The smell of freshly baked croissant – oh-so-rich and layered in butter – reminds you of a trip to Paris; get carried away by the delightful pleasure of pastries at a Parisian cafe while sipping a café au lait in fashionable style. That flaky French treat bursts with crunchiness all the way to the last chew — absolute divine.
And your palate craves for more patisseries – decadent and tarty – from chocolate eclairs and profiteroles to a raspberry torte. Warm baguette – crusty on the outside and soft on the inside – so good on its own but also perfect with cold butter and marmalade. All of these combined spells a secret indulgence of the greatest pastries ever created by men.
When it comes to enjoying pastries and French cakes, it is always important to note several things. The basic offerings of croissants, pain au chocolat and macarons must be spot on, and the tart shell must be buttery and light but not too crumbly. And of course, everything has to taste delicious and pleasing to the tummy.
Once you’ve found that particular shop that sells the best patisseries, you’d end up raving about the place for days. For some of us, we find ourselves crying to sleep at night while dreaming of the buttery, soft croissant or the kind of bread that you can eat without anything because it’s so good on its own — sacre bleu!
From bread to flavoursome tarts, here are some of the best tried-and-trusted patisseries in KL that would get your taste buds going before you even get a mouthful.
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1 /8
The last time we were here, we compared their desserts to the ethos of Momofuku Milk Bar’s. In similar standards, afternoon teas in Brasserie Fritz are simply divine with delectable pastries made fresh each day by their pastry chef. Aside from flaky croissants and buttery Kouign Amanns, you can also sink your teeth into their Instagram-worthy, elegantly presented babycakes. Another must-try is their selection of pastries with fillings quintessential to the Malaysian palate.
Brasserie Fritz, Ground Floor, WOLO, Bukit Bintang Street, Bukit Bintang, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, +603-4065 0876.
2 /8
If you’re a bread lover, this little shop is the perfect place for a quiet breakfast pick-me-up; alone or with a couple of friends. There is a delightful selection of tarts and other pastries including the house-signature Cruffins (a croissant in a shape of a muffin) and their famously flaky Kouign Amann (pronounced QUEEN-ah-mahn). Be there early as they sell out fast.
The Bread Shop, 11 Jalan Setiakasih 5, Damansara Heights, 50490 Kuala Lumpur, +603-2093 8734.
3 /8
Many of you would have known this place by now, but there’s no reason not to head there for another round of pastries. This quaint little café, which can be a bit busy on weekends, is the perfect go-to place for takeaways. Enjoy its signature croissants (dubbed the best in KL), Danish pastries, pecan pie and choices of bread with yummy baked eggs and of course, great coffee!
Kenny Hill Bakers, 63 Jalan Langgak Tunku, Taman Tunku, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, +603-6206 4111.
4 /8
This place has been around for years but still maintains good quality French pastries — some authentic and some with a twist. Their offerings are baked in a traditional oven for the authentic flavours and aroma synonymous to traditional cafes in Paris. The smell of fresh dough and butter wafts through the entire café; making it the perfect place if you have a penchant for breads and pastries. Note: Parking is limited, so it’s better to take a Grab there.
Levain Boulangerie & Patisserie, 7 Jalan Delima Off Jalan Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, +603-2142 6611.
5 /8
The owners of this bakery have recently moved to a quaint little corner at the hippy Zhongshan Building; serving honest and unpretentious patisseries at quite a reasonable price. Fans of the sourdough would also agree that Tommy Le Baker is the best place for its novelty – the long fermentation sourdough loaf.
Tommy Le Baker@Kampung Attap, 82 Jalan Rotan, Kampung Attap, 50460 Kuala Lumpur, +6016-621 8492.
6 /8
Regulars in Bangsar would suggest the terrace seating outside the cafe as the best spot to enjoy a morning of coffee and croissant. The bread – made in-house – is delightful, alongside an array of savoury selections like the Croque Monsieur and other French desserts like tarts, meringue and creme brulee. Yeast also boasts a good dining menu for lunch and dinners.
Yeast, 24G Jalan Telawi 2, Bangsar, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, +603-2282 0118.
7 /8
You’d know you’re in the right place if the entire menu is in French. Maybe not everything but at Les Deux Garçons, it is a centre for pleasure both for the eyes and the taste buds. Indulge in Croissant au Beurre (layered with the scent of butter), Tarte au Citron (filled with zesty lemon-infused meringue) and colourful macaroons in a bounty of flavours. And if you’re looking for celebratory cakes, their custom-made ones are simply magnifique.
Les Deux Garçons, 16 Jalan 2/109E, Taman Desa Business Park, 58100 Kuala Lumpur, +603-7980 0200
8 /8
Well, not all good pastries belong to the French. This German bakery has some of the best bread in town – our favourites are the pretzels and simple plain buns, delicious on its own. Everything is freshly baked with a good range of bread and pastries to choose from. Enjoy every slice with authentic German sausages, bratwursts, pepperoni, salami and their in-house meatloaf for a heartier meal.
Der Backmeister, 40 Persiaran Za’aba ,TTDI, 60000, Kuala Lumpur, +603-2856 0613
Martin Teo
Editor-in-Chief
Martin has a bent for history and food culture, especially of the Peranakan heritage. Since the pandemic, he finds joy in plant parenting and continues to expand his collection of Philodendrons, Anthuriums, and Syngoniums. On his free time, he finds time scouring through the latest cafes in search for the best croissant in the city.
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