July is shaping up to be a delicious month, with new dining spots opening across Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya. Whether you want to start your mornings with a good breakfast or partake in an alcohol-free night after work, this month’s lineup serves up everything from a hotel-inspired meal from Cafe Conti in PJ to inventive sober mocktails from TeetoTurtle in KL. This summer, each restaurant, café and bar offers another reason to take out your friends and family for a feast like no other. Esquire Malaysia covers what is new and what you should order first.
Tucked away in a 100-year-old building, this café sits above Bar Pahit and serves up your daily tea-time fix with a Malaysian twist. Instead of the usual pastries paired with coffee, this spot offers an array of Nyonya kuih. At first, getting there may feel like a workout because of the steep staircase. But once you make it, you’ll be greeted by local road signs lining the walls, a loft seating area and a balcony that overlooks the Merdeka 118 tower. Although parking here remains a challenge, the café is accessible via the MRT Merdeka, a seven-minute walk away.
Feeling overwhelmed by the choices? Fret not, the Kuih Nyonya Platter allows you to choose three kuihs for RM 12. From Kuih Talam and Kuih Lapis to Ketayap, it saves you the struggle of choosing at the counter. When it comes to coffee, they have your typical favourites such as an espresso and latte, but if you’re feeling adventurous, the Malaya Latte is one to try. A signature drink combining espresso, kaya, oat milk, pandan syrup and toasted almonds, this creation brings together familiar Malaysian flavours in one cup, leaving your taste buds wanting more.
If you’re done doomscrolling on TikTok, you’ve surely heard of House of Wheat. Fresh from the team behind the sourdough bread café is a café-bistro serving a more refined take on modern European cuisine. Located along Old Klang Road, you’ll be greeted by the brand's signature cave-like interiors, featuring textured stone walls, soaring ceilings and intimate private dining rooms for celebratory dinners with friends and family. It was originally designed by its founder, Wyman, who blended Nordic minimalism with the rugged character of the Australian outback.
The menu pairs modern European cooking with subtle local influences. Start light with an appetiser of KOHA Caesar salad for that crunchy bite, then move on to the eight-hour-braised beef brisket for a main that rewards patience with every forkful. There are also plenty of seafood options, including the clams pasta, Sabah octopus and pan-seared sea bream. For drinks, sip on the Longan Red Date to nourish the belly after a filling meal. End on a sweet note, indulging in desserts like the signature Absolute Coconut ice cream, sprinkled with extra coconut crumbs.
There’s something about a continental breakfast on vacation that makes waking up early worthwhile. Open only on weekends in Section 17, this cafe captures that hotel experience without the cost of an overnight stay. The daytime counterpart to Manisan Dessert Club serves up European breakfast staples, encouraging diners to build their own tray from a selection of sweet and savoury dishes. Inspired by the classic continental spread, paper table mats allow you to doodle, scribble and linger as you ease into a slow morning after your first cup of coffee.
Build your breakfast exactly the way you like it. From pancakes drizzled in maple syrup to crispy hash browns and buttery crumpets, your order can be as indulgent or as simple as the morning calls for, because every combination feels a little different depending on what you’re craving. If you’d rather leave the decisions up to the kitchen, ease into the day with crowd favourites such as the Crabby Eggs Benedict or English Breakfast. Each tray also comes with your choice of drink, whether it’s batch-brew coffee, a cup of chamomile tea, or a glass of refreshing orange juice.
Located on the lower ground floor of JAM PJ, formerly Gasket Alley, this retro-inspired bagel shop brings an American diner feel to PJ's café scene. The neighbourhood hangout serves what it deems Malaysia's first woodfired bagels, baked in an oven imported from Los Angeles for a crispier crust and chewy centre. Fresh bagels are made each day, hand-rolled before being baked in limited batches, so don't overlook the rotating Bagel of the Day. Just be prepared to queue during peak hours, as the walk-in-only spot has a 60-minute dining limit.
Pick from crowd favourites such as The Hot Chick, Holy Lox, and the vegetarian Happy Mushroom. Or choose from seven bagel flavours, customised with spreads and fillings. If you have room for a snack, the BBQ Chicken and Classic Pepperoni pizza bagels offer a fun twist on its signature. The woodfired bagels are served open-faced, making it easier to enjoy the crisp crust before building each bite. Wash it all down with a refreshing Strawberry Matcha Latte or Pistachio Latte, both of which make a convincing case for skipping your usual coffee order.
You don’t need a flight to Kota Kinabalu or Kuching to experience the warmth of a Sarawakian longhouse. Hidden inside Anjung Melayu in Bukit Petaling is a rustic dining space bringing the flavours of Borneo a little closer to home. Founded by Sabahans, its name comes from ruai, a communal space where families and neighbours gather over food and conversation. That same spirit is reflected in the restaurant's design, from its lush gardens to its thatched roof. Diners can expect the kind of hospitality that leaves everyone feeling more connected over meals shared.
The menu celebrates the indigenous ingredients and dishes of Sabah and Sarawak. The Ayam Pansuh is cooked inside bamboo over an open fire, allowing the herbs and juices to slowly infuse the chicken, while the Melanau-style Umai lets the day's freshest catch speak for itself. Seafood lovers should also order the flame-grilled Sotong Katak, finished with a spicy-sweet sauce, or the fish belly noodle soup for a warm hug in a bowl. Enjoy a sip of East Malaysia in the city with coffee, tea and a traditionally brewed coconut shaker sourced directly from Sabah.
After years spent cooking in some of Singapore's most acclaimed kitchens, husband-and-wife duo Josh Chua and Ai Li Ong have traded fine dining for something far more personal. Their new Bangsar home marks the next chapter for Nude, as they relocate from a modest food court to a restaurant that finally matches their ambitions. The minimalist space mirrors the philosophy behind its name, stripping away unnecessary fuss to focus on soulful cooking shaped by years in Michelin-starred kitchens. While it welcomes walk-ins for lunch, dinner is by reservation only.
The menu is led by fresh house-rolled pasta, in-house dry-aged meats and desserts made entirely from scratch. Chua’s tagliatelle carbonara is finished with house-smoked beef brisket for an extra layer of richness, while the Aglio Olio and Beef Ragu have become favourites among regulars who keep coming back for another bowl. Then hand it over to Ong, as no meal is complete without dessert from one of the finest pastry chefs. Her signature pavlova balances crisp meringue with a cloud-like centre, while the chocolate tart is equally worth the indulgence.
Located at the newly opened Steppes Mont Kiara, Head Chef Justin Wong's latest outpost is built around a 100-year-old sourdough starter. Its name comes from the Latin word for “bread” and also sounds like the Malay word lapan, which refers to the unit number of its first location in Taman Melawati. The family-friendly space reflects its neighbourhood spirit, suitable for casual dinners or lingering over a few slices. Locally sourced ingredients from Limau Lemon Co., The Earnest Co., and Urban Grow Farms keep the dishes and beverages rooted closer to home.
A 48-hour fermentation process gives every sourdough pizza that crisp, lightly charred crust with a soft, chewy interior. The base shines across pizzas such as the Sunshine Chicken, Pepperoni and Lapan, which combines eight cheeses with maple walnuts. The original pizza concept has expanded to include a broader menu of sides, signature drinks, and desserts. So, save room for a treat like Pistachi-oh! Tiramisu, layered with Sicilian pistachio mascarpone and coffee-soaked sourdough cake, or the Pané Cotta finished with extra virgin olive oil and sea salt.
Fresh off the success of Fifty Tales, founders Aaron Khor, Aaron Phua and Bimmy Soh unveil a cosy new noodle bar in TTDI. Once again, they teamed up with Tan Chee Ho from Studio TCH to craft a space enhanced by warm lighting and natural materials. At the entrance, an open-front counter welcomes those passing by, seamlessly connecting the restaurant to the street outside.
Named after the Malay word jalin, "to braid" or “intertwine”, the restaurant draws inspiration from Malay, Indian, Peranakan, Bornean, and other local culinary traditions. It focuses on Malaysia's cross-cultural flavours through handmade egg noodles and inventive interpretations of familiar dishes. Diners can expect standout bowls such as the Dry Laksa Ulam and Mee Rebus, along with sharing plates, creative cocktails, and housemade sodas. Check out the full review here.
Once known as one of KL's best hidden nightlife spots, Kokomo has reopened in Sri Hartamas with a new identity as a modern izakaya that channels Tokyo's backstreet bars. The pork-free restaurant trades club nights for charcoal grills, fresh sushi, and late-night drinks, all served in a cool, well-ventilated space soundtracked by vinyl records. There's even a private dining room for special occasions, while the open sushi counter lets diners watch the chefs in action. After 9 pm, the lights dim, the music gets louder, and it slips back into its former after-hours rhythm.
The menu covers everything you'd expect from a proper izakaya, from fresh sushi and sashimi to yakitori, teppanyaki, and comforting donburi. So, come hungry and bring friends, because this is the sort of Japanese food that rewards sharing across the table. The portions are generous, making dishes like the Pitan Tofu, Ankou Karaage, Mixed Seafood Teppanyaki, and Crab Fried Rice easy picks for a group of friends. Behind the bar, the affordable highballs, extensive sake list, and ice-cold Kirin draught make staying for another round a tempting yet easy decision.
TeetoTurtle proves that a great night out doesn't need alcohol. Tucked along Jalan Hang Kasturi, the sober mixology bar recreates the atmosphere of a cocktail bar without pouring a single drop of booze. Inside, works by local artists line the walls, and waistcoat-clad staff shake and stir zero-proof drinks. Mixologists Shawn Chong, Naqib Najmi and Mheng prepare every mocktail from scratch, proving that flavour and technique don't need spirits to hold their own. It's the sort of place that makes day drinking feel acceptable, minus tomorrow morning's regrets.
Even if you're not a teetotaller, this bar might just change the way you think about drinking. Rather than imitating alcohol, the menu is built around two botanical gin and whisky alternatives. Jamu uses Southeast Asian herbs and warming spices, while pudina takes a more European approach. Together, they form the base of 13 mocktails ranging from bright spritzes to richer, stirred creations. If you're unsure where to begin, order the Berry Bush for its blackcurrant freshness or Night Shadow for a blend of jamu, roasted barley tea, vanilla, and pomegranate.
Esquire Malaysia
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