Zǎo - Breakfast Anytime — Restaurant in Petaling Jaya

I’ve been ordering from Zao for almost two years now, providing meals for my crew during production shoots—and let me just say, it has been a big hit every single time. Thinking back to when I first stumbled upon this simple yet wholesome breakfast spot, I honestly couldn’t be more grateful.

The dedication of the team at Zao is something I truly admire. They start their day incredibly early, working more than six days a week, and whenever I have early morning shoots, they’ve always managed to accommodate—even when I once needed a 5:30 AM pickup, which is outside their usual hours. They still made it happen. That level of commitment is rare.

To some, it may just be sandwiches. But when you consider the hard work that goes into making them—especially at such ungodly hours—you realize it’s more than that. Finding a café or caterer that can prepare food this early, respond to messages quickly, and ensure everything is ready on time is not easy. Yet, Zao does it with consistency and quality.

I’ve seen some reviews complaining about the person behind the counter not smiling enough or looked “rude.” While I understand that everyone has different expectations, I think it’s important to show kindness to those who work tirelessly behind the scenes. From my experience, the place has always been clean, the food quality has never wavered, and the service has always been reliable. That matters so much more than an expression someone might be wearing while working hard.

Now, about the price—yes, some might say it’s pricey for sandwiches, but when you actually break it down, it’s completely justified. The ingredients are high-quality, the bread is always fresh (never stale), and it’s a much healthier option compared to most places. You’re paying for good food made with care, and that’s something I’ll always appreciate.

On top of that, Zao goes the extra mile—like packing gloves with my orders, which is a thoughtful touch, especially for those of us working on the go.

So, to the hardworking team at Zao, thank you for your dedication, your early mornings, and your consistency. Your effort does not go unnoticed, and my crew and I appreciate every meal you’ve prepared for us. Keep doing what you do best! 💖

*Our personal fav is the hash brown with...

Undoubtedly, by far, the best breakfast place/cafe in PJ, super legit breakfast walaoweii and probably in whole of Klang Valley, and they open much earlier than most cafes. So, for weekend early birds, this is very convenient! Great food, drinks and self-service was smooth with fast orders completion.

If you plan for takeaway, just order from the outer front counter, otherwise for dine-in, follow these instructions, more for self-reference cos i veli dumblol:

1. Scan your usual mysejahtera and proceed inside, have a seat at your chosen table
2. Self-service, so SCAN the virtual qr code plastered on the walls and browse e-menu
3. Once decided on your food&drinks, proceed to the inner counter to order and pay by e-wallets or Cash only
4. Receive the beeping token machine thingy, wait and do self-service collection
5. Voila! Enjoy! 😌

IMHO, this is an amazing & smooth SOP given the current pandemic situation!

Lastly, keep in mind there is a 45 minutes dining time due to influx of crowds around 8am!

We arrive quite early right before 8am and tables were basically filled by 830am on a Saturday.

Cheers to the founders and to you too if you're planning to give this...

Simple, unpretentious and delicious. That’s the short description of Zao. They tick all the boxes for a successful restaurant - keep things simple, be it the decor, menu and pricing. Just give good food to your customers and they will return.

Housed in a shop lot bordering SS2 and Section 19, the simple store front greets you with the main kitchen on the left and the entrance to the dining area on the right.

Very smart layout since they minimise cost without having to hire wait staff, and can also serve takeaway orders as well, it’s basically self service here, but you won’t mind since it helps to lower prices.

The menu isn’t extensive, with a choice of different breakfast platters, sandwiches and such. There’s even options for those who are vegetarian (not vegan).

The inside decor is also kept simple and clean and lends a relaxed atmosphere.

I enjoyed my bacon sunny side up sandwich. It was fresh, tasted very good with fresh vegetables and their delectable mayo spread.

Will return again soon for their weekday specials which include...