Sure, Singapore has plenty of Instagram-worthy cafes to check out. But if you’ve already seen them all, hop across the border for a change of scene. Just like in cities such as Johor Bahru, Penang, Melaka and Ipoh, the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur is seeing a new-wave of trendy watering holes popping up to draw in an increasingly image-savvy crowd. The rule of thumb to having healthy crowds is no longer dependent on good food but also a stylish interior. The cafe designs (and lighting) have to be as Instagram-worthy as possible.
We take you from Bangsar to Petaling Jaya in search for three of the most “delectable” spaces that combine colour, arts and crafts into their design schemes.
DR.Inc
Along Jalan Kemuja, the stretch of old houses has been slowly converted into beautiful cafes and design studios. One that stands out is DR.Inc by Nala Designs. Pronounced “drink”, the cafe has recently gone through a facelift with a more practical layout and new artistic touch. The graveled outdoor space, peppered with a mix of chairs, creates a cosy corner for a morning chat or afternoon tea.
If the weather permits, sitting at DR.Inc’s alfresco zone is perfect for people watching while enjoying a cuppa.
As you enter the space, a wall of vintage vanity handheld mirrors steals your attention. Dozens of circle-shaped mirrors organised on the wall create a kaleidoscopic feature of distorted reflection. Right opposite, Nala Designs’ Creative Director, Lisette Scheers personalises the space with her own hand-painted mural depicting floral patterns.
This eye-catching (and OOTD-worthy) mural was hand-painted by DR.Inc’s Creative Director.
While the menu is a combination of east-meets-west flavours, your visit to DR.Inc cannot be completed without a serving of their Chai Tea Latte. Walk deeper into the cafe to explore various nooks with beautiful prints and vintage signages; akin to a walk down memory lane. By the way, our favourite spot is the restroom – be sure to go there to see why we like it!
Don’t forget to swing by the retail corner to bring home some unique fashion and home accessories.
DR.Inc
8 Jalan Kemuja
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
tel: +60 3 2633 5059
Delicious at One Utama
Delicious is one of Malaysia’s oldest chain restaurants serving western food. Its recent rebranding exercise has seen a truly different Delicious from what many Malaysians would have been familiar with. A new and refined menu and an updated look curated by Lisette Scheers of L.Inc have breathed new life into the restaurant.
To complement the carefully-styled interiors at Delicious at One Utama are well-plated dishes that are meant to be photographed.
Injecting her signature style and prints, the interiors feature Lisette’s hand-painted prints and creations all over. The floor tiles are part of Nala Designs’ Willow Lace collection while the murals depicting birds and flowers are hand-drawn by the creative director. Its main colour – dark teal – represents a more mature template as the restaurant “grew” together with its customers.
A marble-clad bar counter and nostalgia-inducing patterned floor tiles are just some of the homes styling inspo we can steal from this restaurant.
From the chairs to the lighting (made of Chinese rooster bowls), Lisette has a share in designing and making each and everyone of them. The existing walls are also stripped to allow natural light to flood into the space. An outdoor dining area surrounded by tropical plants is inviting and cosy at the same time. Our favourite place for a #potd is definitely against the beautifully painted murals or by the glass wall between the indoor and outdoor space.
We can bet that this painted mural is a popular spot for trigger-happy diners thanks to its striking floral design.
Delicious at One Utama
1 Lebuh Bandar Utama,
Lot G316 G/F, One Utama Shopping Centre (New Wing),
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
tel: +60 3 7724 1086
Hoppers KL
Revitalised from an old solicitor’s office, the two-storey colonial building is now a vibrant cafe called Hoppers KL. Designed by POW IDEAS, the eatery is designed with simplicity in mind. The design studio’s signature style of colour blocking and up-cycling can be seen in various parts of the interior. Most evident is the paper core lights that feature a line of slender lighting fixtures made of recycled materials.
Old Bollywood movie posters add some vibrant colour to Hoppers KL’s alfresco zone.
The interiors feature a palette of pink and blue. Upstairs, wicker textures are weaved into an eclectic mix of contemporary furniture. A courtyard, which also serves as a light well, brings natural sunlight into both floors. The best place to snuggle and photograph would be the corner beside the windows upstairs.
The second-floor space of Hoppers KL is a cosy spot to chill out and catch up with friends.
Serving contemporary appams (traditional Sri Lanka bowl-shaped pancakes), Hoppers KL combines traditional recipes with locally inspired delicacies like nasi lemak, mutton Varuval and chicken satay. It is a great place for food-sharing and big groups.
High, exposed ceilings, elegant wicker furniture and a trendy pink-and-blue colour scheme contribute to this cafe’s Instagram-worthy status.
Hoppers KL
76 Jalan Pudu
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
tel: +60 3 2022 0832
This was adapted from an article originally written by Martin Teo published in the June 2017 issue of SquareRooms. Photo credits: heartpatrick, The Delicious Group and David Yeow
