If there’s one thing the French has mastered with food, it’s the pleasure of consuming them. Whether it’s tucking into a freshly baked croissant and a cup of coffee (or matcha tea) in the morning, or biting into a baguette that’s crisp on the outside and beautifully fluffy on the inside.

We have come to appreciate French pastries, cakes, and breads so much that now everyone is practically a connoisseur. The midsection of a croissant must have that hypnotic honeycomb structure; the bread so good you can easily eat them on their own; the macarons must be light, crisp, and marshmallow-like all at the same time; and the canelés must have that rich, caramelised crust, with a light and custardy filling.

It’s this appreciation that has led a lot of us to hunt for the best boulangerie and pâtisserie in KL that offers all these pieces of heaven. And instead of hunting them down, we’ve done the work for you and found some of the best in town that will bring you closer to the streets of Paris sooner.

Yeast

This casual French bakery and bistro has been a longtime favourite for locals and expats in the more affluent side of Bangsar since 2012, and in June 2019 opened a new branch in TTDI. From buttery croissants and hearty baguettes, to pillowy financiers and fresh fruit tarts, the creation of their classic baked goods come courtesy of their ‘Yeast Atelier – Fabrication Artisanale’, which sits above the boulangerie-bistro in the Bangsar flagship.

Location: Bangsar and TTDI (full addresses online here)

Opening Hours: 8am – 10pm

Orito

One of the newer players in KL, Orito may not be the most quintessentially French pâtisserie, but it’s shaping up to be a serious local contender thanks to its handcrafted pastries that look Instagrammable and taste scrumptious. Orito features a particularly extensive choux menu, ranging from classics such as the Paris Brest to contemporary flavours that may appeal to Asian tastebuds more such as the ‘So-Matcha’. You can even score small bites such as madeleines and rum-infused canelé (that is, if you can get there early).

Location: B.0.5, Plaza Damas 3, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Sri Hartamas 50480 Kuala Lumpur

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am – 6pm

PAUL

If you’ve ever been to France, you surely would have bumped into a PAUL bakery at least once or twice during your visit. This family-owned bakery and patisserie was first established in 1889, and now boasts boutiques all over the world – including its first Malaysian outpost that opened in 2017. While they do offer your everyday staples, you can also try other French specialties such as palmiers, mille-feuille, éclairs, and the ultimate sweet treat: the Kouign Amann croissant.

Location: Pavilion KL and Intermark Mall

Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm

Croisserie

After 5 years since its establishment, Croisserie Artisan Bakery has become one of the best places to get handmade European pastries. Using imported flours and high quality ingredients, their offerings include a wide range of sweet and savoury bites, including tartines, classic fruit tarts, and a lesser known sweet bread called brioche bressane. Their canelés are also wonderfully sweet and sinful without being too cloying, making it the perfect accompaniment to your coffee break or afternoon tea.

Location: Damansara Heights, Atria Shopping Gallery, KL Citywalk, and The Shoppes at Four Seasons Place (full addresses here)

Opening Hours: Varies depending on location.

Maison des Pains

This boulangerie and pâtisserie café truly stays true to its name – the house of bread – with its rich offerings of French indulgence. From a zesty tart au citron meringuée to sweet palmiers, you’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to picking the perfect pastry to have for breakfast or tea that day (but who says you only have to pick one?). And if you’re not a purist, you can even find modern, localised reinterpretations of classics such as the Pandan Madeleines and Pandan Coconut Canelé.

Location: Publika and Tropicana City Mall

Opening Hours: 9am – 9pm

Bakerry La

This Damansara Kim boulangerie is humble and casual establishment that can stir up your carby cravings upon gazing at their counter stocked with fresh pastries complemented by a bread-filled backdrop. But don’t let their unassuming appearance fool you, as this bakery dishes out perfectly flaky croissants, savoury quiches, and long-fermented French bread that will leave you craving for more. You also won’t want to miss out on their Kouign Amann, which comes with a light sprinkling of sea salt to bolster the intense sweetness of this sugar-laden treat. Just remember to get there early in the morning as they tend to sell out pretty quickly by noon!

Location: No. 17 Jalan SS20/11 Damansara Kim 47400 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 8.30am – 6pm

Levain Boulangerie & Patisserie

The fact that Levain has been around all these years and continues to offer authentic French breads, vienoisseries, and pastries should be a testament to its craft. The goods use a natural yeast that’s made daily in-house, and are all baked in a specially imported stone oven that ensures even heat circulation and retention, yielding a softer texture and superior taste. Levain also has its own selection of sweet macarons, in flavours ranging from classics such as strawberry to more adventurous versions such as durian.

Location: 7, Jalan Delima, Imbi, 55100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan

Opening Hours: 7.30am – 9pm