Pohutukawa Coffee — Restaurant in Petaling Jaya

Up a side stairwell, above a Chinese medicine hall in Section 17 with no real signage, Pohutukawa is the sort of hidden café that plays hard to get. The reward for your curiosity is a unique blend of zen minimalism and antique charm. A flower shop shares the floor, scenting the air with dried arrangements and a delicate stillness. There’s even a rulebook, reminding patrons to keep the peace. Meanwhile, a chubby calico cat named Xiao Hua quietly watches over everything.

The coffee is serious business — pour-overs, espresso tonics, and a filter list that leans into single-origin beans with fruity or nutty finishes. If the matcha and hojicha feels hit-or-miss, the white coffee and lattes are always dependable. Baristas know what they’re doing, though not all are keen on questions. Some interactions are warm, others feel more like a shrug. Some staff will go out of their way to explain the beans and offer you a free cup if you spill yours. Others might barely look up as they take your order. But on a good day, they’ll remember your name and your favourite blend. It’s overall professional but not pandering.

The cakes are bold — on a par with an artisanal bakery. From a zesty chiffon layered with pomelo to burnt cheesecake, the desserts here all lean towards being meticulously handmade. The menu changes, sometimes running dry by midafternoon, but what’s available tends to be unique: genmaicha grapefruit cake, Christmas-spiced loaves, zucchini bread with banana baked in.

Prices aren’t cheap — RM12 for a modest cup of coffee — but the quality, care, and setting make the math feel fair. It’s a small space, and the comfort can vary depending on the chair you land in. Those with elderly knees may find it uncomfortable, as well as anyone who dislikes sharing tables during peak hours. But you’re not just paying for coffee — you’re buying time. The kind that slows down, that turns a Tuesday into something quietly sacred. Pohutukawa isn’t a café for the grab-and-go crowd. It’s best enjoyed by those who...

Man what can I say. Pohutukawa is that kind of café that is quintessentially PJ and it's awesome. Nestled above a Chinese medicine shop at Section 17, Pohutukawa serves amazing cakes, specialty coffee and immaculate vibes.

This café serves a variety of delicious drinks, mainly specialty coffee, Japanese tea and Chinese tea offerings as well. For coffee, they actively rotate and feature local roasters on their espresso and pourover menus, namely The Roast Things, Wells Café and others.

Pohutukawa serves bakes from cakes, bagels to dessert tarts. If you're visiting, be sure to try their cakes, baked by Murmur. The selection is wide, fantastic and flavours are actively rotating.

It is normally crowded especially on weekends but good café policies and respectful customers have kept this place tidy, quiet and calm. Every visit to Pohutukawa never fails to bring calmness and a content feeling to my heart.

Lastly, parking at Section 17 PJ is nothing short of hellish. You'll be competing for a parking spot against shop owners, the local market and patrons of other establishments...

Sharing spaces isn't a new trend in Malaysia but not many places actually practice this. I'd seen barber doubles up as cafe, florist - cafe (Space grey) and now I found another one in Pohutukawa.

Almost the same as Doux Doux (but different row), Pohutukawa is like a hidden sanctuary for cafe hunter that directly facing Section 17 wet market so not much of a view should you sit in front of the window.

However it's interior exudes cool and casual vibes that some elements of wildness due to the usage of arching branches and dried flowers plus leaves. Wooden furnitures and furnishing dominating the space inside the cafe, with warm lightings brighten the entire cafe. Some antiques can be found

One can expect to be left alone without much intrusions from the staffs. In short, I can spend me-time in a quiet and serene environment without being kacau-ed.

Our usual flat white coupled with such calming atmosphere tasted better and 2 hours++ were gone...