One thing we miss amid this pandemic (besides travelling, of course) is the freedom to cafe-hop and people-watch over a good cup of coffee without feeling paranoid. Despite how different things have been in the past few months, lovely new cafes and restaurants have opened their doors across the city, waiting to be explored.
Three Years Old Cafe | Bukit Bintang
Housed in a double-storey 80-year-old building, Three Years Old Cafe is located along a row of old terrace houses in Bukit Bintang with a history dating back to the 1920s. The whimsical new cafe is still in its soft launch phase as of April but has already become the newest hotspot for an aesthetic afternoon over coffee and cakes.
Cosy, minimalist, and soaked in plentiful natural lighting, quiet charm seeps from every corner and nook of this new space.
Address: 1, Jalan Sin Chew Kee, 50150, Bukit Bintang.
Mary Jane | Kuala Lumpur
Enter into a pastel pink wonderland at Mary Jane KL. Fans of all things pink will squeal in pleasure at the very pink and flowery interior, from beautiful blush pink roses adorning the walls to elegant furniture dashed in the colours of gold, white and – yes, you guessed it right – pink.
Mary Jane may be a new kid on the Petaling Street block, but you can expect no lesser than quality service and delicious halal-certified food here. So dig into delectable selections like their Wagyu beef burger or fluffy pancakes!
Address: 106, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur.
Nippori Bistro | Petaling Jaya
Nippori Bistro may be the hottest new cafe in town right now. Located in a meticulously decorated space with high ceilings and complex decor, the cafe exudes an ornate vibe and feels like you’re stepping into a British colonial residence. The centrepiece of the cafe is an oversized portrait of a heavyset Mona Lisa with a glass of wine in hand!
Nippori Bistro offers a menu of creative Japanese dishes with a European twist, from wagyu pizzas to udon tossed with traditional Italian sauces and salmon mentai sushi. There’s also a French patisserie counter with cakes and sweet treats to satisfy your dessert tummy. Do note, though, that the cafe is trendy and queues can get crazy during peak hours – be sure to call up to place a reservation if you do not wish to wait in the heat outside!
Address: B Land, Lot 2&3, B Land, lot 2, Jalan Seksyen, Jalan 51a/225, Seksyen 51a, 46100 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Burrow BSC | Bangsar
Burrow is one of the newest additions to the cafe scene in Klang Valley, opening its doors in January 2021. Located in Bangsar Shopping Centre, the quaint cafe serves up freshly-baked desserts from delightful cakes to cookies. Their signature maple pecan canelés are infused with organic maple syrup and Madagascar vanilla bean, then topped with butter toasted pecan and cream!
Besides sweet treats, Burrow also takes their coffee seriously. Unfortunately, the cafe is currently only open for takeaways, but we can’t wait to check out their extraordinary space and have some coffee at one of their window seats once things get better.
Address: Lot GK12, Ground Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre, 59000 Kuala Lumpur.
Fine Coffee And Flowers | Ampang
Tucked away in the Little Korea neighbourhood in Ampang, Fine Coffee And Flowers is a cosy new Korean-themed cafe cum florist that opened its doors in December 2020.
With minimalistic furniture and a serene ambience, the cafe has a small but lovely menu with a selection of main courses such as the Big Breakfast, Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Smoked Salmon Toast, and more. Do check out their desserts like Black Sesame Pudding, Baked Cheesecake, and Houjicha Roll. They also have a fantastic selection of drinks from strawberry latte to earl grey tea!
Address: C2-1, Jalan Ampang Utama 1/1 68000 Ampang, Selangor.
Half & Hāfu | Petaling Jaya
The cafe serves up a selection of luscious desserts and unique drinks, including a signature mixture to be consumed with a unique way of drinking that will only be made known to you by the barista.
Cakes-wise, you’ll be spoilt for choice with their selection of delicious flavours, from matcha chocolate cake to fluffy lavender, orange chiffon cake and black sesame matcha rolls. So come for the vibe, and stay for the drinks and desserts.
Address: Lot B-1-05, First Floor, The Hub SS2 Retail Office, 19 Sentral, Jalan Harapan, Seksyen 19, 46300 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Yue Coffee Bar | Cheras
Coffee, beer, sourdough, cakes, and other small bites are available all day long – they even serve juicy chicken gyoza and crispy siu yuk that go perfectly with a cold glass of craft beer on a sweltering afternoon.
Pop by for a soothing hour away from the chaos of the city.
Address: 114, Jalan 15, Batu 11 Cheras, 43200 Cheras, Selangor
Delifrance | Publika
After its nationwide store closures back in 2016, good old Delifrance has finally made a comeback! The bakery and cafe we were once familiar with are back with a chic, fresh, and modern look and tasty croissants that taste just as good as we remember them to be.
Their new flagship store is located in Publika Kuala Lumpur and is a perfect spot for you to hang out, people-watch, and sip on coffee as if you’re on the streets of Paris (no harm trying to fuel our wanderlust, right?). Besides ala carte items, they also offer combo meals ideal for breakfast, lunch or a teatime snack.
Address: Publika Block C5, Level G3, Unit 30A & 31, Jalan Dutamas 1, Solaris Dutamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Kaffe 16 | Kuala Lumpur
Up your Instagram (and coffee) game at Kaffe 16, a beautiful space with minimalistic yet alluring aesthetics. The cosy cafe is drenched in ample natural sunlight and great for enjoying a nice cup of speciality coffee in a comfortable area.
Other items on the menu include desserts, pastries, and hot mains such as delicious plates of pasta and comfort food like Japanese katsu chicken curry rice (our personal favourite). So place your order and take some time to explore the pretty space, especially if you’d like to take some photos for the ‘gram!
Address: Lot 16, Jalan Panggong, City Centre, 50000, Kuala Lumpur
Yewyew | Kuala Lumpur
Nestled in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Yew Yew is a cosy little cafe specializing in freshly-brewed coffee, luscious cakes, and pastries. This quaint nook blends absolutely with the charming historical shophouses of Jalan Sultan and offers street views from their window seats.
Some recommended items here include their large chocolate chip cookies, scones, and matcha drinks made with Niko Neko Matcha powder! Do note that the cafe is tiny, so make sure you plan your visit during off-peak hours if you’re looking to dine in and enjoy some downtime by the window.
Address: 63D, Ground Floor, Bangunan Ka Yin, Jalan Sultan, 50000, Kuala Lumpur