Let's start with where we called home during our KL trip: the Swiss Garden Residence Kuala Lumpur. We paid around S$150 for three nights! Located in the Bukit Bintang area, this hotel is close to all the good food, cafes, and malls. Although you can walk to nearby attractions, be prepared for some traffic—a 10-minute ride might turn into a 20-minute one. On the upside, taxis and Grab are available, even if they take their sweet time to arrive.

Check-in here is a breeze with self-check-in options, and the room is just like a suite! Spacious, with a fantastic view of the KLCC, it's perfect for lounging around, catching up on work, and simply unwinding. The wall behind the TV is a nifty feature that opens up the space beautifully too.

You'll find a small kitchen, a fridge, and even a washing machine for added convenience.

The bedroom is cosy, complete with a king-sized bed and a generous wardrobe. The only hiccup is some finicky charging ports—just a minor snag in our otherwise pleasant stay. And if you need an extra bed, there's one single bed in the living room, which, let's admit, comes in handy if you just came back from outside and want to nap without taking a shower...

The bathroom is roomy, although sans a bathtub. But hey, the design prevents shower water from splashing everywhere.

You'll also have access to a gym and a swimming pool, although the unpredictable KL weather meant we couldn't make the most of the pool this time.

Cafes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

I know you're here for the cafe-hopping experience, and we're starting with a local favourite, VCR. Located a stone's throw away from our hotel, VCR serves not only fantastic coffee but also scrumptious bakes and mains.

As you walk into VCR, you'll be greeted by a dimly lit coffeehouse. The place hums with the sound of coffee machines, baristas exchanging coffee tales, and an array of delectable cakes parading their irresistible charm. But our journey led us upstairs, where even more space and natural light awaited. At the top of the stairs, a wall of glass panels gave us a chance to sip our coffee while enjoying the scenic view. VCR even boasts a rooftop alfresco area, although we opted for indoor seating due to the sweltering KL weather.

For our next caffeine fix, we moved to Feeka Coffee Roasters, which is my boyfriend's top pick for the best coffee in KL. And I have to agree! Their food is no slouch, either. This cafe is buzzing with locals and digital nomads, and the menu offers a delectable range of all-day brunch options.

With its distinctive raw yet warm aesthetic, Feeka has been a top brunch spot for more than a decade. They offer classics from French toast and smashed avocado with dukkah and ricotta to unique offerings like house-made almond butter toast and panko portobello mushroom tacos.

The cafe offers two distinctive blends: the Feeka Blend and the Blackbird Blend. The Feeka Blend stands out for its flavours of dates, caramel, and dark chocolate, with or without milk, while the Blackbird Blend offers notes of hazelnut, orange reduction, and dark chocolate, equally enjoyable black or white. 

We enjoyed dining in their inviting semi-covered courtyard adorned with greenery. When the sun blazes, you'll find most guests inside, relaxing on benches, chairs, or colourful couches.

Next was Transparent Coffee. We actually came here by chance because we were craving coffee and this was the best one in the area. We definitely fell in love with its cosy and unique ambience and spent over an hour there. The unique feature here is that they're incredibly transparent about their coffee sourcing, providing you with top-quality brews.

I wasn't blown away by the coffee, but I think it's decent.

Last but not least, we have Tommy Le Baker. As you approach the bakery, you'll notice it's a part of the Zhongshan Building, a hub for creativity and artistic expression. The courtyard itself embodies minimalist aesthetics, with soothing white decor and tables scattered under the shade of central trees. The bakery occupies one side of this peaceful courtyard, offering a selection of delectable sourdough creations.

Tommy Le Baker's menu keeps it simple yet authentic, with a focus on French-style offerings. The selections include sourdough bread sandwiches, tartines, toasts, and delightful sweet treats like financiers and madeleines. The star of the show is undoubtedly the sourdough bread.

The coffee was a bit disappointing though, and I told my boyfriend that it reminded me of "conference coffee", specifically the ones you drink at conferences during the tea break. One silver lining is that the sourdough was really good, and I would come back here just for their bread.

Where to eat in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

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In the end, KL's cafes are indeed a treasure trove. Each has its unique identity and style, and the best part is that the food and coffee is reasonably priced. KL, with its plethora of cafes and hidden gems, has carved a special place in my heart, and I can't wait to return for more adventures! Thanks for reading and see you next post~