People were hyped about this bakery in PJ Old Town, but did it live up to their expectations?

About a year ago, in the vibrant hub of PJ Old Town, a new cafe-bakery named Contour made its debut, quickly becoming the talk of the town. With its elegant design and promises of artisanal pastries, it aimed to elevate the local food scene by offering both aesthetic appeal and delectable treats.

As one of the first upscale cafes along that row of shops, its opening sparked excitement among residents. The community, eager for something fresh and refined, buzzed with anticipation over the new offerings. A year later, Contour remains a beloved fixture, continuing to serve its loyal patrons.

Amidst the initial excitement and social media buzz, one pressing question lingered: did this cafe-bakery truly live up to the hype, or was it another let-down?

Image Credit: Shayn Howie Wong on Google Review

A blend of coffee excellence & aesthetic charm

Contour is home to four-time Malaysia Barista Champion, Jason Loo, who also co-owns Yellow Brick Road and Contour. His accolades fuelled the anticipation surrounding the cafe, raising expectations—particularly for its coffee. Unsurprisingly, when Contour first opened, it drew in long queues of eager customers.

In terms of design, Contour embraced the original architecture of its location, blending modern and traditional elements to create a space that feels both unique and cosy. The café spans two floors, with the main seating area located upstairs, offering ample room to accommodate a steady flow of patrons.

Image Credit: Randy on Google Review

Most would agree that one of Contour’s standout features is the way natural light pours in through the skylights, illuminating every surface with a soft glow. The sage green floor tiles downstairs are another thoughtful detail, enhancing the cafe’s old-fashioned charm. Does it check all the boxes for aesthetics? Absolutely.

However, despite the steady crowds and the buzz surrounding it, Contour currently holds a 3.8-star rating on Google, based on nearly 350 reviews.

Customer opinions appear divided. While there’s a general agreement that prices are on the higher side, views on the taste are notably mixed.

MFT’s Review

Image Credit: Steve on Google Review (left), Gavin Cheng (right)

Those of you who don’t like the texture of nuts should for obvious reasons sample a different pastry of theirs. We give this one a 5 out of 10. Tasty, but is it worth the price? Probably not.

We decided to try one of their popular offerings: the pistachio croissant.

If you’re a pistachio lover, you’d know that these croissants usually come with a rich, pistachio-flavoured filling tucked inside the buttery layers. Naturally, we expected the same from Contour’s version—but we were in for a surprise.

Contour’s pistachio croissant takes a different approach, focusing on the nuts rather than the filling. The croissant is generously topped with pistachio nuts, baked with a sugary glaze, and finished off with a dusting of powdered sugar.

At RM19—a steep price for a croissant—you can imagine our disappointment when we bit into it and found no pistachio filling. It felt like a bit of a letdown, especially given the cost.

But setting aside expectations, how did it taste? The croissant itself was large, flaky, and buttery, though it leaned a bit too sweet. The first few bites were enjoyable, with the nuts adding a nice crunch and texture to each mouthful. However, after a few more bites, the pastry became overly rich, leaving us with that jelak feeling. We’d recommend sharing it with someone, as it’s quite dense.

For those who aren’t fans of whole nuts, this pastry might not be for you. We’d suggest trying one of their other options instead. Overall, we’d rate it a 5 out of 10. While it’s tasty, the high price makes it hard to justify.

Expectations versus reality

Based on reviews, patrons generally seem to appreciate the coffee and drinks available here, praising quality and taste, so hats off to Jason.

Image Credit: Cindy Gozalie on Google Review (left), Chindy Huichin (right)

However, there is noticeable room for improvement when it comes to the pastries, which have garnered less favourable feedback. Additionally, service has been reported as inconsistent, with several negative experiences highlighted in Google reviews.

The mixed feedback indicates that while Contour excels in some areas, there are key aspects that could benefit from refinement to deliver a more satisfying overall experience.

While Contour may not have fully met the high expectations of PJ residents, it shouldn’t be dismissed entirely. It remains a cafe-bakery with potential for growth. Our suggestion: ask for recommendations on both drinks and pastries, and don’t make assumptions as we did—double-check what you’re paying for, especially since the prices are on the higher side.

Ultimately, having a high-end cafe-bakery in PJ Old Town is a welcome addition. Its strategic location is currently one of its strongest selling points. We hope to see pricing adjustments and improvements in service and quality to enhance customer satisfaction in the future.