We all love our coffee freshly brewed, accompanied by a plate of delicious eggs benedict or pancakes and waffles. Coupled with an aesthetically pleasing café interior, there is no other place we would rather be when on a holiday in Kuala Lumpur, capital city of Malaysia.
Here we round down the 9 most Instagrammable Cafes in Kuala Lumpur. Go on an escapade, and explore cafes beyond our shores!
1. Botanica + Co
Nestled in Alila Bangsar, a luxury hotel located in the precinct, Botanica + Co, is a must visit cafe in KL. The ambience at the café boasts warm shades of brown furniture with lush greeneries – a definite tropical retreat in urban KL city. The café makes everything from scratch, so you’ll be assured quality in every bite.
Be blown away and order a bowl of Moroccan Lamb Salad, tender lamb chops accompanied with caramelised onions, chickpeas, couscous and a Moroccan vinaigrette. Also try the King Prawn Roll, a buttery and soft brioche bun that holds chunky lobster meat, tossed in aioli, honey and dill.
Read: 4-day itinerary to Kuala Lumpur
2. Pokok KL
New kid on the block – Pokok KL, is situated in Petaling Jaya. A visually stunning café that’s located in a glasshouse, it’ll leave you speechless with its flair for design and delicious food. Order their speciality pink latte (with rose petal garnishes), Chilli Padi Pesto Pasta and Portobello Mushroom Melt Sandwich to satiate your bellies. Snap a shot of your dishes (along with you of course) and you’ll have the perfect Instagram shot, with natural light shining through.
3. Breakfast Thieves
Exuding similar vibes to cafes in Melbourne, Breakfast Thieves will steal more than just your breakfast, but also your hearts, for their praiseworthy service and sublime food. The café is housed in an old commercial printing factory, in APW Bangsar, a stylish dining and entertainment hub. Indulge in their signature Mr Terry Benedict that comprises of 24-hours braised beef cheeks in peppercorn, charred cauliflowers, potatoes and two poached eggs, blanketed with Hollandaise on toast.
Make room for dessert and try My French Lady, the café’s rendition of French Toast served with strawberries, sinful dark chocolate, raspberry cream and lemon curd. The texture of each ingredient complements each other, which will have you leaving the plate spotless.
4. Urban Daybreak
After its successful launch in Penang, Urban Daybreak opened its KL outlet in 2019 and it’s still the talk of the town for foodies. Serving a bevy of unique Australian-inspired breakfast such as the famous Stout Pulled Pork with Poached Egg, which is a must try at the café. Their other signature, the Ultimate Steak Sandwich should not be judged for being plain, because the flavour did more than that! Devour slices of juicy ribeye steak, paired with chilli relish, grain mustard and Swiss cheese – match made in heaven.
5. Lim Kee Café
Take a break from western breakfast dishes, and find comfort in good ol’ kaya toasts and soft boiled eggs. Step back into history at Lim Kee Café, and be transported to the past. Situated in Tian Jing Hotel, the café is furnished with rattan blinds and chairs with vintage picture frames hanging on the walls. Order the Roti Kahwin with Soft Boiled Eggs and Coffee, the traditional breakfast we’re all familiar with. Besides coffee, try the rejuvenating Blood Moon drink, a smooth blend of espresso and grapefruit juice that packs a punch.
Read: 5 amazing places that'll make you want to visit Malaysia
6. PODGY Kurau
Used to be called Podgy and The Banker which was in Sri Hartamas precinct, PODGY Kurau is now located in Lorong Kurau, Bangsar. The interior boasts a clever combination of monochrome tiles, wooden furnishings, potted plants and gold trimmings. Serving no frills breakfast dishes from Avocado Toast and Pesto Chicken Spaghetti, PODGY Kurau hits all the right spot, when paired with their potent coffees. Who said good food has to be complex?
7. Chocha Foodstore
The café prides itself in using only local ingredients and self-grown herbs. Don’t we all love a sustainable café? Chocha Foodstore, is located at Petaling Street, a famous street in KL that sells imitation goods. Chocha, means ‘sit and drink’ in Hakka dialect, and the café serves as an ideal respite from the city’s heat. Upon entering the café, you’ll be amazed by the rustic and historical look with old wooden tables and exposed light bulbs.
Order their signature Chinese Pesto Flat Noodle, comprised of ulam (salad) pesto with charred capsicums, crunchy peanuts, sesame seeds and semi-fried tomatoes. Known for its contemporary Asian twist, try the Duck Rendang Hummus, an interesting fusion of Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. The tender shredded duck rendang sits atop creamy hummus, served with eggplants – this dish is an explosion of flavour waiting to be devoured.
8. Kettlebell
Decked out in pastel pink and neon lights, Kettlebell is situated in Plaza Mont Kiara, a perfect cafe for health enthusiasts. The interior will up your Instagram game with its brass chairs, pink plates and gold cutleries. Be in the pink of health and try the Fuel Protein Bowl, a colourful mix of tempeh, egg, spinach, chickpeas, roasted pumpkins, soy vinaigrette over brown rice and served in a coconut shell. A+ for the presentation effort!
9. Lisette’s Café & Bakery
Bangsar is home to a slew of bakeries and cafes, but one that you must check out is Lisette’s Café & Bakery. The cafe may be challenging to find, due to the obscure entrance, but look out for a charming alfresco dining and you’ll find this hidden gem. Enter the café and look up, and be enamoured by the intricate patterns emblazoned on the ceilings. Plenty of Instagram spots in this café!
The cafe has buffet options which are available every Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays and public holidays. You’ll get to indulge on cuisines that spans from Malaysia to Middle East and India. Be sure to leave some room for the freshly baked breads and pastries.