Batter & Bloom, Aman Suria

Batter up: Aman Suria’s new Batter & Bloom is a satisfying stop for cake cravings, blossoming with buttery beauties in a leaf-loving setting.

Batter & Bloom replaces Jo's Bakery at this address, refreshing the space while retaining Jo's lovingly crafted creations, such as the flagship Lime Avocado Cheesecake, balancing lightness and creaminess, sweetness and savouriness, spiked with citrusy tang.

The Pistachiomisu is a nutty take on tiramisu-inspired cakes, simultaneously delicate and decadent. 

The Golden Churn butter cake is also irresistibly indulgent, timelessly old-school with a moist, fragrant richness.

To try next time: Olive-rosemary focaccia, French rose scones with mulberries, banana loaves and much more.

Jiak by Amy Beh, Klang

Relying on the repertoire of veteran Malaysian chef Amy Beh, Klang’s new Jiak fuses classic kopitiam crowd-pleasers with contemporary cafe creations.

Nasi lemak daging rendang or spaghetti aglio olio ayam berempah? Butter kaya Hainan bread or sourdough toast with telur goyang? Teh O limau or matcha? Jiak doesn’t discriminate. 

Dolce Dulce, Great Eastern Mall

Good gelato at Great Eastern Mall: Dolce Dulce serves up scoops of seasonal specialities like Chocolate Kunafa, dense and decadent, for one of Ampang Road's coolest corners.

Stay Fresh Plus, Imbi

Reputedly spearheaded by a Hong Kong-origin founder, Imbi's new Stay Fresh Plus showcases Asian comfort fare. Its Chinese specialities prove satisfyingly executed, from firm noodles with tenderly fresh prawn wontons and richly caramelised char siew to crusty-bottomed, scorching-hot claypot rice topped with plumply fleshy roast duck.

Crumb, Taman Paramount

Eat and leave no crumbs at Taman Paramount’s new Crumb, baking up a buttery storm of European and Asian-inspired pastries, cakes and loaves of surprising value.

Crumb’s ambitious array rises above the average - indulgences include the lusciously stuffed chestnut paste danish (RM12), reminiscent of Mont Blanc meringue refashioned into viennoiserie, and crisp-coated Japanese curry pan (a budget-conscious bargain at RM6), Crumb’s take on Tokyo convenience-store kare bread. 

Try the hearty maritozzo (RM8) - the traditional Italian brioche-like bun is built here with a sturdier body, evoking HK polo buns, densely packed with delicate blueberry whipped cream. 

Croissants start at RM6.50 without skimping on satisfaction, courtesy of components like French Lescure butter and Japanese flour.

Everything from baguettes to Swiss rolls are crafted from scratch by Crumb’s team, steered by two veteran Malaysian chefs with fortes in Italian and Japanese cuisines.

Crumb currently serves no beverages, so bring your own coffee if you’re snacking on site. The bakery’s friendly founders are eager to eventually introduce a pour-over coffee bar.

YuBake Coffee, Kuchai Lama

YuBake Coffee is Kuchai Lama’s new stop for teatime of tarts and cakes with caffeine - pair the pistachio raspberry tart with the hojicha latte for a pleasant treat. 

Other temptations span the signature pandan layer cake, matcha mille-crepe, Magnum dark chocolate cake, taro cheesecake, tiramisu tarts and lemon curd baked cheese tarts. 

Rose Duck Cafe, Ara Damansara

Beaks and bikes come together at Ara Damansara's Rose Duck Cafe, a charming cycling community hub that wheels out its own roast duck - a succulent speciality, full-bodied in taste and texture, satisfyingly coupled with classic wonton noodles and aromatic rice.