Nice ambience, meh food.
Pokok KL is a halal-friendly cafe that is single-handedly driving traffic to MAHSA Avenue. This picturesque greenhouse, surrounded by the school’s lush gardens, is a popular spot for students and non-students alike to enjoy brunch.
Ambience & Amenities
Pokok KL Cafe was full of diners and buzzing with lively conversation when we visited for lunch on a Sunday. Three out of the four walls have full-length glass windows to let in tons of natural light. The ceiling is also glass, and water cascades down the sloped roof from a hidden mechanism. On a cloudy day, the decor might trick you into thinking that it’s raining. It’s like eating outside, but better – there’s air conditioning in here. Although if you want the real experience, Pokok KL has a small patio.
Pokok does not have an in-house washroom. Guests have to use the toilets at the nearby event venue. Exit Pokok either from the front or side entrance and turn left to head towards the back of the restaurant. You’ll pass a black shed on your left and some picnic benches on your right (where the staff take their breaks). A little ahead and to the left, there is a back door next to all the air conditioners. Once through the door, the lavatories are on the left.
Menu at Pokok KL
Pokok KL’s menu tries to please everyone. There are well-loved dishes from the East and West; comfort food like char kuey teow to pricey steak frites. If you’re craving something sweet, check out the cabinet by the register for cakes and pastries that aren’t listed on the menu.
Click on menu pictures to enlarge
Filtered water costs RM3. It comes in a large glass bottle with a tag that boasts how environmentally friendly the restaurant is by not using plastic bottles. What bullshit. They bought a bottle from IKEA, filled it from the tap, and charge guests RM3 for it. Plenty of other restaurants do the exact same, but offer it for free. It’s not environmentally friendly – it’s just the decent thing to do.
Food at Pokok KL
I got a Peach Strawberry Ice (RM15) to sip on. There were big chunks of real peach in it that kept getting stuck in the straw as I drank. Mark thought it tasted like the artificial, bright red “fruit punch” you see at hotel buffets.
I was expecting the Grilled Prawn Fajita Wrap (RM34) to skimp on the seafood, but was pleased to be proven wrong. Lots of ingredients, including a notable amount of prawns and avocado, are packed into the thick roll. Unfortunately, the romaine lettuce was cooked, making it stringy and slimy. I don’t know who in the kitchen thought it was a good idea to have hot lettuce. The wrap would have been much more appetising if it were crisp, cold romaine paired with the prawns and avocado instead.
The Battered Fish Tacos (RM28) are barely enough to fill me up, with only two tacos and no sides. At least they’re bigger than those tiny, two-bite tacos you get at upscale tapas joints. Crunchy red cabbage and a long strip of battered perch are all topped off with a generous drizzle of spicy aioli. These tacos were quite tasty, but would’ve been better if the batter were crispier.
Saturday Worthy?
We knew from online reviews and even a friend’s critique not to expect much from Pokok. The consensus was that it had a beautiful atmosphere, but the food leaves something to be desired. They weren’t wrong. While the cafe’s vibe was memorable and unique, our dishes didn’t impress us. Unless you care more about style over substance, I wouldn’t eat at Pokok KL.
Price for 2 Pax: RM92.80
Grilled Prawn Fajita Wrap: RM34.00
Battered Fish Taco: RM28.00
Peach Strawberry Ice: RM15.00
Pokok Table Water: RM3.00
10% Service: RM8.00
6% SST: RM4.80
Pokok KL Cafe
Address: MAHSA Avenue, Block B, Ground Floor (Outdoor), Jalan Ilmu, off Jalan Profesor Diraja Ungku Aziz, 59100 Kuala Lumpur
Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm Daily
Alcohol Served: No
