Jalan Sin Chew Kee food guide
In the shadows of towering buildings in Kuala Lumpur’s city centre, there’s a short, charming street lined with 1920s colonial shophouses that hide away modern cafes and restaurants. That’s Jalan Sin Chew Kee.
Located behind Kuala Lumpur’s popular Jalan Alor, and a short walking distance from Bukit Bintang, the lane has trendy cafes, fusion food restaurants, and even a cocktail bar for brunch or a nightcap.
Here are all the food spots to find there:
Table of Contents
1. VCR
OG brunch spot in KL
Image adapted from: @第2号同学 via Xiaohongshu
VCR is considered an OG in KL’s cafe scene. While it now boasts several branches across Klang Valley, the popular cafe’s first location sits on the corner of Jalan Sin Chew Kee.
Image adapted from: @vcrlovesyou via Instagram
Spanning two floors, this VCR location with its iconic all-black exterior boasts a cosy dining space inside with ample seating. During the rush for breakfast or brunch, it won’t be too long a wait to snag a table.
Image adapted from: @vcrlovesyou via Instagram
The menu at the cafe is extensive, but categorised into breakfast, all-day mains, and dinner, so you can easily see all your options at a glance. The Avocado Toast (RM28), served from opening till 3.30pm, and the all-day Soft Shell Crab Burger (RM30), are some popular picks among patrons.
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2. Three Years Old
Aesthetically pleasing brunch cafe
Image adapted from: @_threeyearsold via Instagram
With its clean white exterior and ever-changing decor for festive seasons, Three Years Old has become a favourite spot among shutterbugs. It gives major clean girl aesthetics.
Image adapted from: @suisinnstephy via Instagram
Almost every corner of the cafe doubles as a photo spot, including a sign of the cafe outside. Don’t be surprised if you end up spending more time here snapping pictures than actually eating.
Image adapted from: @_threeyearsold via Instagram
The cafe’s selection of cakes and pastries is raved about, but the Baked Eggs (RM25) with sausage and a tart tomato sauce, and creamy Carbonara Pasta (RM25) with ham slices are worth trying too.
3. Breakfast Spot
Customisable breakfast plates
Image adapted from: @breakfastspotkl via Instagram
What better way to start your day than with breakfast at a spot named Breakfast Spot? Nostalgic charm meets modern minimalism at this Jalan Sin Chew Kee cafe, with forest-green walls punctuated by vintage tiles, and a glasshouse seating area flooded with natural light.
Image adapted from: @breakfastspotkl via Instagram
Despite its name, this cafe goes beyond breakfast, serving brunch, lunch, and tea all the way till evening.
Food-wise, you’ll find a good collection of brunch staples and dishes with creative twists on the menu. The DIY Big Breakfast, starting from RM8 for the base, is a crowd favourite, as patrons can customise a breakfast plate with choices from over 20 ingredients.
4. Broom
Industrial-style cafe with plenty of greenery
Image adapted from: @platesxplaces via Instagram
Dining in a lush nature setting isn’t an easy find in KL’s city centre, but Broom delivers an ambience that’s close to this. The cafe’s greenery-shrouded entrance opens up to a calm space with high ceilings, rattan decor elements, and plenty of greenery.
Image adapted from: @broomartisanbakery via Instagram
Decor aside, the cafe’s signature pastries are baked fresh daily and displayed at the front counter, tempting you the moment you walk in. Look out for the must-try Matcha Tart and Lemon Meringue Croissant, both popular orders among patrons.
Image adapted from: @broomartisanbakery via Instagram
If you can’t resist carbs with coffee, order a cup of their speciality coffee and opt to swap out regular milk for plant-based substitutions at no extra charge.
For a more hearty brunch, the cafe also serves go-to breakfast dishes and local Malaysian favourites.
5. Bol
Peranakan-inspired course menus
Image adapted from: @bol_in_kl via Instagram
Breaking away from the usual cafe offerings on the lane, Bol offers a more elevated dining experience that’s ideal for special occasions, date nights, and intimate gatherings. This Michelin-recognised spot plates up refined Peranakan cuisine, with course menus that change according to the season.
Image adapted from: @bol_in_kl via Instagram
Each dish served during the course is carefully plated and executed, almost like edible art, balancing traditional flavours with modern presentation.
Expect to fork out around RM300-400 per person for 6-8 course meals.
6. Pahit
Gin-focused cocktail bar
Image adapted from: @barpahit via Instagram
A long-standing name in Jalan Sin Chew Kee, Pahit is a go-to spot for cocktail chasers in the city, especially those who prefer to have their drinks with a dash of gin. The restaurant-bar is known for having an extensive gin selection from around the world.
Image adapted from: @barpahit via Instagram
A signature is the Gin Pahit (RM40), a concoction of dry gin, orange bitters, house falernum, and lime.
Image adapted from: @barpahit via Instagram
Cocktails, gin and tonics, and Negronis always go well with bar bites, and at Pahit, you have ones with a local twist, like the Cincalok Maggi (RM35) and Tamarind Fried Chicken (RM26).
7. Miyakori Coffee
Japanese comfort food
Image credit: Kylee Cheng
For those who adore Japanese aesthetics, Miyakori Coffee offers a peaceful and aesthetically pleasing escape at Jalan Sin Chew Kee. The space features wooden elements and pots of bonsai, creating a zen-like space that feels calm and refined.
Image adapted from: @miyakori.coffee.bukit.bintang via Instagram
The menu leans towards Japanese comfort food, with the restaurant’s signature Miyakori Ochazuke (RM28) being a must-try. On the drinks side of the menu, you can order hot lattes that come topped with adorable mascot latte art.
8. Angtara
Reasonably priced local food
Image adapted from: @angtara.bukitbintang via Instagram
If you want to feast on local food in a comfortable cafe setting, Angtara has you covered. With go-to kopitiam dishes like Kaya Toast (RM4.90) and Soft-Boiled Eggs (RM3.90), and hearty Nasi Lemak Signature sets (from RM18.90) that come with fried chicken or curry chicken, this spot delivers all the locally loved food at reasonable prices.
Image adapted from: @半工半旅的桃子 via Xiaohongshu
Beyond these staples, Angtara’s menu is surprisingly extensive, featuring Western options like Sausage Platter (RM36.90) too.
9. Gongsi
French and Chinese fusion food
Image adapted from: @gongsi_11 via Instagram
Gongsi is another restaurant on the lane that offers a more intimate and slightly upscale dining experience, compared to the surrounding cafes.
Image adapted from: @gongsi_11 via Instagram
The fusion menu at Gongsi focuses on contemporary and unconventional dishes that meld French and Chinese flavours. Think of meals you can order at Taiwanese restaurants, but infused with Western techniques and ingredients.
Image adapted from: @gongsi_11 via Instagram
Some standout dishes that are worth a mention are Truffle Cream Poulet Grille (RM59) and shareable Seafood Risotto with Sun Dried Tomato (RM79).
10. Tangga
Kuih-focused cafe
Image adapted from: @latteontheweekends via Instagram
Tangga is Jalan Sin Chew Kee’s latest cafe. It joins the lineup of eateries on the lane, with a selection of local kuih to pair with coffee drinks, and an airy modern space that retains its heritage shophouse charms.
Image credit: @latteontheweekends via Instagram
All the colourful kuih that you’ll see at Tangga is handmade and made fresh daily, with options like kuih lapis and ang ku kuih to order.
What to eat at Jalan Sin Chew Kee
Whether you are on the hunt for a cosy brunch spot, an aesthetic cafe for your next Instagram post, or a laidback bar to wind down in at night, Jalan Sin Chew Kee will have a spot for you.
This underrated street is a good detour from the buzz of Bukit Bintang. You might just find your new favourite food spot here.
Cover image adapted from: @bol_in_kl, @lamyerda, @latteontheweekends via Instagram