Bangsar is a hot spot for café hoppers, as it is home for various cafes of different themes and styles that are worth visiting. Other than the popular cafes that are usually crowded, there are actually more secluded cafes that are equally good in Bangsar that would give you a whole different experience. Plus point? You can take all the Instagram shots without the extra judgemental stares from people around you! Therefore, if you’re looking for a more private and exceptional adventure, here is a list of hidden cafes you should visit when in Bangsar.
1. The Basikal
The Basikal is a rustic refuge that is perched atop a weathered Bangsar shop house. The café is accessible secretly through a back lane, which is fuelled by pedal power, a community space created by cyclists for cyclists with retail and repair facilities. The café on top has a compact but well-considered menu of classic locals suitable for the local crowd.
They have the local favourites like Terengganu-style Laksa Kuah Putih, Penang Assam Laksa, Nasi Lemak and Curry Mee. The food here not only has appropriate portions with friendly prices, but they are also prepared with less salt and oil compared to other places, which is in line with cyclist’s principle of healthy living. Therefore, The Basikal is definitely one of the hidden cafes you should visit when in Bangsar!
Address: 89, Jalan Bangsar, Bangsar, 59200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 8am – 8pm (Daily)
2. Lisette’s Café
This hidden coffee bar in Bangsar is a soulful little refuge where people can come for some peace and leave with a refreshed spirit. It is in the style of a renovated house with large windows around allowing sunlight to enter, giving it a cosy and relaxing surrounding. There are little touches like yellow flowers on every table, and blue accents on all the furniture, making it an insta-worthy experience.
Lisette’s Café has brunch and lunch buffets on certain days, which are perfect for big eaters! They prioritize healthy and nutritious food but fret not as there are also plenty of desserts to choose from. They also have their own patisserie chefs providing baked goods which are in a combination of both in-house and outsourced. You can check out their menu here.
Address: 8, Jalan Kemuja, Bangsar
Operating Hours: 9am – 7pm (Daily)
3. PULP
Occupying a paper cutting space of a nearly 50-year-old Art Printing Works factory and storehouse, PULP rests in the shadow of Riong’s Balai Berita building, the head office of the New Straits Times Press. The café is welcoming with a relaxed vibe, unique look and neat layout. Also, the expertise and experience of the people ensure that it is a café worth visiting.
PULP is a part café, part showroom, part educational centre and part workshop. It serves coffee, but also distributes coffee accoutrements for other businesses specialising in coffee. If you’re an adventurous person that enjoy seeking for an eye-opening experience, be sure to come to PULP!
Address: 29-01, Jalan Riong, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 7:30am – 10pm
4. ALTA Café
Alta, which means high in Italian, is located on an upper-level shop lot. This hidden hearth for handcrafted bread, breakfast bowls and brunch plates stands in tranquil contrast with the bustle of Bangsar. From Malaysian cheeses to Spanish tuna, it is a welcome sanctuary where comfort can be sought through conscientious cooking and pleasure in the mouthful of delicious meals.
Alta practices a café culture inspired from the ones in Paris and Copenhagen, where their cuisines are simple, made from scratch and locally sourced whenever possible. Check out their menu here, and you will surely be lured to give this cafe a try.
Address: 59-1, Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 8am – 5pm (Closed on Mondays)
5. VCR
This café has a glass atrium outback, allowing sunlight to come through, and a greened upfront street entrance, setting a natural ambience for the café. VCR is founded on the philosophy of good coffee and good vibes, while valuing employee’s growth fostering customers and community relationships, and enhancing the speciality coffee scene in Kuala Lumpur.
The menu reflects a contemporary Melbourne café, with a little local influence. They take pride in the preparation of their food, insisting on making everything they can in-house from scratch without taking any shortcuts.
Address: 31, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 7:30am – 11pm (Daily)
6. Transparent Coffee
Why the name Transparent Coffee? Mah, the owner of this cafe, wants his customers to know, and taste where they source their beans, which are all directly from the producers. I other words, he wants to be transparent with his customers, hence the name. The ambience of this café is relaxing, and the sense of community is strong, but not exclusive.
Other than coffee, they serve light bites such as toasts, tartines and sandwiches, which comes in various flavours and ingredients. Their most sought after is their sourdough, which is crackly with a bit of tartness. Be sure to make your way to this café if you’re into authentic and “transparent” coffee!
Address: 6-G, Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 8am – 5pm (Daily)
There you have it, 6 hidden cafes you should visit in Bangsar! If you want a more private and quiet meet up sessions, or just want to have some alone time, these places would be perfect for you.
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