15 restaurants, cafes, and bars to try in Bangsar South

Amid the bustling offices and residences of Bangsar South lies a delicious diversity of dining destinations, offering everything from innovative café fare to Chinese Shunde temptations and Malaccan Portuguese home cooking.

1. Thirdwave

One of our favourite cafes in KL, Thirdwave is imaginatively run by a team of siblings from Pulau Pangkor whose gastronomic inspirations run the gamut from Malaysian fisheries and fruit orchards to Italian trattorias, Sichuan hot pot parlours and more.

Address: Unit 1-11, Level 1, Nexus, 59200 Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur
Read review: Thirdwave – 2016 menu
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2. M-Ti-Cup Studio

A Taiwanese-inspired cross between a private kitchen and a coffee bar? Malaysian couple Damien Chong and River Ho have created a singular space in a SoHo suite in Bangsar South, open four afternoons a week – it’s a calm, intimate hideout where the welcoming husband-and-wife team can genuinely interact with guests, serving a compact selection of home-cooked fare and freshly brewed beverages made with Taiwanese-roasted blends. Chill out indoors while Blossom Dearie’s jazzy voice wafts out of the speakers, or grab one of M-Ti-Cup’s books on Van Gogh to browse outside on the sunny sixth-floor balcony.

Address: A-6-3A, Block A, Centrio Pantai Hillpark, Bangsar South, Kuala Lumpur
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3. Simply Mel’s

This family-run restaurant furnishes a treasure trove of Malaccan food whipped up by Auntie Melba Nunis, a cheerful matriarch who acquired her passion and prowess for cooking by helping her own mother in the kitchen. Auntie Mel’s lovingly prepared food _ including assam prawns _ is a valentine to anyone who adores wholesome recipes handed down through generations of women who wanted to feed their families as best as they possibly could.

Address: The Sphere, Unit 1-1A, 1st floor, No. 1 Avenue 1, Bangsar South, No. 8 Jalan Kerinchi
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4. Dao Xiang

Dao Xiang keeps growing from strength to strength – each time we return to this restaurant, we’re increasingly impressed by how it delivers Chinese Shunde cuisine with top-flight ingredients combined with beautifully skilled execution.

Address: First Floor, Nexus, Bangsar South, Jalan Kerinchi
Read review: Dao Xiang – 2016 menu
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5. Ga.To Gateau

Creative gateux in petite portions form the raison d’etre of this amiable new cafe helmed by Charmaine Ng (an alumna of Le Cordon Bleu Sydney), her husband and brother. Expect thoughtfully nuanced cakes – our favourite’s the Cheesecake Duo, constructed with both baked and creamy no-bake layers, studded with a subtly delicious tomato jam, plus a cheese wafer for added crisp.

Address: Unit 1-8, No.7, Jalan Kerinchi, , Nexus, Level 1, 59200 Bangsar South
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6. Botanica+Co

Botanica+Co is a sumptuous vision of Ficus trees standing tall amid a soothingly lush setting that’s ideal for leisurely lunches and serene dinners. Singaporean chef Sam Neoh, who formerly shepherded the kitchen at the city-state’s PS Cafe, oversees an oeuvre of crowd-pleasing temptations with contemporary flourishes, offered at reasonable prices. Pizzas are a cornerstone; we’re happy to honour the Green Goddess, a bountiful harvest of kale, broccoli, asparagus, sugar snap peas and smoky pesto with goat’s cheese.

Address: The Verticals. G3A/G5 Podium, Bangsar South City
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7. Mango Chili

This likeable eatery dishes out a hearty side helping of social consciousness to complement its tasty Thai temptations.

Address: NEXUS Bangsar South City, No. 7 Jalan Kerinchi
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8. Edo Ichi

Edo Ichi takes a creditable approach to contemporary Japanese cuisine; its wide-ranging menu pledges something for every preference, whether you favour the raw or the cooked, basic or elaborate, seafood or meat. Edo Ichi’s branch in Bangsar South supplies a satisfactory introduction to the brand, with a family-friendly setting that’s run by an efficient, welcoming team.

Address: G-4, Ground Floor, Nexus Bangsar South, Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
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9. La Cucina

The Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar’s main F&B attraction is Mediterranean restaurant La Cucina, a cushy venue with several interesting ideas emanating from its open kitchen.

Address: Pullman Kuala Lumpur Bangsar, No 1, Jalan Pantai Jaya, Tower 3, 59200 Bangsar
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10. Brussels Galerie

Brussels Galerie stakes a special claim as the jewel in the Brussels Beer Cafe family’s crown – Group Head Chef Andy Low has crafted a menu exclusive to this venue, melding the brand’s Belgian foundation with international inspirations. The setting in Nexus Bangsar South is commanding, with a comfortable sense of space from the soaring ceilings and wide-open street view.

Address: No. G-18, Ground Floor, Nexus, No. 7, Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 Bangsar South
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11. The Straits Estate

The Straits Estate, the flagship restaurant of Bangsar South’s new V E Hotel and Residence, takes inspiration from cuisine that mainly spans the breadth of peninsular Malaysia’s west coast – its selection specifies highlights like Penang’s Gurney Drive pasembur, Perak’s Ipoh noodle soup with Tualang prawns, Selangor’s Kajang satay, Malacca’s Jonker Street cendol and Johor’s Muar otak-otak.

Address: V E Hotel & Residence, No 8, Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 Bangsar South City
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12. Nexo

A wide range of tapas and succulent Spanish pork specialities form the cornerstone of this watering hole in Nexus Bangsar South.

Address: G-13, Ground Floor, Nexus, Bangsar South, Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 Bangsar
Read review: Nexo – 2015 menu
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13. Eau de Vie

A full-blown seafood eatery, merged with a fully stocked liquor store – Eau De Vie knows what floats our boat and lifts our spirits.

Address: Ground Floor Nexus Bangsar South, No 7 Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
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14. Tino’s Pizza Express

Baked at high temperatures of 500 °C for slightly more than a minute, Tino’s pizzas showcase hand-tossed soft dough for a thick and filling bread-like base (not a crunchy thin crust). Tasty toppings like beef bacon, spinach and a sunny-side help to make these recipes sufficiently satisfying.

Address: Ground Floor, Nexus Bangsar South, Jalan Kerinchi, 59200 Bangsar
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15. Vina Del Rey

This wine bar has an impressive list of vintages, including many offered by the glass, with all the essential varieties that span France, Argentina, Chile, New Zealand and more.

Address: G-1, Nexus Bangsar South, Jalan Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur
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