Apartment 80 at REXKL
If you happen to be loitering around Pasar Seni and feel the KL heat creeping in, there’s a new spot at the nearby REXKL for you to take refuge at.
Located on the third floor, Apartment 80 is the latest addition to the building, as it takes over the former Shhhbuuuleee space, transforming the area into an artsy loft-style cafe with a minimalist interior. Flairs of retro and vintage objects are placed around the shop, in an open-seating area, and a small but thoughtful menu of desserts and drinks can all be found here.
A chic living room concept with a bed
Stepping into Apartment 80 feels like walking into a 90s-inspired loft, with a raw, industrial setup that feels relaxed and unconventional. Sleek grey countertops and long wooden bar tables run along the space, giving the cafe a clean, minimalist look. Natural wood accents appear throughout the interior to soften the otherwise industrial finish.
Right outside, they have a verdant corner of greenery, adding a refreshing touch to the space, bringing a bit of nature into the urban setting.
Soft retro music tinkles in the background as sunlight pours through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, giving the cafe a relaxed atmosphere.
Bar seating and standard tables are available here, allowing customers to grab their computers and work from their seats. But the most eye-catching feature sits right in the middle of the cafe – an actual bed. Complete with pillows, a blanket, and a bedside table, it is easily the most talked-about spot in the cafe.
Visitors are welcome to lounge on the bed for photos, creating a playful setting that feels more like hanging out in someone’s apartment than sitting in a traditional cafe.
Another interesting detail in the cafe is the open view into the kitchen area. From your seat, you can watch the team prepare desserts right in front of you, giving you an experience with a slightly dessert-omakase feel.
Located in the heart of the city, Apartment 80 also offers outdoor seating to enjoy views of Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. From the terrace, you can spot landmarks such as the KL Tower and the towering Merdaka 118 in the distance.
The heat can get rather intense in the afternoon, but this outdoor area makes for a great spot to wind down in the evening, with a refreshing drink, a sweet treat, and a glitzy view of the city during dusk.
The food at Apartment 80
Apartment 80 is currently in its soft launch phase, so the menu is still fairly limited. What stands out is their focus on locally sourced Malaysian ingredients, celebrating local farmers and produce, while keeping their desserts fresh and seasonal.
Instead of typical cafe sweets, the team experiments with creative flavour combinations that mix traditional ingredients with modern dessert-making techniques.
Here’s what we ordered:
Doughnuts
Apartment 80’s Doughnuts, priced at RM22, isn’t your typical ring-shaped pastry. Instead, it arrives as a fried sphere, paired with a scoop of banana sorbet on the side. The dessert is complemented with cocoa nibs, praline and a barley sabayon custard – a light creamy foam – with a small dollop placed alongside the doughnut.
When sliced open, the Doughnut reveals a filling of banana compote, giving the dessert a strong banana flavour and, thankfully, a sweetness that leans more natural than artificial.
The warm doughnut paired with the cold sorbet creates a pleasant temperature and texture contrast. The only downside is how the rather dominant banana flavour overpowered everything else, and we struggled to taste much of the cocoa nibs, praline, and barley sabayon custard.
Kuih Seri Muka
Next up was the cafe’s modern take on Kuih Seri Muka, priced at RM24.
This dessert reinterprets the traditional kuih by using a pumpkin-based cake, topped with a scoop of purple rice sorbet in the centre. Granola seeds are piled atop the cakes, adding crunch and texture.
While the portion size of three pieces of kuih felt slightly small for its price, the flavour was surprisingly interesting.
The first bite starts with a gentle sweetness from the pumpkin, before the tangy notes of tamarind kick in. This brings a refreshing balance to both ends, to this dessert. We particularly liked how the granola seeds add a rough crunch that complements the soft texture of the kuih.
The purple rice sorbet, meanwhile, tastes natural and lightly sweetened, allowing the rice’s flavour to shine through without being overly sugary. Smooth and refreshing, the sorbet could easily stand on its own as an ice cream flavour, transforming the traditional ingredient into a creamy dessert-like treat.
Each dessert arrives on vintage-style porcelain plates, decorated with intricate floral motifs and traditional patterns, which we thought was a nice homely touch.
Other specialities on their menu consist of Fig Tart (RM24) and Tea-ramisu (RM22).
Alongside the desserts, Apartment 80 also serves a small selection of drinks, including coffee and non-caffeinated beverages for those looking for something refreshing.
Rest in the heart of KL at Apartment 80
If you are already exploring Pasar Seni or hanging out at REXKL, Apartment 80 makes for a fun stop when you are craving something naturally sweet.
Between the playful bed seating, retro loft atmosphere, and creative desserts, come rest at Apartment 80, where you can call home.
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Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Max & Ming-Xuan.