The suburban neighbourhood of Wangsa Maju has a few dining wonders up its sleeves that are worth trying if you happen to find yourself in the area. Here are a few recommendations for the best Wangsa Maju cafes to add to your must-try list.
Roll back 40 years, and you wouldn’t have imagined that the landscape that many recognise as Wangsa Maju today, with condo spires and highly desirable lived-in landed family homes, would have all once been occupied by vast swathes of rubber trees. But in 1985, it had formerly been known to locals as an extension of the Hawthornden rubber estate that stretched from Setapak.
A joint venture between the Kuala Lumpur City Council and local developers Paremba Berhad would lead to relatively affordable housing units being constructed in the vicinity, opening the doors of homeownership to middle to lower-income Malaysians. Of course, at the time, the trade-off would mean a lack of ready infrastructure that connected Wangsa Maju to Kuala Lumpur proper, a problem that was later addressed by the introduction of Jalan Jelatek.
Since then, Wangsa Maju has experienced rapid gentrification at the hands of private developers who were quick to capitalise on its relatively close proximity to the city centre. Located around 10 kilometres away, or 20 minutes by car, it provided just enough distance to keep the metropolitan hubbub at bay, while retaining many of its appealing conveniences for those commuting to work in the downtown commercial district.
Property prices naturally have escalated in kind, especially with the seasoned township offering everything from schools to two neighbourhood malls and of course, plenty of retail shops and eateries. While it hasn’t quite earned a formidable reputation among gourmands, there are still a few notable great bites to enjoy in Wangsa Maju if you happen to know where to look for them. Here are seven of our favourite Wangsa Maju cafes to get you started.
Wangsa Maju cafes: 7 spots for great coffee and bites
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8055 Coffee
Single-origin coffee beans translate into quality brews, which you can expect from 8055 Coffee. Parked by the ground floor of the Atarek Tax Consulting building, this condensed kiosk makes for a great grab-and-go destination, serving a myriad of concoctions ranging from commonplace lattes to artisanal caffeinated sips. Alternatively, consider taking in the serenity of the surrounding greenery by taking a seat and enjoying a pastry on the smattering of seats dotting the lobby. You can even shop from their own range of in-house beans, too.
Operating hours:
- 8am – 11pm
- Opens daily
What we liked:
- A humble iced latte, elevated in flavour profile with a considered selection of beans for a slightly acidic twinge.
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118 Grinder
Just a little way down from 8055, you will find yet another numerical ode to coffee excellence: 118 Grinder. It’s hard not to notice its moss-green fascia as you pull up, a calming hue which extends well into an equally tranquil interior. The coffee is solid, albeit appealing to decidedly more commercial inclinations. But the benefit here is the full-fledged menu, with dishes spanning delectable fried chicken sandwiches made in collaboration with Ayamguys, to hearty renditions of pasta.
Operating hours:
- 11am – 10pm
- Closed on Monday
What we liked:
- The chicken sandwiches, containing succulent fried chicken filets.
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Tré ART & COFFEE
A cozy nook hidden away in Wangsa Maju’s Section 10 neighbourhood, Tré ART & COFFEE goes against the grain of most popular café concepts by opting for a tastefully maximalist setting in place of the usual drab beige sterility. The end result is warmly hospitable and inviting, blending art deco with choice Chinoiserie accents that make it an especially inviting option for slow afternoons during the rain. Dining and beverage selections are concise, but the humble familiarity of their flavours feels like a reassuring warm hug.
Operating hours:
- 12pm – 5pm (Monday, Thursday, Friday)
- 11am – 6pm (Saturday and Sunday)
- Closed on Wednesday and Thursday
What we liked:
- The eggs sashuka is great for rainy days, with oozing yolks flavoured with just the right hint of spice.
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Wolf & Turtle
If you’re planning on visiting Wolf & Turtle over the weekend, dare we recommend coming a little earlier ahead of the brunch crowd? Often teeming with diners past the 11am mark on Saturdays and Sundays, Wolf & Turtle’s varied offerings have earned it pride of place among local residents around Wangsa Maju who are looking for a chic, convenient local spot to decompress. Continental hot dishes run the spectrum of pasta and generously filled sandwiches, in addition to fresh bakes and cakes. They even roast their own beans.
Operating hours:
- 8am – 7pm
- Opens daily
What we liked:
- The spaghetti bolognaise promises rich flavours through a balanced combination of tomato puree, mince meat, and sweet onions.
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2Sisters Cafe
Wangsa Walk Mall isn’t necessarily the most prevalent retail address that comes to mind when one thinks of enjoying a little retail therapy, but it does more than an admirable job in serving the needs of the local Wangsa Maju community. Beyond a supermarket and a varied list of retail tenants, you can also expect a pretty decent cafe by way of 2Sisters Cafe, cooking up an assortment of Eastern and Western bites that make it a firm recommendation for families that often contend with the eternal question: where to eat next?
Operating hours:
- 10am – 10pm
- Opens daily
What we liked:
- The fish and chips are an easy recommendation for their crisp exterior and fresh, flaky flesh.
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Randevú Coffee
Founded by a young enterprising coffee enthusiast who found success from manning a roadside coffee stall, ambition turned into a full-fledged brick-and-mortar reality with the opening of Randevú Coffee. Located along the same street as 118 Grinder and 8055 Coffee, local business is shared evenly between all three locations, each offering its own take on a great cup of Joe. In Randevú, expect fruitier roasts that make for a great jumping-off point for those who are fresh to the world of artisanal beans. Eats are concise but don’t miss out on the excellent truffle fries dusted with a hit of cayenne pepper.
Operating hours:
- 9.30am – 11.45pm
- Opens daily
What we liked:
- The truffle fries deserve a commendation for their earthy flavour, amplified by a warm coating of cayenne pepper.
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Cosy Place
There is plenty left to be said about the charm of a provincial English cottage nestled away in the Cotswolds, well within earshot of a bubbling brook. Of course, travelling from Kuala Lumpur to the Costwolds can be prohibitively expensive, which is why Wangsa Maju’s Cosy Place may just be an ideal stopgap solution to stave off the urge to recreate a Regency teatime soiree. With cream walls, whitewashed wooden furniture and soft amber lighting all around, don’t be surprised if you find yourself losing a few hours over your choice of Asian or Continental fare and good conversation.
Operating hours:
- 11am – 9.30pm
- Opens daily
What we liked:
- The classic roasted half-chicken is a delectably tender feast for one, or two if you have more modest appetites.
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Written by
Benjamin Wong
Senior Editor, Fashion and Dining
Armed with an Advertising major from Lancaster University, Benjamin is a senior editor who has spent his time oscillating between the social media and digital media landscape since 2018. With a keen interest in haute fashion and gastronomy, he has written for publications such as ERROR Digital, WORLD OF BUZZ, and KL Foodie. Beyond the keyboard, you can find him arms-deep in a thrift pile.
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