New Restaurants, Cafes and Bars in Kuala Lumpur: March 2019

You heard it here first — KL’s first chocolate specialty cafe serving drinks, desserts and bars made with locally-grown cacao has arrived. Seniman Kakao is owned by the coffee maestros behind Artisan Roast, and the cacao beans used are roasted with the same care, resulting in semi-sweet chocolate with a hint of fruity acidity. On a hot day, the brilliant concoction of Chocolate + Coconut (RM13.80) will cool you off, but if you're keen to have a taste of cocoa in its purest form, have the Chocolate + Water (RM9.50). Don't miss snagging a few treats from the dessert bar too – there's housemade eclairs, bonbons and truffles (from RM6.80).
Photo by Burppler Amayzing .

APW welcomes new cocktail bar, Folio, specialising in low ABV (alcohol by volume) cocktails. A little birdie told us the beverage menu is designed by the team behind Coley Cocktail Bar, so you know these drinks are going to be good. Try the sweet vodka-based Suction (RM38) that sees a mix of kaffir lime, limoncello, tea, lemon, cucumber and sugar. Those who like their drinks sour must not miss the Magazine (RM36), which combines ginger ale with sour plum. If you're feeling peckish, bar bites from neighbouring Kaiju are available.

Decked out in bright-coloured walls, this cheery Tex-Mex joint in Damansara Uptown is a good spot for casual dates. The menu consists of tacos, quesadillas and burritos with meat of your choice – there is chicken, beef and lamb. We enjoyed the Pulled Beef Barbacoa Taco (RM6 per piece) and the Pulled Lamb Barbacoa Quesadilla (RM16), both loaded with juicy strips of meat and drizzled with a tasty guacamole creama. If heat is what you're after, drizzle on a little (not too much!) of Orale's homemade hot sauce, a tangy dressing made with the spiciest chilli pepper in the world, the Carolina Reaper.

Round up your dessert-loving pals this weekend and make a trip to OUG for delightful treats. If the name rings a bell, it's because this specialty ice cream cake shop is owned by the folks behind Xiao by Crustz, which showcases more refined offerings. Try the fruity Triscoop (RM22) that sees a medley of raspberry sorbet, raspberry yoghurt and mango ice cream sandwiched between two waffle biscuits. If you enjoy desserts with a kick, the cakes spiked with alcohol might tempt you. The cutesy floats are popular too; each glass comes with a scoop of ice cream topped with a little animal-shaped meringue.

Make a beeline for this newbie at Bangsar South for weekend brunch of tasty Yoshōku dishes (Japanese-style Western food) and wonderful cups of coffee. This cafe is a new project by the same team behind now-defunct Thirdwave, so trust you're in good hands. On food, go for the Chicken Hambagu (RM26) — housemade chicken patty served with rice or baguette that's a guaranteed tummy-filler. Burppler Nicholas Ng is a fan of the sandwiches and dubs the Ajitsuke Tamago Sando (RM20) a must-try. They take their coffee seriously too. For a light cup with soft berry notes, get the Cold Brew Black (from RM10).
Photo by Burppler Nicholas Ng

Satisfy both your Thai and Japanese food cravings at this trendy gastrobar at The Square, Jaya One. With its tropical vibes and rattan furniture, this is a great place to have dinner and unwind after a long day at the office. A house favourite is Thongchai’s Tonkatsu Curry (RM24), a crispy pork cutlet served with Thai jasmine rice and a flavourful Thai red curry. Burger lovers should give the Laarb Moo Tod Burger (RM28) a go – the pork patty is juicy and packed with Thai herbs giving it flavour depth and some heat. This is a pet-friendly restaurant, so your pooches are welcome too!

The team behind Changkat’s Drift Dining & Bar bring their culinary prowess to Bangsar with a new resto-bar featuring a menu heavy on Mediterranean flavours. It’s a snazzy place and service is superb, so bookmark this spot for your next celebration with foodie friends. Begin your meal with small plates like the flavourful Dukkah Tiger Prawn (RM32) or the Moroccan Spiced Cauliflower (RM27), one of Drift’s signatures. On bigger plates, the Spiced Lamb Skewers (RM46) will satisfy. Cap off the meal with a drink – there is a wide selection of wines plus housemade cocktails.

Nestled in SS19 is this cosy hidden gem doling out delicious cakes, coffees and sandwiches. The warm space is shared with a florist and a wedding planner, but there’s still plenty of room for quiet catch-ups with your bestie or for some me-time with a book. Tuck into the hearty sandwiches like the Egg Salad Croissant (RM12) with creamy eggs, potatoes and chives stuffed into a flaky croissant. If you’re looking for a light snack, the Avocado Pesto Toast (RM15) is tasty and pairs nicely with the nutty Flat White (RM10).