The bustling metropolis of Kuala Lumpur may not seem like an ideal place for a relaxing afternoon curled up over coffee and a book. However, you may be surprised to find that KL is full of cosy corners that are perfect for contemplative reading, studying or listening to your favourite calming Spotify list.
These cafes in the city are worth checking out if you like quiet cafes:
1. X Coffee The Japan Store
The Japan store in Isetan is a multi-departmental store selling various products from Japan, including clothing, stationeries, décor, collectables and books. X Coffee is a speciality café located within the store and it sells Japanese roasters like Maruyama Coffee, Fuglen Coffee and Nozy Coffee.
Address: 3F, ISETAN The Japan Store, Lot 10, No 50, Jalan Sultan Ismail, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily, 11am-10.30am
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/xcoffee.jpstore/
2. BookXcess Café @ The Starling Mall
BookXcess is a chain of bookstores all over the Klang Valley ( and recently in Penang too). They’re known for their relaxed vibe and affordable books. The branch at Starling Mall even comes with an in-house café that serves coffee and cakes. This lovely corner allows you to get some time out while browsing and provides a welcoming area to preview your favourite books before buying them.
Address: T-331B, The Starling, 6, Jalan SS 21/23, Damansara Utama, 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening hours: Daily, 10am-10pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BookXcess/
3. Pages Book Cafe
Part café, part library and part bookstore, Pages Book café offers a minimalist vibe that anyone can enjoy. If you come here hungry, you can look forward to their homemade pies, in addition to coffees and teas. Browse through their fiction and nonfiction titles and feel free to purchase anything that catches your fancy. Pages have just opened recently, so you probably won’t find a crowd here anytime soon.
Address: F-G-43 Taipan Damansara 2, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 9am -6pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pagesbookcafe/
4. Kamilah’s Lifestyle & Book Café
Kamilah’s is the quintessential neighbourhood hang out spot and it’s made even better with the cabinets full of books on the walls. The café serves a mixture of local Malay cuisine and Western dishes, like their speciality Mee Rebus Meletop, Fish and Chips with Apple Slaw and Nasi Lemak with Chicken Rendang.
Address: 15-G, Jalan Putra Mahkota 7/7B, Putra Heights,, Subang Jaya
Opening hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 10.30am-6.30pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kamilahcafe/
5. Departure Lounge Cafe
This café is modelled after an airport waiting lounge, so you’ll find the walls stocked full of travel books. They serve a menu full of brunch items and are well known for their breakfast platters, where you can pick a combination of three to seven items. As for other dishes, their salted egg pasta has received pretty good reviews, as well as their salted egg yolk Benedict.
Address: 10 Jalan SS 21/39 Damansara Utama, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily, 8am-7pm
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cafedeparturelounge/
