In April, my family and I had to leave Bali. Since we were traveling with our three-year-old child, we chose Malaysia for its affordable airfares and short flight.
I usually plan my trips in advance, and I always keep a list of saved locations on Google Maps. These include family-friendly spots, cafes with European menus, cozy coffee shops, and must-see landmarks.
Cafes
VCR
A perfect spot for a delicious breakfast.
The average cost is around $15, including a drink. The menu features familiar favorites like avocado toast (kid-friendly), waffles with various fillings, kombucha, specialty coffees, and a classic European breakfast. A highchair is available for little ones, though there’s no dedicated children’s menu.
Tapestry
A charming café with a stylish interior.
The average bill is around $16, including a drink. The menu is flavorful and well-curated. The café tends to get busy, especially after lunch, so it's best to reserve a table in advance. We especially enjoyed the coffee, desserts, and smoothie bowls. The staff is friendly and welcoming, and a feeding highchair is available for families.
PAUL, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur
One of the trendiest cafés to visit in Malaysia.
PAUL is a beloved spot—both delicious and visually appealing. The menu includes beautifully presented breakfast and lunch dishes, aromatic coffee, and freshly baked goods. Located inside a major shopping center with well-known brands, it’s a great place to combine indulgence with convenience. The café caters more to adults, making it ideal for a relaxed meal while shopping.
The average bill is around $13.
The Hungry Tapir
One of the few vegetarian spots in Kuala Lumpur.
The average bill is around $16. It's best to reserve a table in advance, as the café is popular with both locals and tourists. I highly recommend the beetroot patty burger.
The café is family-friendly, offering a highchair, a kids' menu, and coloring activities on request.
Flaaah The Bakery
A great stop for fresh pastries and quality coffee.
The average bill for a pastry and drink is around $14. The menu features sweet dessert options and sandwich croissants with various fillings. While the bakery-café is cozy, it doesn’t offer a designated children’s area, highchairs, or entertainment.
Ra-Ft Café / Bistro Binjai 8 | Coffee Roasters
Enjoy fluffy pancakes for breakfast and flavorful Pad Thai for lunch.
The average bill per person is around $10. Conveniently located near the Ilham Gallery, it’s a perfect spot for a meal after exploring the exhibitions. The café is family-friendly, offering a kids’ menu and a highchair.
Coffee shops
103 Coffee - Chow Kit
I discovered this place while I was already in Kuala Lumpur—it hadn’t made it onto my list of favorite spots beforehand.
This café is considered a specialty spot: they brew high-quality, light-roast Arabica coffee, their baristas compete in coffee championships, and they serve amazing desserts.
The space is bright and inviting—perfect for breakfast, lunch, or just grabbing a coffee to go.
Average bill: $11.
{ X } COFFEE - Q Sentral
The coffee here is excellent—they offer V60 pour-overs as well as a variety of milk-based drinks. Service is great, and you get a nice view overlooking the central part of the city.
Average cost for a cup of coffee with a croissant: $8.
Niko Neko Matcha 2.0 - Chinatown
This spot was a completely new discovery for me—they serve only matcha, and it's of premium quality. You can choose from three different types of matcha, and they also offer a few signature desserts. We especially loved the cheesecake and the roll cake.
The place gets busy fast, with many people grabbing their drinks to go. The concept is very clear: eat and leave. Seating is limited to one hour, and working on a laptop isn't allowed.
Watching the baristas at work is a treat—they're incredibly focused, with every movement precise and intentional. The minimalist white interior and sleek, modern equipment give the café a clean, stylish vibe.
A cup of premium matcha: $3
Desserts: $3–4
Entertainment and Leisure with Children
Petrosains, The Discovery Centre
This interactive science museum is packed with hands-on exhibits and is a fantastic place to visit with kids.
The museum features a wide range of machines and displays that explain complex scientific concepts in a fun, easy-to-understand way. You can operate a mini excavator, climb aboard a model oil platform, and explore how people work in space.
It’s a place that sparks curiosity in both kids and adults—you’ll easily lose track of time and spend over two hours exploring.
Ticket prices: $8 for adults, $4.50 for children (ages 3–12).
Aquaria KLCC
An oceanarium located right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur.
It’s a great spot to visit, whether you’re with family or on your own. The experience is both beautiful and calming—almost meditative.
While I personally preferred the oceanarium in Bangkok, this one still offers a good variety of marine life and is well worth a visit.
Ticket prices: $16 for adults, $14 for children (ages 3–12).
KLCC Swimming Pool
A beautiful, green park featuring a large playground and an open-air swimming pool—perfect for cooling off with kids in Kuala Lumpur’s tropical heat. It’s a refreshing escape right in the middle of the city.
The park is conveniently located just behind the iconic Petronas Towers, in the heart of KL.
In the evening, after sunset, head over to the dancing fountain nearby. The colorful light and water show begins daily around 9:00 PM, adding a magical touch to the night.
Berjaya Times Square
A combination of hotel, entertainment hub, and shopping center—all under one roof.
One of the standout features: roller coasters right inside the mall. While the shopping experience itself falls short of a high-end mall—some areas feel more like a bustling Chinese market—there’s still plenty of fun to be had.
The attractions, gaming arcade, and lively atmosphere make it a great spot to entertain kids and enjoy some lighthearted fun.
National Art Gallery
A modern, forward-thinking art gallery featuring engaging exhibitions and exceptionally friendly staff. On average, you can expect to spend about two hours exploring a single exhibit.
One of the best parts? Admission is free—you just need to register on their website in advance.
Right behind the gallery, there’s a lovely park complete with a playground and an open-air swimming pool, making it a perfect spot to unwind after your visit.
Ilham Gallery
Another contemporary art gallery worth visiting. Admission is free, though you might encounter a short queue, especially during busy hours.
The exhibition halls are relatively small, so a typical visit takes about an hour. Still, it’s a great spot to enjoy some modern art in a compact, curated space.
KL Bird Park
Another great activity to enjoy with kids is a visit to the Bird Park. It features an impressive variety of feathered species, along with scheduled parrot shows and bird feeding sessions (though these may be canceled in case of rain).
The park covers a large, mostly open-air area. While it is enclosed by a net, it’s barely noticeable, giving the birds plenty of space to roam freely—most of them aren’t in cages, which adds to the immersive experience.
Important tip: If you buy tickets online, they’re only valid 24 hours after purchase, so it’s often easier to buy them directly at the entrance.
Ticket prices: $30 for adults, $15 for children (ages 2–12).
Thean Hou Temple
A stunning Chinese temple offering a panoramic view of Kuala Lumpur. Located just 15 minutes from the city center, it’s best reached by taxi for convenience. Admission is free.
The temple can get quite busy, especially during wedding ceremonies, but its beauty makes it well worth the visit. Chinese temples are rich in culture and detail, providing a unique and memorable experience.
For a small donation, you can even receive a personal fortune reading. If you visit in the evening, you’ll be treated to a breathtaking sunset and a gorgeous city view as the lights of KL begin to glow.
Saloma Link
You’ll likely spend no more than 20 minutes here, but it’s absolutely worth it.
In the evening, the bridge offers a stunning view of the city lights, including a perfect sightline to the Petronas Towers. Come after 6:00 PM to capture vibrant, Instagram-worthy shots of Kuala Lumpur glowing at night.
National Zoo of Malaysia
The zoo is quite large, though a bit outdated in parts. It’s located about 20 minutes by taxi from Kuala Lumpur’s city center.
One of the main attractions here is the pandas, but you'll also find a wide variety of animals including monkeys, kangaroos, hippos, zebras, tigers, and more.
Every ticket purchased helps support animal care, which is especially important given the zoo’s current condition.
Within the park, there are food stalls and souvenir shops, making it easy to spend a few hours exploring.
Entrance ticket (for all ages): $20.
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