Koffie Craft KL: Birthday, Bitterballen & a Little Taste of the Netherlands

I had been meaning to visit this little Dutch café in KL for what felt like forever. It wasn’t exactly around the corner from where I live, so I kept putting it off. One weekend became another, months passed, and I still hadn’t made it there.

Then came my birthday.

This time, I decided I wasn’t going to postpone it again. I wanted to spend the day doing something that felt a little more personal, and finally visiting Koffie Craft seemed like a pretty good place to start.

Dutch food had been on my radar for years, though not simply because I was curious about trying a different cuisine. It had quietly become part of my story, thanks to someone very special in my life who happens to be Dutch. We’ve been close since 2021, and over the years, our conversations have always found their way to food. He introduced me to stroopwafels, those caramel-filled little treats that I could happily snack on all day, and then there was bitterballen.

He talked about bitterballen so much that it became my mini-obsession. I just had to find out what all the fuss was about.

So, on my birthday, I finally got my chance.

✅ About Koffie Craft Holland Boutique Cafe

Koffie Craft is a Dutch-themed café-restaurant serving Dutch-inspired food alongside coffee, tea, hot chocolate and an all-day menu with Dutch heritage at the heart of its concept, along with influences from Australia and South Korea.

The space has a warm, rustic feel, with Dutch-inspired touches that make it cosy without trying too hard. It wasn’t crowded when I visited either, which suited me perfectly. I could sit with my coffee, take my time and enjoy my birthday lunch without feeling rushed.

Then came a little coincidence I wasn’t expecting.

I found out that the owner is from Maastricht.

Now, that might not sound like a big deal to most people, but Maastricht is also where my Dutch friend is from. So there I was, on my birthday, finally sitting in a Dutch café in KL, only to discover that it was run by someone from the very same city he calls home.

I couldn’t help but smile. It felt like the universe giving me this quiet little wink, like,

“See? You were meant to be here.”

✅ The Menu & What I Ordered

When the menu arrived, I already knew what I wanted. After hearing about bitterballen for so long, there was no way I was leaving Koffie Craft without trying them.

For anyone who hasn’t come across them before, bitterballen are traditional Dutch deep-fried snacks filled with a thick, savoury meat ragout. They are usually served with mustard and are commonly enjoyed as a snack or appetiser.

I ended up ordering bitterballen, Dutch baby pancakes and a hot Koffie Mokka. I was also tempted by the stroopwafel, obviously, but I’d had it before, and I didn’t want to order more than I could finish.

There were quite a few things on the menu I’d never tried before, and part of me wished my friend was sitting across the table to explain them all. Still, I was happy with my choices.

I also had a look at their cheesecake selection, but the options were all burnt cheesecakes, and I’m not really a fan. So I skipped them and decided the Dutch baby pancakes would be my birthday treat instead.

And honestly, I think I made the right choice.

Bitterballen: First Bite, Instant Love

Golden, crispy and served with mustard and mayo on the side, my bitterballen looked like little bites of heaven. I took my first bite and… OH. MY. GOD. I loved it.

I had expected something closer to a regular meatball, but bitterballen are completely different. The crispy shell gives way to a warm, creamy beef ragout inside. The filling is smooth and velvety rather than chunky, almost like a rich savoury stew that has been thickened, rolled and fried into a little bite-sized snack.

The plate also came with bread, so I had to figure out what to do with it. After a quick Google search, I learned that bitterballen can be enjoyed with bread, so I gently flattened one and made myself a little bitterballen sandwich. Honestly, it worked.

With the fresh salad and crispy wedges on the side, it turned into a surprisingly satisfying plate.

Dutch Baby Pancakes: My Birthday Treat

Baked until golden with beautifully crisp, wavy edges. They arrived warm and loaded with scoops of vanilla ice cream drizzled with strawberry sauce, a swirl of whipped cream, slivered almonds, chunks of fresh mango, and berries.

It was colourful, a little indulgent, and definitely looked the part for a birthday treat.

The only thing I wasn’t too crazy about was the fruit. It leaned a little sour rather than sweet.

Overall? I loved it. Would absolutely order it again.

Koffie Mokka: A Mocha That Gets My Approval

I’m actually quite fussy when it comes to mocha. I like mine more on the chocolatey-sweet side, with just the right amount of espresso and absolutely no harsh coffee aftertaste. Finding one that gets that balance right isn’t always easy.

Well, Koffie Craft’s version? I approved.

It was smooth, bold, chocolatey and just sweet enough without becoming too much. I’ve tried plenty of mochas that I never felt the need to have again, but this one was different.

I’d 100% order it again.

✅ Location & Opening Hours

Koffie Craft is located inside The Sphere, Bangsar. Parking wasn’t an issue during my visit, and there are parking spaces available within The Sphere.

Opening Hours
Daily: 10 AM – 10 PM

Official Website: Koffie Craft

(Opening hours can change, so it’s always a good idea to check with Koffie Craft before heading over, especially on public holidays.)

✅ Would I Come Back?

For a coffee? Probably not.

For the bitterballen, Dutch baby pancakes, or when I’m craving a little taste of the Netherlands? Absolutely.

Some of the prices are a little on the higher side, but considering the experience and the chance to try Dutch dishes that aren’t exactly easy to find around KL, I didn’t mind paying a little more.

Still, I think what I’ll remember most about this visit has little to do with the food.

Tasting Dutch food was more than just a birthday treat or another aesthetic café stop. It felt like a full-circle moment. A quiet reminder of how deeply we can feel connected to places we’ve never even been, simply through the people we meet. What started as a friendship during a global crisis slowly opened my heart to a culture miles away from mine. Over time, Dutch food became more than just a curiosity; it became personal.

The Netherlands has been at the top of my travel list for a while now, and after this experience, it’s no longer just a wish. It’s a promise to myself. A promise to go, to explore, and hopefully, to finally meet my dear friend face-to-face.

Until then, Koffie Craft was a pretty lovely little preview.