This smokehouse and bar brings with its entrance to Bangsar a casual-meets-classy concept that fits the bill for both laidback lunches and fanciful dinners. Exuding trendy vibes, the restaurant features fine art pieces alongside its wood-and-steel decor, plus a soothing touch of greenery. Foodwise, expect the kitchen to fire up fine food at reasonable prices. Meats make a prime choice, like the Wicked Wagyu (RM79.90) that sees a delicious smoked wagyu inside skirt with potato puree and beef gravy. While simple in execution, the dish is satiating for all who can enjoy a nice piece of steak. Apart from meats, Rubs also turns out other mains not to be messed with. The Rice & Shine (RM36.90) is easily a standout for risotto, measuring up to those at Italian restaurants. Redolent of smoked duck meat, the moist rice dish is topped with a wobbly slow-cooked egg that adds to its lusciousness. There are also set lunches from only RM35.90, but we strongly advise you spend a little more for the full experience here — it will be worth it.
Avg price per person: RM65
Not long after its inception, RAY gives way to BOTAK:Liquor Bar, a largely similar establishment. They have retained the relaxing tropical vibes and their penchant for cocktails on tap, but with the new name comes an all-new menu to get excited about. The bar now turns to homegrown botanicals to build its best tipples, balancing the hard-hitting nature of liquor with the gentle fragrance of florals. The next time you're out for an easy drink early in the day (the bar opens at 3pm), bring a friend here to BOTAK. The Sweet Pea & Elderflower (RM48) makes a refreshing choice, blending un-aged whiskey with sweet peas, organic elderflower cordial and lime. If it's the cocktails on tap you're after, the Jasmine & Tarragon (RM38) makes a nice, sweet sip while also racking up points for pretty presentation. Food is not served here, but feel free to take your drink down with you to Chocha Foodstore.
Avg price per person: RM70
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh
Located within the PJ8 building's stately garden square, this hole-in-the-wall joint hopes to evoke the flavours of home at the workplace. Co-owner Cheah hails from Seremban and his Peranakan roots are to thank for the delicious Nyonya recipes reinvented here. Takeaways aren't only tasty, they're highly encouraged as there are only three (likely occupied) tables to vie for at lunchtime. Go for an order of Baked Stingray with Baba Kuat Pesto (RM15.90). Supple to the bite, the fish is glazed in a scrumptiously spicy sambal-like sauce that hits it off with rice (lots of it). From 11am to 2pm daily, the set comes with a quenching drink of lime, cucumber and tonic — plenty useful to take the heat off your tongue. Those with a palate for milder flavours might consider instead the fork-tender Turmeric Chicken (RM8.90), doused in fragrant yellow gravy. Individually packed desserts, sometimes a local kuih or chocolate cake, are available at the counter if you're one for sneaking in an after-meal sweet.
Avg price per person: RM20
Taking over now defunct Lids & Finch, Dungun embodies the essence of its office building location with coffee, cakes and sustaining lunch-hour meals. For a break from the food trucks in the area, head here with a colleague or two. The kitchen whips up simple, quick and easy to satisfy recipes like the Roasted Chicken (RM23) that comes in the form of a tender thigh atop mash, along with a homey brown sauce. Alternating white and black charcoal bread for a play on colour and texture, the Chicken Cheese & Pesto Sandwich (RM17) also packs hearty flavours with no lack of that tasty pesto sauce. Otherwise, the Smoked Duck Sandwich can also be a rewardingly smoky-savoury choice. If it's a mid-afternoon tea break you're here for, order the house-baked Lemon Poppyseed Cake (RM13). Its sweet and tart balance will go well with a cup of the cafe's dark, roasty coffee.
Avg price per person: RM30
A spin-off of burgeoning cafe JWC from Johor, this Puchong depot (the first in Klang Valley) doesn't skimp on the decadence that popularised its sister cafe. The lofty two-storey space sports swanky chandeliers, chrome furniture and even an elevator to ferry diners upstairs. Swing by for brunch with friends and family on your next weekend splurge! Try the Tomato Basil Mushroom Sausage Casserole Bagel (RM28.90), an all-day breakfast board that fits enough food to go around for two. It comes with a ramekin of sizeable sausages baked in delectable tomato gravy, house-baked bagel and a side salad. But if you prefer Asian eats, the menu sees a Japanese twist in the JWC Curry Chicken Rice & Scrambled Eggs (RM15.90). The fluffy omurice (egg-wrapped rice) is set amid a pool of flavourful curry and a fried chicken cutlet. Served in a small kopitiam-style ceramic cup, the La Kopi Cappuccino (RM8.90) does justice to the star it's awarded on the menu — it's creamy with just enough punch to kickstart your day.
Avg price per person: RM40
Now open along Persiaran Ampang's privy food block, this Latino joint promises ethnic dishes for a unique wind-down dinner with your buddies. At the top of that list is their Arepa (RM12), a quintessentially Venezualan delicacy. Made from grilled ground maize dough, the buns are stuffed with fillings ranging from chicken and avocado to marinated pulled beef. The latter is especially tasty, offering robust flavours alongside the soft and slightly grainy texture of the buns. For a smaller bite, get the Empanadas (RM6 per piece), deep-fried pockets filled with juicy meat. Our favourite has to be the prawn, bolstered by aromatic chopped greens. The cafe also doubles as a cacao lab, crafting luscious chocolate bites like a zesty Passion Tea (RM7) and a delightfully nutty Dark Almond Crunch (RM7) for dessert. Those who get off work early should look out for their happy hour (4-8pm) deals — RM15 wines and three for RM15 empanadas!
Avg price per person: RM40
This new spot set in an unassuming part of town is fast becoming one of our favourites for a coffee-fueled respite. Ethereal in its white and wooden aesthetics, the space is designed to be welcoming, whether you're here to work, catch up with a friend or learn more about your drink. The brainchild of the same guys behind online coffee store Bean Shipper, Blaq turns out excellent coffee. Try the House Made Batch Brew (RM6), a light and succinct cuppa that's great for easing into the stronger drinks. At RM12 a cup, the wide selection of filter coffees will surely send aficionados squealing. Top-shelf beans from local and international roasters are available, both for in-house sampling and taking home — if you don't own a home filter yet, they've got top of the line stuff here! For a subtler cafe experience that fits all, get their yummy Iced Latte (RM10) with a cake. The Banana Chiffon (RM10), cream-covered airy banana sponge, makes a delicate choice.
Avg price per person: RM15
Built back in 1910 as a hotel, this heritage lot along Jalan Sultan has reincarnated into a cafe and event space for city crawlers. Jao Tim's charm lies not only in its historic name (it means 'hotel' in Cantonese), but also the dashing interior melding exposed bricks with brass-accented furnishings. Tourists who grow tired trawling the streets of Chinatown would find this heaven-sent, since it's a rest stop for coffee and craft beers, as well as a look into old KL. For now, the menu is limited to light bites — warm and rustic Classic Chicken Pie (RM15), an oozy Grilled Cheese Sandwich (RM15) plus pastries on daily rotation. With more hot food in the pipeline, and a plan to turn the floor above into a co-working space, this place is all set to be yet another one of Chinatown's key destinations.
Avg price per person: RM25
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh
Decked out in bright-orange walls and loud Mexican menus, Mezcla makes a chipper addition to the otherwise mellow USJ9 belt. Visit this trendy location to mix things up for team lunch or save it for a fun dinner with friends. The burrito bar turns out all your typical Tex-Mex hits, from tacos to quesadillas and burrito bowls. But if it's your first time here, let their namesake burritos win you over. Each is a chunky roll chock-full of rice, corn, beans, tomato salsa and your choice of protein. Frontrunners include the Braised Lamb (RM14.90) that surprises with a hint of mint as well as the Chilli Garlic Shrimp (RM14.90), oozing with a lush, garlicky concoction. Remember to also stop by the sauce station for their housemade red or green jalapeno mayo sauces — these make everything extra satisfying. For an additional RM3, the meal comes with a side of tortilla chips and a drink — we liked their bottled guava juice. If there is space for more sides, snag an order of Avocado Fries (RM11.90), deftly deep-fried for crunchy batter and creamy insides.
Avg price per person: RM20
Nearly two decades into their Malacca town business, Geographer Cafe makes its way into the heart of our city here in KL. The Jalan Tun HS Lee outpost is flanked by a pair of old-school red and blue lounge chairs out front, drawing intrigued locals and tourists in. The ground-floor cafe makes a cosy area, best suited for small groups to convene over modern local delights. The staff recommends their Spaghetti Goreng Highstreet (RM23), a value-for-money order that comes with chunks of fried chicken. The stir-fried spaghetti are slicked in sweet, savoury kicap manis, which lends to its bold, delicious flavours. Try also the side dish of Deep-Fried Calamari-mari with Garlic Aioli (RM19), a classic executed well enough to induce addictive munching. Beer buffs, mark this down — the bar is now running a month-long happy hour promo that gets you three bottles of Tiger Beer (RM14) for the price of two.
Avg price per person: RM30
Photo by Burppler Trisha Toh