Kuala Lumpur has launched two major initiatives – the KL Coffee Festival 2026–2027 and the Asia Coffee Summit 2027 – to connect Malaysia’s traditional kopitiams and modern specialty coffee scene with the wider Asian coffee industry.
The soft launch ceremony was held at Pavilion Damansara Heights, Kuala Lumpur on August 17, 2026, marking a major regional milestone for Malaysia’s growing specialty coffee and tourism sectors.
The KL Coffee Festival 2026 will be held from November 6 to 9, 2026 at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, followed by the 2027 edition in April 2027 at Pavilion Damansara Heights.
The festival aims to attract over 100,000 local and international visitors, positioning Kuala Lumpur as a premier regional coffee hub.
“Coffee can be a gateway to our country, bringing visitors into our neighbourhoods, cafes, restaurants, retail destinations and communities, something that aligns strongly with Visit Malaysia 2026-27, where tourism is increasingly about experiences and meaningful connections,” said Terrance Lim, chief executive officer of Huuha Production and founder of KL Coffee Festival, in his welcome remark.
The occasion was officiated by Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general for promotions and head of the Visit Malaysia 2026-27 Secretariat Mohd Akbal Setia for director-general Mohd Amirul Rizal Abdul Rahim, reflecting the growing connection between coffee culture and tourism as travellers increasingly seek experiences that allow them to discover a destination through its food, beverages and local businesses.
“Malaysia’s coffee culture is a reflection of our country’s diversity, creativity and hospitality. From our traditional kopitiams to our growing specialty coffee scene, coffee offers visitors another way to experience the character of Malaysia. Initiatives such as the KL Coffee Festival and Asia Coffee Summit provide an opportunity to bring this story to a wider regional audience, while creating meaningful connections between our local businesses, tourism industry and international visitors,” said Amirul Rizal.
Meanwhile, Asia Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) president Paul Bae Seung-deok highlighted the reason behind the establishment of Asia Coffee Summit, “Across Asia, there are exceptional cafes, talented coffee professionals, and unique coffee cultures in every country. However, I believe we need a stronger platform, one that connects us with various coffee scenes to recognise their excellence and achievements, and bring their stories to the world.”
Also present were Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Pavilion Group marketing director Kung Suan Ai.
A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Huuha Production (M) Sdn Bhd and the South Korea-based Asia Specialty Coffee Association (ASCA) to bring the regional summit to Kuala Lumpur for the first time.
The partnership lays the groundwork for Kuala Lumpur to welcome coffee professionals and industry players from across Asia for knowledge exchange, collaboration and regional engagement.
The KL Coffee Festival 2026 will be held from November 6 to 9, 2026 at Pavilion Bukit Jalil, followed by the 2027 edition from April 1 to 4, 2027 at Pavilion Damansara Heights. The programme will also feature the Asia Top 100 Cafe Awards ceremony on the evening of April 3, 2027, recognising excellence within the region’s café scene.
Beyond coffee itself, the initiatives also reflect the broader potential of gastronomy and lifestyle experiences as part of Malaysia’s tourism offering. Kuala Lumpur and Selangor feature a vibrant food, lifestyle, and specialty coffee scene. This dynamic urban culture offers visitors fresh, modern ways to experience Malaysia through its growing gastronomy and tourism initiatives.
The upcoming KL Coffee Festival 2026–2027 and Asia Coffee Summit 2027 are also expected to create opportunities beyond the coffee sector, with potential benefits for hospitality, retail, food and beverage, transportation and other businesses that form part of the wider visitor economy.
The launch also introduced the Asia Coffee Summit official website, providing industry stakeholders and prospective participants with information on the upcoming regional event and participation paths.
