When it comes to cafes in Kuala Lumpur… there are plenty. But when it comes to cafes, where you can get your full on “insta-famous” hat on, well that’s another story.
You know, I can remember years ago when the coffee and café scene was merely amateur in Kuala Lumpur. Today, it has erupted, with cafes opening left, right, and centre all over this cosmopolitan city. And each café promising to offer something ‘different.’
So while there are many, there are a few that really stand out. The few that not only make for a great lunch or afternoon tea date, but also offer a lot of excuses to take those Instagram worth shots and upload it for all your fans to enjoy.
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Instagram-worthy Cafes in Kuala Lumpur
If you find yourself in Kuala Lumpur, then its worth check out these cafes in Kuala Lumpur.
Wizards at Tribeca
Wizards at Tribeca is a cafe in downtown Kuala Lumpur that’s been inspired by the Royal Palace of Oz in Emerald City, at the end of the yellow brick road in the Land of Oz. It was four dreamers on a journey along the yellow brick road that led them to opening Wizards at Tribeca.
It’s a brightly lit space with floor to ceiling windows, perfect for all those grammable pictures you’re going to be taking! Plenty of greenery and orchids fill the space adding to a beautiful background. And oh who can forget – the coffee is pretty damn good and the food is delicious!
Location: Tribeca Hotel Suites, Ground Floor, 215, Jalan Imbi, Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Every Day, 10am-10pm
Tiny Temptress
Contemporary, sleek, and minimal. This dessert café in Kuala Lumpur has a simple, yes elegant setting. But that’s not why we are here. We’re here for their dessert. For the food porn instagrammer, this dessert café makes some beautiful and quirky looking dessert.
From a bear shaped chocolate mousse cake to a tiramisu shaped as a chicken to cute looking macaroons, the Tiny Temptress makes dessert look beautiful and delicious. Plus the coffee is also not too bad.
Location: No. 6, Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours:
- Tuesday-Thursday & Sunday (13:00pm-23:00pm)
- Friday – Saturday (13:00pm-00:00am)
- Closed on Mondays
Coffee Amo
If 3D Coffee Art is what you’re looking for, then Coffee Amo is the spot for you.
Wait, what?! 3D Coffee Art actually exists? Yup, you heard correctly.
Coffee Amo is located in Chinatown and is all about sharing the passion and love for a good cup of java. I mean heck, they’ve even included the word love (‘amo’) into their business name. And so this means that not only are you going to get some of the coolest cups of coffee art you’ll ever see, which mind you are super instagrammable…but you’re also getting a superbly delicious cup of joe.
Do try their signature coffees…my favorite is the ‘rum’ flavour, which tastes pretty yum!
Location: 1st Floor, 54 Jalan Sultan, Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Monday – Sunday (10:00am-21:00pm)
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coffeeamo/
Botanica Deli
If a salad is what you seek, then a salad is what you’ll get. And where else better to eat a delicious bowl of salad, then in a beautifully styled deli. Oh and did I mention that they also make sandwiches, using fresh bread that is baked in-house daily?
The design of Botanica Deli leans towards a more Scandanavian style with it’s use of light wood, a soft colour palette, greenery and a splash of hot pink. It’s a great spot to grab something a little bit healthier to eat (WHAAAT you mean Nasi Lemak is not healthy?!), and chill out while people watching…or even a great spot to get some work done.
Definitely the most instagrammable part of the deli has to be the wall of neon pink words, which acts as a backdrop for one of the sitting areas.
Hot tip – Their sister restaurant is just next door (Botanica + Co), and also provides a great theme for your Instagram. Sit amongst lush greenery in a greenhouse-like setting (with air conditioning), and snap away.
Location: The Vertical, Bangsar South City, No. 8 Jalan Kerinchi, Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday (8:00am-7:00pm)
Website: http://botanica.com.my/deli
Pulp by Papa Palheta
“Stop & smell the coffee” says the sign leading into Pulp by Papa Palheta…and the gentle delicious whiff of freshly brewed coffee is exactly what you’ll get at Pulp.
Not only are you going to get some good coffee here, but you can also learn about all things coffee. Some coffee will even come with a small informative note about the coffee you’re drinking. This is also a great spot to pick up all your coffee making accessories.
Location: 29-01 Jalan Riong, Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours:
- Monday – Friday (7:30am to 22:00pm)
- Saturday – Sunday (9:00am to 23:00pm)
Website: http://www.pulpcoffee.co
Merchant’s Lane
This is a great cafe in Kuala Lumpur for the hipster instagrammer. Bright lighting, check. Funky decoration, check. Unique fusion dishes, check. It has all the makings for a great Instagram post. Plus, it helps that the coffee is pretty good here too.
To find this place is also a bit ‘speakeasy,’ because it is in a more lesser known part of Petaling Street (Jalan Petaling). It’s not easily spotted if you are not looking for it.
Hot tip – the café is located upstairs from a speakeasy bar called PS150, which is also worth checking out. Fun cocktails, using unique local ingredients. To find out more about PS150, check out my experience here.
Location: No. 150, Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours:
- Monday-Friday (11:30am-22:00pm)
- Saturday-Sunday (9:30am-22:00pm)
- Closed on Wednesdays
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/merchantslane/
The Other Half
The Other Half, located in Taman Tun Dr Ismail (TTDI) is beautifully designed and is a spot that makes you want to stay a little bit longer. The cafe feels airy, offering high ceilings and a colour palette that is attractive to the eye. Combining a clean white palette with light wood and forest-green, this space is definitely one to check out.
The show-stopper is definitely their feature wall, which makes for an excellent spot to grab that Insta-worthy photo. The food and coffee here is also quite good, make it an excellent spot to brunch on the weekend with friends.
Location: 2-1 Greens Terrace, Jalan Wan Kadir 3, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours:
- Monday to Friday from 7:30am to 5:30pm;
- Saturday & Sunday from 9am to 5:30pm
Facebook: The Other Half
Chocha Foodstore
While this is not actually a grocery store, Chocha Foodstore is a great little café located in Chinatown, Kuala Lumpur that offers a rustic heritage setting for lunch or afternoon tea. It’s a charming little café that’s located in the same area as Merchant’s Lane (see above) and PS150.
Unbeknown to the regular passerby, behind the walls of the “Mah Lian Hotel” is Chocha Foodstore. A quaint little café that illuminates a sense of nostalgia through its unvarnished and exposed brick walls, and colourful retro style tiling.
The Chocha Foodstore is housed in a building that once upon a time was a brothel. But you would never know that when you are here. Imagine if the walls could talk…oh the stories it would tell!
Until then, this is a great spot to chill out while visiting Chinatown. Do try the cold brew tea!
The Orchid Conservatory at the Majestic Hotel
While the Orchid Conservatory is not quite a ‘café,’ I had to mention it. An afternoon tea experience in the Orchid Conservatory is so unique, and makes for a great afternoon to Instagram your heart out.
Put on your favourite spring dress, and get ready for a traditional style British Afternoon Tea in a room filled with the most beautifully bright orchids. Plus the pastries are so delicious, the tea is great, and the service is fantastic.
An afternoon experience in the Orchid Conservatory is a popular affair, so make sure to book ahead of time.
Location: The Majestic Hotel, 5 Jalan Sultan Hishamuddin, Kuala Lumpur
You can read more about the experience here.
You certainly have tracked down a pile of very photogenic cafes.I enjoyed the photos of the 3d art, although in reality i don’t like my food that ‘played with’.
The Botanica deli appeals to me the most; can’t say why but it looks like somewhere I’d like to spend an afternoon, although you don’t seem so impressed.
O My! These are all drool worthy, not just great for instagram but I can’t get enough of all the food. You are right that cafe culture has come a long way and half the battle is having a pleasing ambiance which all of these places have. I specially like how roomy and open they are with natural light in most cases – perfect for photography.
All these cafes look amazing! My favorite is Merchant’s Lane. Love the turquoise door and the chair
Thank you so much for sharing this. ! I am visiting Kuala Lumpur soon, and this post will come in handy!
What great cafe finds you’ve listed here. I can’t believe there are so many amazing cafes in KL. I’ve only tried a few during my last visit there and they were not nearly as Instagram-worthy as the ones you’ve showed here. Well, another reason to go back soon!
These cafes are definitely worth checking out. I am particularly interested with Botanica Deli and its salad. Also, Jaslyn Cakes for its puddings, brownies and cakes – they look delicious.
I am so pleased to have come across this post as I am in KL right now. Being British I do love a nice tea shop/cafe and to be honest I really need to work on my Instagram.
The Chocha Foodstore sounds really appealing. I love retro designs so this sounds right up my street. Its nice when you find hidden gems in unexpected places.
I also like the sound of rum flavoured coffee. What is not not to like about that!
These cafe’s are soo instagram-worthy! Each is so quirky, has super cool decor and the cakes and coffee look incredible! I think I’d like the the Botanica Deli best with more of a focus on the food (I’m not much of a coffee drinker!)
All of these cafes had me in awe. 3D foam art, the ornate details of the desserts and Oh goodness that Orchid Conservatory. I love orchids and being surrounded while enjoying my favourite meal of the day (afternoon tea) just spells perfection. Definitely eateries warranting an Instagram capture.
Such a beautiful list of cafes. I like THE ORCHID CONSERVATORY AT THE MAJESTIC HOTEL the best. I would love to sit in this cafe between the orchids and enjoy some mouth watering delicacies. Need to make a note of it.
Like you I was like, “Say what?! 3D coffee art at Coffee Amo!” It’s amazing how people are upping their coffee game to bring you cute animals on your caffeine boost. I’d also be down for Merchant’s Lane to try that tasty looking beverage in the photo.
These are really lovely cafes. Each one seems to have a unique character.I can see that each of these are trying ti add value by innovative and creative methods.
You’re so right there are so many now! 🙂 I’m too lazy to catalogue them so I’m glad someone did it for me!
Jaslyn Cakes looks scrumptous! I do not care for tons of frosting on my cakes and boy do those cakes look perfect. I always enjoy finding adorable cafes both at home and while traveling. They are perfect places to relax, plan your next move and get cute insta photos!
Wow, they look really cool! I love coffee places! When I was in Tokyo I went to so many different ones and read my kindle 🙂 I love the quirky designs in your selection of cafes, definitely awesome for Instagram!!
Absolutely wish I stumbled across these KL posts before I spent the entire month of July there. You really found some cute little cafes – il have to add them to my list for next trip! You have such a lovely blog, loads of tips and great pics! You have a new fan!
Kristie – you.theworld.wandering