10 best makan spots in The Campus Ampang, KL's newest hipster haven

Yahoo

21 hours ago

KL's full of shiny mega malls — and it's hard not to love them. But if you're craving a breather from the hustle and bustle, The Campus Ampang is a refreshing detour you've got to take.
Once home to the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), the grounds have been refurbished into a stylish open-air community hub that oozes cool. Think of it as KL's version of Singapore's New Bahru, with repurposed facilities, leafy walkways, curated boutiques and a lively mix of food, lifestyle and fitness options (yes, even pickleball courts).
Believe us when we say you can easily spend a whole day here — grazing your way through cafes, catching up with friends over good eats and soaking in the chill, artsy vibes all around. Whether you're a local looking for something new or a traveller seeking a 'hidden gem', this is a spot you'll want on your radar.
Without further ado, here are 10 best makan spots in The Campus Ampang for you to eat and trawl your way through this new hipster haven.
1. Fowlboys Diner (L1-33)
Ever wanted to feast your heart out on cluckin' good fried chicken in a glamorous old-timey American diner straight out of the movies? Have your moment at Fowlboys Diner. This chic (or should I say, chicken…) spot exudes retro charm in all the right ways, with warm lighting, vinyl booths and even a lined menu board decked out in blocky specials.
Fowlboys Diner dishes up a variety of diner classics, including what many say is some of the best Southern-inspired fried chicken and chicken sandwiches you can find in KL. I'm no aficionado, but I can totally see why.
Although it's on the pricier end, the Chicken & Waffle (RM35) is an absolute must-try. Fluffy buttermilk waffles come crowned with your choice of 2 pieces of bone-in fried chicken or 5 chicken tenders seasoned to your preferred heat from Neat to XX Hot. But fair warning: even my Mild tenders packed a serious punch. Regardless, the chicken was crunchy, juicy and boldly spiced with a smoky Cajun-style rub that had me hooked from the first bite.
If you prefer something more handheld but just as generous, you won't go wrong with their line-up sandwiches. Solid picks include the fiery Nashville Sandwich (RM26) and the sweet, sweet Sugar Daddy (RM25), stacked with Nashville-spiced chicken thigh and honey butter chicken thigh respectively.
[phone] Daily: 12pm – 10pm Facebook | Instagram | Website
2. Universal Bakehouse (G-24)
If you're a lover of all things baked, Universal Bakehouse is another spot you've got to swing by. This iconic bakery is one of Petaling Jaya's most beloved for sourdough loaves, pastries, sandwiches and the like — and you no longer have to trek all the way to Damansara Kim to snag some.
What's more, this corner lot features a charming al fresco space that's perfect for romanticising life over a coffee and croissant, all set against the lush courtyard backdrop of The Campus Ampang.
Good luck trying to pry your eyes away from their tantalising array of artisanal bakes that smell as good as they look.
Where do you even begin? Perhaps you can ride the shio pan wave with a piece of their crispy, buttery Shio Pan (RM8), or cure your sweet cravings with a slice of Nutella Bread Pudding (RM15), served with milky custard to complement the oozy nutella tucked into its pillowy crevices.
For something heartier, sink your teeth into a juicy Pineapple Chilli Chicken Sandwich (RM23) or spicy Lamb Kofta Sandwich (RM25). Alternatively, take home a fresh-baked loaf of Country Sourdough (RM11 for Half, RM17 for Full) or Sourdough Brioche (RM13 Half, RM27 Full) for a little DIY cafe moment of your own.
[phone] Daily: 8am – 8pm Facebook | Instagram | Website
3. Cor Blimey! British Fish & Chips (G-31)
Yes, you can get authentic British fish and chips without flying to the UK. Voted 'Best British Fish & Chips in Malaysia', Cor Blimey! British Fish & Chips lets you do exactly that, complete with the quaint neighbourhood chip shop ambience and decor to boot.
The establishment prides itself on serving 'proper' fish and chips made with fresh fillets and hand-cut potatoes, and I must say it certainly shows in their fare.
Take your pick from 4 types of fish: the best-selling Atlantic Cod (RM44.90 Small, RM56.90 Regular), local-favourite Sea Bass (RM32.90/RM44.90), Ocean Perch (RM25.90/RM32.90) and the classic Dory (RM20.90/RM26.90). Then, choose between Original Plain or Chilli Lemon batter and complete your meal with a side of minty Mushy Peas (RM5.90) or creamy Chunky Coleslaw (RM5.90) if you'd like.
I'm not huge on fish and chips, but my order of Chilli Lemon-battered Dory blew me away. The colossal fish fillet was fried to perfection, with a lightly zesty golden crust that shattered onto moist, flaky insides. Equally impressive were the chunky chips, which were lightly sweet, not too greasy and single-handedly changed my mind on thick-cut fries.
[phone] Mon to Sat: 10am – 10pm Sun: 10am – 8pm Facebook | Instagram | Website
4. Double Cheese Please (G-07A)
Some days call for comfort in the form of a juicy burger, and the ones from Double Cheese Please will do just the trick. Formerly known as the now-defunct Underground Burger, this joint is back and grilling up a storm at The Campus Ampang, with aptly double-cheesed smash burgers that'll have any lactose lovin' folk weak in the knees.
When in doubt, go for the Old School Smash Burger (RM30 á la carte, RM38 with Fries + Drink). This smash hit features double Angus beef patties, double cheese, tomato onion salsa, lettuce and gherkins, tied together by house-made peanut dressing and sandwiched between soft corn buns. If it's any consolation, you can swap the buns for a refreshing lettuce wrap with the Wow Burger (RM27/RM35).
Feeling extra indulgent? Try The Mafia Burger (RM32/RM40), which takes things up a notch with crispy fries layered right into the works. Or cluck out with the DCP Fried Chicken Burger (RM26/RM34), starring a fried chicken patty slathered in house-made mentaiko mayo.
[phone] Mon to Fri: 12pm – 9.30pm Sat & Sun: 10am – 9.30pm Instagram
5. Niko Neko Matcha 4.0 (L1-30)
With the matcha hype at its all-time high, having a cup at *the* Niko Neko Matcha feels almost mandatory. Arguably the most famous matcha brand in Malaysia, few even come close to its calibre. Decked out in a zen wabi sabi-inspired aesthetic, this cafe at The Campus Ampang marks the brand's 4th instalment — so rejoice, fellow matcha girlies.
Their Signature Matcha Series features various types of ceremonial-grade matcha and even a nifty tasting chart for you to peruse. Go for the Yuri (RM19+) if you're after a more brothy, umami-rich profile with a clean aftertaste, or opt for the Kiyone (RM17+) if you enjoy yours with a little astringent bitterness.
I went with the Ajisai 2.0 (RM14+) with Fresh Milk (RM1), which was silky smooth and nutty. Perhaps it was the adorable glassware, or maybe it was just perfectly up my alley — I slurped it up in record time.
Drinks aside, Niko Neko's dessert menu is a must-try for anyone with a sweet tooth. To name a few: the creamy-earthy Ajisai 2.0 Matcha Original Burnt Cheesecake (RM24) is a standout, while the Yuri Matcha Mango Roulade (RM15) and Mokuren Genmaicha Choux Au Craquelin (RM11) are irresistible marvels for anyone with a penchant for treats that are as delectable as they are pretty.
[phone] Daily: 10am – 10pm Facebook | Instagram | Website
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6. Coffeeboy Club (L1-05)
Not so much on the matcha train and more of a coffee-holic? Let Coffeeboy Club be your new hideout. This swanky lifestyle cafe from The Gasket Alley is known for robust speciality brews and deftly crafted lattes, alongside a variety of mains and brunch platters to match.
Great news for those who love a good work-from-cafe sesh: the cosy space offers plenty of comfy seats both indoors and out, steady WiFi and power outlets for maximum productivity. They've even got a vibey vinyl listening station for you to unplug and unwind.
Start your morning right with a cup of their highly raved Gula Melaka Latte (RM10) or the velvety Coconut Latte (RM15) made with espresso, coconut water and cream. Other fun flavours to shake up your daily caffeine fix include the nutty Dirty P.B Latte (RM13) and the wonderfully local Pandan Latte (RM10).
Their food menu is just as drool-worthy. The Breakfast Club range offers fuss-free bites like Cinnamon Sugar French Toast Cubes (RM13) and the B-Fast Sandwich (RM11), stuffed with scrambled egg and torched cheddar in a soft milk bun. For something more substantial, go for the Advanced Breakfast (RM30) — a hearty platter of eggs, toast, hashbrown, brisket, sausages and avocado.
Craving something more lunch- or dinner-worthy? You won't want to miss the Grilled Salmon (RM32) in lemon butter, juicy Steak & Fries (RM58) featuring 250g of Argentinian Angus sirloin, or the crowd-favourite Beefy Biff, a house-made smash burger with truffle mayo, cheddar, caramelised onion and a side of golden fries.
Daily: 7.30am – 10pm Facebook | Instagram
7. Taffy Gelato (L1-35)
Few things make tropical weather wonderful like some ice-cold gelato, and you can beat the dreadful humidity with a sweet scoop or two from Taffy Gelato. This adorable parlour prides itself on using premium ingredients and slow-churning its gelato for no less than 8 hours, resulting in a satisfyingly stretchy texture and bright bursts of flavour to please any aficionado.
A Single Scoop goes for RM9.50 while a Double goes for RM17, with over 15 decadent flavours available daily. Stick to classics like Belgian Chocolate (+RM2), Vanilla Madagascar (+RM2) or Watermelon Lychee, or go cray with unique creations like Lemon Blue Pea Butter Biscuit (+RM2) and Butter Hazelnut with Blondie Coconut Chunks (+RM3). You can also pair your scoop with a fresh Cone (+RM1.50), flaky Croissant (+RM6) or a buttery Taffy Waffle (+RM9) for extra indulgence.
Taffy keeps things fresh with limited-edition flavours that rotate in for special occasions or brand collab, like one with local blogshop Saoi during my visit. On offer was the Buttery Summer (+RM3.50), a burnt butter hazelnut base swirled with passionfruit, strawberry drizzle and chocolate cheesecake chunks — a fruity-meets-nutty combo I surprisingly relished. I also went for a cup of good ol' Pistachio (+RM3) which, as always, hit the sweet spot.
[phone] Daily: 10am – 10pm Facebook | Instagram | Website
8. It's Chunky (L1-34)
While we're on the topic of sweets, It's Chunky is a must-visit for my fellow Cookie Monsters. If you're craving teeth-sinkingly thick, Levain-style cookies studded with chocolate and other chunky fixings, this is the place to be.
This locally grown bakeshop boasts an ever-growing selection of cookies, with new additions constantly joining a roster of more than 50. All the more reason to pop by each time you're at The Campus Ampang — you might just get first dibs on an exciting new flavour. The best part? These hefty treats are priced at just RM10 a pop.
You'll find a plethora of flavours so dreamy, you'll have trouble stopping at one. I mean, how do you resist selections like Hazelnut Praline, Biscoff Double Chocolate, Red Velvet Cream Cheese and Matcha White Chocolate?
The classic Sea Salt Chocolate Chip called out to me, and while it didn't have quite as much ooey-gooey chocolate as I'd hoped for, I loved its sugary base and huge chocolate chunks. On the other hand, the crowd-favourite Raspberry White Chocolate took me by pleasant surprise as I enjoyed how the milky white chocolate chips complemented the jammy raspberry filling.
Daily: 10am – 10pm Facebook | Instagram
9. Pizza Duo (LG-03)
Enter the newest kid on the block! Pizza Duo, a husband-and-wife-run pizzeria from Bamboo Hills, has finally landed at The Campus Ampang. This offshoot brings with it a swanky Stefano Ferrara oven, along with an expanded menu of their seriously delicious Neapolitan-style pizzas — all made with the couple's wealth of experience in the craft.
For an authentic taste of Italy, try their latest creation: Coast to Coast (RM68), topped with San Marzano tomatoes, semi-dried heirloom tomatoes, creamy stracciatella, basil pesto, basil oil, lemon peel and anchovies for that signature briny kick.
Other pies on the menu include can't-go-wrong classics like the Margherita 2.0 (RM44) and the decadent, four cheese- and maple syrup-topped Fourmaggio (RM54). If you're feeling adventurous, go for the spicy Krapow (RM60) or the indulgent 6am Carbonara (RM68) with pecorino romano, beef bacon and egg yolk. Or else, trust the crowd-favourite Shroomami (RM72) and its rich truffle finish to sweep you off your feet.
Pasta fans, you're not forgotten. Pizza Duo also dishes out an equally drool-worthy range of pastas, made with Pastificio Liguori noodles cooked to a perfect al dente. The Spicy Crab Arrabbiata Fettuccine (RM48) is a must-try for anyone who loves a flavour bomb, while the Cacio e Pepe Spaghetti (RM28) is a reliable one for the purists.
Mon to Thu: 10am – 10pm Fri & Sat: 9am – 11pm Sun: 9am – 10pm Facebook | Instagram
10. Tetangga Kita (G-13)
Looking for a quick pick-me-up? Tetangga Kita's martabak should do the trick. This popular establishment puts a modern spin on the delicious Indonesian pancake, offering an impressive line-up of nearly 30 sweet and savoury options to suit any craving.
Their 17-strong Martabak Manis selection is every dessert lover's kryptonite. For one, the Nutella Keju Kacang (RM30 for Thick, RM18 for Thin) is a sinfully amazing combo of Nutella, cheese and condensed milk that'll have anyone buckling at the knees — I know I would. Other fun picks worth trying include the Kit Kat Green Tea (RM28/RM17), Red Velvet Oreo (RM25/RM15), Milo (RM26/RM16) and virtually every other flavour if you're indecisive like I am.
Don't miss out on the savoury Martabak Telor series either. These come stuffed to the brim with bold, savoury fillings like Ayam (RM17), Burger Ramly Sapi (RM25) and even fiery Samyang (RM27) noodles. I mean, how could you say no to that?
[phone] Daily: 10am – 9.30pm Facebook | Instagram
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