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The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf

Updated 2026-08-12 · 2,774 reviewed · 476 listed · Scored from 130 Google reviews · How we rank ›

3.9(130) 66 composite score See reviews on Google ✓ Google-verified moderate
Brunch & All-Day Dining Cafes
The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Price
moderate
Service
Brunch & All-Day Dining Cafes
Reviews
130

What recent reviews say

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.

Praised for
  • friendly and welcoming staff
  • good coffee quality
  • peaceful, relaxing atmosphere
  • consistent service when staffed
Watch-outs
  • slow service and long waits
  • quality issues with food (hard cake, saltiness)
  • understaffed during peak hours
  • inconsistent staff training and attitude
friendly-staffgreat-coffeecozy-ambianceslow-servicelong-wait-times
Best for: People seeking a calm coffee spot during quiet hours, when service is not stretched.
Think twice if: Avoid peak times; quality and speed suffer badly when understaffed. Food items risk being stale or poorly made.

Strengths

  • coffee quality when prepared without rush
  • attentive staff like Iman (when present)
  • calm, chilling atmosphere
  • long operating history

Worth knowing

  • Staff member Iman receives repeated praise for clarity and friendliness
  • Chocolate cake complained of as hard, salty, and potentially expired
  • 20-minute wait recorded for single coffee during peak service
  • Service issues reported across multiple outlets (Atria, Curve)
  • Barista workload noted as overwhelming (sole staff during busy periods)

What reviews say by service

Brunch & All-Day Dining Cafes
Food quality inconsistent; cake texture and freshness questioned. Service delays severe during peak hours.

How it compares

  • Rated 3.9 against a 4.38 average across the 125 brunch & all-day dining cafes businesses listed here.
  • Has more Google reviews than 40% of the businesses in this directory.

How we scored this

Ranking Method
Star rating 32
Review volume 92
Review recency 100
Review sentiment 48
Profile completeness 100
Verification 30

Rating breakdown

5
78
4
14
3
9
2
3
1
26

Common questions

Is The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf open every day?
Yes, they publish hours for 7 days a week.
What should I order?
Coffee and tea are praised; avoid food items during busy times, as quality suffers under understaffing.
When is best to visit?
Off-peak hours (morning or late afternoon) when service is not rushed and quality is more reliable.

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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.

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One Afternoon is a Level 2 mall cafe blending books, chess, and all-day drinks in a calm setting. Reviewers consistently praise its white peach oolong milk tea and coffee paired with ice cream, the free book library and rental service (RM5 for two weeks), and quiet second-floor location ideal for work. Staff take orders table-side, though one reviewer noted attitude could be warmer. Limited seating and food options are minor friction points for repeat visits.

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Last updated 2026-08-12