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The Malaysian coffee culture started with its early immigrants and their "kopi": a strong, bold, traditional brew using roasted beans cooked in margarine. Thereafter, the "kopitiam" culture was born locally in informal coffee shops where friends and families get together and enjoy a strong brew of coffee with toast and eggs.
But over the last couple of decades, specialty coffee has created a sea change in Malaysia's coffee. Today, Malaysian coffee culture melts tradition with modernity into a concoction coveted by traditionalists and coffee aficionados alike.
Traditional coffee (Source: Naumi hotels)
A visit to a traditional kopitiam sends one back in time. Kopitiams are modestly set up coffee shops with simple decoration, usually made of wooden tables and with classic tiled floors. The preparation of coffee is also very local, using beans roasted in margarine or butter to give the brew a distinctive, rich, and somewhat caramelized taste.
On the other end of the spectrum, modern cafes serve a number of ways to brew their coffee from espresso based drinks to pour over and cold brew with the most attention to quality beans and aesthetics. With minimalist or creative decor, these places are cozy enough to socialize with others or study quietly.
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Breakfast commonly served in Malaysia (Source: Reddit)
Traditional Malaysian coffee is called "kopi." It is dark and has a bold flavor, with sweet, caramelized notes. Kopi is prepared by brewing local beans mixed with either margarine or sugar. This gives it a flavor profile different from Western style coffee. It comes served black, called kopi o, or with condensed milk for a creamy, sweet taste called kopi susu.
Other popular drinks vary from "cham," a mix of both coffee and tea, down to things like iced kopi, a cool treat for one of Malaysia's hot days. These local flavors should not be missed by anyone looking to experience the real Malaysian coffee culture.
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Traditional kopi coffee in Malaysia (Source: WhetstoneMagazine)
Opening Hours: Daily, 8:30 AM - 10:30 PM
Address: 2, Jalan Galloway, Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
VCR is situated in a charming heritage building on Jalan Galloway and features an industrial chic design combined with the comforts of a warm, cozy atmosphere. It is famous for the quality of its coffee, sourced from different parts of the world and brewed to perfection to bring out their distinctive flavors.
Equally appealing is the brunch menu from French toast with berries and homemade granola, to smoked salmon scrambled eggs, to a few vegetarian options. The rooftop space of this cafe provides a beautiful view of Kuala Lumpur's cityscape, hence making this a very popular destination for locals and tourists alike.
Nice atmosphere at VCR cafe (Source: petworlds)
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11:30 AM - 10:00 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
Address: 150, Jalan Petaling, City Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Nestled deep within the historic enclaves of Chinatown in Kuala Lumpur lies the tiny cafe of Merchant's Lane, with a theme touching between retro and hippie. A former brothel now houses this eclectic mix of secondhand furniture, soft lighting, and loud murals, speaking of times gone by.
It brews the perfect coffee at Merchant's Lane, though not necessarily to everyone's taste, varying between espresso based drinks to more specialized lattes such as matcha and hojicha. Sitting atop the list is Merchant's Lane, for its peculiar ambiance and creative menu, which call for a truly memorable coffee experience.
Spacious coffee shop (Source: POWIdeas)
Opening Hours: Monday to Friday, 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM; Saturday to Sunday, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Address: 55, Jalan Hang Jebat, Melaka, Malaysia
Tucked behind a souvenir shop in the historic Jonker Street, Melaka, The Daily Fix is indeed a jewel of a coffee shop that holds an old world charm. With its exposed brick walls, rustic interior, and old furniture with potted plants, it creates just the right atmosphere for your leisurely coffee break.
Everything from classic espresso based drinks to innovative choices of iced mocha and matcha latte the option for coffee ranges. With its relaxed ambiance and delicious offerings of food, The Daily Fix is not to be missed for any explorer of the historic city of Melaka.
Eye-catching theme and decoration (Source: Fishmeatdie)
Opening Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Address: LG10, The Glass House, Jalan Dutamas, Solaris Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
At Coffee Stain, located in the very bustling heart of Petaling Jaya, every great cup of coffee comes about with quality and creativity. From expertly extracting specialty beans that renowned roasters supply, this cafe offers a variety of drinks, ranging from espresso based beverages to cold brews and even hand poured cups.
Of course, one thing that is most well acknowledged about Coffee Stain is the great beauty of its latte art. It includes all kinds of different designs and makes every cup a work of art. The minimalist design makes it a modern cafe in which a perfect cup can be enjoyed in relaxation.
Coffee Stain at Petaling Jaya (Source: Chillout)
Opening Hours: Daily, 9:30 AM - 11:30 PM
Address: 11, Jalan Hang Kasturi, Melaka, Malaysia
Among the many that Malaysia can boast about, the Calanthe Art cafe is one of the most unique cafes offering what it terms "Malaysia's 13 States Coffee." You may get a variety of flavors and roastings for each of the different states in Malaysia here. Colorful murals and quirky art on the wall add an extra local touch to the place.
Apart from its coffee, it also offers a long list of Malaysian dishes in the Calanthe Art Cafe, ranging from laksa to nasi lemak. This cafe is offering a really local experience that celebrates Malaysia's cultural and culinary diversity, which simply should not be missed for both coffee lovers and gastronomes alike.
A very unique style of Calanthe Art (Source: Roniontherun)
Opening Hours: Daily, 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Address: Taman Molek, Jalan Molek 1/27, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Artelier Coffee is a modern minimalist cafe from Johor Bahru, aplenty surrounded by the craft of specialty coffee. Each of their expert baristas has managed to use top of the line single origin beans in brewing pour over coffee, aeropress, and espresso based drinks according to each unique bean.
Artelier Coffee features clean, modern designs that make it a quiet spot perfect for relaxation, it's an ideal outlet for those after a quality coffee experience. Sometimes, the cafe collaborates with local artists, featuring their art to enhance the offering over and above the simple act of just drinking coffee.
Modern Artelier Coffee (Source: bibzeats)
Opening Hours: Daily, 9:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Address: D7, Jalan Sentul, Sentul East, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Three Little Birds is an industrial style cafe situated in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur. Identified with its focus on local roasted beans and artisan brewing techniques, the cafe features large windows, lush greenery, and exposed concrete to give it an airy, trendy feel that still exudes a relaxed vibe that appeals to an urban coffee lover.
Three Little Birds source their beans from local roasters and offer a wide selection of single origin and signature blends. Their cold brews and pour overs are pretty popular, these seem to draw out the subtle flavors of the bean. Recommended highly for anyone interested in supporting local coffee artists and wanting to learn more about Malaysia's specialty coffee scene.
Three Little Birds at Kuala Lumpur (Source: NadiaSigit)
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Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM - 7:00 PM (Closed on Mondays)
Address: 29, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Pulp by Papa Palheta stands out for being one of a kind. Occupying an old printing facility in Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur, this cafe is set amidst an industrial environment where the surrounding ambiance of the cafe provides an uncommon atmosphere with its vintage printing machinery and minimalist decoration that reflects quality in its coffee.
Pulp uses a wide range of single origin beans with various ways of brewing be it Chemex, Aeropress, or any other for a coffee connoisseur. The staff is very informative and enthusiastic about their offerings from drinks to brands, having a deep understanding of the origin of each coffee and how it was brewed. Pulp by Papa Palheta is a specialty, rare coffee shop that one must visit.
Pulp by Papa Palheta (Source: pulpcoffee)
Opening Hours: Daily, 10:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Address: 5, Stewart Lane, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Located at the quieter end of a street in George Town, Penang, The Alley is a small cafe with a loyal following. Famous for its churros and hand brewed coffee, The Alley is cozy and warm, an oasis of tranquility from the busy streets of Penang.
From the classic, espresso based drinks to specialty hand brews, The Alley boasts an impressive menu of coffee concoctions made from beans sourced from local roasters. Its commitment to quality and flavor, added to its succulent snacks, makes this quaint little coffee shop a hot favorite among Penang's coffee lovers.
The Alley, Penang (Source: PenangFoodie)
Malacca's coffee culture is like a rich tapestry interlacing tradition with modernity, offering experiences both toward local flavors and global coffee trends. Among the coffee shops referred to, one can work out how diverse Malaysia can be for tourists around the world. Come to Malaysia with Asia King Travel and learn more about its coffee culture to get the best experience in its coffee shops.
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