A Place Where – popularly known as APW – is a contemporary community where artistic urbanites and creative minds meet for scrumptious dining options and occasional art bazaars. First established in 1952, APW stood for Art Printing Works and was a commercial printing factory in Ampang, catering to the production of comic books, magazines and textbooks. It relocated to Bangsar 13 years later with the new concept we see today.
While you can still find art and stationery stores, fashion boutiques, and beauty outlets, APW is big on its dining scene, serving cuisines like Spanish, Italian, Japanese, and Chinese, to name a few. Without further ado, let us take you through its 13 restaurants and cafes we know you will adore.
Restaurants
Proof Pizza + Wine
Pizza and wine lovers will appreciate the menu by Proof Pizza + Wine. It uses woodfire ovens to create outstanding flavours and the Umbrian Black Truffle Pizza is what gets the place packed six days a week. Also, the restaurant is known for carrying an array of Spanish and Argentinian wines which complement their pizzas. You can also opt for the pasta menu which includes the must-try Gnocchetti Sardi and Reginette Primavera for vegetarians.
Contact: 03 2201 3613
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm | Saturday to Sunday: 12pm – 10.30pm | Closed on Monday
Grano Pasta Bar
A sister restaurant to Proof Pizza + Wine, Grano Pasta Bar specialises in numerous handmade pasta dishes like Reginette Puttanesca as well as the Ravioli with duck breast, mixed mushrooms, and ricotta submerged in tomato saffron broth. Balance out your dinner with some greens like the Pear and Mesclun Salad that’s made with pomegranate, feta cheese, toasted pecans, and a honey lemon lavender dressing for a sweet, tangy punch.
Contact: 03 2201 3613
Opening hours: Tuesday to Friday: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm | Saturday to Sunday: 12pm – 10.30pm | Closed on Monday
BOU Claypot Rice & Such
APW has welcomed a new restaurant to its dining community – BOU Claypot Rice & Such. As the name suggests, you will see fragrant bao zai fan (clay pot rice) on the menu that’s cooked with its signature char siu and drenched in chu hao sauce; alongside the Three Heavenly Kings with goose liver sausage, pork salami, and lap cheong (Chinese sausage). You can also opt for non-pork options like Wagyu beef, seafood or chicken.
Recreating the flavours of claypot rice in Hong Kong, BOU makes sure the bottom of the dish comes with a layer of crisped rice for a crusty crunch and an aromatic char taste. Besides proteins, there are vegetarian options too.
Contact: 012 280 2964
Opening hours: Wednesday to Friday: 5pm – 10.30pm, 5.30pm – 10.30pm| Saturday to Sunday: 12pm – 2.30pm, 5pm – 10.30pm | Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Olivia Deli
If you’re craving Spanish and Portuguese food, Olivia Deli will take care of that appetite with its signature Gazpacho, Empanadas, and Pan Con Tomate & Jamon. Also, don’t miss out on the seasonal paella, as well as the Língua de vaca – Portuguese beef tongue cut to paper-thin size, smeared lightly with truffle paste and finished with olive oil.
Located at a cosy spot, you can see a mosaic tile mural spelling out the restaurant’s name, accompanied by illustrations of fish, bell peppers, and a woman in a flamenco dress playing the lute. Olivia Deli can get busy, especially on weekends, so head here to book your spot.
Contact: 012 911 2537
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9am – 11pm | Closed on Monday
JUS Resto Bar
The dining scene in Kuala Lumpur is thriving with various cuisines and Jus offers not only one but numerous international flavours on the menu. As a restaurant cum bar, it naturally pairs its food with remarkable cocktails like charcoal-grilled dishes with daiquiri or dry martini.
Furthermore, the Lebanese-inspired chicken wings, Norwegian-style soft potato flatbread, Sabah king prawns, Hokkaido scallops, and French Dover sole are must-have plates. After dinner, stay on to enjoy the bar’s classic cocktails like negroni, whisky sour, penicillin, and Manhattan, to name a few.
Contact: 014 963 3638
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday: 6pm – 12am | Sunday: 6pm – 11pm | Closed on Monday and Tuesday
I @jus_apw
Waig by Chipta11a
If you are looking for Japanese cuisine fused with Malaysian flavours, visit Waig by Chipta11a and try out its Wagyu Focaccia, Grilled Japanese Surumeila Don, and a selection of delicious rice bowls. Headed by Chef Michael Yee, his signature grilled beef tongue glazed with char siew sauce will make you go back for seconds.
Contact: 011 3992 7269
Opening hours: Wednesday to Saturday: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm | Tuesday: 6pm – 10.30pm | Closed on Monday
Flying Peacock KL
Flying Peacock is one of the few restaurants in KL that serves authentic stone pot rice. Its menu features appetising dishes like Smoked Eggplant Katsu, Grilled Beef Shortrib, Salmon Chunks Rendang, and a variety of wagyu plates. Furthermore, its Seafood Claypot Congee, Chawanmushi Foie Gras, and Prawn & Crab Katsu Sando are created with unique flavours you will enjoy.
Contact: 03 2201 7388
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 5pm – 10.30pm | Friday to Saturday: 12pm – 11pm | Sunday: 12pm – 10pm | Closed on Monday
W flying-peacock.com | I @flyingpeacockkl
Cafes
Pulp
Pulp is no stranger to all coffee lovers and foodies in KL. The only café with a standalone building in APW, it’s a gathering point for work meetings and casual hangouts, as there are ample space and seating areas to enjoy two of their signature coffees – Konga and Suke Quto.
If you like your coffee with floral notes, opt for the medium-roasted Konga which also has a lemony aroma. Also known as ‘coffee flower’, Konga has a complex flavour which includes a whiff of fruity notes, making it equally as delicious when sipped cold.
On the other hand, Suke Quto – a cold brew from Yirga Cheffe and Sidamo – has a different flavour profile, although there’s a hint of floral notes too. It’s lighter and fruitier compared to Konga, matching better with desserts and cakes.
Contact: 03 2201 3650
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday: 7.30am – 6.30pm | Friday to Saturday: 7.30am – 9.30pm
W pulpcoffee.co | I @pulp.bangsar
The Coach Coffee Shop
APW also welcomes The Coach Coffee Shop – yes, a spin-off from the opulent fashion brand, Coach. The store mirrors a youthful and bright New York City, serving desserts like strawberry pop tarts, maple-glazed crullers, and signature soft serves, as well as an assortment of coffees. There’s also an outdoor area and seats with window nooks that overlook the interior of the café.
Contact: 03 2201 8835 | 012 382 8099
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 10am – 10pm | Closed on Monday
W coach.com I @thecoachcoffeeshopmy
BASK.
Offering arguably the best cheesecake in town, BASK serves its dessert in three different flavours: Original Basque, Yuri Matcha, and Chocolate. Each bite gives you a smooth, rich, and creamy mouthfeel, and it comes with some delicious whipped cream for added character to the texture.
The dim, cosy café focuses on a small menu of just three cheesecakes, an array of Japanese green tea, and coffee. However, the desserts run out fast, so make sure you pre-order your cakes, and book your table a day before.
Contact: 012 678 2360
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 11am – 19pm | Closed on Monday
Apartment 103
Previously known as 103 Coffee, Apartment 103 just moved into APW and serves the neighbourhood some delightful coffee. The store doubles as a clothing boutique, and its ambience is designed to make shoppers feel at home, while they sip on some of the café’s signatures like Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Idido G1, Ecuador Finca La Marquesa, and Colombia Tablon De Gomez Lot 552 coffee. Besides, the store is also home to Motherchuckers – a clothing brand by Malaysian entrepreneur, Jane Chuck.
Contact: 012 685 8103
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 8am – 6pm | Closed on Monday
W 103coffee.com | I @theapartment103
Breakfast Thieves
Derived from Australia, Breakfast Thieves is a very popular brunch spot and is usually packed during the weekends. It offers a large menu of plates like soft shell crab burgers, double cheese Angus beef burgers, soy herbal braised duck, wagyu char siu, and 24-hour slow braised beef cheeks, to name a few. If you prefer something lighter, go for the buttered toast, poached eggs, polenta bar, or French toast.
Contact: 03 2201 8829
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 9am – 5pm | Closed on Monday
W breakfastthieves.com | I @breakfastthieveskl
Bar
Unwined KL
Home to over 200 natural wine labels, Unwined KL has a huge variety of notes and flavours for wine lovers of all kinds. Whether you prefer your wines fruity, floral, or spicy, the trained staff will recommend a suitable bottle for your palate. From Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon to Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc, Unwined KL has it all.
Contact: 03 2201 8829
Opening hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 3pm – 11pm | Friday to Saturday: 3pm – 12am | Sunday: 3pm – 11pm | Closed on Monday
W rawwine.com | I @unwinedkl
For more dining options in KL, read more stories here.