In KL alone, there are simply too many cafes. Each comes with different specialities and perhaps special types of brews. How, then, do you choose the best cafe in KL?
You might go to the nearest or the most familiar one for your daily caffeine recharge. But if you are anything like me, you might be quite particular with your coffee and choice of cafe.
Whether you’re late for breakfast, a part-time cafe-hopper, or just someone looking for another post on your Instagram feed, I’ve got you covered with my personal favourites of the 10 best cafes in KL with different specialities!
1. Old China Cafe – Heritage Hideaways
Must-Try:
- Nyonya Laksa
- Pie Tee
- Soursop drink
Old China Cafe dates back to the 1920s as a town hall for the Selangor & Federal Territory Laundry Association.
It later became a mini Kopitiam that serves classic Asian food with the great effort of maintaining old furniture. You can still spot the historical Feng Sui mirrors facing the portraits of the British and Chinese empires, which means ‘Good Luck’ to the Chinese community.
While admiring the great work of art inside, you must taste their Nyonya Laksa for the thick coconut curry and the great aroma of the Kaffir leaves served with a cut of lime. Don’t forget to get the crunchy Pie-Tee, a traditional Melaka appetiser or a snack that enhances your entire cafe experience here!
Check out this best cafe in KL for great nostalgic vibes and scrumptious meals. As it might get crowded, make sure you make your reservation here.
Operating Hours:
Weekdays & Weekends: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
2. Merchant’s Lane – Artistic Alcoves
Must-Try:
- South China Sea
- Butter Chicken Pasta
- Rose Honey Milk
Be prepared to be in your best dress for your Instagram feed! The jewel of the city, Merchants Lane, is the best cafe in KL, with a great ambience and magnificent interior for your next brunch date!
This best halal cafe in KL, located in Petaling Street, offers a phenomenal vibe with rattan chairs and greenery around you. Its air conditioners are designed as the fresh plants surrounding this cafe – a perfect opportunity to capture artistic photos under the perfect lighting.
Its artistry goes beyond its design; it also presents in its dishes!
The South China Sea dish is served with grilled salmon and two poached eggs with a side salsa, making it their signature dish here.
One of the Instagrammable shots here features the Rose Honey Milk. The warm, sweet milk and fragrant aroma from the rose feel blissful after your first sip. You might even feel that it’s too pretty to drink it!
Operating Hours:
Monday (Closed)
Tuesday – Friday: 11:30 AM – 9:30 PM
Weekends: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
3. Foliage Coffee – Green Retreats
Must-Try:
- Big Breakfast
- Pesto Pasta
Have you stepped into a place looking like a jungle cafe in the city? If not, you’re missing out on this best cafe in KL, perfectly suited for your green retreats!
Check out Foliage Coffee. It will make you awestruck upon entering the cafe. The mesmerising blooms and plants just proved to you nature’s finest art, and Theresa, the founder of this cafe, has taken a great initiative to let people appreciate nature even more.
This captivating cafe is suitable for any occasion to celebrate a party with your friends! Fret not about the sitting, as everything will be prepared upon your earlier bookings.
Hence, remember to try their classic yet popular breakfast platter. Freshly served ham, toast, hashbrowns and greens are served generously, so be sure to share because you must make room in your stomach for their savoury Pesto pasta!
Operating Hours:
Weekdays & Weekends: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
4. LOKL – Scholar’s Haven
Must-Try:
- Frothy Oat Milk Latte
- Iced Coffee with Coconuts
- Crème Brûlée
Imagine sipping your hot coffee while immersing yourself with a captivating book in your hand. LOKL Coffee Co is just the right haven for a scholar like you!
I must start with the frothy Oat Milk Latte at LOKL, my favourite here. The oats’ sweetness and rich flavour give an incredible taste and are nothing like your ordinary latte.
However, if you’re not a fan of oats, you must try the iced coffee with coconuts. It’s two shots of espresso mixed with coconut water. The aroma of the coconut is heightened in the coffee, and this espresso makes it an irresistible coffee to keep you awake!
The Crème Brûlée is a must-try dessert on the menu list. This warm custard inside is so flavorful and dulcified, enriching your cafe experience, especially with the satisfying sound of crackling the top with your teaspoon!
It excels, too, in its cafe’s atmosphere. The minimal yet quaint interior design brings you great energy to focus on your work while tuning out from the noise outside.
One of the reasons this would be my best cafe in KL is because the entire cafe seems very integrated in interior design, theme, and pieces of furniture. It seemed like an impromptu architecture to me! This portrays the Rojak personality in all Malaysians with our language, food and more.
Operating Hours:
Weekdays & Weekends: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
5. FEEKA Coffee & Roasters – Global Fusion
Must-Try:
- Cold Brew Tonic
- Cappuccino
- Sticky Bun Latte
Hop into the next best cafe in KL to unwind with your friend with an aromatic cup of coffee for the next catch-up tea break or brunch at FEEKA!
The specialities at FEEKA (which simply means ‘to take a break’ in Swedish) are its beverages and dishes inspired by global culture! It’s arguably one of the best cafes in KL that blends perfectly the global influence into its dishes and beverages.
Let me spill the ‘beans’ now on how global its coffee is. FEEKA locally roast their aromatic coffee beans to ensure they are well suited to the local taste buds. However, the signature cup of Cold Brew Tonic is made with beans from India to give the brew a fragrant flavour and refresh you on a sunny day.
FEEKA blends the beans imported from Brazil and Guatemala for the exceptional quality and taste they bring to coffee. These have resulted in their smooth Cappuccino and Latte, both of which are their best sellers!
Don’t be disappointed with the narrow facade of the cafe and assume there aren’t any seats left. Once you get inside, you will realise just how spacious and cosy the environment is.
Operating Hours:
Weekdays – Weekends: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
6. Butty Boy Cooks Cafe – Musical Tavern
Must-Try:
- Classic Chocolate
- Tom Yam Seafood with Udang Gelah
Plan your next coffee date or enjoy supper with Butty Boy Cooks Cafe for a great night of songs and sing-a-longs to end your night!
Among all the best cafes in KL, this one is known for its chocolate beverages.
Take a break from coffee at night and warm your soul with a rich and delicious cup of Classic Chocolate. The generous amount of cocoa is glazed evenly inside the glass, and when you stir, it becomes the perfect hot chocolate you’d need every week.
This is the best cafe in KL that vibes greatly, especially towards the end of the week. You can see many regulars there, courtesy of its great lighting, live band performance, and, most importantly, its scrumptious platter.
If you’re here for a big meal, I’ll recommend my personal favourite, which is the Tom Yum Seafood with Udang Galah. The creamy and spicy Tom Yum soup was so flavourful and delicious, especially with 2 fresh jumbo prawns. However, if you fancy some hearty meal, check out our article on the best restaurants in KL.
Pro tip: be sure to get parking inside the area, and you’ll spot the shops situated with other restaurants.
Don’t miss the chance to request a song while sipping your comforting chocolate!
Operating Hours:
Weekdays & Weekends: 10:30 AM – 11:30 PM
7. Cafe Cafe – French Térrace
Must-Try:
- Beef Cheek
- Tiramisu
- Hot Chocolate Lava Cake
Not many of the best cafes in KL can pull off the French aesthetic.
Escape to Paris with the magnificent interior and bright, warm hues at Cafe Cafe. It almost feels like a dream or being in an old French Film in the 18th century, especially with the checkerboard flooring.
This lavish-looking, French-inspired place has been operating since 2002. It received awards for exquisite dining experiences for its authentic French cuisine served in courses and enchanting indoor decor, perfect for a coffee date!
The simple yet delightful Tiramisu is a must-try. Believe me, the smooth scoop of this dessert melts easily in your mouth.
Don’t forget about the delectable Hot Chocolate Lava Cake. This is served with ice cream to compliment the flavours of the rich and bitter chocolate taste.
Overall, Cafe Cafe is the best cafe in KL that portrays the best French influence.
Operating Hours:
Weekdays: 6:00 PM – 12:30 PM
Weekends: 6:00 PM – 11:30 PM
8. RGB Coffee Roasters – Alchemist Wonder
Must-Try:
- Flat White
- Belgian Mocha
Calling out all coffee critics to dwell in this magnificent brew sanctuary, RGB Coffee Roasters, located at Kampung Datuk Keramat’s residential. You’ll get the smell of the coffee within 10 metres from this cafe!
The house’s interior was restructured into a complete cafe, giving you a feeling of being at home while sipping their aromatic and perfectly brewed coffee. This vegan-friendly cafe specialises in brewing, especially with its competent and artistic baristas, who will cast beautiful patterns and images on your coffee.
You must try the Flat White, which will become addictive after your first sip. The strong shot of espresso with the thick and smooth texture of the milk can easily satisfy your visit to this best cafe in KL!
I love a more controlled sweetness in my coffee. Hence, Belgian Mocha will always be my top choice due to the use of 71% premium dark chocolate in my mocha. The robust flavour of the dark chocolate with espresso warms my soul, making it a daily indulgence for me here.
I have been to many other best cafes in KL, and a good, authentic Belgian Mocha is hard to come by.
Undoubtedly, this hidden and no-signage ‘house cafe’ has coffee maestros as residents, serving their guests the best cup of coffee!
Operating Hours:
Weekdays & Weekends: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
9. Tedboy @ Bangsar, Telawi – Baker’s Corner
Must-Try:
- Afternoon Tea for Two
- Blueberry Eclairs
Sudden craving for buttery pastries and sugar? Make a stop at Tedboy Cafe for crusty loaves and delectable pastries. Strategically located in the heart of KL, this best breakfast cafe in KL is at its peak in the morning for customers to catch quick bites before work.
Upon entering, you will be greeted with the smell of fresh buns and croissants. Tedboy uses premium and quality ingredients to produce the best pastries that last longer for customers.
This is their secret to converting customers into regulars in this best cafe in KL.
Delight yourself with a friend for their irresistible Afternoon Tea for Two brunch set meals! The assorted pastries and dulcified tarts served on the platter will be worth your money.
My personal favourite from this set would be the New York Cheesecake. The creamy and rich cheesecake is baked to perfection, especially with the crusty biscuits at the bottom, making it a heavenly bite for me.
Operating Hours:
Weekdays & Weekends: 8:00 AM – 8:30 PM
10. BeReal Cafe – Healthy Hub
Must-Try:
- Shakshuka
- Hojicha Latte
Have you been consuming greens and salads because you are incredibly health-conscious? Put away the boring platter presentation. You should raise the bar with BeReal’s Cafe, the best cafe in KL for organic food and a gastronomic delight.
Located in Kepong town, BeReal Cafe has won many locals’ hearts with its savoury and biodynamic meals, ranging from coffee to main dishes. They take enormous pride in serving dishes directly sourced from sustainable farms and fisheries free from pesticides and artificial ingredients.
Be sure to try the Asian version of Shakshuka, a Tunisian dish, where the spice and sour flavours in this dish are just irresistible, especially when dipped in their homemade sourdough bread! This pan of flavours consists of baked Kampung egg with organic spiced tomato and capsicum sauce, topped with fresh spring onions and cheese.
Be Real cafe has received prominent establishment in their flavoursome dishes, all while being featured in Axians Food Adventures TV show!
That alone is enough of a testimony to its quality because not many of the best cafes in KL will even have an appearance on a TV show!
So check out this best cafe in KL today for a healthy gut of wholesome food!
Operating Hours:
Weekdays: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
It’s Time to Ditch Your Starbucks
As accessible and convenient as Starbucks Cafe can be for your typical coffee morning, take this extra mile to get unique and delicious coffee while sinking your teeth into freshly baked pastries from these best cafes in KL.
Among all the best cafes in KL, my favourite would be LOKL Coffee Co. The best cafe in KL for me has to have affordable pricing and an immersive ambience without compromising on the quality of dishes and beverages.
However, if you’ve got an eye for pretty details and aesthetics, be a Foliage Coffee and Merchants Lane regular for endless photo sesh with your friends to flood your Instagram feed.
