A Chocolate Lover’s Trail

Ellfian Rahim | 4 July 2025

What chocolatey surprise will you be indulging in this July 7? Dark, creamy, nutty, or gooey — take your pick and make it delicious! #WorldChocolateDay – Photo: nodesserts/Instagram

WHETHER it’s a cold glass of Milo Ais at the mamak, a Crispy bar from the sundry shop tucked into your schoolbag, or a decadent slice of rich brownie with a kopi o kurang manis, chocolate has long sweetened Malaysian lives – comforting, familiar, yet full of surprises. And what better time to indulge than on World Chocolate Day, July 7?

In the heart of Kuala Lumpur, where old shophouses rub shoulders with sleek cafés, you can take a delicious journey through time – from the retro brands that coloured our childhoods to inventive bakeries and patisseries giving cocoa a bold, modern twist. From wafer bars to gooey cookies, from artisanal pralines to durian-infused truffles, here’s where to savour KL’s sweetest heritage and newest creations – all within the lively streets of Downtown.

Throwback to the sweet old days! Which retro Malaysian chocolate still melts your heart – Crispy, Apollo Wafers, Gold Coins or Eyeglass Candy?

Relive Childhood Flavours

Long before matcha and mille crepes became the trend, Malaysian chocolates like Crispy, Apollo Wafers, and more recently Beryl’s, Benns and Harriston, were already brightening up lunch boxes and festive hampers. Some favourites like Van Houten, Cadbury's, Nestle and Kandos were, and still are, popular in Malaysia but are all international brands.

If you’re feeling nostalgic, pop into Childhood at Central Market or Bila Bila Mart (Kedai Runcit) in REXKL – a kedai runcit reborn inside the old Rex cinema. Both shops are modern memory-lanes, stocked with retro toys, collectibles, and – of course – those classic Malaysian chocolates we all grew up with. You’ll even spot Crispy, still going strong at 52 years old, and just as crunchy as when you last begged mum for one as a kid.

Pro tip: Pair it with an ice-cold Milo kotak from the chiller for the ultimate throwback – and while you’re relishing that sweet bite, take a moment to soak in the history of these iconic spaces, from the storied Central Market to the reimagined Rex cinema, both steeped in KL’s heritage.

For the Modern Sweet Tooth

If you prefer your chocolate with a bit more oomph, Downtown KL’s new wave of chocolatiers won’t disappoint.
Just outside Central Market on Kasturi Walk, Cake Dreamer by Mitchie crafts rich, small-batch goodies perfect for sharing – or not! Their Choco Chip Croissants, Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Cookies, and blackout Triple Chocolate Cookies are gloriously tasty, and with a premium twist to boot.

A short stroll away on Petaling Street, Cookiecrumbs is your go-to for the thick, gooey New York-style cookie everyone’s posting about. Cookiecrumbs was founded by two Malaysian friends who began baking in their apartment during the pandemic. Their standout is the Pistachio Chocolate Cookie, inspired by a Dubai chocolate trend but given its own KL street cred. It’s decadent, messy, and perfect for eating right there on the five-foot-way, crumbs and all.

If you’re looking for something a bit more canggih, head to Nucre Patisserie, also on Petaling Street. This chic two-level café blends Japanese, French and Malaysian inspirations. Their Chocolate Snap Cookie is smooth and nutty, while the Dark Chocolate Mousse Cake, made with Valrhona chocolate and cookie praline, is worth lingering over.

Pro tip: Grab a window seat at Nucre or find a quiet corner at Cookiecrumbs to watch the Petaling Street hustle go by – proof that in KL, tradition and trend always share the same sidewalk.

Journey through Chocolate’s Story

If you’d like to work off all that sweetness with a little knowledge, visit Beryl’s Chocolate Story on Jalan Panggong. This engaging mini-museum – set up by Beryl’s, a homegrown favourite since the 1990s – takes you through cocoa’s arrival here, and how Malaysia carved its own spot in the chocolate world. Vintage machines, old-school packaging, and fascinating tidbits about local flavours make it an unexpectedly fun stop.

And if you still haven’t had enough? Hop on the LRT to Harriston’s Gallery on Jalan Ampang, a short walk from Petronas Twin Towers. Here you can sample and shop chocolates infused with flavours only Malaysians could dream up – like durian, Tongkat Ali, and even curry milk! Yes, really. It’s an excellent reminder of how local creativity can shine through in even the humblest sweet.

So, whether you’re tearing open a Crispy with sticky fingers, sharing a yummy brownie over kopi tarik, or biting into a gooey pistachio cookie on the sidewalk, Downtown KL is ready to feed your chocolate cravings – old and new.

Pro tip: At Beryl’s, linger a little longer and browse the vintage packaging and machinery – it’s a nostalgic peek into how KL’s industrial past shaped the treats we still love today. At Harriston’s, step outside after your tasting to catch a different view of the iconic Twin Towers just a short stroll away – a perfect backdrop to cap your chocolate journey.

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