Shopping malls and popular cafes are starting to fill up with more people. They can get quite crowded especially on weekends. If you are just looking to get your caffeine hit of the day and some small bites, dropping by a neighbourhood cafe might be the answer. These cafes are usually on the smaller side, and some might only cater for take-away. However, the quality of their food and beverages are still top-notch.
If you are looking for good coffee, some light snacks, and a quaint, quiet place to get them from, here are 5 neighbourhood cafes for you to drop by and check out.
1) Hétam
A delightful surprise to find in the midst of the busyness that is Bangsar, you will find Hétam next to the Petronas petrol station along the main road. This pop-up cafe is located within one of the houses along the road.
It can be confusing to find if you are using your navigation app (as I was). The house was also partially hidden by the truck selling rojak that was parked there. But if you know what I’m talking about, then you should know where to find Hétam.
Walking in, you will find the counter at the side of the house. There are two benches that you can sit on while waiting for your order. There is also a small, pebbled compound next to it that looks great for those aesthetic IG pictures.
Serving the usual coffee options, they also have flavoured coffees (I tried the coconut latte) and small bites such as bomboloni and curry puff.
Address: 145, Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: 9am to 4pm (Daily)
2) Satuu Coffee and Pastriés
Another café that is located in a house, the owners kindly remind patrons to not park at their neighbour’s home. Located at Setapak, they serve coffee and pastries such as burnt cheesecakes and brownies. They will usually post up the list of cakes they’re selling on their Instagram page.
Aiming to bring Japanese vibes to their customers, you can expect a very chill and cosy atmosphere as you enjoy a cup of coffee along with one of their delicious cakes on a weekend afternoon.
Address: 2, Jalan Mata Ayer, Taman Ayer Panas, 53200 Kuala Lumpur
Operating hours: 10am to 5pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
3) Kopi Jiran
If you are looking for a change of scenery and don’t mind going for a short drive, head over to Kopi Jiran in Kajang. Tucked away in a quiet neighbourhood, Kopi Jiran is a garden café with 50s décor that gives off that nostalgic vibe. Which makes it another great spot for IG pics!
Other than coffee which is exclusively brewed with moka pot, you can also look forward to sweet and savoury treats such as nasi lemak, kueh, scones and a variety of pastries. They also offer picnic boxes containing nasi lemak and various baked goods for you to take to your next hiking or waterfall adventure.
Address: 133, Jalan TKP 2, Taman Kantan Permai, 43000 Kajang, Selangor
Operating hours: 11am to 5pm (Thursday to Sunday)
4) Kopi Pokok
Also known as Kopi Bawah Pokok, it’s pretty evident how the name of the shop came about. For folks in Shah Alam and beyond, Kopi Pokok is a neighbourhood cafe serving great coffee along with a few options for food such as nasi lemak and cupcakes.
You can drop by for hit of caffeine or you can also stay and sit under the shade of the tree as you enjoy their nasi lemak.
Address: Jalan Belibis 6/5C, Seksyen 6, Shah Alam
Opening hours: 9am to 5pm (Tuesday to Friday), 9am to 7pm (weekends)
5) Pause Café
Converted from a decades-old Kampung Attap apartment into a cosy and pretty eatery – Pause Café is one of those hidden gems in KL that is worth traveling to the city for. That’s what I did, and I am happy to do it again. I went on a Saturday afternoon expecting it to be crowded but thankfully, it wasn’t.
The bright yellow exterior of the cafe was very welcoming. Although it didn’t look like much from the outside, the interior of the café was simple, sweet, and much bigger than I thought. It didn’t feel like I was enclosed in a small area thanks to their deco and use of space.
The menu was quite extensive with rice bowls, noodles, sweet and savoury toasts, snacks, and desserts. The usual drinks were on the menu – coffee, green tea, chocolate, etc. They do have a few signature drinks which looked really interesting! Unfortunately, I did not try them out. Instead, I ordered the pesto pasta and the Drink The Forest (matcha + hojicha) which was delicious too. If you’re looking for a quiet neigbourhood cafe, look no further.
Address: 140, Jalan Choo Cheng Khay, Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: 11am to 8pm (Tuesday to Sunday)
