Francobolli at Wisma Cosway
Tucked inside Wisma Cosway, a go-to lunch spot for office crowds in Kuala Lumpur’s busy Bukit Bintang, Francobolli is one of the relatively new eateries there quietly making waves. However, there’s a catch. The restaurant only opens three days a week for lunch hours, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Despite the limited operating hours, queues start forming from the entrance even before opening.
What is Francobolli?
Located on the first floor, right next to Uncle Soon Fried Rice, Francobolli is hard to miss – just look for the line of people waiting outside.
The space itself is compact, seating around 20 individuals at a time, with a row of chairs placed outside for those queuing. The open-concept kitchen lets you catch a glimpse of the cooking action and how small yet efficient the whole space is.
With blue-tiled walls and warm yellow lighting, the space feels clean, minimal, and welcoming, which altogether feels simple yet thoughtfully put together.
As for the food, at Francobolli, all pasta is made from scratch, with four main types available. They are rigatoni, mafalde, tagliatale, and linguine, each paired with different sauces that best bring out the texture of the pasta.
The restaurant is currently in its soft-launch phase, so the menu is intentionally kept small with three pasta dishes, but here is what to order:
The food at Francobolli
Wagyu Beef Ragu
Served with mafalde, a long ribbon-shaped pasta, the Wagyu Beef Ragu (RM32) might not score high points for presentation at first glance, but don’t let its chaotic appearance fool you. Crafted with San Marzano tomato, wagyu beef ragu, and Parmigiano Reggiano, the dish was full of flavour.
The rich tomato-based ragu clings onto every ribbon of the mafalde, giving each bite a perfect balance of sauce and tender beef. It is hearty, comforting, and the kind of dish you’ll keep going back to, maybe even for seconds.
Garlic Chilli Anchovy Butter
A less common find in KL, the Garlic Chilli Anchovy Butter (RM26) delivers a unique flavour profile. Topped with garlic and buttered sauce, this dish is cooked with Linguine noodles.
The flavours of the savoury anchovy butter will hit your tongue first, followed by the fragrance of garlic, before ending with a subtle chilli kick to the back of your throat. The flavour profile of this dish is bold, slightly unexpected, but grows on you with every bite.
We also added the set lunch option, which was an additional RM3.50 for focaccia bread to be paired with the pasta, and it’s 100% worth it.
Soft, fluffy, and perfect for soaking up leftover sauce, the focaccia completes the meal in the best way possible.
Tiramisu
Francobolli’s Tiramisu (RM15) comes with a twist, as it’s served in scoops rather than individual portions.
Made without alcohol, the tiramisu here comprises an espresso mascarpone mixture that is light, airy, and not overly creamy. Dusted with cocoa powder, the dessert may look a little messy, but the flavours are clean, balanced, and seriously addictive.
For two scoops, the tiramisu costs RM28.
A hidden gem at Wisma Cosway for freshly made pasta & alcohol-free tiramisu
If you’re looking for a fuss-free spot to satisfy your pasta cravings in the middle of KL, Francobolli is one to bookmark. With handmade pasta, comforting flavours, and a no-frills setup, the compact restaurant proves that good food doesn’t need to be complicated.
Just be sure to plan your visit – with only three operating days a week, it’s best to arrive early at Francobolli to avoid the typical queues.
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia
Photography by Brooklyn, edits by Ming-Xuan.