THE BEAN EXPRESS (Gaya Street)

I really enjoyed hanging out at THE BEAN EXPRESS on Gaya Street. The upstairs seating area was especially cosy, with comfortable sofas, work tables, charging ports, free wifi, and even board games. It felt like the kind of place where you could settle in with a coffee and happily spend the afternoon.

I dropped by for an afternoon coffee break and ordered their Affogato with Chocolate Ice Cream (RM12.80). An affogato is one of those simple pleasures that never gets old. Furthermore, it is the perfect cold treat on a hot sunny day in Kota Kinabalu. Here, a robust shot of espresso is poured over a scoop of chocolate ice cream, creating that beautiful contrast between hot and cold, bitter and sweet.

The espresso itself was bold and aromatic, with a smooth roasted profile and subtle fruity notes that shone through even after mixing with the ice cream. I appreciated that the coffee was strong enough to hold its own against the richness of the chocolate. As the hot espresso hit the cold ice cream, it melted into a creamy, frothy mixture that was incredibly satisfying.

I chose the chocolate ice cream option, though vanilla is also available. The chocolate added an extra layer of indulgence, turning the drink into something that felt part coffee, part dessert. I enjoyed digging in with a spoon first, scooping up the melting ice cream and espresso together, before finishing off the remaining sweet coffee at the end. It was well balanced and not overly sweet, which is exactly how I like my affogato.

Beyond the coffee, THE BEAN EXPRESS offers plenty of reasons to linger. Their menu includes freshly brewed coffees, bagels, sandwiches and unique drinks such as Pistachio Matcha, Bandung Latte, Minty Latte and Cinnamon Chocolate. The café is also known for creating a comfortable environment for both work and relaxation, with plenty of guests settled in with laptops while others lounged on the sofas chatting over coffee.

The atmosphere was one of my favourite parts of the visit. The space strikes a nice balance between modern and homely, with comfortable seating and a welcoming vibe that makes it easy to spend a couple of hours here without realising it. I especially liked sitting by the window and watching the activity along Jalan Gaya while enjoying my coffee.

If you are exploring Kota Kinabalu and need a reliable coffee stop, THE BEAN EXPRESS is well worth a visit. Good coffee, comfortable seating, friendly service, and a relaxed atmosphere make it a great place to recharge. The Affogato with Chocolate Ice Cream was a delightful treat, and I can easily see myself returning the next time I am in the area for another coffee and a lazy afternoon on their cosy sofa.

Food was good, simple but scrumptious. A nice space for co-working or small gatherings. Also a nice spot to watch people on Jalan Gaya. The only concerning thing for me is the flimsy balcony near the stairs so whoever sits in the area must be aware and careful not to leave on it...

I came for the bagel — it was great! My 1st bagel since I am back in KK. I will definitely be back to try the sourdough sandwiches. The owner is a hunk, he made our drinks.
This place is cozy, co-working vibe with people on laptops.

Just a small suggestion: maybe add cushioned seating for tables of two. We felt a bit bad eyeing the bigger sofa seats as a pair.

Reopened 13th Sept 2024!

Very spacious and good surroundings for work.

They also have wifi.

Love the new renovation. Previously their cafe is small size but they have upgraded to the 1st floor which is more bigger space especially the ambience. Perfect spot to have a date or working spot too. Dont forget to try their coffee! Probably the best coffee blend i have tasted ☕😝 i will definitely come again!

Cool work from cafe spot 😎

Visited based on Gemini recommendation and it didn’t disappoint. It's a really cool spot for working with a great atmosphere and solid coffee.

Only suggestion: The music is a bit loud, so bring noise-canceling headphones if you need deep focus. Highly recommended for remote work!