lovers alike. By day, it serves artisanal coffee and delectable pastries; while by night, it transforms into a chic bar offering expertly crafted cocktails inspired by local flavours. Katong Laksa is the signature order here, but there’s also teochew kueh and cakes for tea-time treats.
Address: No. 27 (1st Floor, Jalan Hang Lekir, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 11am – 10pm, Monday to Saturday | Closed on Sunday
Contact: 03-2022 2767
Il Forno
Fans of Italian fare have another new spot to check out in the form of Il Forno, nestled on the 19th floor of Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur. The name translates to “the oven” in Italian, signalling the restaurant’s piece de resistance – an imported Italian pizza oven handcrafted from volcanic stones from Naples. This dedication to authentic Italian cuisine is reflected in its menu of handmade pastas and Neapolitan-style pizzas, served alongside a selection of Italian wines and classic cocktails. Completing the Il Forno experience are panoramic views of the city skyline from both indoor and al fresco dining areas.
Address: Level 19, Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur, 17, Jln Sultan Ismail, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 6.30am – 10pm daily
Contact: 012-628 9421
W hyatt.com | I @ilfornokl
Tanburi
Tanburi is another new restaurant debuting in Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur, serving up a variety of Indian tandoori dishes with local touches. Surrounded by lush greenery, Tanburi offers a serene space to unwind as you indulge in its flavourful offerings. Expect specialty donburi-style rice bowls topped with Indian tandoori prepared in tandoor ovens and dressed in an assortment of homemade sauces and condiments. Besides that, there are also naan and tandoor-based sandwiches known as “nanini” for a comforting, sumptuous bite.
Address: 17, Level G, Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur, Jln Sultan Ismail, 50450 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 7am – 9pm daily
Contact: 012-602 4663
W hyatt.com | I @tanburikl
Yafa
Founded by the brains behind Marookha in TTDI, Yafa brings a taste of Palestine to the same neighbourhood as its cousin. Owner Zara Riza opened the restaurant to preserve Palestinian culture and culinary heritage in honour of her father-in-law, who hails from Yafa. The restaurant’s warm ambiance, adorned with intricate Middle Eastern décor, creates a welcoming atmosphere – perfect for iftar sessions this month and family gatherings beyond Raya. Dishes range from steaming bowls of lentil soup to slow-roasted lamb with ozi rice and sweet pastries like Balah Al-Sham.
Address: 7, Lorong Datuk Sulaiman 7, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 6pm – 10pm
Contact: 012-607 5852
W | I @yafarestaurant.kl
Super Matcha
You may already have seen this mean green matcha-making machine at The Exchange TRX (or on your social media feed). We’re talking about Super Matcha, Korea’s No. 1 organic matcha brand, which has officially landed on our shores. This flagship outlet offers everything a matcha enthusiast would adore, including lattes, burnt cheesecakes, pastries, and ice cream – all crafted using Super Matcha’s own brand of matcha, of course.
Address: GS.01.0, Ground Level, The Exchange TRX, Exchange, Persiaran TRX, Tun Razak, 55188 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm daily
Rawtee
Rawtee has just opened its doors in Bukit Bintang, specialising in Italian focaccia sandwiches with Muslim-friendly ingredients. Located inside the HSBC building, this sandwich stop does not hold back on the fillings, with a variety of flavourful options to tickle your fancy. Choices include Chicken Mortadella with stracciatella cheese and pistachio cream, as well as Anello Pesto with lamb leg, mozarella cheese, Grana Padano, and sun-dried tomatoes.
Address: 33, Jln Sultan Ismail, Bukit Bintang, 50250 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 8am – 8pm on weekdays | 11am – 8pm on weekends
Find more eateries to satisfy your appetite here.
Photos courtesy of respective establishments unless otherwise credited