Cafe-Hopping Like a Local:
Best Cafes in Kuala Lumpur and Petaling Jaya
The specialty coffee scene of Kuala Lumpur stretches from the skyscraper ridden center to the historic streets of Chinatown and further out into the suburbs of Petaling Jaya. What makes this city’s coffee culture so interesting is the great variety of places these cafes occupy: 90-year-old buildings, converted industrial spaces, hidden basements, and even the back of a watch shop. Each location adds its own character to the coffee experience.
Think award-winning baristas, skilled roasters, curated single-origin beans, weekend cuppings, and coffee omakase – just some of the noteworthy experiences that wait for you around the city. This guide takes you through some of KL’s most noteworthy coffee shops, where unique architecture and design meets modern brewing methods and Malaysian hospitality.
Recommendations for accommodation in Kuala Lumpur
Else Kuala Lumpur – Else is a work of art right in the heart of Chinatown. Stunning interior, a roof top pool and top notch hospitality await. → Booking.com
Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur – If being centrally located is important to you, then the brand new Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur is the perfect fit. The rooms are super comfortable and the interior design a contemporary cool. What I love here is the option for allergy-free rooms, which are very hard to come by in this part of the world. → Booking.com
Komune Living & Wellness – This is where I stayed for a month during my last visit to Kuala Lumpur and it was simply the best. The amenities include several swimming pools, a well equipped gym, a communal kitchen, games room, karaoke room, and a food court. While not located in the center, it sits right by a huge park and offers transfer to public transport. → Booking.com
Tucked in between Bukit Bintangs skyscrapers and shopping centers, VCR found its home in a 90-year-old two-story building at Jalan Galloway in the year 2013. The founder Andrew Lee had a vision that has since transformed it into one of the city’s most cherished third-wave pioneers.
What began as a multi-roaster café has evolved into a full-throated roasting operation, with VCR now producing their own expertly sourced beans. With something for every palate in mind, the menu exhibits a spread that runs from expertly executed espresso drinks to pour-over options via the V60 and Kalita Wave brewers. Behind the counter, you’re likely to find award-winning baristas, Brewers Cup champions, and latte art masters, all of whom contribute to the sterling reputation of the café. The food menu is a perfect complement to the coffee, with freshly baked treats and hearty brunch fare that keep regulars coming back for more.
Inside, the interior of the cafe strikes a perfect balance between industrial and historical charm, with dark wood furnishings blending well with steel fixtures as the vintage character of the building is impeccably preserved. A courtyard offers a quiet respite from the urban chaos just beyond its walls and cements itself as a natural gathering place for coffee in the city. And for those who’ve already explored every corner of the original location, VCR has since expanded to five other cafés around Kuala Lumpur, each with the same commitment to quality that put them on the specialty coffee map nearly a decade ago.
Feeka Coffee Roasters, which opened its doors in 2013, borrowed its name from the Swedish concept of ‘fika’ – taking a break with food and drinks. It’s a fitting name for a place that has become an oasis of calm in bustling KL. The moment you step inside, you’ll notice how the café’s philosophy of “Less is more” manifests itself in every corner. Bare walls, pale tones, and simple furnishings create an atmosphere that allows you to breathe deeply and slow down.
At the heart of their coffee program stands a impressive Kees van der Westen Spirit, commanding attention behind the counter. The roasting style here leans distinctly towards the lighter end of the spectrum – another nod to Nordic coffee culture. For those seeking alternatives to espresso-based drinks, the baristas are equally comfortable preparing your coffee through an Aeropress or Chemex.
What makes Feeka particularly special is how it manages to create a sanctuary-like atmosphere while being surrounded by the constant motion of Bukit Bintang. The contrast between the peaceful interior and the bustling street life outside makes every visit feel like a deliberate pause in time – exactly what the Swedish ‘fika’ tradition is all about.
Since 2015, The Hub has been a driving force in the molding of Malaysia’s coffee scene. Behind this success story lie Nicholas Tay and his wife, Yuki Teh, who started their specialty coffee journey when the third wave movement was just gaining steam in Malaysia. Nicholas’s sheer determination to master the art of coffee roasting led him to seek training with globally recognized roasting experts; a move that has definitely paid off. What puts The Hub in a class of its own is the astounding variety of beans. Any time, they carry up to 40 different varieties in stock; amongst them are the famed Geisha coffees and choices from the Cup of Excellence. This unwavering dedication to quality led Liew Kar Weng—2023 Malaysian Brewers Cup Champion—to join the team as manager.
The Hub has expanded to six locations around Kuala Lumpur, but this newest space in TRX Mall is especially noteworthy for its minimalist design and the team of skilled baristas behind the counter.
Right in the middle of Kuala Lumpur’s dynamic Chinatown, there is a revolving wooden door that welcomes people to come in and find some of the city’s gems in the specialty coffee scene. Pucks Coffee came about when three passionate coffee lovers—Ellina Amin, Nik Affan, and Ozeir Mohamed—accidentally met just one year prior to having opened the doors of their coffee shop for the first time in February 2024.
The space blends so well with its historic environment, where alleys laced with old shop houses and street art meet a young and dynamic crowd, and thoroughly respects the character in the neighborhood. Only a four-minute walk from the Pasar Seni MRT and LRT Station, Pucks Coffee has quickly established itself as more than just another café—it’s become the vibrant heart of the local community.
Their multi-roaster concept always caters to new discoveries. Those looking for brewed filter coffee are catered to at the brew bar, which houses V60 and AeroPress. Along with its regular menu of coffee, Pucks offers a variety of special in-house drinks: revitalizing yuzu butterfly pea soda, refined white chocolate matcha, and the like. One is not forgotten with a sweet tooth either—Japanese cream puffs and banana walnut loaf rather perfectly pair with the drinks.
What sets Pucks apart is the ambitious vision they have for community engagement. The cafe regularly transforms into a dynamic cultural space, hosting everything from NFT art exhibitions to acoustic concerts and film screenings. Among the most community driven displays, they invite coffee experts to take over the brew bar for special pop-up events. Filled to the brim, the calendar is nothing short of amazing events planned to bring coffee lovers together, fostering those real-life connections that make a cafe truly special.
KL’s second Curio at The Grange @ Ampwalk embraces darkness in name and in nature – the basement location, dim lighting and minimalist black interiors create an atmosphere that commands focus on what matters most: the coffee. Owner Chris Leow has taken a completely different route in creating this place compared to his first, rather bright rooftop venture at Rivercity.
What strikes me about Curio Dark is a very intentional rejection of all modern café conventions. No WiFi, no power outlets, and just no pressure to hurry along whatsoever. Instead, the place celebrates the art of slow coffee, with Chris and his team approaching each brew methodically. Their house-roasted beans – several blends with intriguing names such as “Madame D” and “White Noise” -reflect Chris’s self-taught roasting talent he refined over the years in numerous experimentations.
103 Coffee have been reshaping Malaysia’s specialty coffee landscape since 2014. It all started with three aspiring baristas, Ken Wong, Irvine Quek, and Jewel Ting, willing to take part in national competitions. This paid off big time when their dedication brought home two wins in one competition. The sudden success marked the beginning of what would be one of the defining characteristics of 103 Coffee: a predisposition toward competitive excellence that went all the way to attaining international recognition. In 2017, 103 Coffee took a further step into the coffee world by establishing their roastery. They source beans from select farms around the world and do their roasting in a very hands-on way to accentuate the characteristics of each origin. Be it espresso beans, filter coffee, the roasting profiles have been carefully developed to accentuate the beans’ natural flavors and aromas.
What sets 103 Coffee apart is not only the coffee program, which includes signature drinks developed for barista competitions, but the fact that the food menu takes its inspiration from Japanese cuisine while retaining a distinct Malaysian character.
Moving from their old premises in Bangsar, Transparent Coffee have carved out a great spot for themselves in the 80-year-old Sam Mansion Flat. Part of the fun is finding the café. Directly opposite the well-known ZhongShan Building stands a grey and white apartment building complex, appealing through its nostalgic staircases and vast space. A minimalist signboard, placed right at the entrance, serves as a discreet guide to this hole-in-the-wall coffee shop. Natural light fills this space from morning – if you are anything like me, you will love their early hours of operation – allowing the selected rustic wooden elements to create a sense of warmth in this otherwise industrial seeming, contemporary space. Choose between batch brew, espresso based drinks in black and white, or curated signature drinks such as coffee blossom fizz.
In Bangsar, PULP by PPP Coffee converted a paper-cutting facility into a playground for coffee lovers. The Singapore-based roaster PPP Coffee handpicked this historic site for its Malaysian flagship store, where ambiance skilfully links industrial heritage with modern coffee culture.
One thing I noticed right away: the layout is very well thought out. The mobile counters and open-concept design call for guests to draw closer and observe the proceedings of the barista firsthand, a great feature for those who are always keen to learn new brewing techniques or recipes. The setting is pretty casual, with staff engaging their guests, hence making specialty coffee friendly and educative.
PULP is bringing together a café, a retail store, and a roastery under one roof. Perhaps the most distinguishable features are the showroom and cupping area, which boast weekend cuppings that have become a favorite activity for coffee lovers. At any moment, they are offering 4-5 filter coffees and have prepared small cups to sample. That’s a generous way to show their great selection of beans-from neat single filters carefully chosen to characteristic espresso roasts. The workshop area, dedicated to espresso machine maintenance, adds another layer to PULP’s comprehensive coffee ecosystem. Now celebrating its tenth anniversary, PULP has established itself as more than just a satellite shop of its Singaporean parent company – it’s become a cornerstone of Malaysia’s specialty coffee scene.
Another Bangsar favorite, located in the back of a watch shop, is Peep Coffee. The marriage of horology with specialty coffee is perhaps an unexpected one, but somehow Peep Coffee makes perfect sense within Vernakular’s space. It has carved out a lovely nook where precision timekeeping balances well with precision coffee brewing. From the moment you spot their happy, citrus-inspired branding, you realize the team behind this venture pays attention to detail. The cohesive design language flows seamlessly from the logo into the interior, creating a space that feels both sophisticated and uplifting.
Behind the counter, skilled baristas work their magic with an impressive selection of house-roasted beans. Featured on the espresso menu are two distinctive options to please even the most discerning palates. Their Colombia Valle del Cauca impresses with complex notes of raisins, honey, pecans, and licorice for those who like their cup to be an adventure. Those who prefer more familiar territory will appreciate the Bird Song Blend, comforting with flavors of vanilla, milk chocolate, cocoa, and almonds. I particularly appreciate how they’ve created a space where time seems to slow down, especially for those interested in exploring their hand-brew options. The selection of micro-lots available for filter coffee is nothing short of impressive, each one carefully chosen to showcase unique characteristics.
Hidden away on the hills of Bangsar, Kopenhagen Coffee’s second location treats visitors to a breathtaking view of the city’s iconic skyline. The founders intelligently chose the modern Kapas Condos for their new home, using the generous space to house both a café and their very own roastery. Beans are primarily sourced from Nordic Approach. Their house blend, a carefully crafted combination of Brazilian, Ethiopian, and El Salvadorian beans, perfectly embodies their Scandinavian approach to coffee. A rotating single origin option is always on offer for the more daring coffee enthusiasts.
The interior of the café is in perfect sync with its cosmopolitan clientele – a melting pot of expats who have made Bangsar their home. Indoor and outdoor areas are always buzzing, and you’re bound to share space with local yogis who have become such regular features that they might as well be part of the décor. The menu, much like their roasting profile, stays true to its Scandinavian roots.
Located on the second floor of a building in Bukit Jalil, Afloat Coffee Roaster has brought specialty coffee to an area that had, until recently, been yearning for it. Jimmy Leong and Loo Choy Leng, both seasoned baristas with almost a decade of experience in KL’s coffee scene, have created more than just a café—it’s a place for those looking to escape the city’s relentless grind. The space speaks much of their attitude toward coffee; it’s minimalist, thoughtful, and precise in the execution. Big windows gaze out over broad views of the neighborhood, while the interior strikes a delicate balance between modern and cozy warmth. Jimmy and Leng choreograph with the utmost attention to detail their coffee program against a backdrop of a black bar.
Their roasting philosophy is refreshingly systematic, as they classify beans into three distinct collections: Macro, Micro, and Unique. Each caters to a different palate, rendering specialty coffee more approachable for beginners but still exciting for long-time coffee enthusiasts. With on-site roasting happening every week, each cup is guaranteed to retain its intended freshness and complexity. To bolster the coffee program, they’ve created a partnership with Kona Bakehouse to offer their fabulous artisanal bagels.
Petaling Jaya – or PJ, as locals affectionately call it – might be a bit of a trip from central KL, but when it comes to specialty coffee, this lively suburb is well able to compete with the capitals offering. Inside the stylish walls of the concept store Ilaika sits a branch of One Half Coffee, a brand that has been instrumental in improving the local coffee culture since 2016 under the expert hand of three-time Malaysian Barista Champion, Keith Koay. 2023 was a very special milestone for One Half: the proud unveiling of their very own roastery, also located in Petaling Jaya. At the core of this venture is a state-of-the-art Loring roasting machine, located at chosen with purpose for its ability to enhance the bright vibrancy and acidity present in their carefully sourced beans.
The space speaks to thoughtful design, with almost half of the retail floor taken up by a cream-colored coffee bar, bringing together coffee culture and lifestyle shopping in an effortless way. During my visit, the coffee menu offered a compelling array of single origins from Bolivia and Ecuador; however, it was a unique offering that caught my eye: a Malaysian espresso from My Liberica. It’s great to find a café of this standard featuring local beans as much as international ones. Keith’s well-known love of pastries hasn’t been forgotten either – fresh-baked goods are always on hand to complement your coffee.
Toothless Coffee, established in 2016 by Edward Choo, has become known for its unique weekend ritual – a coffee omakase that puts complete trust in the hands of the barista. The café’s minimalist interior creates the perfect canvas for what can only be described as an intimate coffee experience. The concept is brilliantly simple – you share your taste preferences, and the barista crafts a personalized flight of three different coffee experiences: an espresso-based drink, a filter coffee, and a signature drink.
Edwards background as a certified World Judge for various coffee championships shines through in every aspect of the business – from roasting to brewing. What makes his tiny roastery café particularly special is how they’ve managed to create an experience that feels both exclusive and approachable. With just a handful of seats arranged around a sleek counter, the setting creates an atmosphere where conversations with the barista flow as naturally as the coffee being served. This intentionally cozy setup makes it feel less like a café and more like being invited into a coffee friends personal workshop.