The ubiquitous café is very much a welcome place for weary travellers and locals alike with the unique ones drawing the crowds. Each will have a unique theme of its own, one that exhibits the dreams the owners have. In this issue, Top 10 of Malaysia takes a look at its list of Malaysia’s top 10 flourishing unique cafes with their special interiors and exclusive delicacies.
Old China Cafe
The Old China Café, located in Kuala Lumpur City centre, was formerly the guild hall of the Selangor & Federal Territory Laundry Association during the 1920s. The interior of the architectural details of the building has remained unchanged and the café with its interior door and wooden latches gives a feel of the earlier Chinese social community. This café tries to maintain a resemblance of the Chinese’s community old social life which has faded into history. It serves Southeast Asian cuisine which is a combination of Straits Chinese and Malay delightful cuisines. Kedah-born Leonard Tee is the Director of the café and is also a former Malaysian film producer who has worked extensively with other independent directors.
Bytes and Pixels
This gaming-themed café’s unique name originates from the words “Bites and Pieces”. Inspired by old school games such as Tetris and modern games such as Playstation, this café strives to bring back nostalgic memories to its customers, especially gamers while providing board games and unique drinks such as Health Potion, Mana Potion and Stamina Potion. Founder, Farmin Adli Falahuddin realised his dream when he opened this unique themed café as well as partnering with Magic Rain to organize two themed café events.
Wheelers Coffee
Wheelers Coffee is a brainchild of creative entrepreneur, Kim Shih Wei who decided to take a leap of faith in establishing a café business. Being an experienced barista and having a knack in providing quality food service to his customers, this unique bicycle-themed café has garnered the interest of locals and tourists and was awarded as an “Excellent Award” by Trip Advisor. Its decor includes bicycle-themed chairs, bicycles hanging from the ceilings; bicycles decoration on plates and drawings on cups, bicycle-decorated outdoors and even decorative bicycles on the counter.
PikNik Everyday
This unique school-themed café allows customers to reminisce their back-to-school memories. An assortment of wooden and metal chairs deck the café resembling classrooms and the canteen. Coloured graffiti decorates the wall portraying the image of school time rebellion while a yellow school bus adds a sense of nostalgia to the scene. This café founded by Milky Tan and Tan Wei Ming depicts retro and creativity and add on to their uniqueness are the savoury dessert waffles and Fried Satay Chicken Waffle Burger.
Locahouz
Locahouz was founded by the Lim sisters, Wei Fung and Wei Ling. These sisters made use of their combined culinary skills in food and beverages and came up with this idea of an antique café. Locahouz is set in an ancient Chinese building furnished with Chinese tiles, an air well and priceless historical Chinese sculptures. It also combines local culinary tradition in its Western cuisine with an emphasis on the preservation of original tastes. Their Pumpkin Mantou and monthly special menu have attracted customers from all over the world who came to unwind and loose themselves in the traditional setting of the café.
Flavourest Cafe
Established in 2014, Flavourest Café was founded by Low Kok Weng and his wife, who decided to make their dream of owning a relaxing café, decorated with cute and cuddly teddy bears come true. This special bear-themed café has garnered the interest of kids and adults alike due to its cute and relaxing interior. Their tagline, “We bake your ideas to life”, portrays the café’s unique idea of customising cakes and preparing tasty desserts for the indulgence of their customers.
Mamee Jonker House
Founded in 1971 by Executive Chairman Datuk Pang Chin Hin was the popular Mamee-Double Decker Bhd. His son, Tan Sri Pang Tee Chew later joined him in the business and soon, Melaka’s Mamee Jonker House was established and it became the first concept store in a historical building after 40 years in the manufacturing business. Now Tan Sri Pang Tee Chew, CEO of the Mamee Jonker House, runs the café and its main aim is to allow customers to experience what it’s like to create their own Mamee dishes. This unique café is a hit with kids and adults alike and many are impressed with the Mamee goodie bags which make perfect souvenirs and the delightful dishes.
DC Comics Superheroes Cafe
This impressive café are for superhero comic fans out there. Regardless of whether you are a fan of Superman or Batman, this café showcases the figurines of the superheroes found in DC Comics. Residing in Sunway Putra Mall, this unique café has its superhero theme on their food and even interior decoration. Among the unique food and drinks served are Black-Bunned Dark Knight Burgers, Super-Blue Superman soft drinks, Gotham Madness Latte and Batman Drinks. Arkham City Scones were part of the café’s unusual decoration.
Clawset Cafe
Clawset Café is the perfect setting for animal lovers to dine and play with pets. Cute and cuddly Pomeranians and their cute little outfits are the star of the café. Founder and café owner, Wayne Heng came up with the idea of setting up a bakery selling customised cakes for pets. Thus, Clawset Café was established and it serves menus that are not only provided for customers but also for their beloved dogs. Puppies are dressed in lovely apparels and there’s a grooming service for pets too. A “grumpy cat” is also the latest member of the café.
Ahoy Cafe
The word ‘Ahoy’ originates from the common term of hailing ships. Well recognised as a ship-themed café, Ahoy Café has aroused the curiosity of visitors from everywhere around the country with its cool, classical sailor-feel café. Inside, murals of ships and boats fill the walls while light bulbs are hung on the ceilings by using marine ropes and tied knots. Maps with landmarks of treasure chests are also pasted on the walls to add to the special feel of being at sea while a whale bookcase and life buoys are among the decorations which depict the uniqueness of the café.
