Every month, the Going Places team handpicks the best experiences across Malaysia
1. Kuala Lumpur: Gearing up for the new year
The Mell by Melinda Looi Melleagris collection is the perfect complement for the Year of the Snake, with each piece embodying the mysterious allure of the snake and its connection to themes of rebirth – from Mandarin-collar cheongsam reimagined as crop tops, cutout dresses and handkerchief dresses, to knit slit skirts and palazzo pants, all in mesmerising shades of turquoise, sage green, pink and red.
2. Kuala Lumpur: Passport to luxury
The start of a new year often stirs the urge to explore. For those planning to venture out, the Maybank World Elite Mastercard offers seamless luxury and curated experiences for every travel adventure. Enjoy 16 complimentary visits to Plaza Premium, Plaza Premium First or Travel Club lounges nationwide. Flying to London or Paris? Extend your getaway with a complimentary night at Hotel Napoleon in Paris or Radisson Blu in Leicester Square, London, with a minimum one-night booking. At home, you can indulge in RM120 nett set lunches for two at standout restaurants like Nobu KL at the Four Seasons Place and IL Bacaro at the Campbell House Penang. The Maybank World Elite Mastercard is your companion to making every journey of 2025 unforgettable.
3. Kuching: Flavours of Borneo
The first thing that greets you at Enzo, located in the Saradise township in Kuching, is the striking mural showcasing Sarawak’s rich cultural heritage. Enzo, which opened last July, specialises in infusing a touch of Borneo into everything it does – from the aromatic Sarawakian staple bunga kantan (torched ginger flower) in the Carbonanza bowl with black pepper chicken and the zesty Bornean Spaghetti, to the handcrafted traditional woven bags on sale in-store.
4. George Town: Coming to life
With bold hues of orange and blue and Art Deco touches, lyf comes to George Town, with a range of stylish rooms for the modern traveller raring to soak up all that Penang has to offer. lyf George Town doesn’t just reflect the city’s culture; it brings creativity, connection and vibes – think Insta-worthy spots around every corner, and a long list of cultural events, like lyf’s collaboration with artist Jahan Loh for the “Door of Cosmic Dreams” exhibition.
5. Malaysia: Putting values first
Credit Card-i, Bank Rakyat’s Shariah-compliant alternative to conventional cards, is the ideal companion for jet-setting travellers. Both the Explorer Credit Card-i and the Muslimah Credit Card-i offer up to 5% cashback on flights and hotel bookings, zero fees on currency exchanges for international transactions, exclusive deals at selected merchants and Rakyat Reward Points. The perfect fit for those looking for both values and amazing value.
6. Malaysia: Empowering communities
Orang Asli mothers face many challenges caring for their young children at home, including limited access to employment, which is among the reasons for the high school dropout rate in these communities. The Asli Co aims to do what it can to help, working with Orang Asli mothers in Selangor, Perak, Negeri Sembilan and Pahang to produce handmade soaps – like the kuih soaps shaped like your favourite desserts – tote bags, eye pillows and more.
7. Kuala Lumpur: A taste of Korea’s finest
Steak lovers can now indulge in the rare MiGyeongSan Hanwoo beef, a Korean delicacy celebrated for its rich marbling and bold meaty flavour, rivalling Japan’s wagyu. Revered as a cultural treasure, this exquisite beef was introduced to Malaysia last November at a special event featuring dishes crafted by Michelin-starred restaurant chefs Allen Suh and Jun Lee at Fritz Troika Sky Dining. This halal-certified Hanwoo beef comes from cattle fed a controlled diet and never calved, ensuring the highest quality. To celebrate the upcoming Chinese New Year, limited quantities are available at Culina Shoppes at Four Seasons Place, perfect for an unforgettable festive feast.
8. Kuala Lumpur: Learning to dazzle
TOMEI will release its Diamond Collection just in time for Valentine’s Day this year, with 14k white gold pieces featuring trendy heart motifs in pendants, stud earrings and rings. TOMEI’s marketing manager Kelvin Chen offers tips on how to pair jewellery for every festive season.
Chinese New Year
Bold gold jewellery is a must to complement the vibrant hues of traditional red and gold,” says Chen. He suggests choosing pieces that add a modern twist to the traditional, like intricate engravings and gemstone accents, or minimalistic designs with high polish to match the rich tones of the cheongsam.
Valentine’s Day
For Valentine’s Day, Chen advises considering your partner’s style – minimalist, bold or sentimental. Thoughtfully choose timeless, versatile jewellery, such as delicate pendants, elegant bracelets or diamond studs, which suit daily wear and diverse outfits. “These pieces,” Chen says, “never go out of style and hold lasting sentimental value, showing care and attention to their preferences.”
Eid
Chen points out that of late, baju kurung and baju kebaya are often paired with gold jewellery that marry classic elegance with modern design. For added depth, stack rings with different finishes, such as a mix of high-polish gold and diamond-cut designs, or choose layered necklaces with subtle pendants and bold statement earrings.
Christmas
“The season of joy is the perfect time to experiment with mixed metals,” says Chen. Christmas calls for cheer, and the whimsy and individual touches of stacked earrings or even pieces featuring character designs can be balanced out by simpler, more understated pieces, like gold bracelets.
9. Johor Bahru: Local bites with a global twist
Knocknock Café made a dramatic entrance into Taman Mount Austin’s burgeoning food scene last year, with its majestic flower arrangements and vintage pieces, and its fusion of Malaysian spices and Western techniques. The Buttery Crab Fusion Rice brings together succulent crab and chicken in a fusion curry; the River Prawn Arrabbiata Pasta features river prawns and tobiko (roe) in a spicy arrabiata sauce; while Happy’s Laksa Ever puts a twist on the traditional dish with salmon fillet, white tuna and a special laksa sauce.
10. Kuala Lumpur: Capturing KL’s energy
Inspired by the capital city’s evolution from a tin mining hub to a bustling metropolis, Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur dazzles with 312 rooms that bring together earthy tones, bold industrial lines and breathtaking art, including from local graffiti artist Jefr. Besides embodying its electric energy, Hyatt Centric City Centre’s location in the beating heart of KL makes it the perfect launchpad to discover everything the dynamic city has to offer – from the architectural majesty of the Petronas Twin Towers and the serenity of the KL Forest Eco Park to the inimitable arts, culture, dining and nightlife scene.
11. Kuala Lumpur: Where the heart is
Replacing the longstanding Leo’s Dining Room in Bangsar’s Jalan Bangkung last September, Ed’s Kitchen specialises in food from the heart, with an eclectic selection of quintessentially Malaysian dishes.
Start with a heartwarming herbal chicken soup before moving onto kulim oil fries using the “Southeast Asian truffle”, assam laksa salad, Nyonya assam pedas grouper, juicy tomahawk steaks with beef fat char kway teow, and of course, their signature lobster noodles.
12. Johor Bahru: Surf’s up
It’s peak surf season now on Malaysia’s east coast, and Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, in partnership with Dash Outdoors, is offering surfing lessons for all levels on hidden-gem beaches. Beginners can catch the waves in the shallow waters and sandy breaks of Wild Boar Bay, while more seasoned surfers can revel in the playground of Tanjung Balau, all under the watchful eye of Dash Outdoors’ expert instructors.
13. Kedah: Making a splash
Just a stone’s throw away from the banks of Sungai Merbok, theappropriately aquatic-themed Reef Garden Coffee adds a touch of colour to the town of Sungai Petani. With blue-lit aquariums around the café, and plant fixtures along the walls and ceiling to complete the underwater feel, Reef Garden Coffee features a fusion menu with Northern Malaysian touches, like the chicken grill with creamy tomyam sauce and daging masak hitam (beef in dark sauce), puff pastries, and of course, a long list of speciality coffees and yam drinks.
