Burpple - Best Cafes in Kuala Lumpur
Soul Sacrifice
For Mediterranean Flavours in Quiet Desa Pandan
Tucked along a quiet street in Desa Pandan, Soul Sacrifice ticks all the right boxes for a stellar cafe — think minimalistic vibes, one-of-a-kind brunch fare and quality coffee. Consider this your hideaway the next time you want some alone time, perhaps with a book. Try the Ricotta Toast (RM14), topped with kelulut honey (honey made from stingless bees) and peanut crumble. The bright, sweet-sourish honey melds beautifully with the slightly savoury peanut crumble. The food here has a heavy Mediterranean influence, which you'll spot in the Olympiakos (RM28) that has a pure lamb patty, mint yoghurt sauce, roasted capsicum, quinoa tabbouleh and apricot couscous, while the Thai Embassy (RM18) has flavours closer to home — deep-fried siakap fillet with a Thai mango salad. Finish your meal off with a fruity cup of coffee, made with Artisan Roastery beans.
Artisan Roast Coffee
For a Quick Morning Fix
There’s a reason the hole-in-the-wall Artisan Roast Coffee remains the stalwart coffee joint for TTDI residents. They take their coffee seriously — from roasting their own beans to ensuring perfect calibrations for the day — so you can depend on these guys for a great cup of coffee. Sip on a Long Black (RM7) or Filter Brew (from RM12) while you decide what’s for breakfast. From their menu of honest-to-goodness eats, try the Pancake Tampal (RM12) — an oozy sunny side up stuck on a fluffy pancake with melted cheese. If you're in a rush, the toasted Bagel With Cream Cheese (RM7) makes a good, filling breakfast to go. You can also get this as a set with the Long Black or Long Red (rooibos tea) for an additional RM3. Service is fast, so swing by for a quick fix before work, yoga class or your meeting.
Ebony & Ivory Coffee
For Comfort Food and Cosy Vibes
Nestled in an old apartment in Cheras, the quaint Ebony & Ivory is a place to catch up with friends over a pocket-friendly meal. The small, open kitchen and a drum set in the corner of the room make it feel like we’re in someone’s home — it’s that cosy! Tuck into the comforting bowl of Minced Pork Scrambled Eggs Rice (RM13) crowned with a heaping amount of bonito flakes and furikake (Japanese seasoning). Shovel through the light and fluffy egg to discover the juicy minced pork — everything is seasoned perfectly. Also try the Mushroom Omelette Toast (RM16), which sees another superbly cooked egg with mushrooms and onions tucked in between it. On weekends, come for the luscious Oven Baked Pork Belly Scrambled Egg Toast (RM20) that’s well worth the drive. In the hopper are Artisan Roastery beans, which they pull into light, bright cups of coffee. Have one with their house-baked loaves, such as the Butter Loaf (RM8) or the Cempedak Loaf (RM8).
Forty Hands
For a Porky Brunch With the Gang
With its cool industrial theme, warm service and a porky brunch menu, Forty Hands makes the perfect spot for weekend brunch with the gang. Order the Big Boy Breakfast (RM30), a hearty plate filled to the brim with pork sausage, pork bacon, vegetables, bread and eggs — you might need a nap after this meal. Another yummy breakfast option is the meat-free Chilli Scram (RM25), creamy scrambled eggs loaded with chilli for a spicy kick. For those who love sweet- savoury combinations, the decadent, honey-drizzled Banana Bacon French Toast (RM20) will be a treat. The coffee here is brought to you by sister cafe Common Man Coffee Roasters, so you know you’re in good hands. The punchy single origin Cold Brew (RM14) is perfect for a java-jolt on hot afternoons.
BEAM Speciality
For Hearty Meals to Share
Residents of Bandar Sri Damansara flock to BEAM for many things, but surely the consistently well-made cups of coffee and the generously sized portions of food play a part. There’s plenty of space in the two-storey warehouse, so drop in with the family. Consider sharing the hot-pressed Roasted Chicken Panini (RM20) for a filling meal, alongside the house favourite BEAM Nasi Lemak (RM16.50) served with rendang ayam and sambal, prepared from scratch! On coffee, the beans are roasted in-house, and some have even won awards for their flavour and sheer quality. Pair a cup with the tea time treats they have on display — we really like that they serve Nyonya kuih as well as Western cakes. Folks who can't part with their traditional fix will be glad to know that Beam also serves a mean local Kopi (RM7) and Kopi O (RM6). There is also a retail corner at Beam for coffee equipment to add to your brew bar back home.
Analog KL
For a Laidback Coffee Break
Set in Subang Jaya’s sleepy SS17, this low-key neighbourhood cafe turns out excellent homey eats, good coffee and maximum chill vibes. The sturdy wooden tables and multiple powerpoints make it a suitable setting if you need somewhere to get work done, but the space is also cosy enough to simply kick back with a few friends. Always go for the Cheese Sandwich (RM10), which packs plenty of gooey mozzarella between house-baked sourdough. Their offbeat selection of Filter Coffee (from RM16) will be great to wash the sando down with. Alternatively, give their Kombucha (RM10) a shot. The bubbly fermented black tea is not only good for digestion, but also boasts a very enjoyable, mildly sweet and fruity flavour. Look to the counter for their daily bakes, which includes a soft, fluffy Cinnamon Roll (RM4.50) that hits the spot.
VCR (Bangsar)
For Consistently Tasty Brunch with a Cuppa
After the success of their flagship in Pudu, VCR’s Bangsar outpost proves to be worth our coin. The relatively newer store sports the same iconic black walls and industrial feels, setting themselves apart with a larger menu. The Burpple community-favourite here has to be the Pennsylvania Soul (RM25) — Southern-inspired chicken and waffles made with the cafe’s popular potato waffles, pomegranate and a side of chrysanthemum syrup. It’s so addictive Burppler Calie Tang has had it three times in the span of two months! VCR also warrants a visit in the night, when the dinner menu becomes available. The Salmon Ebi Bao (RM20) sees deep-fried salmon patty with fresh shrimps and wilted greens between pillowy steamed buns. We’ve always liked VCR for their smooth and balanced coffee, so have one before you go.
Grain x Fēst
For a Cafe with a Local Touch
Fēst settles nicely in the bustling Damansara Perdana neighbourhood, bringing with them their take on cafe food. Don't skip out on having a meal here as Grain, the restaurant extension of Fēst, dishes out modernised versions of Malaysian favourites like the Kampung Chicken Leg (RM18.90). Think of it as fancy chicken rice, served with a generous-sized chicken leg, flavourful garlic rice and spicy homemade chilli sauce. The Duck Porridge (RM14.90) on the other hand sees tender pieces of roasted duck sitting on a bed of porridge and garnished with raisins — these add a nice sweetness to the dish. Those working in the Damansara Perdana area can now rely on Fēst’s strong Long Black (RM11) to keep the juices flowing at work.
Birch
For a Fancy Brunch Date
This stunning cafe-bistro hidden away in a far corner of DC Mall sees snaking queues for brunch all week long, and we can see why. The lofty, sunlit space is decked out in swanky furniture and an island bar in the centre, setting it apart from most of the other cafes in this list. Decor aside, Birch also serves up delicious, refined all-day fare at very reasonable prices. Perfect for brunch is their Lemon Ricotta Hotcakes (RM28), which yield three larger-than-our-faces hotcakes filled with creamy ricotta in the centre. Also a standout is the shimeji mushroom and salmon-topped Japanese Miso Porridge (RM36) that’s redolent of umami miso flavour. If you’re a fan of burnt cheesecakes, their rich, moist rendition (RM18) measures up to expectations. P.s. Birch opens until 2am for you night owls!
Littlepeople
For Freshly Made Pasta and More
While this Old Klang Road cafe was first birthed out of a passion for coffee, it has grown to become a well-rounded locale for lunch, dinner and meals in between. The zen, white-walled interior puts you at ease, which means it’s great for a place to unwind with a friend or two. The kitchen surprises with their housemade pastas, as well as occasional bakes (we once tried a tasty Almond Croissant!) and creative desserts. Start with an order of their Flat White (RM11), a strong, fruity coffee that knocks it right out of the park. For a value-for-money lunch, go for their simple, hearty Ducky Rice Bowl (RM12) topped with a runny egg, smoked duck and a drizzle of sesame oil. We also absolutely adore the Beef Ragu Bolognese (from RM26), made with sofrito (a zesty Latin American sauce base), beef bone stock and red wine. The meaty sauce clings beautifully onto the taut, al dente pasta for a flavourful bite every time.
RGB & The Bean Hive
For Healthy Meals for the Whole Family
For quality time with the family, RGB & The Bean Hive might just be your home away from home. Bring the kids, who will enjoy frolicking in their spacious garden area while you have a peaceful lunch on the patio. The menu highlights healthy, vegan-friendly meals, but there are also ample options for meat. You can’t go wrong with the simple French Toast with Agave Nectar & Jam (RM15) for a light bite, or the Yoghurt Parfait (RM18) that melds nuts, fruits and oats for a refreshing treat loaded with crunch. Order the Sliced Avocado Brioche & Sunny Side Up Eggs (RM24) for a well-balanced meal that's brimming with greens and protein — you can also opt to top it up with smoked salmon, crispy beef bacon or tempe. As for the kids, there are pizzas, pastas and fried rice for them to chow down on. The cafe also works as a micro-roastery and serves coffee using their in-house beans — expect sharp and fruity flavour notes.
The Red Beanbag
For Stellar All Day Dishes
Going strong in their seventh year of operations, this cafe set on a second-floor block in Publika shows no signs of stopping. They’ve kept the smart, warm setting exactly the same, and it’s versatile enough to suit business lunches and family meals alike. The mainstay is the brunch menu, which toggles between perennial favourites like The Atlantic (smoked salmon on brioche toast, RM27) and The Skyscraper (chocolate and fresh fruits pancake, RM17), as well as seasonal dishes. For now, the community is raving about their Rendang Burgembira (RM32), which rides the recent rendang wave with a delicious chicken rendang patty and homemade curry chips. The Red Beanbag is also home to 2017’s Malaysia Barista Champion Jason Loo, so expect coffee to be done with standards. Note that the cafe is currently closed for upgrades and will reopen 22 June 2018.
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