If you are looking for a modern cafe which is occupying a space with a lot of history, Merchant’s Lane is the place to go.
Merchant’s Lane is a cafe which serves good coffee and good comfort food. What’s special Merchant’s Lane is the space it is occupying. The place used to be a brothel in the 1980s before it was turned into a hostel for immigrant workers and now a cafe along Jalan Petaling.
As we were not familiar with the area around Petaling Street, we got lost on our way here. Merchant’s Lane is not located in Petaling Street Market. So if you found yourself wondering inside Petaling Street Market, then you are at the wrong side. Merchant’s Lane is located along Jalan Petaling, outside the arch of Petaling Street, next to Advance Tertiary College (ATC).
Merchant’s Lane
Merchant’s Lane is not a lane, but it occupies the whole first floor of a shophouse at Petaling Street. There is a staircase just behind this door beside a stationery shop.
You see, not everything is done for you here. You have to take a menu from the rack to your table.
Read the menu from top to bottom. Walk to the counter and order your food and drinks.
Then place the menu back on the rack. Your food and drink will be delivered to your table.
As we had a heavy breakfast earlier, we ordered only the Hongkie Beef Stew. The Hongkie beef stew @ RM19.00 is a fusion beef stew – a 12-hours slow cooked Cantonese style beef served with fresh green lettuce and housemade mash and gravy. The beef stew was tender and the meat just peels off easily. Great combination of flavor but it could be better if chillis were added into the stew.
There are plenty of seats. You could sit inside or outside the cafe. Both areas are covered. You don’t need to worry about the rain.
The peeling walls, the creeping plants and roots, and etc. – every angle in Merchant’s Lane is Instagram-able.
In case you were wondering, there is a parking lot just in front of the row of shophouses. The Merchant Lane’s signboard is not really visible but it is right behind the green door (again, next to the stationery shop).
Merchant’s Lane
150 Jalan Petaling, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: 03-2022 1736
Open daily 10:30am-8pm
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