Photo by David Yeow/@davidyeowphotography
Cover GaGa Cakes (Photo: David Yeow/@davidyeowphotography)

Looking for pleasing aesthetics for your Instagram feed? Look no further! We've pulled together the most Instagram-worthy cafes in Malaysia to make sure you have the perfect backdrop for your next photoshoot

Malaysia boasts a burgeoning coffee culture and is brimming with aesthetically-pleasing cafes. From the sunny island of Penang to the historic city of Melaka, to the bustling Kuala Lumpur, there's no shortage of coffee places and restaurants offering a good, strong cup of joe, beautifully plated food, a relaxing ambience, and a picturesque backdrop to boot.

Read more: Cafe merchandise: These cafes sell more than just coffee and desserts

If you're looking to make a trek to a fun hangout all while flexing your picture-perfect Instagram profile, these are our picks for the Instagrammable cafes in Malaysia that are not only worth your visit but also a spot on your Instagram feed.

1. Ruma Puteh, Kuala Lumpur

This residence-turned-restaurant offers an Instagram playhouse with its funky decor, bright colours and hypnotic multi-arch walkway. After an afternoon of taking photos, you can also treat yourself to specialities from Johor, such as Laksa Bugis and Lontong Darat. 

See also: 10 Chic Cafés Around The World Owned By Top Fashion Brands

2. Niko Neko Matcha, Bangsar

Newly renovated, Niko Neko Matcha's branch in Bangsar boasts pristine white, minimalist decor that is the ideal canvas for an upscale outfit picture for Instagram. 

Don't miss: Niko Neko Matcha's Founders: From Band Members To Matcha Mavens

3. Burrow, Bangsar

Enter this new cafe in Bangsar Shopping Centre through its photogenic archway, which opens into an aesthetically pleasing space festooned with delicate greenery. And don't forget to try their signature maple pecan canelés! 

Read more: 6 Best Bakeries Selling Canelés In The Klang Valley

4. Curio Coffee Roaster, Kuala Lumpur

Curio describes themselves as a 'micro-roaster and a tiny neighbourhood cafe on Jalan Ipoh'. With its monochromatic interior, clean lines and a glass-walled balcony, this café can also confidently add the 'perfect Instagram backdrop' to that list.  

See also: Urban Gardening: Greenery For Your Balcony

5. Lisette's Cafe & Bakery, Bangsar

Lisette's Café & Bakery's famous flower wall is a dream come true for every Instagrammer. Adorned with bright pink, white and red blooms, it's an ideal backdrop for any occasion, whether it is brunch with the girls or afternoon tea with the family. And the inside is just as Instagrammable, especially at dusk when the fairy lights come on. The cosy garden conservatory interior with its mismatched furniture, quirky tablecloths and hearty dishes make for a pretty picture indeed.

Don't miss: 19 Inspiring Women In Malaysia's Food and Drink Scene To Follow On Instagram

6. Kafka, Penang

Add a little green to your Instagram feed with this flora-filled cafe based in Penang

Read more: 12 Gorgeous Plant-Themed Cafés & Restaurants For A Dose Of Greenery

7. Dou Dou Bake, Petaling Jaya

'gallery right' 'gallery right'
'gallery right' 'gallery right'
Photo 1 of 3 Photo: Courtesy of Dou Dou Bake
Photo 2 of 3 Photo: Samantha Lim
Photo 3 of 3 Photo: Courtesy of Dou Dou Bake

The line for Dou Dou Bake starts as early as 7am. But while you wait for your coffee and pastries, the bakery gives you a picture-perfect opportunity in the morning light, relaxing among the wild garden landscape surrounding the area with its wooden bench slabs and the tall shrubbery, or looking contemplatively out the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. 

See also: New Bakery Flaaah Playfully Pokes Fun At Asian Pronunciation For 'Flour'

8. Dear You, Penang

The entrance to this Korean-inspired café is an unsuspecting door disguised as a pink vending machine tucked away on Jalan Penang in George Town. Inside, you can find romantic, soft pink aesthetics that are almost as pretty as their sweet treats and desserts. 

Don't miss: 5 Work-Friendly Cafés In The Klang Valley

9. Tapestry, Kuala Lumpur

For a rustic warehouse backdrop with plenty of natural light, Tapestry's minimalist decor, exposed red brick and industrial fittings will definitely do the trick. And if you're lucky enough, you may even manage to catch the neighbourhood cat, Nala for a celebrity cameo. 

Read more: Home Tour: An Industrial-Inspired Home In Glenhill Saujana With Retro Roots

10. Kaffe 16, Kuala Lumpur

Along with speciality coffee and rich chocolate desserts, you can find an Instagram-worthy open-air courtyard with a spiral staircase in the middle of this minimalist café. 

See also: The Best Bottled Coffee In The Klang Valley

11. Norm Micro Roastery, Penang

Exposed brick painted in white and green tones with curving benches in polished cement and tall trees, Norm Micro Roastery is a café that gives off a Zen indoor/outdoor garden vibe. In an airy space with plenty of natural light coming through, it won't be hard to capture the perfect gram. And as a bonus, you also get to sip on one of the best cups of coffee you can find on the island. 

Don't miss: 11 Minimalist Cafés in the Klang Valley to Visit

12. Kafe Kleptokrat, Kuala Lumpur

Located along Jalan Tun HS Lee, Kafe Kleptokrat is wildly popular for its old-school charm and its yummy tiffin set meals (we love the Nasi Lemak Ayam Goreng Berempah set), and also the amazing view of its baby blue pool in the middle of its courtyard.

Read more: Part 2: The rise of design-led restaurants and cafes in Kuala Lumpur

13. Heesan Kopi, Melaka

Located on the famous Jonker Street, this café embodies modern Melaka. In their traditional exterior and Nanyang-inspired vintage decor, they pay respect to the structural and cultural heritage of the historic city. But they also incorporate works of local artists, such as this colourful mural by Kenji Chai, who is also behind the tallest mural in Malaysia. 

See also: Who Are The Chettis Of Melaka? And What Is Hindu-Peranakan Cuisine?

14. GaGa Cakes, Petaling Jaya

This modern space designed by Viinc Studio boldly brings together retro elements, from the colour scheme to the neon lights, to make for an incredibly photogenic café. Equally as pretty and twice as delicious are the desserts at GaGa Cakes, especially their Paris Brest pastries filled with pistachio and hazelnut cream. 

Don't miss: Home Suite Home: The Best Design-Led Hotels In Malaysia

15. Nippori Bistro, Petaling Jaya

Every corner of this European-Japanese fusion eatery is Instagram-worthy, from the British colonial interior and French-inspired patisserie counter to the Japanese tatami-style floor seating and the famously large portrait of an oversized Mona Lisa holding a glass of wine.

Read more: Un-fur-gettable: 13 Pet-Friendly Cafes in the Klang Valley

16. Provisions Café, Petaling Jaya

Get caught by the 'paparazzi', a.k.a your Instagram spouse, casually sipping a coffee and eating jam doughnuts in this gorgeous coral pink outdoor seating area at Provisions

See also: Quality Bread Beckons At Provisions Café by LI Damansara Jaya

17. A Little Bud, Kuala Lumpur

More than just a florist cafe, the rustic A Little Bud prides itself on brewing good coffee and serving delectable homemade cakes, pastries, pies, salads, and sandwiches.

Don't miss: 4 Beautifully Designed Restaurants and Cafes in Kuala Lumpur

18. The Lemon Tree, Petaling Jaya

Add some zest to your Instagram feed when you visit The Lemon Tree cafe in Tropicana, Petaling Jaya. While you feast your eyes on the main highlight of the glasshouse-style cafe–a towering lemon tree–treat yourself also to its wide array of freshly baked sweet and savoury pastries.

Read more: Part 3: The rise of the design-led restaurants and cafes in Kuala Lumpur

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This article was first published on February 25, 2021, and updated on January 31, 2023 with additional reporting by Lainey Loh

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