Spooky season is here, and if you’re still deciding between costume parties or dinner plans, why not combine both? Round up your friends for a meal instead because this month brings plenty of new cafés and restaurants worth checking out across the Klang Valley.
In the October instalment of New in Town, Malaysia Food & Travel highlights some of the latest dining spots in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya, from high-end restaurants to casual hangouts. Which one will be your favourite? You decide!
Japanese eats
- ENSŌ Izakaya & Bar
Image Credit: ENSO
Japanese-style bars are having their moment now, and ENSŌ is a new addition worth knowing that’s located within the Hyatt Regency KL Midtown.
The kitchen is helmed by Master Chef Masami Okamoto, with fresh sashimi flown in directly from Tokyo’s Toyosu Market. Behind the bar, mixologist Ivon Soon curates a refined selection of sake and cocktails.
Fun fact: The restaurant’s name, ensō, refers to a Japanese calligraphy circle symbolising the beauty of imperfection and the uniqueness of each moment. That’s a piece of trivia to impress your date with!
Address: 7, Jalan Dutamas 2, Dutamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
- Kani Kawa
Image Credit: Google Review
Fans of Japanese cuisine have a new seafood haven to explore. Located in Avenue K, Kani Kawa offers a high-end dining experience with premium ingredients such as snow crab and Shimomuragyu A5 Wagyu beef.
Each table comes equipped with a personal charcoal grill, so guests can cook their food to their liking. The menu also features cooked dishes like tempura and fried rice, along with a generous free-flow Häagen-Dazs ice cream buffet.
The restaurant is pork-free and alcohol-free, making it a suitable choice for all diners.
Address: L2-6A, Level 2, Avenue K, Jln Ampang, 50450 Kuala Lumpur, WP Kuala Lumpur
Brunch spots
- Sun & Moon
Image Credit: Sun & Moon
Having a new brunch destination is always exciting, and Sun & Moon is the one that everyone’s been talking about. Nestled in a quaint bungalow in the Imbi neighbourhood, it’s perfect for solo diners and dining parties alike.
The space features a skylight that floods the central sunken area with natural light during the day. At night, it turns into a lounge with warm lighting and red-backlit walls. Classy!
Its daytime menu focuses on freshly baked pastries, which are served from roving carts, while the evening menu offers heartier options like steak frites and tiger prawn galettes.
Address: 10, Jalan Delima, Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, WP Kuala Lumpur
Coffee, peace and quiet
- Shaded Stone
Image Credit: Google Review
Officially launched on 18 Oct, Shaded Stone is a pet-friendly, open-air café in PJ. It has a distinct industrial aesthetic, softened by lush greenery to contrast the concrete. It’s the sister outlet of the nearby Marble Emporium 2.0.
As the name suggests, marble and stone dominate the design, from the slabs and cubes that double as tables and stools, to the exposed scaffolding that forms part of its artful structure.
The menu is intentionally minimalist, with a selection of coffee, tea, chocolate drinks, and a few pastries. Given the open-air concept, it is advisable to visit during cooler hours to enjoy the ambience comfortably.
Address: Lot 46, Jalan 51/213, Seksyen 51, 46050 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Coffee, peace and quiet
- Abstra
Image Credit: Google Review
Soft-opened on 28 October, Abstra is a new Japanese-inspired café serving comfort food classics such as ebi katsu sando and tonkatsu curry rice. The space is bright, minimalist, and perfect for casual meetings or slow mornings.
Their coffee has been praised for being smooth and well-balanced, while non-coffee drinkers can try refreshing options like the Oolong Citrus or Hojicha.
Address: 8-1, Jln Dataran Jade 7, Jade Hills, 43000 Kajang, Selangor
- Somewhere Slow Coffee
Image Credit: Somewhere Slow Coffee
Tucked within Kedai KL at MAHSA Avenue, Somewhere Slow Coffee opened in mid-October and invites guests to slow down and savour the moment.
The café’s moody, minimalist interior makes it a great spot for quiet work or unhurried catch-ups. Highlights include the strawberry-vanilla cold brew and matcha oat milk latte with Yakult and honey.
Plus, this place is co-working friendly with power outlets and stable Wi-Fi, so maybe this could be your new WFH hangout?
Address: 2-15, Level 2, Block B, Kedai KL, Mahsa Avenue, Jalan Ilmu, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, WP Kuala Lumpur
Steakhouses
- Fiel Charcoal Grillhouse by Kay’s
Image Credit: Fiel by Kay’s
Opened on 24 Oct, Fiel is a modern charcoal grillhouse that celebrates the art of cooking over open flame. If you love smoky flavours, this one’s for you. Fiel is an offshoot of Kay’s Steak & Lobster, the locally owned restaurant group known for its luxe Western-style dining.
Menu highlights include Korean-bred Hanwoo oyster blades served with a perfect sear and yuzu hollandaise. To complement the meal, try the pineapple and passionfruit tepache for something light and fizzy.
Address: 3F-06, KLGCC Mall, 1, Jalan Bukit Kiara 1, Bukit Kiara, 60000 Kuala Lumpur, WP Kuala Lumpur
Chinese cuisine
- Third Serving
Image Credit: Google Review
Located in KLGCC, Third Serving is the latest venture by a team with experience running popular restaurants in 1 Utama and TTDI. The focus here is on refined Chinese comfort food with a homely touch.
The loh shu fun stands out for its rich flavour and generous use of lard, while the chee cheong fun impresses with its silky-smooth texture. Other crowd-pleasers include yam cake and Teochew-style claypot fish made with fresh grouper and herbs.
Bakeries
- Kotsu Kotsu
Image Credit: Google Review
It’s always a delight to see a new Japanese bakery in town. Launched on 21 October, Kotsu Kotsu delivers beautifully delicate desserts baked by Japanese pastry chefs Chef Sasaki and Chef Fukuda.
Their pastries are baked twice daily in Japanese ovens to maintain moisture and flavour. Must-tries include the Kinako roasted soybean sponge cake with mochi and the silky tea chiffon with vanilla bavarois.
Fun fact: The bakery’s elegant interior was designed by Design Room 702, a renowned Japanese architecture firm known for its modern minimalism.
Address: 34-G, Jalan 24/70a, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, WP Kuala Lumpur
Korean spots
- Sawee
Image Credit: Sawee
Not to be confused with sawi, Sawee means “son-in-law” in Korean, and it’s a term that carries warmth and respect within families. It’s also the name of Hartamas’ newest Korean soul food place.
Sawee’s star dish is its nakgopsae. This is a sweet-spicy dish from Busan that uses beef intestines, octopus, and shrimp. Sawee’s take on the dish uses 17 selected ingredients and is aged for up to three days for that maximum depth of flavour.
According to the restaurant, they use only fresh, fully filled beef intestines, premium shrimp, and high-quality octopus. This sounds like something worth tasting for yourself!
You should also check out: Did this van crash into a bar? Turns out, the van IS the bar and it serves Japanese highballs!
Feature Image Credit: Fiel by Kay’s on IG (Left), Google Review (Right)
