Thirdwave at Nexus Bangsar South: Restaurant Review

Thirdwave is set to spark a sea change for caffeine lovers in Bangsar South, helping to turn the tide against mediocre coffee as part of 2014’s first wave of fresh faces in Kuala Lumpur’s cafe scene.

The outlet, owned by three brothers & their sister, boasts a nice brew bar. Thirdwave has multiple explanations for its name; it’s an unmistakable reference to the international movement to produce top-flight coffee, but it’s also a sly nod to the heritage of the friendly Beh siblings _ they’re from Pangkor Island & they’re third-generation Malaysians.

Like many of today’s coffee bars, Thirdwave’s super-serious about what it serves, ensuring its Ethiopian Yirgacheffe, Kenyan AA & Tanzanian single-origin beans receive nothing short of tender, loving treatment from a Chemex coffee-maker, Coffega cold-drip system & Kalita 102 ceramic dripper.

Coffee

We blacked out for our coffee choices this time. Nice, nutty nuances.

Cold brew coffee? Check; that’s available here too.

Something strange: Kopi Kola, delicately fizzy, doubly caffeinated (maybe). For fans of Coca-Cola.

Affogato

Not an affogato admirer? Thirdwave might make you see the error of your ways.

Tea

Fans of tea won’t be left out here, not with Dilmah varieties like single-estate Oolong & rose with French vanilla.

Desserts

For now, Thirdwave offers distinctive desserts from indie bakers: Love how Cake Jalan Tiung makes a Root Beer Float cupcake that tastes remarkably like a carbonated beverage dessert …

… plus a passion fruit & mango cupcake that’s pleasantly tangy.

Multiply.f also supplies cakes here: The jackfruit cheesecake tastes perfect for what it is, rich in flavour & texture.

Thirdwave’s own banana cream pie, pulpy & full of fruity sweetness.

Final Thoughts

Thirdwave operates on the first floor of the obscure-for-now Nexus complex, which isn’t luring many visitors so far (indoor parking’s still free). Expect to hear much more about Nexus in the year ahead, but since it’s still crowd-free for now, Thirdwave’s owners have time to stroll around & hand out cute samples of their coffee in test tubes.