5 Instagram-worthy lunch cafes in Kuala Lumpur
A while ago, I wrote a blog with five favorites lunch restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. Because five is far too little and we still try something new almost every week, it’s time for part two. Five Instagram worthy lunch cafes in Kuala Lumpur where you can, besides eating delicious food, also take beautiful pictures!
1. Red Bean Bag
‘We are dedicated to bringing the Western brunch scene in Kuala Lumpur to new heights by doing the simple things well, whilst injecting some creativity along the way.’
The perfect brunch spot for the Sunday afternoon in Publika Mall. In Publika, you will find a lot of cozy eateries, most of which you can find close to the street. The advantage of The Red Bean Bag is that you sit right up overlooking Publika’s Piazza on one side and Istana Negara, the National Palace of Malaysia, on the other. You’ll immediately feel like you’re in a cozy atmosphere where families and friends come together to enjoy Western food with an Asian touch.
Fluffy pancakes
Here in Malaysia, I have become a big fan of American pancakes. And when I saw the name ‘Super Skyscraper’ on the menu, I knew I had to order this dish. For RM25 (converted to €5), I got fluffy pancakes with chocolate sauce, red fruit, caramelized banana, and maple syrup. That’s all you need for a perfect brunch! Just for the names of the dishes, you have to go here! ‘Oh, Rio’ is a delicious smoothie for RM14 with Oreos, peanut butter, milk, vanilla ice cream, and butterscotch sauce. Or the ‘Wagyu Waitin’ For’ (RM36, converted €6) wagyu meatballs with pappardelle, spinach, and spaghetti sauce.
Avocado ice cream
On another table, we saw the ‘Smokey Robinson’ served. A spectacular lunch served in a mason jar containing ‘A smokey amalgamation of pea and mint panna cotta’ with salmon, bacon, mushrooms, and a poached egg.’ A picture to look at and probably also very tasty. At The Red Bean Bag, you can sit for a few hours, enjoy your brunch with a smoothie and finish off with desserts. How about avocado ice cream or burnt cheesecake, with a freshly ground cup of coffee.
Address
A4-1-08, Solaris Dutamas, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: open every day from 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
3. Ra-Ft Café
‘Ra-Ft Café/Bistro is the perfect place for anyone looking for that little extra.’
Ra-Ft is one of the first cafes we came to for lunch and certainly not one of the last. Located in the heart of Mont Kiara, it’s crowded every weekend with expats from all over the world. A cozy bistro where you can not only sit inside in a modern setting but also enjoy the food outside. Meanwhile, you’ll find Ra-Ft in five locations where you can indulge in Western Italian cuisine with an Asian twist.
Iced latte
Ra-Ft first opened its doors three years ago and is now a household name in Kuala Lumpur. From Italian focaccia to English muffins and gluten-free bread, you’ll find bread that meets everyone’s needs. And the best thing about this is that all the bread is baked at the cafe itself. Also, the menu is very extensive, and we like to come here for the ‘iced lattes’ and the ‘healthy mixed juices’, like ‘Tropical Berry.’ This juice is a combination of apple, pear, lime juice, papaya, and strawberry (RM16).
Parmesan cheese
You can’t make a wrong choice here, besides the fact that everything looks super good, it also tastes extremely well. How about pancakes (American of course, not pancakes as we know them in the Netherlands) with butter, maple syrup, and fruit. Or the vegetarian hummus bowl for RM17. The ‘Avocado, mushrooms, and asparagus’ is a personal favorite with fresh bread and Parmesan cheese (RM26). More in the mood for something sweet, then you’ve come to the right place for a gluten-free chocolate brownie with, of course, a scoop of ice cream. Ra-Ft is a cozy cafe in a bustling location with staff who are only too happy to help you make your choice.
Address
Lot G16 & G17, Ground Level, Arcoris Plaza, 10 Jalan Kiara, 50480, Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.
Opening hours: open every day from 09.00 am – 08.00 pm
5. Bean Brothers
‘As a specialty coffee company, we take pride in having a deep understanding, uncompromising craftsmanship, and constant pursuit of good coffee.’
For good coffee, you’ve come to the right place at Bean Brothers. You’ll find this restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, and at several locations in Seoul, South Korea. The first time I drove here with the Grab, I thought we were at the wrong place. We drove over an industrial area where it didn’t look like there would be a nice lunch cafe hidden here. Luckily, as soon as we went around the corner, there was the restaurant Bean Brothers.
Cup of coffee
At Brean Brothers, they spend a lot of time and attention on how to maintain the atmosphere of the original space. This is done by using industrial elements such as steel and wood. The special thing about this place in Petaling Jaya is the big opening between the first floor and the second floor. From above, a stage is created, as it were, aimed at the baristas who do their utmost to prepare the perfect cup of coffee. And of course, this results in beautiful pictures!
Croissant
So the focus is on preparing the very best coffee. No worries, they have also thought of non-coffee lovers with different kinds of teas and juices. Around lunchtime, it gets crowded here. It seems as if the surrounding offices have emptied and gathered here. I’ve been here a couple of times, and it’s cozy here every time. Besides that, you can get not only delicious coffee but also delicious food. So you can choose from different kinds of pasta, an average of RM28 per dish, salads (RM23), and wraps (RM22). For 6 ringgit you already have a croissant, and for RM5, you can add avocado, ham, and cheese or egg.
Address
Jalan PJU 3/50, Sunway Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan
Opening Hours: Open every day from 08.30 am – 8.00 pm
2. Birch
‘Inspired by the relaxed bustling eateries and bars of Hollywood, Birch presents an eating and drinking experience like you haven’t experienced before in Kuala Lumpur.’
A beautiful restaurant located in an up-and-coming bustling location in Bukit Damansara, DC Mall. Upon entering the restaurant, the first things you’ll see are various cupcakes and cakes, and that’s not entirely unknown. We see the same concept at Huckleberry, not surprising that it belongs to the same owners.
Cocktails
At Birch, you have the feeling that you have ended up in an inspiring space where business people, friends, and family come together for meetings, a spontaneous appointment, a baby shower, or lunch after exercise. It is therefore not surprising that it is useful to make reservations here in advance because on the weekends, it is full here. In the evening you can also enjoy modern American food with a touch of Asia and the most beautiful cocktails.
Hawaiian poke bowl
They have two different menus here, one for weekdays and one for weekends and holidays. We came on the weekend and ordered ‘Avocado toast with dukkah’ at RM28, ‘Birch breakfast burrito’ at RM25, and ‘Prawn mee siam’ at RM28. All dishes were presented beautifully, and the server even knew who had ordered what. This may seem normal, but here in Malaysia, we don’t experience this very often. Besides, the staff was friendly, which adds to the friendliness of the place where you have lunch. The food was delicious, the portions large enough, and the atmosphere perfect.
Birch is a great place to have brunch at the weekend with friends and enjoy a coffee and a cupcake. The prices of the drinks vary from RM12 for coke to RM19 for a smoothie. The only difference in the menus is that you have more choice during the week, and for example, you can order a ‘Hawaiian poke bowl’ (recommended) or the ‘Malay flatter.’ More than enough reasons to come back and try these dishes during the week as well.
Address
Lot G10/11, Ground Floor
Damansara City Mall, Jalan Damanlela,
Damansara 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Open every day from 9 am to 12 pm
4. LOKL
‘We want LOKL to be a focal point for this decades-old community by providing a spot for everyone to hang out.’
Located in the historic heart of Kuala Lumpur, here you will find café Lokl. From the outside, it may seem like a small lunch cafe, but once inside, you immediately notice that this restaurant consists of several parts. There are two big rooms and a huge courtyard garden which will lead to a hostel. The garden is filled with tables and beautiful decorations on the walls. The tree in the middle seems to run straight through the roof and is the detail in many Instagram pictures. Also, inside you’ll get the feeling to be in a hip cafe where they have an eye for detail. On the walls, there are catchy quotes and nice pictures taken in Malaysia.
Not only the food and the interior are important for the whole experience in a restaurant, but also the staff. The people at Lokl are friendly and will not only help you make your food choice, but they can also tell you all the ins and outs of Kuala Lumpur. On Instagram, we often see only the good side, but at Lokl, they show that sometimes they also face not the smallest challenges. Two months of rain caused floods in KL. Lokl’s restaurant and hostel were both flooded. And not just a little bit! Damaged chairs and tables and water everywhere. You can choose not to share this with your followers because what will they think of the restaurant flooded? Lokl decided to share this challenge, and this caused a positive reaction. With the help of all employees, they made sure that around lunchtime, everyone was welcome back inside again.
Granola bowl
We ate here during the weekend and, as in several restaurants, they have different menus here. If you check the menu on the internet in advance, please keep this in mind. While writing this blog, I found out that I usually choose something sweet for lunch. Pancakes, waffles, or like here the ‘Granola bowl’ for RM25. Greek yogurt with a lot of nuts, fruit, and gula Melaka syrup. We also ordered the ‘Thai Breakfast Omelette’ RM18 and the ‘Smoked Brisket Hash’ (RM 28). To finish the brunch, we shared a delicious chocolate brownie with a scoop of ice cream. Besides the food, the drinks are also tasty. I usually don’t like to experiment with my drink, so I ordered a ‘Passion fruit soda’ (RM12), and Jeroen went for the ‘Spiced watermelon & mint’. And I must admit a surprisingly refreshing taste!
Address
30 Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: open every day from 08.00 am – 5.00 pm
Brunch cafes
And this was already the list of the five favorite and Instagram-worthy lunch restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. There are countless food options here in Malaysia. After a year and a half, we are still discovering new places, cafes, and restaurants. So I am looking forward to the next blog full of new brunch cafes here in Kuala Lumpur.
5 Instagram-worthy lunch cafes in Kuala Lumpur
A while ago, I wrote a blog with five favorites lunch restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. Because five is far too little and we still try something new almost every week, it’s time for part two. Five Instagram worthy lunch cafes in Kuala Lumpur where you can, besides eating delicious food, also take beautiful pictures!
1. Red Bean Bag
‘We are dedicated to bringing the Western brunch scene in Kuala Lumpur to new heights by doing the simple things well, whilst injecting some creativity along the way.’
The perfect brunch spot for the Sunday afternoon in Publika Mall. In Publika, you will find a lot of cozy eateries, most of which you can find close to the street. The advantage of The Red Bean Bag is that you sit right up overlooking Publika’s Piazza on one side and Istana Negara, the National Palace of Malaysia, on the other. You’ll immediately feel like you’re in a cozy atmosphere where families and friends come together to enjoy Western food with an Asian touch.
Fluffy pancakes
Here in Malaysia, I have become a big fan of American pancakes. And when I saw the name ‘Super Skyscraper’ on the menu, I knew I had to order this dish. For RM25 (converted to €5), I got fluffy pancakes with chocolate sauce, red fruit, caramelized banana, and maple syrup. That’s all you need for a perfect brunch! Just for the names of the dishes, you have to go here! ‘Oh, Rio’ is a delicious smoothie for RM14 with Oreos, peanut butter, milk, vanilla ice cream, and butterscotch sauce. Or the ‘Wagyu Waitin’ For’ (RM36, converted €6) wagyu meatballs with pappardelle, spinach, and spaghetti sauce.
Avocado ice cream
On another table, we saw the ‘Smokey Robinson’ served. A spectacular lunch served in a mason jar containing ‘A smokey amalgamation of pea and mint panna cotta’ with salmon, bacon, mushrooms, and a poached egg.’ A picture to look at and probably also very tasty. At The Red Bean Bag, you can sit for a few hours, enjoy your brunch with a smoothie and finish off with desserts. How about avocado ice cream or burnt cheesecake, with a freshly ground cup of coffee.
Address
A4-1-08, Solaris Dutamas, Jalan Dutamas 1, 50480 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: open every day from 10.00 am – 6.00 pm
2. Birch
‘Inspired by the relaxed bustling eateries and bars of Hollywood, Birch presents an eating and drinking experience like you haven’t experienced before in Kuala Lumpur.’
A beautiful restaurant located in an up-and-coming bustling location in Bukit Damansara, DC Mall. Upon entering the restaurant, the first things you’ll see are various cupcakes and cakes, and that’s not entirely unknown. We see the same concept at Huckleberry, not surprising that it belongs to the same owners.
Cocktails
At Birch, you have the feeling that you have ended up in an inspiring space where business people, friends, and family come together for meetings, a spontaneous appointment, a baby shower, or lunch after exercise. It is therefore not surprising that it is useful to make reservations here in advance because on the weekends, it is full here. In the evening you can also enjoy modern American food with a touch of Asia and the most beautiful cocktails.
Hawaiian poke bowl
They have two different menus here, one for weekdays and one for weekends and holidays. We came on the weekend and ordered ‘Avocado toast with dukkah’ at RM28, ‘Birch breakfast burrito’ at RM25, and ‘Prawn mee siam’ at RM28. All dishes were presented beautifully, and the server even knew who had ordered what. This may seem normal, but here in Malaysia, we don’t experience this very often. Besides, the staff was friendly, which adds to the friendliness of the place where you have lunch. The food was delicious, the portions large enough, and the atmosphere perfect.
Birch is a great place to have brunch at the weekend with friends and enjoy a coffee and a cupcake. The prices of the drinks vary from RM12 for coke to RM19 for a smoothie. The only difference in the menus is that you have more choice during the week, and for example, you can order a ‘Hawaiian poke bowl’ (recommended) or the ‘Malay flatter.’ More than enough reasons to come back and try these dishes during the week as well.
Address
Lot G10/11, Ground Floor
Damansara City Mall, Jalan Damanlela,
Damansara 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Open every day from 9 am to 12 pm
3. Ra-Ft Café
‘Ra-Ft Café/Bistro is the perfect place for anyone looking for that little extra.’
Ra-Ft is one of the first cafes we came to for lunch and certainly not one of the last. Located in the heart of Mont Kiara, it’s crowded every weekend with expats from all over the world. A cozy bistro where you can not only sit inside in a modern setting but also enjoy the food outside. Meanwhile, you’ll find Ra-Ft in five locations where you can indulge in Western Italian cuisine with an Asian twist.
Iced latte
Ra-Ft first opened its doors three years ago and is now a household name in Kuala Lumpur. From Italian focaccia to English muffins and gluten-free bread, you’ll find bread that meets everyone’s needs. And the best thing about this is that all the bread is baked at the cafe itself. Also, the menu is very extensive, and we like to come here for the ‘iced lattes’ and the ‘healthy mixed juices’, like ‘Tropical Berry.’ This juice is a combination of apple, pear, lime juice, papaya, and strawberry (RM16).
Parmesan cheese
You can’t make a wrong choice here, besides the fact that everything looks super good, it also tastes extremely well. How about pancakes (American of course, not pancakes as we know them in the Netherlands) with butter, maple syrup, and fruit. Or the vegetarian hummus bowl for RM17. The ‘Avocado, mushrooms, and asparagus’ is a personal favorite with fresh bread and Parmesan cheese (RM26). More in the mood for something sweet, then you’ve come to the right place for a gluten-free chocolate brownie with, of course, a scoop of ice cream. Ra-Ft is a cozy cafe in a bustling location with staff who are only too happy to help you make your choice.
Address
Lot G16 & G17, Ground Level, Arcoris Plaza, 10 Jalan Kiara, 50480, Mont Kiara, Kuala Lumpur.
Opening hours: open every day from 09.00 am – 08.00 pm
4. LOKL
‘We want LOKL to be a focal point for this decades-old community by providing a spot for everyone to hang out.’
Located in the historic heart of Kuala Lumpur, here you will find café Lokl. From the outside, it may seem like a small lunch cafe, but once inside, you immediately notice that this restaurant consists of several parts. There are two big rooms and a huge courtyard garden which will lead to a hostel. The garden is filled with tables and beautiful decorations on the walls. The tree in the middle seems to run straight through the roof and is the detail in many Instagram pictures. Also, inside you’ll get the feeling to be in a hip cafe where they have an eye for detail. On the walls, there are catchy quotes and nice pictures taken in Malaysia.
Not only the food and the interior are important for the whole experience in a restaurant, but also the staff. The people at Lokl are friendly and will not only help you make your food choice, but they can also tell you all the ins and outs of Kuala Lumpur. On Instagram, we often see only the good side, but at Lokl, they show that sometimes they also face not the smallest challenges. Two months of rain caused floods in KL. Lokl’s restaurant and hostel were both flooded. And not just a little bit! Damaged chairs and tables and water everywhere. You can choose not to share this with your followers because what will they think of the restaurant flooded? Lokl decided to share this challenge, and this caused a positive reaction. With the help of all employees, they made sure that around lunchtime, everyone was welcome back inside again.
Granola bowl
We ate here during the weekend and, as in several restaurants, they have different menus here. If you check the menu on the internet in advance, please keep this in mind. While writing this blog, I found out that I usually choose something sweet for lunch. Pancakes, waffles, or like here the ‘Granola bowl’ for RM25. Greek yogurt with a lot of nuts, fruit, and gula Melaka syrup. We also ordered the ‘Thai Breakfast Omelette’ RM18 and the ‘Smoked Brisket Hash’ (RM 28). To finish the brunch, we shared a delicious chocolate brownie with a scoop of ice cream. Besides the food, the drinks are also tasty. I usually don’t like to experiment with my drink, so I ordered a ‘Passion fruit soda’ (RM12), and Jeroen went for the ‘Spiced watermelon & mint’. And I must admit a surprisingly refreshing taste!
Address
30 Jalan Tun H.S. Lee, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: open every day from 08.00 am – 5.00 pm
5. Bean Brothers
‘As a specialty coffee company, we take pride in having a deep understanding, uncompromising craftsmanship, and constant pursuit of good coffee.’
For good coffee, you’ve come to the right place at Bean Brothers. You’ll find this restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, Petaling Jaya, and at several locations in Seoul, South Korea. The first time I drove here with the Grab, I thought we were at the wrong place. We drove over an industrial area where it didn’t look like there would be a nice lunch cafe hidden here. Luckily, as soon as we went around the corner, there was the restaurant Bean Brothers.
Cup of coffee
At Brean Brothers, they spend a lot of time and attention on how to maintain the atmosphere of the original space. This is done by using industrial elements such as steel and wood. The special thing about this place in Petaling Jaya is the big opening between the first floor and the second floor. From above, a stage is created, as it were, aimed at the baristas who do their utmost to prepare the perfect cup of coffee. And of course, this results in beautiful pictures!
Croissant
So the focus is on preparing the very best coffee. No worries, they have also thought of non-coffee lovers with different kinds of teas and juices. Around lunchtime, it gets crowded here. It seems as if the surrounding offices have emptied and gathered here. I’ve been here a couple of times, and it’s cozy here every time. Besides that, you can get not only delicious coffee but also delicious food. So you can choose from different kinds of pasta, an average of RM28 per dish, salads (RM23), and wraps (RM22). For 6 ringgit you already have a croissant, and for RM5, you can add avocado, ham, and cheese or egg.
Address
Jalan PJU 3/50, Sunway Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor Darul Ehsan
Opening Hours: Open every day from 08.30 am – 8.00 pm
Brunch cafes
And this was already the list of the five favorite and Instagram-worthy lunch restaurants in Kuala Lumpur. There are countless food options here in Malaysia. After a year and a half, we are still discovering new places, cafes, and restaurants. So I am looking forward to the next blog full of new brunch cafes here in Kuala Lumpur.
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