The best cafés in Kuala Lumpur

What it is A café-bakery by co-founders and coffee entrepreneurs Joey Mah and Keith Koay. Go for the baked goods, stay for the gorgeous grounds designed by Penang-based plantscaping studio Sputnik Forest Labs, also responsible for George Town’s Lunabar Coffee.

Why we love it As it also doubles as the central kitchen for sister café One Half, Dou Dou churns out some serious sourdough, croissants and pastries. It’s impossible to pick a favourite amongst such hits like canelés, croque madames, and poached pear danish topped with greek yogurt and granola. We must mention the hot food menu too; there’s Dou Dou Breakfast (their take features chicken chipolata), and toasts, sandwiches, and more. When it comes to coffee, you’re in safe hands; Keith Koay is a three-time Malaysia Barista Champion while Joey Mah, before his untimely passing, helmed Artisan Roastery and Three Little Birds.

Time Out tip Its retail shelves stock lifestyle goods such as Kinto Japan, tableware, and even Dou Dou hand wash and room spray. (We bought the bitter orange and black pepper hand wash. It’s divine.)

What it is What started in 2014 in the suburb of Sri Petaling has grown into an award-winning specialty coffee powerhouse with outposts in APW Bangsar, Chow Kit and The Waterfront at Desa ParkCity.

Why we love it These guys have serious coffee credentials. Beans are sourced from the best farms, and then hand-roasted at 103 Coffee to coax out each bean’s aroma and flavour, resulting in a range of roasts from espresso to filter, drip bags, and more. The food, which is Japanese-leaning, is as good as the coffee; brunch items to start your day off and sweets to end with are excellent, and so are the savoury stuff in between. Think a hearty bowl of stir-fried udon topped with Angus beef steak; pan-seared chicken chop with charred kale and sweet pineapple salsa; and unagi pizza for sharing. It also doesn’t hurt that the interiors at 103 Coffee are so, well, pretty. Each outlet is designed slightly differently from the last, but all are flooded with natural sunlight with pops of red fixtures to create a contemporary ambience.  

Time Out tip Its APW Bangsar outpost, apartment103 is the only place in the city to touch, feel, and shop new releases from Jane Chuck's lifestyle brand Motherchuckers. As for food, apartment103 has pastries from Contour PJ and not much else, so if you’re feeling particularly hungry, head to the other 103 Coffees in town.

What it is A café and coffee roastery previously tucked away in Publika has found a new home in Menara Mudajaya, Mutiara Damansara. 

Why we love it A bigger, light-filled space sets the stage for the café’s all-day brunch, brews, and friendly service. There’s truly something for everyone, whether you have a sweet tooth or, like us, prefer something more savoury: from pancake stacks dressed up with berries or glazed house-smoked salmon served on sourdough toasted muffins with perfectly poached farm eggs, shoyu hollandaise sauce, and ikura. For drinks, grab a cup of joe fresh from their in-house roastery — the no-fail iced black boasts a clean body with fruity notes. If you’re a fan of their beans, take them home! Bags are available for purchase at the retail section.

Time Out tip Upstairs is where you’ll find a play area for kids. The food is also more family-oriented, with a menu for kids featuring healthier, more nutritious ingredients. For fur parents, the café is pet-friendly.

What it is It opened back in 2016, but Ebony & Ivory is still one of the most popular eateries in Cheras thanks to its rice bowls and toasts, which have inspired a cult following and spawned many a copycat in the city. This is one gem worth braving the notorious Cheras traffic for. 

Why we love it It’s so cosy. Ejay and May, partners in life and business, work the small shop in a flat. The kitchen turns out comforting rice bowls like minced pork and Macao eggs on fluffy rice, topped with bonito flakes, furikake and spring onions. Another best-seller we adore, available only on weekends, is the oven-baked pork belly in barbecue sauce, served with Macao eggs atop sourdough toast. Despite the focus on hot food, coffee and sweets are far from an afterthought. Cold brews, filter coffee, hojicha and more are on the menu, plus coolers and teas. We’re big fans of their freshly-baked specials such as sticky toffee pudding with poached grapes or raspberry longan cake — you just might end up bringing an extra slice home with you. 

Time Out tip Post up early because reservations aren’t available. The brunch rush is particularly busy, so for the best chance at snagging a fig danish or the pandan layer sponge cake with coconut mousse, visit before 11am.

What it is Formerly known as Rubberduck, Quack is a much-loved café in Sri Hartamas, still waddling strong ten years on.

Why we love it Sure, the breakfast is great and so are the coffees, and the exteriors get plenty of light — but what you really want to do is stay for a meal, especially if you’re flushed from a spin class next door at Clubaloha. There’s been an upgrade to the menu with nods to some Hawaiian classics, such as loco moco — steamed white rice topped with a beef patty, a sunny side up, and savoury brown gravy — and poke bowls. There are plenty of vegetarian and vegan options too, alongside salads, sandwiches and wraps, hearty mains (the roast chicken leg with mashed potatoes and coleslaw is a crowd favourite), snacks, and sweets. We love the smoothies too; when in doubt, order the Berry, which combines banana, blueberries and strawberries, assembled with granola, nibs and nuts, plus fresh fruit cuts. 

Time Out tip A fresh Thai coconut is always a good idea, and the ones at Quack are of particular acclaim. Ours, that is.

What it is From the team behind one of our favourite restaurants Li in Damansara Jaya, Provisions serves up all things baked (from scratch!) and brewed.

Why we love it By day, it’s a great spot to spend an hour or two with a pastry and a hot coffee on hand, especially if you snag the window bench at the front. A standout is sourdough toast with sous vide kaya, a signature item crossing over from Li. If you come with an appetite, we recommend the grilled cheese sandwich with tomato soup; the chicken schnitzel with greens and potato salad; and pastas. Otherwise, pick a pastry on display; we’re partial to the focaccia loaded with hot honey pepperoni. For sweets, expect cakes, doughnuts, tarts and more. On coffee, choose from two blends: the rotating seasonal blend highlights various local micro-roasters while the neighbourhood blend possesses a nutty flavour. 

Time Out tip If it’s your first visit, don’t leave without getting a bottle of the honey latte, the perfect cure for sweltering weekends.

What it is One of the top brunch spots in town, be it the original address in downtown Bukit Bintang or newer locations at Platinum Park, The Five, and Happy Mansion in Petaling Jaya.

Why we love it After over a decade in operation, Feeka confidently commands throngs of digital nomads on weekdays and a relaxed crowd on weekends, and the reason is simple: the coffee here is seriously good. More than that, the all-day dining has been fine-tuned over the years too, backed by the expertise of the folks behind Butter + Beans and Food Foundry. From baked goods and breakfast classics like French toasts and stacks of pancakes, to fresh pastas and fried chicken, Feeka’s menu has everything you need to start your day on the right note.

Time Out tip If you’re in the area, Feeka at The Five has a more expansive menu featuring Malaysian specials such as tiger prawn curry laksa, and weekend roasts served with cauliflower gratin, smashed potatoes, and Yorkshire pudding.

What it is Coffee or matcha? How about both? ŌNO checks all the boxes – a fine curation of coffee, matcha, sandos, pastries, and sweets, all in a lovely sunlit space. 

Why we love it ŌNO serves up great Japanese-inspired sandos and exactingly brewed drinks. Nestled in a quiet corner of Petaling Jaya, ŌNO was opened in late 2021 by coffee baristas-turned-roasters Curate Coffee Roasters and Malaysia’s top matcha purveyors Niko Neko. Try the ceremonial matcha or go for the specially selected ‘The Champion’s Reserve’ filter coffee. The menu sports some standouts like beef hamburg katsu sando served with umami fries, and ichigo sando with fresh strawberries. As for us, we’re going to order the matcha tiramisu, every single time. 

Time Out tip If you can’t decide between coffee and matcha, order When Two Worlds Collide, a caffeine creation of carbonated Ethiopian coffee cold brew topped with matcha cream. It’s the best of both worlds.

What it is Alta pushes the culinary envelope in a café setting, bringing a distinctly European, day-to-night experience to a neighbourhood already spoiled for choice. It’s not to be confused with its sibling Alta Pizza on Jalan Kemuja, only a few minutes’ drive away. 

Why we love it The hospo heavyweight duo — chef Christian Recomio and restaurateur Jenifer Kuah — knows exactly what they’re doing. For breakfast, influenced by the cafés of Cophenhagen, Paris and Rome, the cuisine is made from scratch, locally sourced (where possible), and focuses on simple pleasures: cheese, eggs, toast, all elevated. The menu may look different every couple of months or so, but the signature omelettes and stracciatella aren’t going anywhere. We love to linger right through from morning munchies with coffees, teas and juices to night burgers and pastas; think braised wagyu burger and rigatoni with white ragu. Plus, a selection of natural wines from amazing labels. 

Time Out tip The Alta team cooks up some fun collaborations and events, more recently a Mexican fiesta with it-girl Bella Kuan. Be sure to check out the café’s Instagram account to stay updated.

What it is It debuted on Jalan Galloway in 2013. Now, over ten years on (an age in the hospitality business, we can agree), the VCR empire includes a bakehouse in Mont Kiara, two sandwich shops, and a 5,000 sq ft restaurant doling out made-to-order pasta.

Why we love it Wherever you are, there’s sure to be a VCR near you. We, however, keep coming back to the OG location for the classic breakfast and brunch fare. Must-orders include the big breakfast with beef bacon, chipolata sausages, and eggs on sourdough toasts, and soft-boiled Turkish-style eggs in a rich pomodoro sauce with chickpeas and Greek yogurt. Ask the baristas what’s in the hopper to pair with your meal. We personally enjoy the more acidic bean selection it carries; you can opt for espresso-based coffee or a filter brew. 

Time Out tip Pastas are available only from noon onwards. It’s a popular spot that draws quite a crowd on weekends, so come prepared.