Coffee and brunch draw regular visitors who praise the balanced espresso, warm ambiance, and friendly staff. Service spans from attentive to distracted, and rich cream-heavy dishes divide opinion; some find them indulgent, others overwhelming for daytime eating.
Most reviews praise the soft texture and moderate sweetness of the Castella, cheesecake, and Portuguese egg tarts at reasonable prices. Staff occasionally hand out free samples. However, several customers found cakes stale, hard to chew, or smelly despite being told they were fresh, and a few encountered long waits with no staff on site.
Staff like Aiman and Hamid earn consistent praise for speed and warmth, and the salads and bowls stand out for taste and freshness compared to other health-focused chains. Yet the Atria location struggles with operational friction: waits stretch past 20 minutes even with seven staff on hand, orders get scrambled between counter and kitchen, portion sizes don't match what's shown, and some staff treat dine-in customers as afterthoughts. Online payment remains buggy, and plastic use troubles repeat visitors concerned about sustainability. The food itself earns devotion (one customer returned four times in two months despite service lapses), but inconsistent execution and a shift in attitude since earlier days have dented confidence. Those willing to absorb delays and order carefully may love what they eat; others are trading up to outlets elsewhere.
When staffed well, CBTL delivers what customers come for: reliable coffee, friendly faces, and a calm place to sit. Recently, though, service has become erratic. Two reviewers flagged the same problem across different locations: baristas overwhelmed, cashiers frustrated, 20-minute waits for a single cup, and food quality slipping (one reviewer's chocolate cake was hard and tasted expired). Staff gaps and poor training seem to be the core issue. The location in Damansara Jaya sits in a category of brunch cafes averaging 4.39 stars; this outlet at 3.9 reflects real friction. Iman and other named staff draw specific praise, suggesting individual effort matters when they're there. The business has operated since 1963 and serves coffee, tea, sandwiches, and cakes, but inconsistency is the pattern reviewers report right now.
Last updated 2026-08-12
