Muka Coffee — Restaurant in Pahang

We came here as recommended by our friend Husam, who had been here the day before, and couldnt stop praising this outlet in the superlatives. Apparently, while the rest of us were sweating while hiking up to the waterfall in Sungai Lembing, he was busy trying out some of the cafes in Kuantan..

So, after we had completed our tasks for the day, he invited us to come here for coffee. Having spent my schooling years in Kuantan, I was quite familiar with this particular area, which was known as "Medan Pelancong" back then. I suspected that these rows of shoplots would have aged quite significantly compared to during my schooling days.

But upon our arrival, I was very surprised to find that so many of the shoplots had been given new leaves of life, and some of them are actually thriving with business. Muka Coffee is one of them, and they managed to retain the rustic charms of old, while introducing new technology and functions. Architecturally speaking, this is a successful example of an adaptive-reuse project.

As we found out much later, this did not happen by accident at all. The owner of the cafe happens to be a trained architect and interior designer, which explained perfectly why things were as they are. In fact, he also owns two other F&B outlets, located along the same Main Road, ie the Tjantek and the Notis. All three of these cafes/restaurants served different kind of foods, but the exquisite interior design and decor were given the similar thoughtful treatments, which set them apart from other regular cafes in Kuantan.

As for the foods, we only had two types of pizzas, and some juices and coffee. Hence, I couldnt offer more insightful comments on the taste and flavors, but the Iced Spanish Latte I had was just so-so. One of the pizzas was slightly spicy, which went against everything I hold about italian foods. Given enough time, I am sure that they would eventually improve in this department as well, and they could be more appealing to the Kuantan folks.

But putting that aside, the "ambiance" was definitely the major winner! If you are looking for a feel good environment to savor your meals, this is clearly the place to go. It would be a favorite hangout for younger crowds who are always looking for unique experiences to pass time, and also for the nostalgic older boomer generations, who would like to reminance their good ol' days...

Husam, for one is totally sold on this idea...So, I cant wait to visit his new...

This cafe caters to both the focused and the social butterfly! For those seeking a tranquil ambiance to work or unwind, the cafe offers a haven of casual seating and lounge chairs, perfect for reading, studying, or quiet conversation. The peaceful setting fosters concentration and relaxation. If you're craving a more vibrant atmosphere for a lively meal with friends or family, the cafe also boasts a spacious dining area with ample seating. This space buzzes with energy, making it ideal for larger groups and animated conversation. No matter your preference, this cafe provides the perfect setting for a delightful experience. However beautiful setting, but be prepared for the elements and pesky insects. While the outdoor concept of this cafe is undeniably charming, with its lush garden and peaceful ambiance, it comes with several drawbacks. The lack of a roof makes dining during unpredictable weather a gamble, potentially requiring seat switching if rain suddenly appears. Additionally, the small garden, while aesthetically pleasing, seems to be a breeding ground for mosquitoes. I was constantly swatting them away, which significantly impacted my enjoyment of the meal and atmosphere. While I appreciate the cafe's commitment to an outdoor concept, addressing these issues would greatly improve the overall experience. A retractable awning or umbrellas could provide much-needed protection from the elements, and mosquito control measures would be highly welcome. If you're planning to dine here, be sure to check the weather forecast and wear insect repellent,...

✨ATMOSPHERE✨ When I entered this cafe, I memang wow sangat because pintu besar betul. Also, the interior memang cantik! The deco is just amazing & looks expensive. It has an open space seatings too but the only downside is that their air conditioned seatings are only at the second floor & in front of their cashier (which doesn't have that many seatings). Personally, I think it's not a family friendly cafe as large group with old/disable people would have to climb up the stairs to actually have a comfortable seats with their family.

✨FOOD✨ Now, to the food. I ordered two of their wood-fired pizza (stumbled upon it on Tiktok), Supermario Mushroom (RM35) & Lamb (RM38). One pizza has 6 slices & can be shared with 2 people because it's quite large. Personally, the topping was amazing! My favourite one is the Lamb topping! It has a balance sour, minty taste that goes really well with the lamb meat. As for the Supermario Mushroom, they were really generous with the mushroom & white truffle sauce. However, I have a tiny bit dissatisfaction about the crust. It was so CHEWY 😭 Really² liat. Is it because the dough wasn't given enough time to rise? I don't know but I do hope they can tackle this issue because their pizza topping is really delicious.

Overall, we had a splendid time here except the time where we have to use extra jaw force to finish our pizza's crust. The service was great! The staff were all so friendly & it made our...