Eat like a local in Kuala Lumpur: 7 new cafes to visit in January
1. Transparent Coffee
If you know Coley Cocktail Bar, you will know where to find Transparent Coffee which takes over the space by day. It’s a gorgeous space with a greenery-adorned entrance. The highlight is the beans that are sourced directly from the producers. Owned by Joey Mah of Three Little Birds, you can be sure of an extraordinary cuppa. On the side, you can order freshly-baked sourdough served as toast with French butter and other types of spread; as tartines or as traditional sandwiches.
Address: 6-G, Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 8am-5pm, daily
Telephone: 014 333 4521
2. Lucky Tora
A modern Japanese diner and bar, Lucky Tora has no difficulty attracting locals’ attention with its Instagrammable corners and a menu that will have everyone spoilt for choice. From sharing platters to donburis, yakitori, okonomiyaki and sushi rolls, it’s going to be tough to pick just one, two or three things. Our advice: Go in a big group.
Address: 25, Jalan Mesui, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours:
Mon-Fri: 12-3pm, 5pm-1am
Sat & Sat: 12pm-1am
Telephone: 03 2859 0489
3. Muse Eatery
Happy Mansion has a gorgeous new tenant. She houses a pretty space – complete with an abundance of green shades and touches of pastel to match – and also has a menu of cakes, drinks and plenty of comfort food.
Address: BG-7, Block B, Happy Mansion, Jalan 17/13, Section 17, 47400 Petaling Jaya
Opening hours: 10am-10pm, daily
Telephone: 019 912-0934
4. Soylab
How many ways can you drink soy milk? It turns out that it’s enough to open a cafe dedicated to it. Soylab serves soy milk, black soy milk, shaved soy ice with toppings, pearl soy milk and our favourite, tau fu fah-style with soy milk and a choice of two toppings.
Address: 104, Jalan SS 21/39, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya
Opening hours:
Tues-Fri: 1-11pm
Sat & Sun: 1pm-12am
Closed on Mon
Telephone: 03 7731 6099
5. Namelaka Patisserie
Tucked away on the first floor of a shop lot on Jalan Telawi is a cafe that offers handcrafted desserts that look like real fruits. It’s really a crispy chocolate shell encasing a variety of textures within – and that includes real fruits.
Address: 1st floor, No 34, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours:
Sun-Thurs: 11.30am-8pm
Fri-Sat: 11.30am-10pm
Closed on Wed
Telephone: 03 2201 3241
6. ChubbeecCloud Damansara Uptown
Chubbeecloud started as an online marshmallow customisation service but it has since grown to open a brick-and-mortar store slash cafe. The cafe is perfect for those who love rainbow colours and anything unicorn-inspired. They’re even serving Grilled Rainbow Happy Toast (yes, like the one that Ipoh has with the stretchy rainbow-coloured cheese) made with natural food colouring.
Address: 85-G, Jalan SS 21/1a, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya
Opening hours:
Tues-Thurs: 12-11pm
Fri-Sun: 12-11.30pm
Closed on Mon
Telephone: 03 7733 7708
7. Super Ramen by rudifook
Remember Ru Di Fook Noodle Bar’s menu of local flavours? Well, they have ramen-ted (lamented) and switched gears, location and a whole new name. Besides a variety of special ramen options, they have also included a bar offering some pretty good cocktails.
Address: 65 G, Jalan Radin Bagus, Sri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 11am-2.30pm, 6pm-1am
Telephone: 03 9548 0876
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