24 New Restaurants, Cafes & Bars to Visit in KL & Selangor in January 2016

You can view a list of our most recent new restaurant features here. This is part of a monthly series.

1.PS150

It was nearly an hour past midnight on a working Tuesday when we reached the row of faded Chinatown shop-lots that house PS150. There were scant signs of life – save for a few stray dogs & cats – as we stumbled through the darkness of an ominously grim back-alley, searching for the discreet doorway to this new watering hole. It was worth the anxious hunt – this intensely atmospheric bar is poised to be one of 2016’s most popular caverns of cocktails, lit with crimson lanterns & neon calligraphy that translates into Petaling Street’s Cantonese name, evoking some ethereal scene from a Wong Kar-wai movie.

Address: Ground Floor, 150 Jalan Petaling

Find: Contact details and map for PS150

Read Review: PS150 at Petaling Street, Chinatown: Bar Review

2. CHAZE at Marquee

One of PJ’s most intriguing new F&B hubs is taking shape: Marquee @ Menara Lien Hoe seeks to showcase six distinctive F&B concepts on Persiaran Tropicana, kicking off this month with CHAZE, a sultry lounge inspired by a suave persona. Chaze the man loves hosting soirees, has a keenly honed fashion sense, & appreciates fine music, cocktails & distilled beverages – CHAZE the lounge is meant to be this hypothetical man’s sanctuary, welcoming like-minded guests for a memorable night out.

Address: Marquee @ Menara Lien Hoe

Find: Contact details and map for CHAZE

Read Review: CHAZE At Marquee at Menara Lien Hoe, Persiaran Tropicana: Lounge Review

3. Ampersand by Culinary Rebels

Big breakfasts served on banana leaves & chicken wings showered with crispy pork lard or smothered with sticky garlic glaze: Ampersand is one of Damansara Uptown’s most enticing new destinations, with unique offerings by a band of Malaysians who call themselves the Culinary Rebels, comprising chefs currently working in both KL & Singapore.

Address: First Floor, 19, Jalan SS21/37, Damansara Utama

Find: Contact details and map for Ampersand

Read Review: Ampersand by Culinary Rebels at Damansara Uptown: Restaurant Review

4. Bounty & The Shack

KL’s newest boutique hotel may deserve to be a destination for restaurant enthusiasts: The Kuala Lumpur Journal flaunts two enticing eateries, a short stroll from bustling Bukit Bintang – the street-level Bounty, with a serene, shimmering setting & bistro-inspired menu, & The Shack, a leafy alfresco venue on the first floor that focuses on casual comfort cooking & easy drinking.

Address: 30, Jalan Beremi, Bukit Bintang

Find: Contact details and map for Bounty & The Shack

Read Review: Bounty & The Shack at The Kuala Lumpur Journal: Restaurant Review

5. Gastro Bar By Burgeon

Gastro Bar By Burgeon is the result of a dramatic overhaul, replacing PJ’s Ribs At The Burgeon, which launched in June 2015 & earned plaudits for its excellent smoked meat. Despite securing more than two months of brisk business, the restaurant’s founders, Seth & Ray, surprisingly chose to close Ribs at the end of August, determining that they wanted to open a different kind of establishment – Gastro Bar, a remarkably ambitious & resoundingly distinctive venue, in pursuit of the polished sophistication of modern small-plates bars.

Address: 8 & 10, Jalan BM 1/2, Taman Bukit Mayang Emas

Find: Contact details and map for Gastro Bar

Read Review: Gastro Bar By Burgeon at Bukit Mayang Emas, Petaling Jaya: Restaurant Review

6. Bobo

When the ringleaders behind Opus Bistro, Leonardo’s & Cava launch a new destination, attention must be paid: Bobo is a tantalising extension of the Bangkung empire, with two levels comprising an elegant restaurant that serves mainly modern European fare & an intimate piano lounge where local performers will soon take the stage six nights a week.

Address: 65-1, Jalan Bangkung

Find: Contact details and map for Bobo

Read Review: Bobo at Bangkung, Bangsar: Restaurant Review

7. WhupWhup

A former factory that once churned out industrial yarn is now reincarnated as a cavernous cafe that whips up comfort fare & coffee, founded by diversely talented collaborators who include an erstwhile radio DJ, an ex-barista trainer & an arts instructor.

Address: 12, Jalan SS 13/3B, Subang Jaya

Find: Contact details and map for WhupWhup

Read Review: WhupWhup at Subang Jaya: Restaurant Review

8. Two Ox

Two Ox bulldozes its way into The Row; this new French bistro is founded by the folks behind KL’s Maison Francaise, offering Chef Thierry Le Baut’s traditional favourites in a carefree setting.

Address: 54G & 56G, Jalan Doraisamy

Find: Contact details and map for Two Ox

Read Review: Two Ox at The Row: Restaurant Preview

9. Boran Classic Thai Street Food

Helmed by husband-&-wife team Yang & Donut, Boran aims to channel a sense of Thailand’s charm through its street fare; lined with vintage-style signs from Bangkok, this casual spot serves soul food inspired by Donut’s home province of Chonburi.

Address: 25G Jalan 21/11A, Seapark

Find: Contact details and map for Boran

Read Review: Boran Classic Thai Street Food at PJ Sea Park: Restaurant Review

10. Yamaguchi Fish Market

From Japanese sea breams to Malaysian white snappers, Canadian-bred sea urchins to French oysters & Alaskan king crabs, Yamaguchi Fish Market is a one-stop polestar for customers coveting the opulence of the world’s oceans. The water’s the limit.

Address: 16 Jalan Kampung Pandan

Find: Contact details and map for Yamaguchi

Read Review: Yamaguchi Fish Market at Kampung Pandan: Restaurant Review

11. Mikey’s Frozen Custard

After bringing the original New York pizza to KL, Mikey’s is ready to introduce our city to another authentic American classic – frozen custard, produced in the way that stays loyal to tradition. It’s the kind of frozen custard that Mikey’s eponymous Michael Helfman fondly remembers going for after little league baseball games back home, prepared using techniques & skills that Mikey’s co-founder Andrew Bellucci picked up at Wisconsin’s Frozen Dessert Institute.

Address: 3rd Floor #T-028A, Mid Valley Megamall

Find: Contact details and map for Mikey’s

Read Review: Mikey’s Frozen Custard at Mid Valley: Restaurant Review

12. Tea Press Japanese Roasters

Ami Sugiyama & her team of Japanese & Malaysian ‘tea sommeliers’ are brewing a unique experience to introduce locals in the Klang Valley to the nuances of Japanese tea from Shizuoka, Sit at the counter, order from an easy-to-interpret menu, & watch as the team goes through the soothing process of preparing your beverages, complemented by classic fare like chimaki & anpan.

Address: 46G, Jalan SS 21/39, Damansara Uptown

Find: Contact details and map for Tea Press Japanese Roasters

Read Review: Tea Press Japanese Roasters at Damansara Uptown: Restaurant Review

13. Anne Elizabeth

This deli-restaurant helmed by husband-&-wife team Jacob & Sandra is worth a visit for carnivores. Make your selection from a broad variety of meat & seafood that’s on display, then have the kitchen cook a protein-packed meal for you.

Address: 1, Jalan Manis 4, Taman Segar, Cheras

Find: Contact details and map for Anne Elizabeth

Read Review: Anne Elizabeth at Cheras: Restaurant Review

14. Ekkamai

Swathed in sultry shadows, Ekkamai – the newest entry into Batai Village – celebrates traditional Thai cuisine with modern flair.

Address: 8-1 & 8-2, Jalan Batai, Damansara Heights

Find: Contact details and map for Ekkamai

Read Review: Ekkamai at Batai, Damansara Heights: Restaurant Review

15. Cottle Coffee

South Melbourne’s Cottle Coffee has opened its first Asian offshoot, a collaboration between Australian Richard Cottle, a fourth-generation coffee purveyor, & Malaysian Looi Miin Wei, who left KL several years ago & started his own cafe Down Under.

Address: 15 Jalan SS 21/60, Damansara Uptown

Find: Contact details and map for Cottle Coffee

Read Review: Cottle Coffee at Damansara Uptown: Snapshot

16. Zazen

Zazen aims to become one of TTDI’s top choices for casual Japanese dining & drinking – we headed here to kick back on a recent week-night, & it served us well as a calm & comfortable setting for nearly three hours of chatting, snacking & sipping

Address: 88A, First Floor, Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi

Find: Contact details and map for Zazen

Read Review: Zazen at Taman Tun Dr Ismail: Restaurant Review

17. Pinch Bistro

A pinch of Paris, a dash of suburban sophistication: This European-inspired bistro stamps its mark on Bangsar’s Bangkung street with a broad repertoire that bounds from steak tartare to pork ragu pappardelle. Founded by chef David & his compatriots Chye & Matthieu, this is a neighbourhood hangout with a smooth, easy-going charm & soothing, chilled-out vibe.

Address: 57 Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar

Find: Contact details and map for Pinch

Read Review: Pinch Bistro at Bangkung, Bangsar: Restaurant Review

18. Ara Vietnamese Noodles

This fuss-free spot welcomes customers with bowl after bowl of Vietnamese noodles – honest fare with no pretensions.

Address: 45, Jalan SS22/11, Damansara Jaya

Find: Contact details and map for Ara Vietnamese Noodles

Read Review: Ara Vietnamese Noodles at Damansara Jaya: Snapshot

19. Taiyakie Malaysia

Taiyakie House offers a twist on the Japanese version, tracing the path of businesses in Tokyo, Bangkok & Jakarta that have transformed taiyaki into flaky-crispy grilled pastry made with croissant dough instead of pancake batter, studded with sugar & stuffed with sweet or savoury fillings like red bean paste, curry chicken or ham-&-cheese.

Address: 77, Jalan 15/8a, Subang Jaya

Find: Contact details and map for Taiyakie

Read Review: Taiyakie House at SS15 Subang: Snapshot

20. Idli Only Café

A restaurant dedicated to idli – the savoury South Indian rice-&-lentil cake – in its many incarnations.

Address: 64, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar Baru

Find: Contact details and map for Idli Only Cafe

Read Review: Idli Only Cafe at Maarof, Bangsar: Snapshot

21. Lepaq Lepaq

Nasi lemak cakes, cotton-candy cloud coffee, a brunch version of Peking Duck, & one of KL’s most massive big breakfasts: This intriguing new cafe is inundated with culinary novelties, set in a curious two-storey space with a forested view.

Address: Lot 687, Jalan Ceylon

Find: Contact details and map for Lepaq Lepaq

Read Review: Lepaq Lepaq at Ceylon Road, Off Changkat Bukit Bintang: Restaurant Review

22. Choo Choo Chicken

Choo Choo Chicken first cracked open in Singapore in early 2014, reputedly hatched by a Korean language teacher; following two outlets in the city-state (on Bali Lane & in Orchard Cineleisure), the brand spread its wings to KL this year, serving a wide variety of Korean fried chicken & other warm meals.

Address: PV128 Jalan Genting Klang

Find: Contact details and map for Choo Choo Chicken

Read Review: Choo Choo Chicken at PV128 Genting Klang, Setapak: Restaurant Review

23. Cream

Cream is a dreamy coffee bar with both sheen & soul – its aesthetics are gorgeous & its brews seem like a godsend. Try the filter coffee in both hot & cold samplings – it might persuade you to fall in love with coffee all over again

Address: A-G-01,The Tube, Jalan PJU1/39, Dataran Prima

Find: Contact details and map for Cream

Read Review: Cream By The Roast Things at Dataran Prima: Snapshot

24. Iggo

Risotto buffs might like Iggo, which serves creamy rice recipes, including with tender shredded lamb shank topped with asparagus & flavoursome Cajun-spiced prawns & spinach.

Address: 3-1-2, JAlan Setia Prima H U13/H, Seksyen U13, Shah Alam

Find: Contact details and map for Iggo

Read Review: Iggo at Shah Alam: Snapshot

Read More:

• 18 New Restaurants & Cafes to Visit in KL & Selangor – December 2015
• Eateries on the Move: Proxy’s Kitchen, The Gravy Factory & Uppercrust Diner
• 12 Restaurants We Said Goodbye To In 2015
• 10 Restaurants & Cafes to Visit on Bangsar’s Bangkung Road
• 15 Restaurants for Distinctive Duck Dishes in KL & Selangor