Why Studying in These 13 KL Cafes Will Help You Get Things Done!
Sometimes, the best way to be productive is not to be confined within the four walls of your room. Fortunately, I’ve been lucky enough to reside in Kuala Lumpur where cafes aren’t just Instagrammable but also peaceful!
These cafes saved my behind countless times when I was still in college, as they gave me a safe haven to catch up on notes whenever I needed to prepare for exams. Plus, it helped that they serve amazing coffee as well!
With that being said, I’ve been to enough peaceful cafes to know which ones are perfect for studying. So if you’re someone who has an upcoming test or you simply want to bask in a peaceful atmosphere while sipping on some quality cup of joe, keep on reading!
Feeka Coffee Roasters
— Media credit: feekacoffeeroasters
Address: 19, Jln Mesui, Bukit Bintang
Contact details: +60 3-2110 4599
Operating hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
Feeka Coffee Roasters is a proven coffee lover’s paradise, featuring a wide variety ranging from americano to cappuccino, flat white and more. These drinks do a perfect job of accommodating you during your study session here, as you’ll be treated to a peaceful atmosphere.
You won’t have to stay for a couple of hours to realize this too because as soon as you enter its doors, you’ll be greeted by its welcoming and cosy ambience. This comes courtesy of its beautiful modern interior and the ever-so-lingering aroma of freshly brewed coffee.
We also have to mention that this is one of the best brunch spots in the city. Its menu features some amazing light and heavy meals ranging from salads to pasta, burgers, sandwiches and a handful of sweet pastries—yum!
Pro tip:
If you want to treat yourself to a job well done, you can head to Changkat Bukit Bintang and go street food hopping!
Merchant’s Lane
— Media credit: merchantslane
Address: 150, Jalan Petaling
Contact details: +60 3-2022 1736
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday: 11:30 AM to 8:00 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 11:30 AM to 9:00 PM
- Sunday: 11:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Cost: $$
Merchant’s Lane is undoubtedly one of the most charming cafes in KL thanks to its quaint old-timey design and overall rustic interior. It also helps that the place itself is an old shophouse that’s been refurbished, which is why you’ll find elements of both old and new here.
You can easily boost your focus and productivity here because of the amazing food and coffee drinks you can indulge in. Starting with the food, you can treat yourself to a wide variety of brunch items like salads but if you want our advice, you have to order their delicate salmon!
The drinks themselves will provide satisfaction to both your brain and tastebuds. Whether you’re craving a creamy iced latte or a strong black coffee, you’re guaranteed to find something to your liking from their menu!
Pro tip:
Since this is a famous spot for locals and tourists alike, we recommend scheduling your study session during weekdays for utmost serenity! Meanwhile, if you can only visit during the weekends, we advise visiting early in the morning or in the afternoon.
VCR
— Media credit: vcrlovesyou
Address: 2, Jalan Galloway
Contact details: +60 3-2110 2330
Operating hours: Daily from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Cost: $$
VCR should be on your radar if you’re looking for good food and equally amazing coffee. You can either treat yourself to delicious classics like avocado toasts and lemon tarts or try something filling like their soft-shell crab burger, which by the way is pure chef’s kiss!
It’s not always that you can enjoy this luxury while also basking in a peaceful ambience that can help you boost your productivity so we had to recommend it!
Also, we think that the all-black colour theme of the cafe helps in minimising distractions, but it could just be us. If anything, this edgy look, paired with the high ceilings and cosy lighting makes for a great backdrop for your Instaworthy photos.
Pro tip:
You can also check out their branches at Bangsar and Ritchie’s Pavilion if their location at Galloway is too far from your school, dorm, home, etc.
Bean Brothers
— Media credit: beanbrothers.my
Address: G-1, THE LINC No, 360
Contact details: [email protected]
Operating hours: Daily from 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM
Cost: $$
Bean Brothers captures peacefulness like no other coffee house in the city because it’s never really crowded, or at least at the time of writing. We think it’s only a matter of time before this becomes another famous cafe just because of its premium quality coffee and food.
They offer a solid selection of both sweet and savoury delights that can accompany you during your intense study session. For instance, you can order their kimchi fried rice if you’re looking for something spicy or one of their delectable croissants if you want to satisfy your sweet tooth.
The place itself is worth highlighting as it’s among KL’s coolest cafes (literally and figuratively thanks to its AC). It features a high ceiling, exposed beams, cosy lighting and an overall rustic aesthetic that you can freely admire in between your work/study sessions.
Pro tip:
If you’ve fallen in love with their coffee and want to try it at home for yourself, you can buy their official beans from their online shop! This way, you can save money in the long run and still enjoy their drink without stepping outside your room.
LOKL Coffee Co.
— Media credit: loklcoffee and contentcreationbyayesha
Address: 30, Jalan Tun H S Lee
Contact details: +60 18-968 5515
Operating hours: Daily from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: $$
LOKL Coffee Co. is the place to be if you want to study where the heart of the city is. It’s surrounded by the bustling streets and towering skyscrapers of KL, which could either inspire or distract you, but personally, these beautiful sights tend to boost our productivity.
You’ll also get a kick out of this place if you’re a foodie, as they serve some of the most amazing breakfast, brunch and lunch dishes. Whether you’re looking to bite into an ultra-savoury patty of a burger or a healthy bowl of granola, this place has everything to cater to different tastes!
What’s great about this is that you can also reward yourself with a little treat after a productive study session thanks to their delicious selection of desserts. Let’s say you’re about to study 3 chapters, then you should reward yourself a piece of their brownie per chapter!
Pro tip:
If you’re planning on commuting, one of the fastest and cheapest ways to get here is by riding the metro and dropping off at the Masjid Jamek Train Station. From there, you just have to descend the station and walk a couple of blocks to reach the cafe.
PULP
— Media credit: wafflewongg
Address: 29-01, Jalan Riong, Bangsar
Contact details: +60 3-2201 3650
Operating hours:
- Sunday to Thursday: 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM
- Friday and Saturday: 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM
Cost: $$
PULP ticks all the boxes of what you’d typically want in a cafe from sweet treats, good coffee and a peaceful ambience. Starting with their coffee line-up, it’s not the most varied but we can appreciate the craftsmanship behind them, especially with the cold brew!
They also offer non-coffee drinks for those looking to cut back on caffeine like iced chocolate, traditional iced tea, cold-pressed orange juice and more. You can even get a bottle of beer, but let’s save that for when you actually pass the test, yeah?
As for their food selection, you can expect the usual brunch items like pizzas, pasta, fried chicken and rice bowls. If you need brain food, however, we recommend their burgers to get the best meat possible!
Pro tip:
We recommend visiting early in the morning so that you’ll encounter fewer people in the cafe. Plus, with the shop’s abundance of large windows, you can enjoy tons of natural light from sunrise!
Kaffe 16
— Media credit: kaffe.16
Address: Lot 16, Jalan Panggong
Contact details: +60 3-2022 2552
Operating hours: Daily from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost: $$
Kaffe 16 is a relatively newcomer in Kuala Lumpur’s ever-growing coffee scene but we have a feeling that it’s here to stay! One of the reasons for this is that they’re the perfect sanctuary for students and professionals looking to boost their productivity.
The interior features a beautiful rustic design that you may have grown accustomed to if you’ve been to a handful of cafes in the city. What sets them apart, however, are their moody lights, huge windows and their unique exterior that looks like a pre-colonial shophouse.
It’s not all about looks when it comes to this cafe too, as it’s also home to a solid selection of coffee and non-coffee drinks. If that’s not enough to get your brain juices flowing, you can also order their brunch meals—hint: order their salmon pesto!
Pro tip:
After a tedious study session, you can visit the nearby tourist attraction, Kwai Chai Chong, to see the most amazing street art in the city. The attractions here will refresh your mind after staring at a screen the entire day!
28 Fireplace
— Media credit: 28fireplace
Address: 28, Persiaran Ampang
Contact details: +60 10-281 7328
Operating hours:
- Monday to Thursday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Friday to Saturday: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cost: $$
Inspired by Australian coffee and food, 28 Fireplace offers a slightly different type of menu. For instance, you can either treat yourself to something light like some eggs florentine or a salad but if you want something heavy, you can get their savoury Wagyu burger.
Plus, they have all the coffee variations you need for a more focused and productive study session, from lattes to macchiatos, mochas and anything in between. If that’s not your style, you can also grab one of their delicious matcha drinks!
Lastly, the cosy environment will set you right in the mood for productivity! With lots of natural light entering its huge windows and its moody lights, it won’t be long until you get in the flow of your study/work session.
Pro tip:
If you’re looking to start your day right, we recommend ordering their Fireplace Eggs Benedict breakfast special. It consists of everything you need to boost your brain and energy levels like salmon, eggs, toast and avocados.
Cafe ETC
— Media credit: cafe_etc
Address: 198, Jalan Tun H S Lee
Contact details: +60 3-2022 3551
Operating hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Cost: $$
If you love Western food, then Cafe ETC should be right up your alley! This cafe will treat you to delightful breakfast and brunch meals ranging from aglio olio pasta to fish and chips and even Asian staples like Hainanese chicken!
Meanwhile, if you’re someone who functions best with some sweets, don’t fret! Cafe ETC also offers a myriad of delightful pastries and cakes, one of which is their cheesecake, which we simply can’t get enough of.
The biggest highlight of studying here, however, is the selection of coffee drinks. They serve just about every variation of this beverage but the best part about ordering them here is that you won’t have to burn a hole in your pocket!
Pro tip:
While you’re here, you can walk a few blocks to reach Petaling Street Market where you’ll find the best local crafts and street foods in the city.
HERSERLEF
— Media credit: herserlef
Address: 9-1, Jalan Radin Bagus 9
Contact details: +60 14-683 1081
Operating hours:
- Monday, Wednesday to Friday: 11:00 AM to 9:30 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Cost: $$
In contrast to coffee houses that double as great study/work areas, HERSERLEF is specifically designed for students and professionals. It’s a cosy little coworking space (expect to see more of these in the near future) that spoils its patrons with delicious snacks and coffee.
These snacks and drinks are free and you can always expect to see more than ample of them in stock! The only thing you have to pay for here are the hourly rates, which aren’t that expensive as well.
It also helps that the place is work and study-friendly as well, featuring several desks with built-in charging ports for patrons who’ll be bringing their laptops. Plus, they have a strong dedicated Wi-Fi connection—need I say more?
Pro tip:
If you want to save money, we recommend visiting HERSERLEF from 5:00 PM onwards, as they’ll feature slashed rates.
Burrow BSC
— Media credit: burrow.kl
Address: LOT GK12, Ground Floor, Bangsar Shopping Centre
Contact details: +60 3-2011 1221
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Monday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: $$$
If beautiful views inspire you to study, then Burrow BSC should be at the top of your list! Instead of taking the form of your usual hipster coffee shop, it features huge floor-to-ceiling windows akin to those found in greenhouses.
Only this time, you’ll be growing ideas instead of plants! To water these “plants”, however, you must first water them with what we love to call caffeine.
Fortunately for you, caffeine can come in different variations in this coffee shop, from americanos to flat whites, iced lattes and more. You can even pair them with some delicious pastries to fill you up because we all know how hard it is to study on an empty stomach.
Pro tip:
One of the cheapest and easiest ways to get to this cafe is by riding the bus and dropping off at Bangsar Shopping Centre. From there, you’d have to cross the mall and exit the other way to get to the cafe!
Pause Cafe
— Media credit: pausecafe_kl
Address: 140, Jalan Choo Cheng Khay
Contact details: +60 3-2857 2071
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost: $
Going to the cafe to study isn’t just for the “gram” or to indulge in coffee, it’s taking a breather from school, work or even your own home. That’s why when we saw Pause Cafe, we had to include it on this list because they definitely know what we’re talking about.
This unassuming yellow shop is a student’s haven, featuring affordable coffee and brunch and a peaceful ambience perfect for catching up on notes. Don’t be fooled by their low prices though, as their coffee doesn’t taste cheap at all!
Then after a job well done, you can treat yourself to one of their homemade tiramisu, which is as decadent as a dessert can get! It’s super silky and it doesn’t shy away with its powdered coco—our mouths are watering just thinking about it!
Pro tip:
If all this reading left you hungry for carbs, we highly recommend ordering their kimchi chicken rice bowl!
The Hub Coffee Roaster
— Media credit: thehubcoffeeroaster
Address: 61, Jalan Hujan Rahmat 3
Contact details: +60 12-808 8843
Operating hours:
- Thursday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Friday to Wednesday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost: $$
The Hub Coffee Roaster is a hidden gem with a serene atmosphere, especially during the weekdays! Here, you can enjoy the luxury of being alone with your thoughts while enjoying an expertly-made cup of coffee to keep your brain wired during your study session.
Their coffee selection isn’t that varied but they make up for it with their quality. Featuring meticulously sourced beans and high-end espresso machines, the coffee you’ll be sipping here will taste immaculate!
Plus, it almost seems like this place is designed for studying/working, as it features spacious desks and an abundant number of outlets for charging your laptops.
Pro tip:
You HAVE to pair your coffee with their croissants! They’re some of the fluffiest and flakiest we’ve ever seen in Kuala Lumpur.