My top five spots for specialty coffee in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
I feel like I owe the blogosphere an update on when this love affair began. I would assume it was sometime in 2007 when I travelled to Australia for the first time, the home of the iconic flat white. Or it could be the five years of superior filter coffee chugging in Bangalore, India. Hard to put a finger on it but somewhere along the way, I developed a keen interest in upping my coffee game. And by that I do not just mean the equipment I use at home. (I have a sweet little Breville). I also mean the coffee I consume on the regular in cafés. Come to think of it, I can pin point the time in my life when I refused to drink bad coffee and I think it was when I moved to the Netherlands. Luckily for me, the specialty coffee culture was on its way in (we are talking 2018) when I moved there. From chains like Coffee Company (still doing a great cup) to the more elusive Lot 61, the coffee scene in the Netherlands was on its way up. Fast forward to 2025, we live here in Kuala Lumpur and it really is entirely my pleasure to be exploring the vibrant coffee scene here. Without further ado, let me give you my solid list of the top five places I go to for my specialty coffee needs in KL.
Quick note: There is still a lot for me to explore so there are tonnes of spots I probably have not even been to yet. Also good to remember that taste is personal. I might even do a part two at some point. Mind you, I drink a flat white. So I cannot quite comment on the other forms of specialty coffee, I usually meander in the espresso based beverages.
- One Half Coffee: This specialty coffee roastery makes it to the top of my list. They source seasonal coffees with unique flavours. In their words, they celebrate 'aromatic, clean, sweet and acidity-forward' brews. In my words? I've never had a bad cup with a One Half roast. I have visited the One Half Space in the Ilaika Select store and the two brands coming together is really a match made in heaven. Think local artisanal brands to shop lifestyle products from and sip One Half brews on the side(P.S: This outlet also sells pastries!). I've also seen some other cool cafés in KL serve One Half and to me that's usually a sign that they know their coffee.
- PULP for PPP coffee: This roastery has a presence in Malaysia and Singapore alike and PULP café in Kuala Lumpur is the spot to get your fix of their coffee. So currently I think their selection includes some Pulp roasted exclusive blends like their Signature A.M. Blend for their espresso blend beverages. My favourite with the PPP coffee selection was undeniably Terra Firma but I do not see that at PULP now. Regardless, I highly rate their coffee (and cold brew which I normally avoid). Also recommend their pastry selection and mains like pastas!
- Kopenhagen Coffee: This café with its Danish inspired food choices and easy Scandi vibe has a roastery of its own. My go to for a light-medium roast (which they really do excel at roasting). They have two outlets in Kuala Lumpur but I am heavily biased to the one in Bangsar. Also a great place to pick up your own beans (I favour their Nørrebro blend). Also incidentally my favourite brunch spot in town not just for the open Danish style sandwiches but also the classic eggs and croissant with some Danish cheese on the side combos.
- 103 Coffee: The fact that I went at least 2 months straight ordering their 'Summer Blast' blend for my coffee at home is a testimony to how much I like their coffee. These were obviously fruit forward beans but they have more chocolatey and nutty profiles too. Cannot fault any of them to be honest. On a side note, the 103 apartment at Bangsar is really cool but the same cannot be said for the pastries unfortunately (they are either out of them or they just aren't that great). The food at 103 in Chowkit however is pretty good. (think tartines, quiches)
- Common Man Coffee Roasters: This Singaporean brand of specialty coffee roasters (and brunch, let's not forget that) has been around in Kuala Lumpur for a little bit now and they have definitely been the pioneers of the coffee and brunch lifestyle. The selection of beans is excellent and there is something for every palette, fruit forward and chocolaty, hazelnut profiles alike. There is also a huge emphasis on sustainability at their end which ranges from the process of farming the beans to the act of acquiring them. They also have an excellent brunch (or lunch or dinner, if you may) menu with options galore. You cannot fault their sandwiches and breakfast platters either.
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