Bars and Cafes in Bangsar (Kuala Lumpur)

Finnegan's

Customers will definitely feel at home at this cozy outlet. The manager is always on hand to help out, while the staff is very friendly and efficient. Finnegan's looks pretty much like an authentic Irish pub with a hint of elegance befitting the upmarket Bangsar crowd. There are little souvenirs from Ireland decorating the walls. Try Molly Malone's fish soup, Gaelic steak, Irish stew or Dublin Coddle. There is also a good selection of wine at reasonable prices.

Citron Filmnet Cafe

At Filmnet Cafe, housed in a 1960s bungalow, if you opt to pay a membership fee, you can dine on fusion cuisine (Italian pasta, European soups, local curry laksa and Hokkien noodles) and watch art films at the same time. Films are mostly international movies not screened in local cinemas. This cinema-cum-cafe also periodically holds garden and arts events and film appreciation courses. It has twice-daily screenings of more than 300 films each year.

Oliver Super Sandwiches (JJ Juice Fusion)

This no-frills little outlet serves an array of fruit and vegetable juices. You will leave here feeling good all over. This is a small establishment with simple decor. An assortment of magazines is thoughtfully provided for patrons' reading pleasure. Experiment with the immune booster, the detoxifying and cleansing, or the weight watch juices—all are freshly prepared by combining selected fruits and vegetables. Other items on the menu include coffee, tea, sandwiches and salads.

Fei Fei Kopitiam

This kopitiam (coffee shop) is a better looking, cleaner and more comfortable version of the standard ones that you find in small towns. Occupying a spot in upmarket Bangsar area, this place distinguishes itself from the other eateries with its wooden tables and stools. Soothing Chinese music and memorabilia, like old clocks and antique wooden cupboards, create a nostalgic atmosphere. You can enjoy a variety of Chinese, Malay and Indian cuisine—all home-made style with simple presentation and reasonable prices. Sample the herbal and Chinese teas or the fresh soy bean drink.

Gas Works

Gas Works offers great fun and games and is a must for fast car lovers. Here you will find paraphernalia of fast cars, bikes and racing boats hanging on the walls and the waiters and waitresses are dressed in racing outfits. A large screen television screens all major racing events. The dishes here taste great and include deep fried Silverstone squid rings and Mutton Varual Schumacher. The bar serves a variety of spirits, wine and beer.

Bangsar Seafood Garden Restaurant

One of the oldest establishments in Bangsar, this restaurant is famous for its wide range of fresh seafood and its choice of lovely landscaped outdoor pavilion or spacious interiors. The restaurant has expanded to several outlets within one compound. The main restaurant is decorated with simple elegance, while The Hut has a tropical setting and the Claypot Corner offers alfresco dining. Depending on which outlet you choose, you can sample Chinese, clay-pot or seafood dishes and The signature dish of the main restaurant--Baked Crab in Butter Sauce--is delicious. Various soft drinks and beers are available. For an after-dinner drink, the beer garden is just the place.

La Bodega

This is a true Spanish tapas bar, one of the first and finest in Kuala Lumpur. La Bodega has traditional Spanish decor with 12-foot-high doors and terracotta floors. The walls are adorned with photographs of Spain in the 1950s and 1960s. A must for wine lovers, this outlet has one of the best wine lists in Kuala Lumpur, specializing in Spanish and South American wines. You can also savor some 30 types of traditional and contemporary tapas, either hot or cold.

Herbal Soup Shop

As the name suggests, this famous owner-operated establishment specializes in Chinese herbal soups that are supposed to put you in a better state of health. The decor is very simple, with dining sets of traditional rosewood tables and chairs. Calligraphy paintings adorn the walls. The menu lists the beneficial properties of the soup, making it easier for a "beginner" to choose. It also serves healthy home-made Chinese fare, ranging from vegetables to seafood. Chinese teas are also available.

Chinois Fusion Palace

Classy is spelled out in bold letters when you enter this impressive outlet. You will feel as if you are dining in a grand palace. The simple white tablecloths complement the high-backed chairs with their red cushions. The walls are covered with paintings from China. A stairway at the center leads to the clubhouse, which doubles up as a bar. This place serves a diverse array of Chinese cuisine with a Western touch. Their signature dishes include Roast Duck, Lobster Noodles and Seafood Fried Rice with Shredded Chicken. A wide selection of Italian, French, American, Australian wines is available as well as specialty drinks.

The Talk

Moving away from the image of just a wine and cigar bar, this simple yet elegant nightspot doubles as a Japanese bistro. The interior is painted a light pastel green that is soothing to the eye and features large lounge chairs and small tables. Tables are also placed outside for those who love to sit and watch the busy streets of P Ramlee. This charming place serves a variety of sushi and other Japanese dishes as well as a great variety of wines. Some favourites on the menu include tempura, sashimi, sukiyaki and oden.

Secret Recipe

Check out this place for some indulgent calorie replenishing, after your shopping marathon. Awash with bright and cheerful colours, this is a happy place to come and relax and refresh your aching limbs and deprived taste buds. Cheesecakes are the house speciality here, with the twelve varieties including Orange, Mocha, Oreo, Marble and Chocolate. Other items on the menu include spaghetti bolognaise, chicken chop, lasagne and burgers. For drinks, there are Mocha and Cappuccino ice blended.

Saint Cinnamon

This is just the place for a warm, buttery cinnamon roll. The first thing that strikes you is the sweet aroma of the rolls being baked before your eyes on the front counter. The tiny self-service outlet adopts a simple yet modern décor. The scrumptious rolls are available in apple, blueberry, banana, cheese or pecan nut (a must-have). To go with it, have a cup of coffee, or better still, the house coffee ice-blends, which are comparatively cheaper than other places and are simply delicious.