If there’s one thing we Malaysians are consistent at, it is hunting for new cafés and restaurants. Fortunately, the culinary world always expands with international flavours, breathtaking ambiences, and impeccable services.
On The Eat List this month, we cover some new eateries that serve scrumptious eats like carbonara, sushi, omurice, and pastries in Kuala Lumpur. Add them to your list for a terrific night out this month in the big city.
Mesa on 51
A new venture by The Marini’s Group, Mesa On 51 serves both Spanish and Japanese-style cuisines. Located on the 51st floor of the Permata Sapura Tower, the restaurant is divided into three sections: The Restaurant, which serves Spanish delicacies; the Nikkei Lounge, where you’ll find fresh Japanese sushi and sashimi paired with the best whiskies the world has to offer; and the Terrace Bar, an open-air rooftop bar for those who need to unwind.
Address: Level 51, Permata Sapura Tower, Lot 91, Jalan Pinang, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03 2386 6030
Opening hours: Monday: 9am – 2am | Tuesday to Sunday: 5pm – 3am
W marinisgroup.com | I @mesaon51
Cantina Pasta E Vino
If you’re longing for some delicious, handmade pasta for a mid-week dinner, Cantina Pasta e Vino serves some really good options. You can opt for various types of pasta like pappardelle, bucatini, fettuccine, and the good ol’ spaghetti – whatever your heart desires.
Have your pasta in two signature carbonara styles – the Italian way infused with guanciale or the American version using smoky bacon – or try the fresh tortellini filled with smoked salmon and ricotta. Food aside, Cantina has an extensive range of wines. From reds to whites and rosés, its cellar has every note to satisfy your cravings.
Address: 5-1, Jalan 2/109f, Taman Danau Desa, 58100 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 011 6251 0188
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 5pm – 12pm
Sunnies
Sunnies – the sibling café of croissants and coffee nook Tanned – is a vibrant new addition to Publika’s café scene. Classic brunch fare is served in a cosy and welcoming setting, making it the ideal place to catch up with your favourite folks over the weekend. The menu consists of pastas, bread, pastries, all-day breakfast plates, and more. Highlights include the Smoked Duck on Toast, Buttermilk Tiger Prawn Rigatoni, Truffle Mushroom Rigatoni, and an assortment of açai bowls, along with great coffee to complete your outing.
Address: D4-G3-3A, Jalan Dutamas 1, Solaris Dutamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 012 882 3206
Opening hours: Every day at 9am – 5.30pm
Vagabond
After a successful collaboration abroad, co-founders Chef Woon Ming and Chef Daniel Gerrard Kong have brought their culinary knowledge of international gastronomy back to Kuala Lumpur. The duo’s cooking style is inspired by their travelling experiences across Australia, bringing an array of flavours to Vagabond. With the atmosphere of a typical Australian neighbourhood wine bar, you can anticipate a fusion of Southeast Asian food that utilises local produce.
Address: 4, Jalan 28/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03 2389 2020
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11.30am – 3pm & 6pm – 10pm
SOL @ The Met
Inspired by its Latin heritage, SOL is the newest restaurant and rooftop bar to join the Olive Tree Group, located on the 40th floor of The Met Corporate Towers.
With 6,000 square feet of space, you can anticipate a variety of meats and seafood prepared over its charcoal grill with authentic Latin flavours, accompanied by breathtaking views. The six-hour pulled lamb shoulder and claypot seafood paella are two of its must-try dishes.
Address: A-40-01, Menara The Met, 20, Jalan Dutamas 2, Kompleks Kerajaan, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 019 204 5211
Opening hours: Weekdays: 12pm – 2am | Weekends: 3pm to 2am
W theolivetreegroup.com | I @sol_themet
Stefania
Formerly a chef at Brasa, Natalina, and Nero Nero of the Cinnamon Group, Chef Diago Reali has now launched Stefania, serving real Roman flavours to foodies of Kuala Lumpur.
The restaurant is a memorial to his mother, Stefania Cristofari, a famous Italian cook who founded the historic Hosteria Amedeo restaurant in 1958. In addition to a substantial wine selection, the menu features robust Italian classics like Polpettine Fritte, Capesante al Cavolfiore, Carpaccio di Manzo, and Frittura di Mare. This romantic spot, which is tucked away on a quiet street in the bustling capital, might be the ideal place for your next date night.
Address: Unit 1.02, G floor, NAZA Tower, Platinum Park, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 014 675 2799
Opening hours: Every day at 12pm – 10.30pm
W stefaniarestaurant.com | I @stefaniarestaurant
Up & Away
Up & Away, the new day-to-night spot for delicious cuisine and amazing music is located at the ever-expanding, busy Petaling Street neighbourhood. For those who want to party all night, the upstairs bar, run by Jordan Lim, serves a variety of cocktails, Paper Kite local beer, and spirits to keep your party going. That’s not all; it has joined forces with Alta Café downstairs to serve you scrumptious burgers, moussaka, and pastrami to curb your hunger after a night of drinking and dancing.
Address: 141, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 016 311 3369
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 5pm – 1am | Weekends: 5pm – 3am
Grey Café
Solaris Dutamas just welcomed Grey Café to its neighbourhood, serving diners with Japanese-inspired tarts and pastries. You can expect treats like hojicha-infused Mont Blanc, and French toast cooked with house-made shokupan topped with banana brûlée and fresh strawberry compote. Enjoy these desserts with an excellent selection of beverages like Peach Garden Tea, Ichigo Matcha, and Fuji Ume Boi. Drop Grey Café a message on Instagram to book a spot.
Address: A1-G2-01, Solaris Dutamas, 1, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Friday to Wednesday: 9am – 10pm
Fiancée
Fiancée, a sister cafe of Second Date Patisserie, is the newest eatery in The Met Corporate Offices. The menu features Western meals with an Asian twist, combining flavours of the East and the West. Along with a variety of different foods and pastries, you may find signature treats like Tempura Prawn Brioche Rolls and Red Date Goji Latte. Additionally, its interior has a soft and inviting feel, with floating koi fish and white cloth draped artfully across the ceiling.
Address: Menara The Met. 20, Jalan Dutamas 2, Segambut, 50480, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 10am – 10pm daily
Lachér Patisserie
Due to the popularity of the distinctive petit cakes at its Lachér-to-go location in Plaza Conlay, Lachér Patisserie has opened a new location at The Met Corporate Offices. It is now extending the menu to include Viennoiserie dishes – breakfast pastries created in the style of Vienna.
The new Lachér Patisserie will now include pastries like croissants, Danishes, Portuguese egg tart, gochujang egg, and beef ragu, besides its usual cakes and tarts. It has a fantastic selection of drinks like iced chocolate and dirty matcha to wash everything down, keeping you seated at its exquisitely designed eatery.
Address: LG 01-02, Menara The MET, Jalan Dutamas 2, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03 7627 1202 / 03 6141 0888
Opening hours: Weekdays: 8:30am – 7pm | Weekends: 11am–7pm
W lacherpatisserie.com | I @lacherpatisserie
Bella Pasta & Wine
Bella is the place to go if you are craving something Italian, freshly created, and handmade. This pasta bar makes its noodles on the spot and serves an array of sides like calamari fritti and caprese. For the mains, try the Crab and Ricotta Stuffed Ravioli, Beef Cheek Ragout with Mafaldine Pasta, Tomato and Tiger Prawn Tagliatelle, Duck Carbonara with Duck Prosciutto, and crackling pork rind, aside from the wide array of red and white Italian wines.
Address: 20A, Lorong Rahim Kajai 14, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 012 964 1635
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 12pm – 3pm & 6pm – 12am
Papibu
With the arrival of Papibu in Alfa Bangsar, diners in the neighbourhood will now have more food options and a new hangout spot. This stunning café offers freshly made matcha lattes, espresso tonics, and oat milk chocolate coolers, to name a few inventive beverages. There is a variety of pastries and baked items as well, but diners are raging about the croissants and chocolate pastries. The place gets crowded during peak hours so head to its Instagram to book a spot.
Address: 8, Jalan Tandok, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Friday to Wednesday: 8am – 4pm
Cohii Culture
Coffee lovers, this café should be your regular spot. Cohii Culture is lively and welcoming, serving inventive coffee like Tiramisu Cocoa Latte, Marshmallow Caramel Macchiato, Coconut Espresso Cloud, and Cohii Signature. If you prefer something light, try the popular Yuzu Matcha that goes perfectly well with the croissants.
Address: Lot 1.08, Level 1, RainTreeRain @ The Era Duta North, 208, Jalan Segambut, Kawasan Perusahaan Segambut, 51200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday: 9am – 6pm
OrGelato
At OrGelato, you can find flavours like real vanilla, couverture chocolate, and whole pistachios. Everything is produced in-house including the bases, pastes, and brown sugar cones. Go for its signature gelatos like Earl Grey Raspberry, Salted Caramel, Lemon Basil Sorbet, Lychee Cassis, and Madagascar Vanilla.
Gelato scoops aside, whole cakes with hazelnut gelato fillings, pistachio semifreddo, mango sorbet, Greek yoghurt gelato, and Madagascar vanilla sorbet are also available for pre-orders at this parlour.
Address: LG-01-03, Menara The MET, 20, Jalan Dutamas 2, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: 03 3005 2883
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday & Sunday: 12pm – 10pm | Friday & Saturday: 12pm – 12am
W orgelato.com | I @orgelato
Obvi Pizza
Located at Ara Damansara, get your pizza fix at Obvi Pizza, which is a branch of the cult-favourite Mokky’s Pizza. It has furnished a nice area upstairs with subtle décor pieces to elevate your dining experience.
Try the Pepperoni Playboy, which is named after a Mac Demarco song and consists of beef pepperoni, beef sausages, and red onion on top. You can also go for the original flavour, which predates Mokky’s Pizza, and is lathered with sautéed mushrooms and spinach cream cheese sauce. The Earthy Pizza is another crowd-favourite. Obvi Pizza is a perfect dining space for friends and family to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.
Address: Ara Permata, 36-1, Jalan PJU 1a/42, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: 03 7832 2177
Opening hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 5pm – 11pm
I @obvi.za
Header image: Mesa on 51
For more intriguing restaurants and cafés in KL, head here.