Malaysia has a thriving coffee shop culture with many of the cafés in Kuala Lumpur bursting at their seams at all times of the day. Depending on interests, visitors have the choice between several spots for coffee or tea with various atmospheres and vibes to suit all interests.
Acme Bar & Coffee
Bar, Cafe, Dessert, Malaysian, Asian, $$$
Located in The Troika next to KLCC, this café in Kuala Lumpur provides coffee drinkers with a comfortable setting in a sophisticated environment. Background jazz music creates an ambience as diners relax on sofas while gazing through the large windows. Expect to find a selection of drinks including various coffees, gourmet teas and detox juices along with breakfast, lunch and desserts. Anyone looking to unwind in a refined yet casual environment in the heart of Kuala Lumpur will appreciate Acme Bar & Coffee.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
Opposite KLCC, Urbean Avenue K offers some of the best coffee in Kuala Lumpur. With expert baristas using a unique blend of high-grade Brazilian, Indian and Peruvian beans, coffee lovers are sure to get satisfaction here. Expect a cosy environment and an extensive menu, including everything from salads and sandwiches to soups. Stop by and sample their city-wide famous coffee in a local’s favourite café in Kuala Lumpur.
The Library Coffee Bar is a chain of international cafés featuring a similar design and atmosphere. Inside Avenue K, bookshelves fill the space along with comfortable sofas and laptops on tables. Locals often come to hang out inside to use the free Wi-Fi while catching up with their work or just to browse the net. The selection of iced coffee and coffee shakes, including the espresso mocha, are worth sampling.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
Away from the touristy areas of KL Sentral in Bangsar, Antipodean Café is somewhat of a secret among locals. The cosy café in Kuala Lumpur provides hearty breakfasts, delicious desserts and a variety of drinks. Customers can enjoy the sofas inside the colourful space. Red walls and black furniture give hints of a Spanish coffee shop. Take the LRT one stop from KL Sentral to Bangsar and sample their famous breakfast with a strong iced coffee before starting a day of sightseeing.
Another one of the chain cafés in Kuala Lumpur bursting with professional locals and those looking to enjoy a coffee while doing some work. Located opposite KL Sentral near the city’s budget hotels, the 24-hour opening times allow coffee fans to get their caffeine fix at any time of the day. Popular with backpackers and tourists staying in the Brickfields area and offering Malaysian food and free Wi-Fi, Old Town White Coffee ranks among the capital’s best.
Another stylish café Dr.Inc (cleverly pronounced as ‘drink’) gives customers a different experience in Bangsar. The decorated walls are full of colour and soul with various knickknacks, pictures and hanging artwork. Everything from Italian coffee and juice to bottled beer and snacks are available. A variety of art and handicraft created by local artisans are on sale here, too, in this somewhat unusual café in Kuala Lumpur.
Looks like it's closedHours or services may be impacted due to Covid-19
For those looking to venture out of the Bukit Bintang and KLCC area, check out one of the largest shopping malls in Malaysia: Midvalley Megamall. Plan B, inside Midvalley, prides itself on being a creative space where people can enjoy their time together and hang out. With a selection of coffee blends, both hot and iced, along with several teas and food, it’s easy to see why people stay inside this café in Kuala Lumpur for hours on end. Anyone who wants a break to dig into their guidebook or novel inside an arty and air-conditioned environment will appreciate Plan B.
The smaller mall next to Midvalley Megamall called The Gardens houses a favourite café in Kuala Lumpur for high-quality coffee. Since 2013, Eight Ounce Coffee brews up speciality and handcrafted blends sourced from the top quality Arabian beans. The café takes effort to reach, but coffee connoisseurs will appreciate a cup of arguably the best and most consistent coffee in the city.
Located along the famous Petaling Street in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown sits Chocha. In Hakka Chinese, Chocha translates to ‘sit and drink’ epitomising the concept behind this traditional-style café. Diners can sit either inside or outside on the benches with a selection of coffees, tea, soft drinks and both Malaysian and Chinese food. But the idea behind the name of this café in Kuala Lumpur also attracts a set of customers looking for co-working space. Chocha Foodstore can be tricky to find given its hidden-away location, but worth the time for the rustic design and environment.
Housed inside a former brothel on Petaling Street in Chinatown, Merchant’s Lane attracts customers for its atmosphere, decorations and ample space to hang out. Boasting an extensive menu of food and drinks and several places inside to take the perfect photograph, this is one of the most atmospheric and Instamgrammable cafés in Kuala Lumpur.
