top-new-restaurants-kuala-lumpur-banner

10 New Restaurants in KL Worth Keeping an Eye on [And Trying, of Course!]

I have a love-hate relationship with Kuala Lumpur’s food scene. On one side, I love how it features a wide array of options for different types of cravings, whether Western restaurants, local hawker stalls, peaceful cafes, etc.

On the other hand, it can be hard to keep up with the newest additions to the ever-evolving culinary scene! It may sound like I’m nitpicking, but there’s nothing worse than sitting down in a restaurant and slowly realising that you’ve made a mistake.

So to help you stay updated on the new restaurants in KL that are worth checking out, here’s a list of the ones we’ve tried and why we loved them!

Kuki Vegan

Media credit: kuki.vegan

Address: Unit 1-8, Menara KEN TTDI

Contact details: +60 12-551 2577

Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM

Cost: $$$

Website

Menu

One common misconception about vegan food is that it tastes bland due to the lack of meat and other food groups. Fortunately, we have places like Kuki Vegan that break that stigma by offering amazing flavourful dishes using alternatives to animal produce and skipping the meat!

This fancy Japanese restaurant presents its dishes in creative ways akin to those found in cooking shows. One of the perfect examples of this is their skewered deep-fried potatoes, which are sliced into several layers before being cooked twice to achieve that perfect crispiness.

As for their vegan magic, you can check out their bestselling nasu kakuni to blow your mind. From the texture down to the flavour, you’ll feel like you’re eating pork belly but in reality, it’s a combination of eggplants and tofu—plus, the slightly sweet watermelon sauce is perfect!

Pro tip:

One of the easiest and cheapest ways to get to Kuki Vegan is by taking the bus and dropping off at the Komersial Burhanuddin Bus Stop. From there, you only have to cross the street and walk for around 3 minutes to reach the restaurant!

Good News Pizza

Media credit: goodnews.pizza

Address: Ground Floor, Lot 152, Jalan Petaling

Contact details: +60 3-7622 8730

Operating hours:

  • Monday, Wednesday to Friday: 4:00 PM to 12:00 AM
  • Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 PM to 12:00 AM

Cost: $$

Website

Menu

The pizza scene is one of the most competitive markets in Kuala Lumpur but we can see Good News Pizza being one of the mainstays in the city. For starters, all their pies are made with such attention to detail, using woodfire ovens to let them achieve that perfect leopard-printed crust.

Furthermore, this style of cooking beats any kind of cooking, as it creates that smokey aroma that adds another layer to the pies themselves. Speaking of pies, their pizza comes in various flavours like Neapolitan, Margherita and more!

Aside from pizza, you can also get your hands on some carbs by ordering one of their authentic pasta! These aren’t your typical flavours, with some featuring fancy ingredients like smoked duck, roasted mushrooms, pomodoro sauce and pecorino romano!

Pro tip:

You can end your meal on a sweet note by ordering their ice cream! This is a great way to balance out the savoury flavours that may still be lingering in your mouth after your meal.

Terra Dining

Media credit: terradining.kl

Address: 91, Jln Aminuddin Baki

Contact details: +60 11-7072 7777

Operating hours: Wednesday to Sunday: 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM

Cost: $$

Website

Menu

If you’re looking for a new fancy place to dine in, Terra Dining should be right up your alley! It offers its guests modern Malaysian cuisine that’s cooked to perfection by its impressive roster of chefs, helmed by Chong Yu Cheng.

At the time of writing, they’re only offering an 11-course tasting menu, which consists of flavours from different parts of Malaysia. For instance, one of their starters takes inspiration from Sabah’s famous tiger prawns, which are served over a small chunk of rice.

Another great example of this is their asam laksa, which uses a slipper lobster as opposed to the traditional mackerel. The dish features a strong flavour that can be overwhelming at times but thankfully, it’s paired with a nice glass of pinot gris to cleanse your palate from time to time.

Pro tip:

Consider this place as a fancy conclusion to your date! Before going here, you can visit the nearby KEN Gallery and enjoy a feast for the eyes.

Coal and Clouds

Media credit: coal.clouds

Address: Babel KLCC, Ground Floor, Ramlee Entrance

Contact details: +60 16-963 3520

Operating hours:

  • Weekdays: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM
  • Weekends: 10:00 AM to 9:30 PM

Cost: $$$

Website

Menu

Coal and Clouds is one of the best new places to get premium quality grilled meat in Kuala Lumpur. It’s the ultimate savoury paradise, featuring dishes like smoked sencha steaks, lamb racks and other lip-smacking grilled meat that will leave your mouth watering.

They also serve a wide variety of pasta that pairs well with these grilled bad boys such as their classic Pomodoro and cream carbonara and duck bacon. If you ask us, however, the best one to get is their lobster bisque, as it will allow you to enjoy a fancy surf and turf.

We also love how they offer an inclusive menu, featuring vegan dishes that taste just as spectacular! One of our favourites on this menu is their grilled cauliflower with their delicious homemade miso sauce—chef’s kiss!

Pro tip:

If you’re looking to end your meal on a sweet note, we highly recommend their brown butter cake, as it’s the fluffiest cake you’ll ever try in your life. Plus, the sweet banana puree and hazelnut gelato will blow you away!

Oregano

Media credit: oregano.kl

Address: 35, Jalan SS 4c/5, Taman Rasa Sayang

Contact details: +60 3-7887 2985

Operating hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Cost: $$

Website

Menu

Oregano is one of the best brunch spots in KL, boasting a wide array of cakes, light meals and a myriad of freshly brewed coffee. Starting with their meals, they offer flavours from East Malaysia, with one of their bestsellers being the proven and tested Sarawak laksa.

If you’re looking for something more Western, however, you can also treat yourself to a plate of their buttermilk waffles. They also offer a big breakfast plate that consists of everything you need for a filling meal such as eggs, toast, chicken sausages and more!

Drinks-wise, you can expect the usual coffee drinks you’ll find in famous cafes such as Americanos, lattes, cappuccinos and more. Our favourite among the bunch, however, is their Lotus Biscoff latte, which perfectly incorporates the cookie butter flavour into the milk base.

Pro tip:

If you want to order something to share with the entire table, we recommend getting one of their pasta, as they feature generous servings. More specifically, we want you to try their salted egg softshell crab, as it features the most sweet and tender crab meat!

Tanba Japanese BBQ & Sukiyaki

Media credit: tanba.trx

Address: Unit #L1.45.C, Level 1, Plaza The Exchange TRX

Contact details: +60 12-227 9406

Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 12:00 AM

Cost: $$$

Website

Menu

Tanba Japanese BBQ & Sukiyaki is one of the latest additions to TRX’s bustling food scene, and it’s more than welcome to stay! It’s hands-down one of the best places to check out if you’re craving a meaty feast—one that consists of certified Wagyu beef!

From short ribs, to chuck rolls, oyster ribs and more, this place has just about every cut of beef available. Each of them features amazing texture and marbling and when grilled just right, will result in a melt-in-your-mouth experience—we’re salivating just thinking about it!

Aside from beef, they also offer chicken cuts and a wide variety of seafood—surf and turf, anyone? Their seafood collection consists of meaty prawns, scallops, salmon cubes, dory fish and surume ika.

Pro tip:

Order a plate of one of their sushi rolls to balance out the savoury flavours of the beef and chicken meat. If you want our advice, we recommend the salmon sashimi, as it’s one of their bestsellers.

Cleaver Shed

Media credit: cleavershed

Address: B-01-05, Plaza TTDI, Jalan Wan Kadir 3

Contact details: +60 16-267 9931

Operating hours: Wednesday to Monday: 11:30 AM to 3:30 PM, 5:30 PM to 10:00 PM

Cost: $$$

Website

Menu

Sometimes, all it takes to please a person is a big slab of perfectly cooked steak and fortunately, Cleaver Shed has opened its doors near our area. This new steakhouse serves some of the juiciest premium-quality beef, served with some lip-smacking sides.

You can choose to have them cooked your way but if you want our advice, we recommend getting them in medium rare to enjoy the juice trapped in the pinkish meat. Plus, when paired with their delicious fries, you’ve got yourself one of the best combinations on Earth!

Meanwhile, if you want to add some carbs to your overall meal, we recommend ordering one of their pasta (which is great for sharing as well). They have flavours such as aglio olio, tomato beef ragu and our personal favourite: prawn aglio!

Pro tip:

To wash off any excess meat flavour lingering in your mouth after your meal, order their delicious caramelised banana split!

Monét In The City

Media credit: cafefolome

Address: Gate B, LRT Station Ampang Park

Contact details: +60 12-227 9406

Operating hours:

  • Monday to Friday: 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM
  • Sunday: 7:30 AM to 12:30 PM

Cost: $

Website

Menu

Monet in the City is one of the best places to check out in KL whenever you need to get away from all the hustle and bustle and just want to sip on some amazing coffee. Hidden in Ampang Park, it treats you to a serene ambience that’s perfect for studying and catching up with friends.

One of our favourite things about this place is its huge windows, as it allows tons of sunlight to come into the building. This scenery, paired with one of their coffee drinks, is an instant way to destress after a long day of work/school!

Aside from coffee, you can also treat yourself to some sweet treats like their decadent tiramisu, which can satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth. Moreover, you can also grab one of their flakey croissants to pair with your coffee!

Pro tip:

If the cafe is too crowded during your visit, you can grab your coffee and croissants to go and head to the nearby KLCC Park! 

Arigato Latin Japanese Cuisine & Yakiniku

Media credit: arigatokl

Address: Unit G6, Ground Floor, Nexus, Bangsar South

Contact details: +60 12-502 0849

Operating hours:

  • Sunday to Thursday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 11:00 PM
  • Friday and Saturday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, 6:00 PM to 12:00 PM

Cost: $

Website

Menu

If you’re craving authentic Japanese cuisine but have the softest spot for Latin dishes, then Arigato should be on your itinerary! One of the best dishes that encapsulates their style is the wagyu ramen, which combines two of my favourite things in the world—noodles and beef!

Another dish that perfectly fusions both Japanese and Latin cuisines is their nori tacos—yes, you heard that right! Instead of the usual corn-based taco shells, this dish uses nori and the fillings take the form of sushi rolls, which is quite unusual but hey, it works! 

The main highlight here, however, is the yakiniku experience, especially when they put their premium wagyu meat in the forefront. These slices of beef feature amazing marbling that renders the least fat, making them all the more satisfying to eat.

Pro tip:

If you’re not looking to spend a lot of money on this restaurant but still want to leave feeling satisfied, we recommend ordering their set lunch! This comes complete with soup, meat, fish, vegetables and unlimited rice!

FUIYOH! It’s Uncle Roger’s Restaurant

Media credit: fuiyohitsuncleroger

Address: Pavilion Kl, 168, Jln Bukit Bintang

Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM

Cost: $

Website

Menu

Ever since Uncle Roger has taken over the culinary social media realm, people have been clamouring for him to open his own restaurant. After much anticipation, Malaysia’s national uncle has finally pulled through and we’ve got one thing to say: fuiyoh! (if you know, you know).

From early reviews, some of the restaurant’s bestsellers include the gyoza and the kimchi fried rice. Fried rice is also a huge part of their menu, as the restaurant features a sign that says “The Best Fried Rice in Town!”, and we don’t doubt them considering the shrimp they top them with.

Another noteworthy highlight from their menu is their popcorn chicken, which is the perfect accompaniment to their fried rice. Lastly, you can wash down your delicious savoury meal by ordering either their Malaysian Rose Milk (Uncle Roger’s favourite) or iced lemon tea.

Pro tip:

You can also end your meal on a sweet note by ordering a cone of their silky soft-serve ice cream! You can either get the plain vanilla or the pink-yo Bandung—plus, you can have them topped with sugary sprinkles!