The Ordinary Smash Burger, Puncak Jalil

Puncak Jalil’s new burger parlour offers an above-average experience with Aussie wagyu beef patties, punchy-tasting and juicy-textured, sandwiched in soft buns with torched cheddar, onions and house-made sauce for fuss-free fulfillment (RM17 for a single patty, RM24 for a double). NZ lamb patties are also available; complete the meal with skin-on fries and thick truffle mayo in a bright cafe-style setting.

First Floor, 131, Jalan PUJ 3/3, Taman Puncak Jalil, Sri Kembangan, Selangor.

Dong Chao Yuan, Imbi

Dong Chao Yuan is Imbi's distinctive new destination for Teochew temptations, such as Chaoshan 'fish rice,' salt-preserved perch with a firm, fleshy savouriness, served with fermented yellow soybeans; sticky rice dumplings, a starchy cross between lo mai and siu mai; and brined-and-braised goose, succulently and smoothly heaped over soft beancurd puffs.

Southnorth Pastry, Bangsar

Fans of charming Chinese pastries, set your compass for Bangsar's Southnorth Pastry, which points to golden bakes garnished with chicken floss and seaweed, green bean puffs, and gorgeously glutinous rice balls flavoured with green tea and jujube.

Renu Work Space, Damansara Uptown

Damansara Uptown’s new co-working space offers charm and cheer, caffeine and cookies: Renu Work Space (pronounced ‘renew’) is a cosy collaboration between the Recreate branding firm and Niiu interior design studio.

Renu features a friendly coffee bar where walk-in customers can sip lattes complemented by homemade treats, potentially pryaniki (Russian-style gingerbread bakes) and thick, creamy scones in fun flavours like double pistachio, charcoal matcha or dark chocolate hojicha. Nasi lemak is available too.

Find Renu 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday for now.

Common, Taman Tun Dr Ismail

C’mon, Common: Soft-launching in Taman Tun Dr Ismail in early August, the latest offshoot of Common is a carefully crafted cafe with a passionate cyclist’s perspective.

Lined with cross-continental scenes of biking through cities and countrysides, Common TTDI will feature familiar favourites from its Shah Alam first-born sibling, from grilled cheese sourdough sandwiches to steaks, pastries and pastas to rice platters. 

Bonus points for the live plants in this soothing space, warmed by a welcoming team that includes a Malaysian chef with extensive experience, having spent several years working in Singapore.

Find Common TTDI next week / next month at Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad 3.