Not too long ago, words like ‘gluten-free’ and ‘vegan’ were alien to many people, let alone in the context of eating out. But with the rise healthier lifestyle choices, more cafes have started offering options on their menus to cater for a variety of diets.
We headed to a few places in KL offering pescatarian, vegan and gluten-free friendly items on their menus. Here’s what we tried and and what we thought.
Kopenhagen Coffee, Mont Kiara
Tucked away in the residential area of Mont Kiara, Kopenhagen Coffee is a cosy cafe described perfectly as “Little Scandinavia”. Inspired by Copenhagen’s ‘fast-paced city meets easy-going’ lifestyle, the cafe exudes all things Scandinavian. From its sun-lit, minimalistic interiors to the fresh Danish confectionaries and dishes on offer, Kopenhagen is a calm escape in the midst of hectic Kuala Lumpur life.
On top of their regular menu made up of Scandinavian staples such as Smørrebrød, Danish open sandwiches and Grod, Danish porridge, Kopenhagen recently added a rotation of all vegan daily specials to their menu. With vibrant salads and bean pâtés, it’s great to see a wide variety of dishes on offer.
We tried:
Danish Darling Smørrebrød—Smoked salmon on freshly baked spelt bread, with avocado (rather than cream cheese), a side of homemade pickled cucumbers and a bright rocket salad topped with almonds and fresh apple slices
Freaky Fry-days—Cauli-carrot fried ‘rice’ with baby spinach and spring onion, topped with tender, roasted beetroot (vegan & gluten-free without the croutons)
Long Black & Peppermint Tea
Fresh, delicious and gorgeously presented, the food from Kopenhagen delivers on all fronts. Whether it be for a wholesome start to the day with coffee and a salmon Smørrebrød providing your daily dose of healthy omega-3 fats, or a quick, refreshing vegan lunchtime meal, Kopenhagen has something for everyone. We can’t wait to try more of their vegan dishes and love that their cafe is the perfect spot for working from too!
Kopenhagen Coffee
Vista Kiara, 3, Jalan Kiara, Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Website, Facebook, Instagram
Barat, Taman Bukit Pantai
Serving delicious vegetarian fusion cuisine, Barat has established itself as a firm favourite in Kuala Lumpur, even attracting curious non-vegetarians to try their mouthwatering farm-to-table dishes. Expect vegetarian renditions of pastas, pizzas, tapas dishes, burgers and local favourites. They are even one of the only places in KL to offer a fully vegan 8 course degustation menu!
Nestled in the leafy enclave of restaurants along Lorong Kurau, Barat is warm and inviting with it’s bright, airy interiors. With an extensive menu also catering to vegans and those avoiding gluten, Barat is the perfect place for celebrations as no one has to compromise on their dietary preferences. Just let them know ahead of time what foods you avoid and they are more than accommodating. Diners can also enjoy free valet so there’s no need to stress on parking
We tried:
Roasted pumpkin soup (vegan, gluten-free without the bread upon request)
Blue cheese sweet peppers (vegan & gluten-free upon request)
Golden fried cheese (vegan upon request)
Patatas bravas (vegan & gluten-free)
Pistachio carbonara with sundried tomatoes (vegan & gluten-free upon request)
Basil pesto pasta with grilled zucchini (vegan upon request)
Coconut ice cream (vegan & gluten-free)
It’s easy to see why Barat is always bustling with happy faces. For those who perceive vegetarian food to be bland and boring, be ready your expectations to be shattered. The roasted pumpkin soup and one-of-a-kind pistachio carbonara will win over even the most dubious about vegetarian cuisine with its wholesome, hearty flavours. We can never get enough of the wide variety of food on offer and always leave feeling well satisfied and nourished.
Barat Lifestyle Vegetarian Restaurant
19, Lorong Kurau, Taman Bukit Pantai, 59100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Website, Facebook, Instagram
