Too good to be true

 

Love trying out new cafés but can’t afford to spend too much money on them? It’s okay, we feel you. Besides, not all of us have billions of ringgits in our bank accounts, right? That is why in this article, we have compiled a list of Instagram-worthy, tax-free cafés catered to your needs. Yes, all the cafés on this list are GST free and service charge free! We kid you not, you can thank us later.

 

1. Fishee Coffee Café

 

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Café-hopper friends, I’m sure you have heard of The Owls Café, right? Well, if you’re looking for something fresh just around the corner, perhaps check out Fishee Coffee Café for a change! This place has a homely vibe to it with brick walls, wooden tables and metal chairs with cute pillows as décor. It’s a lovely place to chill and unwind with friends or even with a book for a quiet afternoon.

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The coffee served has that mandatory heart/leaf swirls on top, and their signature Fishee Ball cake apparently tastes as good as it looks. Or if you’re feeling adventurous, try their Fishee Waffogato – the cafe’s fun take on your traditional affogato.

Address: 22, 14, Jalan Jalil Perkasa 3, Arked Esplanad Bukit Jalil, 57000 Kuala Lumpur 
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed, Sun 10am – 7pm; Thurs-Sat 10am – 11pm; Closed on Tues
Tel: +603-89332500
Website: Here

 

2. Straits Food Company

 

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Not exactly a place you would label a ‘café’; this is more of a hipster twist on a tried and true kopitiam and Instagram-worthy nonetheless! The interior has a vintage Malaysian charm to it, which somehow feels fresh.

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Run by the folks at Baba Low 486, you can be rest assured that the food here is on par. Here they serve Peranakan or Nyonya cuisines like otak-otak, Nyonya laksa, mee siam and more.

Address: 2, Jalan Abdullah, Bangsar Utama, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 10am – 10pm
Tel: +60 3-2202 0038
Website: Here

 

3. Grind 22

 

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Are you up for “coffee and everything nice”? That’s precisely what this café promises to serve you. Grind 22 is a small café tucked beside Twenty2 Boutique with an al fresco concept. The place has a rustic quality to it that’s both charming and unique.

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They pride themselves in serving good quality coffee, but if you’re craving for something sweet, their frozen mini cheesecakes are a must try.

Address: 22, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar Park, 59000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs,Sun 12pm – 10pm; Fri-Sat 12pm – 1am
Tel: +603-2202 0422
Website: Here

 

4. Bmon Café

 

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For the young at heart, this café is a place that features manga-style comic drawings of Bmon – inspired by Doraemon – which makes up the central theme of the café. It reminds me a lot of Studio Ghibli actually, if you like that kind of thing.

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They serve a variety of fun and creatively presented comfort foods here, as well as cakes by independent bakers and a range of different drinks. The cakes are especially cute, as they are served with chocolate drawings on the side. Also, on top of zero taxes, students get to dine with 10% off! How great is that?

Address: 8-1, First Floor, Jalan 5/20B, The Strand, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 12pm – 12am
Tel: +603-6158-9993
Website: Here

 

5. The Curious Goat

 

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The folks at The Curious Goat serve some serious coffee, sourced exclusively from Sulawesi Toraja, Indonesia.

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Those who aren’t fans of strong-tasting coffees, fret not, as they have a range of good quality desserts as well. Their cupcakes and cookies are freshly baked by the café itself. If you’re into mille crepes, be sure to try out their Nutella Crepe Cake. I heard it’s delicious!

Address: 20-1, Jalan PJU 8/3A, Damansara Perdana, 47820 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs 8am- 10pm; Fri 8am – 11pm; Sat 11am – 11pm;Sun 11am – 10pm
Tel: +603-7733 7383
Website: Here

 

6. The Crusty Nest

 

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If you catch sight of a painting of birds outside a cafe, you know you’re walking in the right direction. The birds are inspired by a Chinese children’s story, which I find pretty cute..

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The founders of the cafe were inspired by the pie shops they visited from the time they spent in Australia and decided to start one their own. From classic to contemporary, sweet to savoury, you’ll be sure to find all sorts of flavours there. If you’re a fan of beef, be sure to try their Jackie The Meat Pie, you won’t regret it.

Address: 40, Jalan SS 15/4, Ss 15, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Opening Hours: Mon-Thurs,Sun 9am – 11pm; Fri-Sat 9am – 12am
Tel: +60 12-291 7308
Website: Here

 

7. Wild Sheep Chase

 

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White, minimalist and clean, this cafe is every Instagrammer’s dream. But what makes Wild Sheep Chase stand out is their choice of serving warm desserts instead of cold ones. Expect molten lava cakes, waffles and soufflés to be served with a good cup of coffee.

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Their one of a kind Vanilla Soufflé made them a household name. It tastes as good as it looks, and I think Instagrammers agree.

Address: 6-1, Jalan 1/109E, Off Old Klang Road, Desa Business Park, Taman Desa 58100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Tues 2pm – 10pm; Wed-Sunday 12pm – 10pm; Closed on Mon
Email: getsheepmanhere@gmail.com
Website: Here

 

8. The Brew Houze

 

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Based on their seating arrangement, this place seems more suited for hanging out with friends than chilling alone, though coffee with company is a great way to connect, right? There’s a rustic quality to this place that’s more warm than modern.

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The Brew Houze’s menu is pretty extensive, plus they have coffee and a variety of non-caffeinated drinks as well. Fun coffees to try would be their Golden Brown Coffee or Butterscotch Coffee, both of which have caramel in them.

Address: Jalan PJU 5/21, The Strand, Kota Damansara, 47810 Petaling Jaya
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 9am – 7pm
Tel: +6019-600 2860
Website: Here

 

9. The Augmented

 

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When you first step into The Augmented, you will notice there are many paintings on display, and of course a tree sculpture (because why not), that’s because this café hopes to do more than just serve coffee; it hopes to be a place of art. The art displayed will be rotated after a period of time so different artists get to be introduced. The interior is different from the typical hipster look, but still cozy.

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As for the food, the Belgian Chocolate Ganache Tart is definitely worth a try. Their coffee has earned praises from customers as well.

Address: 149, Jalan SS 2/6, Petaling Jaya
Opening Hours: Mon-Wed,Fri 11am – 10pm; Sat-Sun 10.30am – 10pm
Tel: +603-7865 0728
Website: Here

 

10. Lorem Ipsum

 

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Lorem Ipsum is a filler text used in publishing and graphic design, which fits, since they hold art jamming sessions here. Visually, the interior is serene and very inviting. They also have a few art pieces hung on their walls (presumably for sale?).

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Food wise, their tarts are a must try and they serve intriguing ice cream flavours here. If you order coffee, expect your cuppa to be served with your childhood sugar cookies. I find that pretty amazing.

Address: 59-1, Jalan Bangkung, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed-Thurs,Sun 10am – 7pm; Fri-Sat 10am – 10pm
Tel: +603-2201 6969
Website: Here

 

11. Bro’ffee

 

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Bro’ffee is a lesser known café on the list as it was just launched a few weeks ago. Even so, the reviews for this place have been largely positive. The interior has many wooden furnishings that make the place feel cozy and homely. What’s great about this place is that it opens up till 11pm or 12am (depending on the day), perfect for students looking for a place to study.

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Do try their White Chocolate Strawberry Moist Cake while you’re there.

Address: No 3, Jalan Damai Niaga, Alam Damai, Cheras Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Mon-Tues, Thurs 11am – 11pm; Fri- Sat 11am – 12am; Sun 2pm – 11pm; Closed on Wed
Tel: +6017-487 0263
Website: Here

 

12. Greyskymorning

 

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Wow, it’s so spacious. That’s my initial reaction when I saw this café. It also has lots of natural lighting which creates a calming atmosphere. Personally I find this café to be perfect for studying, whether in groups or alone, as they have that sort of vibe, you know?

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It’s not exactly a place to have lunch at, since they don’t have heavy meals available. Still, their choice of desserts and drinks are top notch. Try their Smooshie if you’re into something different.

Address: EX8, No. 3 Jalan SS13/4, Subang Jaya
Opening Hours: Mon-Sun 9am -9pm
Email: greyskym@gmail.com
Website: Here

 

13. Strangers at Forty7

 

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If you’re craving for crepes, you definitely should swing by this place. They have an overall neutral themed setting with pops of colour that makes the place fun and youthful.

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It doesn’t matter if you’re a fan of crepes or just hungry for something new, this creperie will be just the place for you. They serve both savoury and sweet crepes, like Shore to Please (a seafood crepe) and Adam’s Sin (cinnamon and apple crepe).

Address: 47, Jalan 17/45, Petaling Jaya
Opening Hours: Mon 11am – 10pm; Wed-Sun 11am – 10pm; Closed on Tues
Tel: +603-7497 2409
Website: Here

 

14. Aku Café & Gallery

 

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One thing that is prominent about Aku Café & Gallery is its vintage interior. Not in the hipster sense, but more of an old Chinese Malaysian ambience. It kind of takes you back to a simpler time, and it is reflected in the menu as well.

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You can expect your coffee to be served in little cups with bread on the side. Aku Special Cake for Coffee is recommended. Also true to its namesake, they hold art exhibitions from time to time so keep your eyes peeled if you’re interested in that.

Address: No.8, 1st Floor, Jalan Panggong, 50000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Tues-Sun 11am – 8pm; Closed on Mon
Tel: +603-2857 6887
Website: Here

 

15. Sevencups

 

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Sevencups keeps it simple yet elegant. The menu isn’t extensive, but it contributes ot the overall charm of the cafe. Their coffees are sourced from different coffee roasters, which shows their commitment to coffee.

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But don’t worry if you’re not into that, they still have other beverages available. Their waffles and salted caramel cake are fan favourites so be sure to give them a try!

Address: G-25, Empire Damansara, Jalan PJU 8/8, Damansara Perdana, Petaling Jaya
Opening Hours: Mon-Sat 11am – 11pm; Sun 11am – 8pm
Tel: +603-4065 0037
Website: Here

 

16. Go-Getter Café

 

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People normally swing by Go-Getter Café for their pasta and French toast, both deemed delicious by fans. They are currently experimenting with different and possibly quirky waffle flavours like Smarties, raisins and banana. Perhaps you’d like to stop by and give your opinion on them?

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Interior wise, it’s modern and quirky with lots of colour, producing and overall fun environment to hang out with loved ones.

Address: 12A-1, First Floor, Block 5, Jalan Jalil Jaya 6, Jalil Link, Bukit Jalil 57000 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: Mon, Wed-Thurs 12pm – 7pm; Fri-Sat 12pm – 11pm; Sun 9am – 6pm
Website: Here

 

Tax-Free Cafes in Klang Valley

 

I’m sure you’ve heard plenty of complaints about the new 6% goods and service tax implemented in April 2015. So, avoid the tax and head on down to these cafes to treat yourselves to some good food and good ambience. Are there more tax-free cafes you know of that are not on the list? Please do share with us at the comments section below!

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