Here are our favourite cafes discovered in 2021.
Despite the Covid lockdown, we were really surprised to see so many new cafes mushrooming last year.
Obviously, we were unable to visit all of them – but these are the ones that made an impression in terms of ambience, food/drinks, and/or service.
To be clear, this list includes cafes that we discovered during the year (regardless of when they first opened for business).
Also, check out our Top Nine Meals of 2021 and Top Nine Recipes of 2021. Find our previous list – Favourite Cafes of 2020 here.
1. Forest Cloud, Penang [Pork-free]
This was s favourite cafe discovery during our recent Penang trip. We really enjoyed the Flight coffee tasting platter – where we sampled the single-origin Costa Rica Las Nacientes honey process beans in three iterations – espresso, dirty latte, and kombucha.
We also enjoyed the beans we brought home for our home brew. Read our full review here.
Address: 132, Jln Penang, George Town, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: 10am-6pm Daily
Phone: 016-555 1335
Website: https://www.forestcloud.com.my/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forestcloudbev/
2. Monét Cafe, Kuala Lumpur [Pork-free]
Monét Cafe is a cosy neighbourhood cafe in Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur which serves excellent coffee, French pastries and sandwiches. We really enjoyed the lovely interior and unpretentiousness as a neighbourhood cafe. Read our article here.
Address: 5443, Fasa, 6, Jalan J 9, Taman Melawati, 53100 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor
Hours: 8am-10pm Daily
Phone: 03-4162 4757
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gooodmonet/
3. Narrow Marrow, Penang [Pork-free]
This is one of the coolest cafes in Penang with its grungy interior and interesting offerings such as Toddy Mojito (mojito made with coconut palm wine). The Double Choc Cookies surprised us with its crispy exterior and gooey centre. Full article coming soon.
Address: 312, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: 3pm-11pm (Closed on Wednesdays and Thursdays)
Phone: 04-226 3083
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/narrowmarrow/
4. Satuu, Setapak [Pork-free]
Inhabiting the open space of a corner terrace house, Satuu serves outstanding coffee with attentive and friendly service. We enjoyed the Shakerato Bianco (RM13) – espresso shaken with ice and mixed with heavy cream instead of milk. The cream provides for a more velvety and smooth mouthfeel – but not too heavy until we feel jelak.
Full article here.
Address: 2, Jalan Mata Ayer, Taman Ayer Panas, 53200 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Hours: 10am-5pm daily (Closed on Wednesdays)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/satuu_____/
5. Niko Neko 1.5, Bangsar [Pork-free]
Niko Neko had reopened its original concept store in Bangsar – now dubbed Niko Neko1.5, Bangsar. Albeit still smaller than its 2.0 brotha in Chinatown – we love the refreshed look and clean aesthetics, especially the paper art. As always, the matcha offerings here never fail. Full article here.
Address: 82A, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar, 59000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Hours: 11am-5.30pm Daily (Closed on Wednesdays)
Phone: 011-5648 2490
Website: https://www.nikonekomatcha.com/
6. Neutrals TTDI [Pork-free]
The Roast Things / Cream is our regular spot to get our coffee beans. Hence, we were really excited when they opened Neutrals in TTDI. Coffee’s excellent as always but we really like the abundance of foliage in the space. We’ve yet to try the sandwiches by Sunbather at Neutrals. Check out our article here.
Address: 30A, Persiaran Zaaba, Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur
Hours: 8.30am-10pm Daily (Closed on Wednesdays)
Phone: 017-870 2627
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neutrals.ttdi
7. Underscore Brewery, Ara Damansara [Pork-free]
Not a new cafe per se, but we’ve always enjoyed the coffee (both cold brew and conventional offerings) at Underscore Coffee. So we are elated when they launched their cold brew offerings under a new branding – Underscore Brewery.
Check out our previous articles here and here. We also recommend their food, pastries, and seasonal coffee.
Address: 31, Jalan PJU 1a/20a, Ara Damansara, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Hours: 8am-6pm Daily
Phone: 03-7499 0011
Website: https://underscorebrewery.com/
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Check out our Top Nine Meals and Recipes of 2021
Check out the other 2021 lists below:
