Discover Petaling Street’s best and brightest cafe gems
Once an old, crumbling back lane standing shakily on the last leg of its life, the Petaling Street of today pulses with vigor at the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s burgeoning art, culture, and café scene; everywhere you turn, a new eatery has mushroomed, each boasting magazine-worthy interiors with mouthwatering meals to match. Naturally, an abundance of choice brings with it the age-old question: pergi mana?
Given our extensive resumé of coffee-sipping and cake-eating in the area, we’ve compiled some of the best cafes in Petaling Street for you à la 2024. Whether you’re after a relaxed brunch with friends, a stylish setting for your next Instagram shot, or just a straight-up good cup of coffee, our updated list has you covered.
SUMMATION
To sum up Summation in three words: coffee, canelés, and stationary!
The newest addition to REXKL’s varied lineup of food vendors, this sweet little spot promises to fulfil your hankering for a cutesy and demure treat; ranging from the aforementioned canelés, to nutmeg banana tarts and savoury sandwiches. For a non-edible kind of treat, pick up a custom-designed keychain, quirky notebook, or cosy mug that’s sure to spark joy.
Their beverage list is a short and sweet list of unconventional spins on compulsory coffee and matcha offerings. If you’re looking for a recommendation as well as a refresher on your sums, matcha tea + umi plum syrup + lemon juice + ginger ale = their Iced Uni Matcha. It’s the perfect thirst-quencher for a hot day exploring Petaling Street on foot.
Address: REX KL, 80, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operation hours: 9am – 7pm daily
Image credit: @atsummation
YYY KL
Along a quiet row of shop lots in Pasar Seni, you’ll find the unassuming entrance to YYY. Ring the doorbell, and after a relatively short pause, you’ll be buzzed in without a word or query. Given all this mystery, “why, why, why” sounds about right – but step inside and you’ll discover why some things are best kept secret.
A claustrophobic climb upstairs opens up into what feels like an intimate artist’s den, with a gasp-inducing gallery of 1960s retro-modern furniture and one-of-a-kind art pieces. A cafe-by-day that comes abuzz with booze by night, sunlight streams in gently through the windows and when the sun sets, the space settles comfortably into a sultry orange ambience.
YYY’s mysterious menu has an artist’s temperament too, being a varied mix of asian and western fusion dishes that are prone to change. What’s guaranteed, however, is a great cup of coffee, a hearty meal, and an eclectic vibe you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Address: 64-1 & 66-1, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Operation hours: 12pm – 11pm Sunday to Thursday, 12pm – 12am Friday & Saturday, closed on Tuesdays
Image credit: @davinzi_code & @cafefolome
BARTOLO LISBOA BAKEHOUSE
Bartolo Lisboa Bakehouse is bringing the flavours of Lisbon to KL – and they brought egg tarts!
Just outside Petaling Street, perched atop Central Market’s mezzanine, sits the heart-work of Portuguese cousins David and Mariana. Named after their native slang for “silly,” this café is a playful gem, adorned with charming décor that captures the essence of Portugal whilst offering sweeping views of downtown KL. Amongst their authentic lineup of sumptuous delights are snacks like Bolo do Caco; griddled sweet potato flatbread smothered in coriander butter.
What you absolutely can’t miss are their authentic Portuguese egg tarts: flaky, buttery shells cradling a cinnamon and lemon-spiced custard centre. Simply sensational.
Address: Mezannine floor lot 204-206, Central Market, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Annexe, 50050 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operation hours: 10am – 7pm Tuesday & Wednesday, 10am – 11.30pm Thursday, 10am – 10.30pm Friday & Saturday, 10am – 8pm Sunday, closed on Mondays
Image credit: @faizabdullah, @d_chum, @maggie19c, & @bartolobakehouse
neighbour club
Say hello to Neighbour Club, the newest hotspot on the block.
Alongside its retro-modern cafe contemporaries, Neighbour Club remixes the old-world charm of historic Petaling Street with an edgy flair that feels unmistakably current. Reminiscent of an old-school Hong Kong eatery, the floor is decked out with colourful plastic crate-chairs, juxtaposing sleeker elements like backlit wood panels and stainless steel tables. Plus, the cafe’s playful energy extends to its offerings: by day, you can enjoy a fun selection of coffee, matcha, and coolers; by night, a secret door reveals a hidden bar serving cocktails on tap!
True to its name, Neighbour Club embraces its role as a community hub, hosting intriguing pop-up events that encourage connection in the heart of the big city.
Address: 63 D, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operation hours: 10am – 10pm Monday to Friday, 10am – 12am Saturday & Sunday
Image credit: @weichunnn_125 & @jwc.neighbourclub
KAFFE 16
Kaffe 16 welcomes you to the sweeter side of the chocolate factory.
Attached at the hip to the Lot 18 outlet of its parent company, Beryl Chocolate, this industrial-inspired cafe is a haven for die-hard cocoa connoisseurs. Ponder over their menu choc-full of specialty coffees and sweet treats; from their Tiramisu Latte to their rich, velvety Signature Beryl’s chocolate drink that feels like a hug in a cup.
Indulge your sweetest tooth with their most decadent offerings: a three-cup tasting platter of Single Origin Chocolate Flight, or a sinful tower of Signature Chocolate, drizzled with chocolate and caramel sauce, single origin chocolate shavings, and topped with a single macaroon.
Address: Lot 16, Jalan Panggong, City Centre, 50000 Wilayah Persekutuan, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operation hours: 10am – 6pm daily
Image credit: @kaffe.16, @lamarsacoffee, & @jsonngg
FLAAAH THE BAKERY
How do you say “flour”? Flaaah la.
This cheekily named cafe is a go-to pastry spot for anyone looking for a delicious light-bite in Petaling Street. With its perfectly proofed mainstays and a rotating array of curated specials – think fig, walnut, and chamomile tarts or croissants filled with indulgent onde-onde cream – the minimalist interior ensures their delicacies truly shine.
Trust us, the proof is in the pastry!
Address: G01, Four Points, 2, Jalan Balai Polis, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operation hours: 8am – 4pm daily
Image credit: @therantingpanda, @d_chum, & @flaaahflaaahflaaah
pucks coffee
If Petaling Street cafes were a group of friends, Pucks Coffee would be the delightful oddball artist with the vinyl collection.
A community third-space and cafe in equal measure, Pucks regularly hosts pop-up events and kitchen takeovers that facilitate fun and connection for its friendly regulars. While the space itself is cosy and unassuming, look closer and you’ll find an artistic soul that hums through the custom-painted vending machine or the arts and culture flyers lining the cafes windows and walls.
Address: Back Portion, 180, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operation hours: 12pm – 12am Wednesday to Monday, closed on Tuesdays
Image credit: @therantingpanda, @d_chum, & @flaaahflaaahflaaah
Stellar coffee
What makes the coffee here so stellar?
A favourite amongst coffee aficionados and a laymen alike, this Petaling Street staple at the foreground of REX KL has carved out a nook and name for itself. Rather than wrestle with trendy creations, their menu comprises of a tight-ship selection of black, white, pour over, and cold brews. Where you’re spoiled for choice, however, is their menu of high-grade artisanal beans sourced from Colombia, Ethiopia, and Brazil, spotlighting Stellar’s emphasis on quality.
Of course, it’s not just the coffee that makes a cuppa here so cosy. Resident cat Eddy and other recurring characters routinely peruse the premises, making sure everything’s up to scratch. And while the cats might be lounging on the counter, you can bet they’re supervising every pour with a very discerning eye.
Address: 80, Jalan Sultan, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operation hours: 8.30am – 10pm daily
Image credit: @amabebel & @jd_chang, @stellarcoffeee
Light CAPTURE CAFE
Nestled on a quiet stretch just outside of Petaling Street sits Light Capture Cafe. Formerly an abandoned pre-war shophouse, its facade exudes an old-world charm that blends into the surrounding area.
Yet, behind its wizened exterior lies the origin of its name: a breathtaking, three-story interior, doused in natural light cascading in through floor-to-ceiling windows. The loft-style design exposes not only the building’s structural skeleton, but the scorch marks that scar its brick walls – inheritances from a fire that ravaged it in a past life.
Beyond its charming heritage architecture, Light Capture Cafe boasts an array of seating options and a cafe menu that’s just as diverse. It’s enough to capture anyone’s heart, making it the perfect spot for a coffee date that feels worlds away.
Address: 81 & 83, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operation hours: 11am – 9pm Tuesday to Friday, 10am – 9pm Saturday & Sunday, closed on Mondays
Image credit: @cyruss1016 & @qaddario
Also read:
10 Most Instagram-Worthy Cafes in Kuala Lumpur
Klang Valley’s Coffee Gems: Where To Find The Best Brews
