6 Best Artisan Cafés in KL to Dive Into Malaysia’s Unique Flavours

Artisan cafés in KL

Are you looking for a caffeine boost paired with a delicious meal? With so many third-wave coffee shops and dessert haunts popping up over Kuala Lumpur, it’s an exciting time to soak up the thriving café culture in Malaysia’s capital. Dive into some of the best artisan cafés in KL, where the top-notch espresso and beautifully plated desserts are talks of the town.

Fuel up with all-day brunch at Feeka Coffee Roasters

Begin your café-hopping adventure with Feeka Coffee Roasters in Bukit Bintang. Inspired by the Swedish concept of fika, which means “to take a break,” this charming café invites urbanites to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and savour freshly brewed coffee in a laid-back environment.

Dig into the lemon ricotta pancakes and French toast, best paired with espresso or cold brew on sweltering days. Having a cuppa is a great way to stock up on your energy before exploring Kuala Lumpur’s iconic sights.

Elevate your coffee experience at VCR

Coffee addicts and brunch devotees will find plenty to love at this artisanal café in Jalan Galloway. Housed in a black two-storey building that dates back to 1927, VCR is a retro-inspired café where the baristas roast their beans and meticulously prepare each cup for optimal flavours.

The café is also known for its deep-fried soft shell crab burger and Turkish-style eggs.

Cool down at LOKL Coffee Co

Need a midday recharge from your historical walking tour of Kuala Lumpur? Pop in for a latte or cappuccino at LOKL Coffee Co, a cosy café near Independence Square.

Choose from wholesome breakfast staples and lunch plates in their East-meets-West menu, or treat yourself to homemade desserts with the Bean of the Day. While you can’t go wrong with an espresso, LOKL Coffee Co nails the local coffees, too. Try the Kopi O or Kopi Susu.

Indulge your sweet tooth at Foo Foo Classic Desserts

Yet another reason to go café-hopping in Kuala Lumpur: the edible art on a plate. Treat your eyes and taste buds to the sweet inventions at Foo Foo Classic Desserts. Pastry chef Chong Kin Foo, who perfected his craft at Le Cordon Bleu Sydney, puts his spin on famous Western desserts by adding unique flavour combinations at his cafe.

Look for the strawberry tart with balsamic vinegar ice cream, apple strudel with black pepper mango ice cream, and crispy profiteroles with salted caramel ice cream.

Step back in time at Merchant’s Lane in Chinatown

For one of the best café experiences in KL, how about an Instagram-worthy spot to meet your friends over coffee? Make your way through Chinatown’s colourful streets to this well-hidden café in an old shophouse.

Beckoning to patrons behind a turquoise door on Petaling Street, Merchant’s Lane cooks up Western and Malaysian food amidst rustic interiors. Expect fusion dishes like butter chicken pasta and Italian chow mein (stir-fried spaghetti with traditional Malaysian chicken rendang) to co-exist alongside nasi lemak pancakes (coconut pancakes with chicken rendang, fried egg, sambal, anchovies, and peanuts on the side).

Satiate your whimsical cravings at MadHatter Desserts

For sophisticated desserts, one café in Damansara Uptown takes the crown. We’re talking about MadHatter Desserts, run by MasterChef Asia’s first runner-up, Marcus Low.

Some standout creations are chocolate calamansi tarts and multi-layered cakes infused with watermelon, passionfruit, lychee, and yam. MadHatter Desserts also reimagines Malaysian childhood favourites such as bubur cha cha (a coconut milk dessert), flourished with pumpkin brûlée, coconut pearls, and homemade ice cream.

More foodie adventures besides cafés in KL

Hungry for more? Bring your appetite as you travel through the foodie haven that is Kuala Lumpur, whether it’s through a cocktail mixology class or a guided street food tour that ventures off the beaten path.