Kopi & Ulam by Debunga, Seri Kembangan

Set in a gorgeous herb garden with a serene sense of sunshine and space, Kopi & Ulam is UPM’s new alumni-founded cafe, a leaf-loving refuge for lontong, talam keladi and pegaga-garnished coolers, warmly welcoming the public on a campus plot, twenty minutes from Bukit Jalil.

Sip & Spin by Koffeemilia, Damansara Perdana

Tucked in a car park basement, this coffee shop and DJ collective studio combine forces with retail corners for vinyl records and clothing: Sip & Spin by Koffeemilia x The Pulse Kitchen is Damansara Perdana’s new caffeine cavern for lattes and lingering. It’s been carefully constructed from corner to corner: Even its ceiling is crafted from repurposed office furniture.

Sip & Spin's espresso bar was closed when we visited, but for now, it typically opens starting 3pm, Monday to Saturday.

Jaga Cafe, Taman Botani Perdana

Jaga Cafe is the KL botanical garden’s lovely new stop for spring onion cream cheese bagels and coconut cloud matcha, with lots of fresh air and lush lake views, a serene stroll from the city’s butterfly and bird parks.

Jaga Cafe currently opens 7am-2pm daily.

Mala Bistronome, Taman Tun Dr Ismail

Mala Bistronome is TTDI’s steamy new stop for modern mala meals.

Make your own malatang: Mix and match pork-free meat, seafood and vegetables with Sichuan-seasoned broth.

The White Mala is fuelled by less fire and more fragrance, savoury with mellow heat, full-bodied with protein like prawns, scallops, clams and thousand-layer beef tripe.

Mala Bistronome is by the folks behind PJ’s THB Bistronome Thai-French restaurant, so expect the unexpected, spanning small and sharing plates.

Century eggs with stracciatella cheese, chillies and shallots prove addictively creamy, while boneless chicken feet convey collagen spring with tongue-tingling spice.