Coffee Kuching: 7 best cafes in 2023 for caffeine fix
Trying to find good coffee in Kuching can be difficult especially if you’re a serious coffee drinker who needs a nice, strong brew in the morning.
Thankfully, there are many cafes in Kuching serving all sorts of coffee beans with different tasting notes.
I’ve gathered a list of some of the best coffee in Kuching as well as what kind of beans they use. That way, you can find your favourites.
And if you’re into milk tea instead, I’ve also got a top boba tea in Kuching article!
Black Bean Coffee & Tea Co
Black Bean Coffee has been hailed as Kuching’s local version of ‘Starbucks’ due to being one of the first coffee shops in town dedicated to selling freshly brewed coffee since 2001.
Aimed at gourmet coffee and tea lovers, you can expect drinks such as espresso brew coffee, hand drip and ice drip coffee, as well as milk tea.
They use typical coffee beans such as Arabica and Robusta, but also have local beans such as Sarawak Liberica, which is grown in the southern region of Sarawak from Bidayuh and Chinese plantations.
If you’re into something unique and truly Sarawakian, try their Iced Gula Apong Latte. The drink has a splash of the fragrant palm sugar to elevate the coffee experience.
One thing I really like about Black Bean Coffee is the atmosphere of the shop too, as each branch is decorated to have a classic, retro Kuching feel when you step inside.
Opening hours: 9AM-6PM (Mon-Sat, closed Sun)
Address: No.87, Ewe Hai St, 93000 Kuching, Sarawak (Google Maps)
Contact: Facebook | Instagram
Blendsmiths
Located in Saradise, Blendsmiths first opened doors in 2019 and should be on your list of places to visit if you’re a coffee connoisseur.
They serve your regular coffee beverages like latte, cappuccino, caramel macchiato, and mocha, but you can also find delicious non-coffee-based drinks like hot chocolate, artisan matcha, and hojicha.
Two types of coffee beans are used here, mainly Italian Roast coffee beans and Borneo coffee beans. Expect a refined aromatic taste with spicy and tropical fruity notes combining into a round mellow flavour.
You should order their best-selling latte on your first visit, but if you’re not feeling for coffee, their special Hot Chocolate made up of 75% Valrhona Dark Chocolate is another top seller.
Blendsmiths is undoubtedly a unique mid-century modern coffee house with a cosy and comfortable vibe that makes for great get togethers.
Opening hours: 9AM-11PM (Mon-Sun)
Address: Ground Floor, Lot 20, Block A1, Saradise Kuching, Jalan Stutong, 93350 Kuching (Google Maps)
Contact: Facebook | Instagram
Coffee Code
Although Coffee Code opened in Kuching back in 2019, their first outlet and headquarters was established in Sibu, Sarawak in 2014.
Targeted at customers who want to enjoy the combination of good food and great handcrafted coffee, this café serves an array of coffee-based and non-coffee-based beverages.
They use a special house blend which places emphasis on flavour, taste, and aroma. It is made of 100% Arabica coffee beans roasted to medium-dark, bringing out nutty, chocolate, and caramel flavour notes.
Go ahead and order their specialty coffee “Dirty Code” in which the bottom is cold milk with hot espresso on top, making for a relaxed cup of coffee.
Asides from their food and drinks, Coffee Code prides itself in providing excellent service so that they can build a community to connect people and coffee in new, innovative ways.
Opening hours: 9AM-11PM (Mon-Sun)
Address: B2 Saradise, 93250 Kuching, Sarawak (Google Maps)
Contact: Facebook | Instagram
Coffee Obsession
Coffee Obsession has been operating since 2015, but both owners have a long history with coffee, having brewed it on and off for more than 10 years.
Located near AEON mall and Sarawak General Hospital, most of their customers are nearby workers, but that doesn’t stop me from travelling there to drink their wide range of coffee drinks.
Their house blend consists of coffee beans from Brazil, Ethiopia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. The complex brew exhibits flavours of dried fruits, chocolate, citrus acidity with a lingering caramel aftertaste.
First time customers should order a hot café latte of their house blend, while second time visitors can try their single origin hot café latte which is a fruitier, lighter roast of coffee beans from Colombia, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Ethiopia.
You’ll be glad to experience friendly service at Coffee Obsession as well as a variety of dishes, making it a great place for lunch too.
Opening hours: 11AM-8PM (Mon-Wed, Fri-Sun, closed Thu)
Address: 29, 1st floor, Lor Tun Ahmad Zaidi Adruce 18, Hock Kui Commercial Centre, 93150 Kuching, Sarawak (Google Maps)
Contact: Facebook | Instagram
Cuppa-Kap Coffee *My favourite
Ever since its opening on 19th November 2013, Cuppa-Kap Coffee has always been one of my favourite cafes for great coffee and equally great service.
Most of their regular customers are the workers around the Jalan Song area who can’t resist their strong brews and light bites.
Cuppa-Kap Coffee uses Arabica coffee beans sourced from Bangkok. This is described to have a deep and strong aroma with no burnt taste, suitable for local’s tastes.
For your first visit, you can try their iced cappuccino or latte, perfect for a hot day out. Although it is milk coffee, you won’t be disappointed with the strong taste.
What’s nice is that you can ask the friendly boss for a stronger cup of coffee, and he will make it for you with a smile on his face. Latte art is also their specialty here, so you might be surprised with a different design on your coffee every time you visit!
Opening hours: 12PM-7PM (Mon, Wed-Sat), 12PM-5PM (Tue & Sun)
Address: Commercial Centre, 43, Jalan Song, Tabuan Heights, 93350 Kuching, Sarawak (Google Maps)
Contact: Facebook | Instagram
Earthlings Coffee Workshop / Elementary Coffee Roasters *Most popular
First opened in 2014, Earthlings is not just your regular café as they focus specifically on coffee alone and is your one-stop hub for all things coffee in Kuching.
Coffee connoisseurs who have a fine sense of taste and are willing to spend on high quality drinks will be happy with their espresso-based coffee beverages and hand-brewed filter coffee.
What’s great about Earthlings is that for each drink, you can choose a specific coffee bean for their specific taste. Their beans are roasted regularly so you can get the freshest coffee available.
Black Market is their most popular house blend which works amazing as a black coffee or as a milk coffee. Though if you want something trendier, go ahead and choose their lighter-roast Red Earth, a fruity Ethiopian coffee, or Seasonal Single Origin Espresso.
At Earthlings, you will find the largest collection of coffees from different parts of the world and can taste them in various roast levels and in many forms of drinks. You can also buy coffee beans, coffee machines, and all coffee-related accessories.
Opening hours: 9AM-10PM (Mon-Sun)
Address: Sublot 16, Soho East Hq Lot 188, Lorong 5, Jalan Wan Alwi, Taman Supreme, 93300 Kuching, Sarawak (Google Maps)
Contact: Website | Facebook | Instagram
Tirta Barong Cafe
Tirta Barong is one of the newest cafes in Kuching, being opened on the 9th of September 2022. However, this café has quickly become one of our go tos.
Asides from espresso-based drinks and TWG artisan tea, the café serves a total of five signature coffee drinks each with different flavour notes.
They use 100% Specialty Arabica beans originated from Ethiopia, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. This espresso blend gives a balanced taste of caramel, fruity, and chocolatey notes.
You should order their Canggu Sunset with Oatmilk for a sweet and creamy experience. Those who prefer a stronger taste of espresso can opt for double-shot or with full cream milk instead.
One thing I love about this café is the chill and rustic Bali vibes that I get from the surroundings, making it a great place to relax with a nice cup of coffee.
Opening hours: 11AM-9PM (Tue-Thu, closed Mon), 11AM-11PM (Fri-Sun)
Address: 26, Jalan Tabuan, 93100 Kuching, Sarawak (Google Maps)
Contact: Facebook | Instagram
Featured image: blendsmiths.kch & earthlingscoffee
