It seems like yesterday when Malaysian coffee culture was just starting to pick up. With everyone showing off their latte art on Instagram and every self-proclaimed coffee savant throwing around jargons like ‘the perfect roast’, ‘the right blends’, and anything else that made us amateurs roll our eyes thinking, “It’s just coffee.”
What may have seemed like nothing more than a fleeting trend amongst the youngins’ has become a significant part of the Malaysian lifestyle. So we’ve listed a few coffee shops that are changing the game for the better, along with a few local coffee roasters who make it all possible.
Suka Benih Coffee, Kuala Lumpur
Situated in the suburb of Bukit Damansara, Suka Benih source and roast their own coffee. You can have a cup of coffee at their shop or buy a bag of freshly roasted beans from all over the world, including local coffee beans grown in Sabah.
Sabah is one of the few places that grow coffee beans in Malaysia, ensuring that the beans at Suka Benih are seasonal to ensure the freshest quality with every cup.
Address: 15 Lorong Setiabistari 2 50490 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2011 3700
The Dropbar Coffee, Kuala Lumpur
Coffee, breakfast, and bikes – now that sounds like the perfect morning in the city! Serving as a bike shop that also makes brilliant artisanal coffees paired with a rather down-to-earth preparation of local cuisines, The Dropbar Coffee is an unfussy, unpretentious, and yet utterly stylish introduction to the modern Malaysian lifestyle. Their beans are supplied in small batches from Suka Benih Coffee.
Address: 89 Jalan Bangsar, Bangsar, 59200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6013 510 1912
Feeka, Kuala Lumpur
Housed in converted townhouses near Bukit Bintang, Feeka serves up pastries, breakfast bowls, sandwiches, and coffee! Their coffees are brewed from beans sourced from a local roaster, Artisan Roastery.
If the local beans don’t hit the spot, other bean options are grown in Brazil, Colombia, Indonesia, and Guatemala. They also make their own seasonal cold brews, perfect for those sunny days!
Address: 19 Jalan Mesui, Bukit Bintang, 50200 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +603 2110 4599
The Roast Things, Selangor
Sourcing beans from all over the world, The Roast Things create unique and custom flavour profiles for their customers by roasting their coffee blends. Whether you order the Honduras Nicolas Alvarado with the sweet floral tone, of flower pollen, or orange blossom, or the Mexico Santiago Atitlan with flavour profiles from green apple, to floral-like characters of citrus fruits, these guys are experts in their field and can show you the way to a great cup of coffee.
Address: A-G-01, Prima Avenue, The Tube, Jalan PJU 1/39, Dataran Prima, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Contact: +6018 662 3886
K3 Coffee Lab, Kuala Lumpur
A relatively new addition to the local coffee scene, K3 Coffee Lab boasts high-quality house blends and single-origin coffee beans sourced worldwide from Guatemala to Ethiopia. So if you’re in need of a classic espresso shot or would like to try one of their signature house blends, K3 Coffee Lab is worth a try.
Address: T7-G-S5, Maju Link, Jalan Lingkaran Tengah 2, Bandar Tasik Selatan 57000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6010 230 8492
Kopiman Coffee, Kuala Lumpur
A more economical choice in locally roasted coffee is Kopiman Coffee, with Iced Lattes starting at RM5. Crafting blends of Brazilian and Papua New Guinean beans, they rely on a rotating list of local roasters to create each cuppa. Aku Suka Kopi is one of their most recent suppliers.
Address: Kampung Sungai Penchala, Jalan Penchala Hilir 4, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Contact: +6019 621 9728
Constant Gardener Coffee, Penang
Heart and soul are at the core of this coffee shop as they are committed to perfecting the ever-evolving art of coffee. Beans are brought in from all over the world, including a few selections from local coffee roasters, The Roast Things and Artisan Roastery.
If a cup of their speciality coffee is not up to your liking, opt for their Belgian Hot Chocolate, which remains a highly raved beverage on their menu.
Address: 9 Lebuh Light, Ground Floor, Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Building 10200 George Town, Penang
Contact: +6011 6078 7883
Sin See Tai, Melaka
Home to local coffee roaster The Daily Fix is Sin See Tai, a small coffee shop situated in Jalan Jawa, Melaka. While they serve lovely baked goods and non-caffeinated beverages, the coffee is the highlight of this place.
A small selection of single-origin coffee beans, meaning the beans are pure and not mixed with different varieties of coffee, is available. Made on-site, the coffee is fresh, seasonal, and of the best quality.
Address: 18 Jalan Jawa, 75100 Melaka City, Melaka
Contact: +6016 221 6855
Vamos Coffee Roastery, Johor
Surfing and good coffee are the two loves of Vamos Coffee. Based in Johor Bahru, they act as a coffee roaster, surf shop, and a nitro kombucha brewery all in one. As if brewing a mean cup of coffee was not enough, they also make incredible smoothie bowls and several other breakfast and brunch options on the menu.
Address: 155 Jalan Berigin, Taman Melodies, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor
Contact: +6016 723 3124
The Alchemist’s Cafe, Sabah
Aptly named, you’ll find anything from the familiar to the whimsical at this Kota Kinabalu home-based cafe. Supplied by Mountain Coffee Roasters, they have a selection of beans from Brazil to Costa Rica.
Order a standard pour-over coffee, customise a drink to your liking, or try their deeply blue-hued spirulina coffee known as the Biru Latte. Whatever your pick, The Alchemist’s Cafe promises a cup to remember.
Address: 25 Lorong Pokok Bambangan, Taman Alpha, Kota Kinabalu
Contact: +6016 219 2600
