Ceoi Fong Lou, Taman Cheras

Ceoi Fong Lou is Yulek's new stop for Thai soul fare, from pad kra pao with minced wagyu beef to Hat Yai-inspired fried chicken wings. The kitchen ran out of duck eggs and holy basil when we visited, but its pad kra pao still proved punchy with wok-fired, chilli-fuelled heat.

SB Coffee, Ara Damansara

SB Coffee is Ara Damansara’s new back-lane cafe-roastery with automotive and artistic flair, bringing together a classic car, caffeine and colourful canvases.

Pair SB Coffee’s own-roasted Costa Rican pour-over, brewed by friendly barista-roaster Sam, with a local brunch of nasi lemak bungkus and telur kampung in a rustic setting that evokes a vintage motoring social club.

SB Coffee is a Klang Valley offshoot of Langkawi’s Smiling Buffalo Cafe, sharing this laid-back space with motorcycle dealership Motosentrik’s freshly launched showroom, featuring an Austin Mini Cooper, silver Norton and Ducati Red superbikes.

Crackling & Co, Bangsar Shopping Centre

Crackling&Co is BSC’s new butchery-bistro for carnivorous cravings, spanning charcuterie to chicken liver pate cooked with French butter, duck rillettes to tournedos Rossini to crispy-crackling pork.

Try Crackling&Co’s take on hachis parmentier, the French cousin of shepherd’s pie, served here with thickly pulled Angus beef brisket instead of mince, comfortingly blanketed with mashed potatoes and grated cheese for a beautiful bake, hearty and soulful.

Steak frites currently harnesses Black Onyx 100% pure Black Angus beef, more marbled than everyday Angus, complete with no fewer than three house-made sauces of blue cheese, mushroom and black pepper.

Chef William Ragonneau, his wife Tee Teh and right-hand man Chris do wonderful work, from their welcoming warmth to thoughtful touches in their own espelette-infused butter and kitchen-cured gravlax.

Ricebar, Bangsar

Simple Breakfast Club, Kajang

2PlusOne.Coffee Rumah Kopi, Kajang

Coffee in calm, minus the crowds: 2PlusOne.Coffee is a home-turned-hideout for caffeine cravings in Kajang, open in the morning and evening. Lattes prove light with silky nuttiness, courtesy of the signature Ethiopia-Brazil medium-roast blend.

KOFFI WOC, Oval Damansara

Work-from-cafe calm: KOFFI WOC is Oval Damansara's hideout for walnut banana loaves and yuzu soda coffee, open everyday, spacious and soothing.