Kuala Lumpur cafe guide
Kuala Lumpur is Malaysia’s capital city for a reason: it’s bustling with many trendy cafes fitting for every occasion. Whether for solo leisure travel or a spontaneous hangout with friends and family, we hope our curated list of the best Kuala Lumpur cafes will help you the next time you plan a trip there.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.30 as of 9 December 2024.
10 Work-Friendly Cafes In KL With Specialty Coffee, Brunch And More
1. Niko Neko Matcha
Image credit: Niko Neko Matcha
Niko Neko is a Malaysian matcha brand that needs no introduction. Chances are that if you walk into any cafe in the country, they are using Niko Neko’s powders for their drinks—that’s how popular they are! Fans will be happy to know that the brand even operates a line of cafes serving drinks made with their very own matcha.
Image credit: Niko Neko Matcha
At their two cafes in KL, expect a variety of hojicha and matcha-based drinks alongside desserts. They even have fruit-infused beverages such as the Mango Matcha Cheesecake (RM18++): a concoction of cheesecake syrup, mango puree, soda, and matcha. Else, go for the classic Matcha Latte (from RM13++). Pair your drinks with the Crunch Cube (RM6++), a type of matcha fudge, or the Mini Matcha Burnt Cheesecake (RM10++).
Niko Neko Matcha 2.0 Chinatown outlet
Address: 181, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 6pm
Tel: +60 11-5649 8230
Niko Neko Matcha 1.5 Bangsar outlet
Address: 82A, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 6pm
Tel: +60 11-5548 2490
Website
Niko Neko Matcha is a halal-certified eatery.
2. Feeka Coffee Roasters
Image credit: Kholoud Rabbah
Derived from the Swedish word “fika” which means coffee break, Feeka Coffee Roasters is a popular respite amongst those living in the Bukit Bintang area. The space is enshrouded in lush greenery, offering something different from what most cafes tend to go for.
Image credit: Feeka Coffee Roasters
Brunch favourites include the Poached Eggs Turkish Style (RM25++): poached eggs dressed in a mix of basil pesto, coriander, dill, and chilli oil. Else, if you enjoy a good avocado-on-toast sitch, get the Smashed Avocado (RM24++). Although they are most known for their breakfast classics, they also have a decent lunch menu. Think Pan Seared Chicken And Couscous (RM20++), Swedish Meatballs (RM25++), and Seabass Fish And Chips (RM27++) among others.
Don’t leave without getting your dose of caffeine—these come in the form of Espresso (from RM9++), Filtered Coffee (from RM10++), and Cold Brew (Black RM15++/White RM16++). You can get your espresso and filtered coffee in either single-origin or blend varieties depending on what’s available for the day.
Address: 19, Jalan Mesui, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 10pm
Tel: +60 3-2110 4599
Website
Feeka Coffee Roasters is a halal-certified eatery.
3. Vintage Kissa Audio Cafe
Image credit: chee wai david wong
Adorning the walls of Vintage Kissa Audio Cafe are stacks of vintage cassette tapes, perfectly aligning with the musical concept of the space! You can expect to hear all kinds of music from the mega speakers throughout the day. There’s even a VIP room, where you can isolate yourself from the crowd and listen to some tunes with their amazing selection of old vinyl.
Image credit: 小龍
Whether you’re part of the generation of cassette tapes and vinyl, or you’re just a self-proclaimed music junkie, the cool interior of this cafe will surely impress you. There are drinks such as the Americano (RM8/RM9) and Caffe Latte (RM10/RM11). Pair these with their range of simple snacks, including the Swiss Cake Rolls (RM7.50), which come in flavours of Chocolate, Vanilla, Matcha Red Bean, and Coffee.
Address: 18-2 Jalan Pju 5/9, Dataran Sunway, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tue-Thurs, Sun 12pm to 9pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 10pm
Tel: +60 16-239 3194
Website
Vintage Kissa Audio Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
4. Lim Kee Cafe
Image credit: Wut Duangkaew
Modern meets traditional at Lim Kee Cafe, a humble cafe at Tian Jing Hotel. Don’t be fooled by the offbeat kopitiam-esque look and use of old rattan chairs, for their menu consists of an array of upscale espresso-based drinks such as Flat White (RM11++) and Dirty Sunrise (RM15++).
Image credit: Rahman Hamid
Though it might strike as an odd pair, customers love pairing these drinks with Asian breakfast staples such as Roti Kahwin (RM4++) and Soft-Boiled Eggs (RM4++ for two). FYI: roti kahwin is another way to say kaya toast in Malaysia. They also have a selection of seasonal Cakes (from RM15++) to accompany your beverages.
Address: 66-68, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 9:30am to 5:30pm
Tel: +60 11-2323 9810
Website
Lim Kee Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
5. PULP
Image credit: PULP By PPP Coffee
Another notable coffee roastery that has successfully expanded to KL is PPP Coffee’s sister brand PULP. Just like PPP Coffee, coffee is at the forefront of PULP, paying homage to the brand’s signature sourcing and roasting process.
Other than the classic espresso drinks, their bottled Cold Brew is said to be smooth yet robust, making it a hot pick here. These come in variations of Black (RM18++), White (RM19++), and even Oat (RM20++). Alternatively, go for their more unique selection of beverages including the Coffee Sour (RM17++), a blend of lemon juice and espresso.
Address: 29-01, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, A Place Where, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 6:30pm
Tel: +60 3-2201 3650
Website
PULP By PPP Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
6. Half & Hafu Coffeebar
Image credit: Jun Yee
Sip and get your hair snipped at Half & Hafu, a cafe that doubles as a hair salon. The quaint space exudes super zen vibes that give you a break from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Image credit: Half & Hafu Coffeebar
Matcha addicts will be happy to know that they have a variety of matcha drinks such as the Matcha No.1 (RM11++) and Matcha No. 2 (RM11++). No.1 combines strawberry puree and matcha, while No.2 is made using rose, lemon, soda, and matcha, offering a fruity tinge to balance out the bitterness of matcha! The former is especially raved about by matcha enthusiasts and seems to be the go-to beverage here.
These are just a few of the many cool concoctions you can find on the menu if you want a switch up from your usual drink orders! They also have a seasonal rotation of pretty teacakes that sport various pastel shades.
Address: Lot B-1-05, First Floor, The Hub SS2 Retail Office, 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tue-Fri 12pm to 8pm, Sat-Sun 11am to 8pm
Tel: +60 10-662 0220
Website
Half & Hafu Coffeebar is not a halal-certified eatery.
7. YYY KL
Image credit: Walter Lloyd Perera
The space at YYY KL, characterised by quirky structures, neon-coloured sofas, and other bizarre adornments, stands out from the commonly seen minimalist cafe look. FYI: they also operate on a half-cafe and half-speakeasy concept.
Image credit: Alexis YWK
When the sun sets, the space adopts soft dim lighting, making it extra vibey to bring a friend or even a date. Even their menu is one of a kind, handwritten in a battered exercise book. The cuisine here combines Asian and Western flavours, though there seems to be no fixed menu online since they operate on a weekly rotational menu.
@anwrrose @sza
Popular items in the previous menu include Fish and Chips (price TBD), Sirloin Steak (price TBD), Seafood Fried Rice (price TBD), Charcoal Grilled Cheese Sandwich (price TBD), and Tomato Pasta (price TBD). But we recommend staying tuned to their Instagram for more updates when their seasonal menu drops.
Make your dinner reservation here.
Address: 64-1 & 66-1, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Opening hours: Sun-Mon, Wed-Thurs 12pm to 11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm to 12am
Website
YYY KL is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork and lard.
8. Pizza Mansion
Image credit: Muaz Azhari
If pizza is the way to your heart, consider planning a visit to Pizza Mansion, a popular pizzeria in KL! The pizzas here are said to be fresh, delicious, and affordable. Plus, they even bake their pizzas in a brick-clay oven so you know you’re getting that perfectly charred crust. Some would even go as far as to say the pizzas here are one of the best you can get in the country.
Image credit: Dexter
Their most basic pizza, The PM (RM22), is topped with tomato paste, roasted cherry tomato, oregano, fresh basil, and extra virgin olive oil. This is just one of the 10 variations of pizza they offer here, with other popular picks including the Silence Of The Lambs (RM36) and Anchovy Marinara (RM33). The former is topped with a tomato chilli paste, fior di latte cheese, Moroccan lamb meatballs, green chillies, and garlic yoghurt, whereas the latter has capers and salty Italian anchovies. Pizzas aside, their Truffle Mac & Cheese (RM23) is another bestseller.
Address: BG3, Block B, Happy Mansion, Jalan 17/13, Seksyen 17, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 10:30pm
Tel: +60 16-388 5365
Website
Pizza Mansion is not a halal-certified eatery.
9. Lacher Patisserie
Image credit: @lacherpatisserie
Lacher Patisserie in KL offers a gorgeous selection of pastries, cakes, and viennoseries. Whether you’re more of a sweet or a savoury person, they definitely have something that will strike your fancy.
Image credit: Siti Khadijah Hasanuddin
Popular picks include their Gochujang Egg Tart (price TBD), Pain Au Chocolat (price TBD), and Almond Croissant (price TBD). The Gochujang Egg Tart comes in a multi-layered pastry shaped like a flower, enveloping a gochujang mix and a runny egg which makes for the perfect savoury treat. On the cake and tart front, they have the Pistachio Raspberry Cake (price TBD) and Yuzu Mango Tart (price TBD), among other confectioneries.
Address: LG 01-02, Menara THE MET, Jalan Dutamas 2, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 8:30am to 6pm
Tel: +60 3-7627 1202
Website
Lacher Patisserie is a halal-certified eatery.
10. Pohutukawa Coffee
Image credit: @pohutukawa_coffee
Pohutukawa Coffee is literally a hidden gem since it is located on the second floor of a shophouse. But don’t worry: the cafe is not only distinguishable by the cute signage that sits by the entrance, you’ll also be greeted by the adorable house cat as soon as you walk through the door.
Image credit: SQ
Try their range of artisanal coffees such as White (RM12) and Mocha (RM15), cold brews, and a seasonal selection of filtered coffees. Else, they do a pretty good Matcha Latte and Hojicha Latte for RM15 each. Pair these with their popular Matcha Cream Cheese Cake (RM15) and Pumpkin Pecan Cake (RM15). They also have bagels from RM6 that you can enjoy with a side of jam or cream cheese (RM2 each).
Address: 1075A, Jalan 17/27, Taman Gembira, Seksyen 17 Morning Market, 46400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am to 10pm, Sun 11am to 6pm
Tel: +60 16-695 7283
Website
Pohutukawa Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
11. Grumpy Bagels
Image credit: Chwee yoke Chin
If your dream life involves eating fresh bagels along the streets of New York, you can achieve a small piece of that fantasy at Grumpy Bagels, a cafe that makes a variety of NY-style bagels from scratch. Other than plain bagels, there are flavours such as Sesame, Cranberry, Triple Chocolate, Garlic Cream Cheese, and Matcha Red Bean. Plus, their house-made cream cheese pairs perfectly with the bagels!
Image credit: Van Ligutom
For something a little more substantial, you can opt for their popular Bagel Sandwiches. There are simple flavours such as the B.E.C. or Bacon, Egg and Cheese, and the crowd-favourite Lox, which sandwiches smoked salmon, scallion cream cheese, tomatoes, and capers.
Address: 8, Jalan Kamuning, Off, Jalan Imbi, 55100 Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 5pm
Tel: +60 11-1113 4985
Website
Grumpy Bagels is not a halal-certified eatery.
12. PMTD Coffee
Image credit: Double Chin
Ambient lighting, a black feline friend, pretty drinks, and the steady whir of tattoo needles pressing into skin, are what many customers remember PMTD Coffee by. The cafe is located within a tattoo studio, and despite the relatively unconventional location, they see customers who return for an unparalleled atmosphere.
The menu is relatively simple: a selection of specially crafted concoctions such as Sea Coconut (price TBD), a refreshing combination of matcha and coconut water, and Seasons (price TBD),made using hot black coffee and creamy cold foam. There’s also the Pink Horizon, a pretty drink with a backstory that draws inspiration from the owner’s childhood favourite snack: haw flakes!
Food-wise, there’s the Matcha Toast (RM18): shokupan with matcha sauce and a dollop of vanilla ice cream. If you’re not big on matcha, they also have Honey, Lemon, Chocolate, and Strawberry variations for this dessert.
Address: 3, 3, Jalan PJU 5/12, Dataran Sunway, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia 47810
Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Thurs 11am to 7pm, Fri-Sun 11am to 10pm
Website
PMTD Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
13. Bakaron Cafe
Image credit: IAR IAR
As soon as you set foot into Bakaron Cafe, it feels like you just teleported to a cafe in Korea. Almost everything here is reminiscent of the Y2K-themed cafes lining the streets of Seoul, from the chunky and colourful macarons to the pretty glassware and cutleries.
Image credit: shuen shops!
Popular beverages include the Rose Lychee Sparkler (RM16.90), Vienna Coffee (RM12), and Yuzu Matcha (RM13.90). Pair these with the cafe’s speciality: their chunky and adorable macarons. The flavours switch up each month but some variations you can expect include the Sea Salt Rose (RM11.90), Mint Chocolate (RM11.50), and Matcha Hazelnut (RM11.90). These macarons often come in pastel-tinted exteriors with cute designs, so be sure to snap a few pictures for the gram before you take a bite.
Address: 105-1, Pusat Dagangan Nzx, Jalan Pju 1a/41b, Ara Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 11am to 6pm
Tel: +60 3-7887 4688
Website
Bakaron Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
14. Playground Cake Bar
Image credit: Nim Tata
Playground Cake Bar is known for three things: croyaki—a combination of a croissant and a taiyaki—cream cakes, and Einspanner. Their Einspanner drinks come in a variety of flavours including Latte (RM13), Chocolate (RM15), Matcha (RM17), Houjicha (RM16), Genmaicha (RM16), and Strawberry (RM16). As for the croyaki, the fish-shaped croissant comes in rotational flavours including Taro Mochi, Matcha Adzuki, Chocolate Hazelnut, and Salted Caramel Banana.
Image credit: @playgroundcakebar
Their Korean-style cream cakes are also super popular. These cakes are available as a whole or in slices, with flavours such as Triple Mango, Yam Coco, Earl Grey Choco, and Strawberry Shortcake. FYI: they also do customisable cakes.
Address: Jalan 22/49, Seksyen 22, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Fri-Sun 1pm to 7pm
Website
Playground Cake Bar is not a halal-certified eatery.
15. Binq Dessert
Image credit: KK Liew
If you found most of the mentions on this list too heaty for the weather, Binq Dessert has just the right thing for you to cool off! Think flavoured ice, cold milk, and a variety of toppings such as red bean, mochi, jelly, taro balls, and popping boba. Plus, their taro balls are house-made.
There are six variations of bingsu to choose from here: White Peach Oolong (RM23), Roasted Soybean Oolong (RM23), The Dark Knight (RM26), Matcha (RM26), Hoji-Cha-Cha (RM26), Mango Sago (RM26), and Kumquat Jasmine (RM23). Their most loved flavours have to be the matcha and hojicha variations, topped with brown sugar jelly, soybean mochi, red bean, and cream cheese.
Address: 48 Jalan 27/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Fri-Sat 1pm to 11:30pm, Sun-Thurs 1pm to 11pm
Tel: +60 3-5888 5452
Website
Binq Dessert is not a halal-certified eatery.
16. Bartolo Bakehouse
Image credit: David Almeida
One of the most notable purveyors of Portuguese cuisine in KL is Bartolo Bakehouse, where they dole out trays of freshly baked pastel de nata AKA Portuguese egg tarts daily. These indulgent and custardy tarts sport a seemingly burnt caramelised top and a dash of cinnamon powder, which you don’t typically see in the more commonly found Hong Kong egg tart.
Image credit: @bartolobakehouse
Other than the traditional tart, there are lesser-seen flavours such as Matcha, Strawberry, and Chocolate. Each egg tart goes for RM8. Other baked goods include the Berliner (RM10), with fillings including Chocolate and Custard Cream. For the uninitiated, these bakes bear a striking resemblance to the Italian bomboloni. Aside from these small bites, they do traditional Portuguese sandwiches and brunch specials too, if you’re here for a full meal.
Address: Mezzanine Floor Lot 204-206, Central Market, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Annexe, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Sun-Wed 10am to 9pm, Thurs 10am to 11:30pm, Fri-Sat 10am to 9:30pm
Tel: +60 11-6167 1458
Website
Bartolo Bakehouse is not a halal-certified eatery.
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17. Above The Clouds
Image credit: koko nic_
Ethereal, dainty, and whimsical are words that come to mind when we think of Above The Clouds. The cloud-themed container cafe is furnished with a minimalist blue and white-accented interior, completed with hanging cloud props and round windows overlooking nature.
Image credit: @above_the_clouds.my
Expect a variety of beverages and snacks that perfectly match the theme here, such as the Blue Sky Cloud Latte (RM16) with pastel blue milk and cotton candy to mimic the cloud. Other in-house specials to order while you’re here include the Pineapple Americano (RM13) and Pandan Coconut Latte (RM14). The former puts a refreshing, fruity twist on the bitter flavours of an Americano while the latter is a delightfully fragrant drink with pandan and coconut notes. These go great with their equally pretty bakes: French Butter Croissant (RM8), Zen Matcha Red Bean Bagel (RM14), and Grape & Chrysanthemum Cream Cheese Bagel (RM15).
Address: Lot 4426, Lot R, Okr Auto City, Batu 4/12, Jalan Klang Lama, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persukutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 10am to 10pm
Tel: +60 11-5381 5806
Website
Above The Clouds is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
18. Bean Brothers
Image credit: @beanbrothers.my
Bean Brothers is run by a crew of highly acclaimed coffee professionals, equipped with professional roastery and cafe operations experience all over Malaysia and Korea. The coffeehouse takes pride in sourcing and roasting fresh single-origin coffee beans to produce their own signature and seasonal blends. Their two signature blends are the popular Black Suit, which has sweet chocolate notes, and the Velvet White, boasting citrus-floral notes.
Image credit: @beanbrothers.my
Aside from being able to purchase these blends in bags, you get to enjoy these them in-store across a variety of beverages. Go for the Americano (RM12) or Flat White (RM14) to savour the coffee in its full glory. Otherwise, opt for their range of Peru, Brazil, or Ethiopia blend in the form of a Filter (RM20), which you can get brewed through three methods: V60, Clever, or Aeropress.
Enjoy your coffee alongside their bakes; highlights include Croissant (RM8), Sourdough (RM8), and Bagel (RM8)! For something more substantial, opt for the Classic Caesar Salad (RM22), Rigatoni Mutton Curry (RM33), or Citrus Smoked Salmon on Bagel (RM29) instead.
Address: G-1, THE LINC No. 360, Jalan Tun Razak, 50400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 8:30am to 8pm, Tue 8:30am to 6pm
Website
Bean Brothers is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
19. Yew Yew
Image credit: Henry Goh
Being a sucker for cute logos on coffee cups, I have to admit that it’s what first drew me to this humble cafe. Yew Yew Coffee is a cosy, slightly tucked-away spot great for unwinding with cakes and a cup of coffee.
Image credit: constantly penat
Here you will find a range of bakes such as crispy Croffles (from RM10) and Chiffon Cakes (price TBD) in flavours of Rose Lychee and Blueberry. Drink-wise, they have espresso-based beverages including the Black Sunset (RM15) a blend of grapefruit soda and espresso, and the matcha-based Genmaicha (RM11) and Matcha Espresso (RM17). FYI: the matcha drinks here are made with Niko Neko’s tea range.
Address: 63-D, Ground Floor, Bangunan Ka Yin, Jalan Sultan, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 6pm
Tel: +60 11-6563 1233
Website
Yew Yew Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
20. Jibby By The Park
Image credit: Jibby By The Park
Take your next brunch outing up a notch by hitting Jibby By The Park, a beautiful restaurant-cafe enshrouded in botanics and plenty of natural sunlight, resembling a greenhouse. The beauty of this cafe does not just stop here: they’re also known for their selection of satisfying brunch and main specials.
Image credit: Jibby By The Park
Choose from their extensive range of Asian-inspired mains, pasta, pizzas and more. There are also Western options such as the Barbeque Lamb (RM45), which stars a sticky-grilled New Zealand lamb shoulder that’s super raved about for being tender and flavourful. If you’re a pasta enthusiast, their Carbonara (RM33) and Moussaka Lasagna (RM35), albeit simple, are both must-haves. On the side, order the Sweet Potato Fries (price TBD) and Calamari (price TBD) to share with your dining companions.
Address: The Waterfront@ParkCity, No. 5, Persiaran Residen, Desa Parkcity, 52200 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 10am to 10pm, Fri-Sun 9am to 10pm
Tel: +60 3-6263 1303
Website
Jibby By The Park is not a halal-certified eatery.
Best cafes to visit in Kuala Lumpur
From wood-fired pizza to bagel sandwiches and speciality matcha drinks, our list has everything under the sun. For more cafes to check out, read our guide to the best work-friendly cafes in KL. Alternatively, read our guide to the most aesthetic KL cafes.
If you’re heading to JB instead, check our guide to the best Johor Bahru cafes or the best JB hawker stalls.
18 Johor Bahru Hawker Food Stalls To Eat At During Your JB Getaway
Feature image adapted from Niko Neko Matcha, Feeka Coffee Roasters, @beanbrothers.my and Gui Jun Yu
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