Popular coffee chains in Malaysia, ranked
Coffee is the velvet alchemy of comfort and the smoldering remedy for weary souls. Without it, we would be nodding off over our breakfasts and office desks.
In a country like Malaysia, where coffee shops seem countless, it can be difficult to decide on where to get the best of the best. This decision is made especially tough, since coffee is something we down daily – you’ll want to make sure you’re getting the one that’s the best value for your money.
If you have decision fatigue, we tried lattes from 14 popular coffee chains in Malaysia and ranked them according to taste, price, and location, so you can find your next favourite too.
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Categories and criteria
While many rely on the merciless black coffee as their choice of agent to yank at their neurons and conquer the day, some others prefer their coffee a little less bitter and softened with some creamy milk, like the latte.
We’ve ordered the hot latte in small size from each coffee chain, and reviewed them based on their price point, taste, packaging, as well as the convenience of getting your hands on them. We listed them below, in no particular order:
1. Kenangan Coffee
Price of a Hot Latte: RM9.90
Kenangan Coffee has come a long way from Indonesia, brewing its way into the local coffee scene.
As it’s our first time tasting a brew from Kenangan Coffee, we’ll admit that we were pleasantly surprised. It was just a tad too milky than the lattes that we’re used to, but the taste of the coffee cuts through well enough for us to know that we are getting our dose of caffeine.
The Regular size for hot drinks is a good 12oz, which is quite a steal considering its affordable price point. There’s also a Large size – 16oz, to be precise – for those who want to gulp down even more caffeine.
Points are docked due to the absence of a cup sleeve – we had to place down the scalding cup almost immediately after we picked it up. That said, we were impressed by the dedication poured into the latte art, even though it was smudged by the lid right after.
Kenangan Coffee ticks all the boxes for a good grab-n-go coffee spot, with several outlets that offer a selection of simple bites, and ample seating spaces to rest your feet and savour a cuppa. And while they have a decently good amount of outlets across the country – nearly 50 of them – unless you’re living in the Klang Valley, you won’t be likely to spot an outlet around your neighborhood. If it helps, they offer delivery via the Kenangan Coffee app.
Price: 5/5
Taste: 4/5
Packaging: 4/5
Convenience: 3.5/5
Overall rating: 4.1
2. ZUS Coffee
Price of a Hot Latte: RM10.20
To have a logo of the goatherd who is said to have discovered coffee, in both the brand name and label, sets expectations high. We’re glad to report that rising Malaysian brand ZUS Coffee makes one of the best hot lattes on this list of hot lattes.
It isn’t exquisitely and professionally brewed coffee, of course, but robust and comforting enough for a daily cuppa at an affordable price point. There are plenty of choices to choose from when it comes to alternative milk options, as well as the flavour profile of beans and milkiness level, not to mention their vast menu of beverages.
Better yet, it was ridiculously easy to spot a store and to stop by one, as the nation is brimming with the coffee chain. Plus, its up-to-date app and delivery options? A winner in our books.
Price: 4/5
Taste: 4.5/5
Packaging: 5/5
Convenience: 5/5
Overall rating: 4.6
3. Starbucks Coffee
Price of a Hot Latte: RM15.90
We all know Starbucks, and we all have various opinions when it comes to the brand’s drinks and coffee. Here’s ours: it is decent. We love the ambience, we love the convenience, but we aren’t crazy about the taste and the coffee quality, which one would expect to be exceptional for a drink priced over RM15.
Starbucks’ hot latte leaned towards the milky spectrum, though thankfully not overwhelmingly so. However, the coffee profile was nothing to shout about. Its packaging is a brand’s classic, simple and sturdy, a nice coffee sleeve to lessen the discomfort from the heat, and a lid that isn’t flimsy.
Their variety of coffee cup sizes – tall, grande, venti – is a nice perk, but this only brings us back to the already rather steep price point of the smallest size.
That said, no one can deny the ease and convenience of getting a cup of coffee from Starbucks with its abundance of outlets across the country, as well as its many drive-through and delivery services across Malaysia.
Price: 1/5
Taste: 4/5
Packaging: 5/5
Convenience: 5/5
Overall rating: 3.75
4. The Coffea Bean & Tea Leaf
Price of a Hot Latte: RM13.80
We all know The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. It’s everywhere in Malaysia, but for some reason, it’s a coffee chain that’s more often than not a second choice for most.
We were reminded of the reason upon tasting the coffee chain’s rendition of a hot latte. Its milk-to-espresso ratio was noticeably imbalanced, with the milk froth taking up nearly half the drink.
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf’s takeaway cups are always dressed in pretty illustrations that are themed according to the ongoing festive seasons, and they nail it every time. The coffee chain also wins in the convenience department, with outlets that are widespread across the country. Many of them are great to idle in and get some work done or grab a decent bite.
Unless you’re the type of coffee drinker who enjoys more froth than coffee in a cup of latte, it might be a cheaper option to brew up your own coffee with a heavier kick of caffeine at home instead.
Price: 3/5
Taste: 2/5
Packaging: 5/5
Convenience: 5/5
Overall rating: 3.75
5. Coffea Coffee
Price of a Hot Latte: RM14.80
Founded in South Korea and gradually establishing its name in Malaysia since 2012, Coffea Coffee prides themselves on the quality of their brews and dedication to anything caffeine. The coffee chain stands out from its competitors by using an impressive selection of signature blends that are grown in coffee farms in South and Central America and Africa.
A sip of our hot latte says it all. Its velvet bitterness from the bolder Maestro blend was a sonnet of chocolate and caffeine, the creamy milk softening the punch of coffee by just a tad. The coffee was appropriately warm and guzzling with a balanced crown of light foam. It was, we daresay, the best hot latte from a coffee chain that we’ve had so far.
Coffea Coffee’s standard 12oz cup is a decent amount, but for its price point, we could’ve easily gotten a larger one at a local coffee chain instead. While the luscious latte makes it somewhat worth it, it definitely isn’t an amount we would be ready to fork out every day.
The all-black cup is simple and quite ravishing, which is also thick and sturdy enough to keep the coffee warm and not scald our hands even without a coffee sleeve.
With only 16 outlets throughout Malaysia, and a majority of them located in the Klang Valley, we wouldn’t say that it’s the most accessible coffee chain, for sure. On the upside, Coffea Coffee always nails it when it comes to creating that ideal coffee shop ambience where patrons can chill, chat, or even work over some warm drinks.
Price: 3/5
Taste: 5/5
Packaging: 5/5
Convenience: 2/5
Overall rating: 3.75
6. Ediya Coffee
Price of a Hot Latte: RM9.50
Ediya Coffee, one of South Korea’s largest and most beloved coffee chains, made its debut in Malaysia in 2024 with the opening of a single drive-through outlet by Elmina Lakeside Mall in Shah Alam.
The Korean flair in the cafe’s ambience is unmistakable. The two-storeyed building is spacious with a clean and minimalist interior. There’s plenty of natural light streaming in through the large windows, too.
With ample seating areas and plug points as well, it’s almost exciting to picture ourselves getting some work done in the cafe. However, to drive all the way to the fringes of the Klang Valley to experience all that? It’ll be a hard pass for most.
Koreans are known to brew a mean cup of coffee as if their life depends on it, so we were excited to dive into the taste test.
We were pleasantly surprised by the affordable price point of a regular-sized hot latte, as well as its sturdy and simple packaging, but not so much its taste. It wasn’t terrible, just aggressively average and could do with a stronger punch of caffeine.
Price: 5/5
Taste: 4/5
Packaging: 4/5
Convenience: 2/5
Overall rating: 3.75
7. Gigi Coffee
Price of a Hot Latte: RM8.90
Gigi Coffee has sprinkled itself across Malaysia, and especially at places where you need it most, in malls, train stations, and neighbourhood eatery hotspots. Outlets seem to be specially placed where your energy and caffeine levels mysteriously plummet without warning.
Many outlets are more of a quaint corner where you just grab your cup of joe and go, but some outlets are full-blown cafes where office workers sit and refuel after a heavy lunch, or where students revise schoolwork together.
The absurdly affordable price for a cup of hot latte made us do a double-take, and admittedly, lowered our expectations in the taste department. But, boy, were we surprised.
The first sip was prominent, the caffeine distinct and smooth. The milk-to-coffee ratio was, thankfully, well-balanced enough. Though we’ve definitely had better lattes, Gigi Coffee’s was a decent cup to pull one through the day.
There was no complaint in regards to the size of a takeaway cup, which is a modest one. We would’ve appreciated some cup-sleeve protection from the heat, as it was nearly impossible to hold the cup properly without wrapping layers of tissue around it.
Price: 5/5
Taste: 4/5
Packaging: 3/5
Convenience: 4/5
Overall rating: 4
8. Luckin Coffee
Price of a Hot Latte: RM11.02
Luckin Coffee, the “Starbucks of China” if you will, has only just made its debut in Malaysia in 2025, with a steady mushrooming of outlets across the Klang Valley. And as true coffee addicts, we were delighted at yet another coffee chain to grab our everyday cuppa at – until we took the first sip of our hot latte and realised that that would not be happening.
The brand’s standard size was notably large, which we wouldn’t be complaining about if its content was good. However, the drink was watery, and we could taste close to none of the caffeine. We did wonder if this was a case of outlet-by-outlet quality inconsistency.
Packaging-wise, it is as standard as all coffee chains, though we could not hold the cup for more than 5 seconds, as the cupsleeve barely protected our fingers from the piping hot coffee.
With its rather quick outlet expansion throughout Klang Valley, there is a chance you’ll find a Luckin Coffee near you where you can grab your daily coffee, if you are a local. This sentiment only applies to those living within the Klang Valley currently, so the convenience doesn’t quite extend to coffee lovers living outside the region.
The chain also has a unique ordering system. All orders are placed through the coffee chain’s app for convenience, which means there’s no actual ordering that happens at an outlet, and drinks get made pretty quickly upon order.
Price: 4/5
Taste: 2/5
Packaging: 4/5
Convenience: 3/5
Overall rating: 3.25
9. Tim Hortons
Price of a Hot Latte: RM12.00
Tim Hortons may be Canada’s pride, but here we are to taste if its coffee is strong enough to please the Malaysian caffeine crowd. The iconic Canadian coffeehouse opened its first outlet here in 2024, and within a year, there are now a handful of outlets in Klang Valley itself.
The store we visited at Sunway Pyramid mall oozes a whole lot of Canadian warmth with its warm-hued interiors and wooden touches. Table seats are thoughtfully arranged within the spacious store, beckoning you to get some work done or enjoy a slow morning sipping and scrolling.
The true hallmark of Timmies is obviously their doughnuts. But what’s essential to elevate the experience of feasting on some sugary goods is to have them with some good coffee. In other words, we did expect the coffee here to slay.
And slay, it did. Freshly brewed using an original blend of 100% Arabica beans and fresh milk, each sip of the hot latte was robust, smooth, and creamy all at once, and we could imagine how wonderful it would taste with some fluffy yeasted rounds. Size was a good amount for us as well, with a nice quality packaging that keeps the drink warm for a good while.
The only drawback, but a rather gaping one, is that Tim Hortons is still relatively scarce in Malaysia, with most of its outlets concentrated within the Klang Valley. Hence, it is hard to rely on the brand for a daily coffee run.
Price: 4/5
Taste: 4/5
Packaging: 4/5
Convenience: 2/5
Overall rating: 3.5
10. Bungkus Kaw Kaw
Price of a Hot Kopi: RM7.80
We won’t lie, we’ll take a kaw cup of traditional kopi over a hot latte any morning. But work calls, and not all of us can chat over a steaming cup at the kopitiam as much as we desire. But we can order a takeaway from the trusty Bungkus Kaw Kaw and enjoy the coffee in meetings or at our desks.
As we were queuing for our Kopi Kaw Kaw, we could smell the bold, aromatic, and unmistakably Malaysian scent that felt familiar and very promising. We were ready for some heavenly sips that are rich, creamy, and perfectly kaw. But while the kopi here did pack a punch, the sweetness packs a more colossal one.
The sugar rush in this cup of coffee will be unbearable for most Asians who like our food “not too sweet”. What could be a fragrant cup into a bit of a cloying drink. For a daily morning cup, this kopi probably won’t be the most ideal for health reasons. On the plus side, a cup is a nice, quaint size, just enough to leave us satisfied.
That said, Bungkus Kaw Kaw is a beloved coffee joint in the country with a menu that’s more than their sweet brews that may not be everyone’s cup of, well, coffee, but their local comfort meal offerings more than make up for it. Outlets can be found in most malls across the Klang Valley, all dressed in a distinctly local vibe, which makes for a very convenient morning garb-and-go.
Price: 5/5
Taste: 3/5
Packaging: 4/5
Convenience: 3/5
Overall rating: 3.75
11. San Francisco Coffee
Price of a Hot Latte: RM13.50
This may come as a surprise to some, but San Francisco Coffee is a Malaysian brand. In fact, it is Malaysia’s very first gourmet coffee franchise, founded all the way back in 1997, and today, lowkey as they are, the coffee chain is still going as steady as they can be.
We dropped by a very cosy outlet within a mall, all dressed in the chain’s signature warm woods and red accents interior, to find ample seats for customers looking to settle down for the day and to be buried in assignments or deadlines, along with the comfort of some warm drinks. Its atmosphere felt so comforting that, although we were ordering our lattes to-go, we were tempted to linger for a bit.
The hot latte itself was just as comforting and delicious. Its milk is steamed just right and not so frothy to look like a bubble bath, and the espresso hits with impact, not harsh, but with the boldness you’ll want on a Monday morning. It’s velvety, it’s soothing, and honestly, it’s the kind of latte you’ll be more than happy settling for over the ones served at fancier cafes.
We had no gripes about the packaging, which is nice and simple with the festive touch depending on the season.
Price: 3/5
Taste: 4/5
Packaging: 5/5
Convenience: 4/5
Overall rating: 4
12. Dunkin’ Donuts
Price of a Hot Latte: RM11.80
Another coffee-and-doughnut chain that has been a part of Malaysia’s scene for a while now is Dunkin’, with the brand’s unmistakable splash of vibrant pink and orange glowing at mall corners and airport terminals.
Sure, they don’t pour the fanciest flat white. We all know Dunkin’ for their affordable coffee and quick service, and as a go-to for people who want their caffeine fix without the fuss. Still, we would like the hot cup of coffee that’s paired with a Boston Kreme to be a robust one.
Alas, the hot latte we ordered was anything but robust. It tasted like part-water, part-milk, and close to no coffee. The foam layer felt somewhat gritty as well, and the scarce hints of bitterness tasted almost burnt. We struggled to finish a cup.
Their smallest size is a Medium, which is a considerably generous amount for the price you’re paying. Their outlets can be found pretty much anywhere and most particularly in neighbourhood malls, and are perfect for those hoping to get some caffeine to get through their morning commute.
Price: 4/5
Taste: 1/5
Packaging: 4/5
Convenience: 2/5
Overall rating: 2.75
13. DÔME
Price of a Hot Latte: RM13.00
DÔME feels like that one coffee franchise that hides in plain sight at busy shopping districts that most of us just tend to walk past, given the chain’s rather dressy boutique-esque ambience that makes the cafe feel more like a proper sit-down-and-chat chain, and less like a grab-and-go spot.
There’s no mistaking a DÔME outlet. The classic European-style coffeehouse draws inspiration from the old-world English cafes with the signature chestnut and oak wood in their decor and furnishings, giving the space a timeless and homely feel.
No doubt, it is a nice cafe to be in, with a vast menu of hearty mains and desserts to indulge in, but the coffee is really what we’re after, so we ordered our takeout hot latte, which comes nicely served in an aesthetic cup packaging.
Sadly, the coffee doesn’t quite live up to the comforting promise the chain evokes. Instead of that robust depth you would expect of a well-crafted latte, this one was disappointingly watered down. Sips were not bad but not great either, and we were left wishing for a stronger brew. We were more impressed by the biscuits served alongside the coffee.
Price: 3/5
Taste: 3/5
Packaging: 5/5
Convenience: 3/5
Overall rating: 3.5
14. HWC Coffee
Price of a Hot Latte: RM12.90
HWC Coffee’s presence in Malaysia is a quietly strong one. You’ll see chains of it tucked within nooks of malls and out of the corner of your eyes, never really with the intention to stop by for a cuppa. But when you do, you’ll be mind-blown, like we were.
We stopped by a quaint outlet, meant to be a grab-and-go spot, and our hot latte order came packaged in a cup that was simple but extremely sturdy. There wasn’t even a need for a cup sleeve to protect our fingers from the heat.
As unassuming as the coffee chain’s minimalistic aesthetics, our first sip immediately opened our eyes to how much of an understated gem their coffee may be. The latte art was a nice touch, and a promising one, flaunting a foam layer that looks exceptionally velvety and creamy.
It’s nothing too fancy, and yet there’s no denying that it was an amazing cup of latte: an espresso punch that’s confident yet smooth, mixed in with warm milk that does not overwhelm. We totally wanted a second cup of HWC’s hot latte.
Price: 4/5
Taste: 5/5
Packaging: 5/5
Convenience: 4/5
Overall rating: 4.5
Our verdict
Now that we’ve sipped through hot lattes from 14 coffee chains across Malaysia, we’ve learned which are our favourites, which are aggressively mediocre ones that we’ll pass, but most importantly, that there’s truly a vibrant and diverse coffee landscape in Malaysia to grab our daily pick-me-up from.
We have options aplenty, and there’s a latte on this list with your name on it.
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Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Jia-Ju.