Visiting this breathtaking Unesco Heritage Site in Jordan does require a 10-hour flight from Malaysia. If you’re not in the mood for travel, however, you can try the next best thing: stopping by the Petra Pudu Roof Top Café for a drink or a meal!
Yes, high above the bustling cityscape, nestled amongst a seemingly ordinary-looking row of food courts and shophouses, is a rustic eatery with décor inspired by the charms of the legendary Middle Eastern city.
True to Petra’s desert atmosphere, much of the café’s interior features earthy red and brownish hues: shady miniature palm trees and intricately embroidered mats and blankets enhance the venue’s rugged vibes.
It’s a bit of a walk to the café, up several flights of stairs, but the journey there is definitely worth it. (It’s still easier than actually going to Jordan!) Make sure to check out the rooftop, which features a replica of Petra’s iconic columns, and a stairway inspired by its famous sandstone caves!
Petra Pudu founder and owner YY Tan is definitely used to creating dining experiences that stand out: he’s also the man behind the NI6 Bus Café in Sekinchan, and the Boat Café in Kuala Selangor. A former art director, he used to create worlds on screen for local telemovies, before trading the world of entertainment for F&B instead.
“I found this spot some time ago, and wanted to do something with it. I liked it because it was really near my old school. I thought of creating a chill place, where people could just come and have a drink, and hang out,” Tan told FMT Lifestyle.
As it turns out, the man has never actually been to Petra: instead, he was inspired to create this place after watching “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade.” The film, which featured scenes shot in the iconic Al-Khazneh rock-cut tomb, fired up his imagination, and Tan began to model his new café in its image. The rooftop arches and sandstone stairways alone took about three months to create!
An avid cinephile, Tan also decided to throw in design touches from another movie inspiration: the films of Studio Ghibli. Gentle lighting, cosy seating nooks and quirky decorations therefore give the place a warm and intimate feel.
Food-wise, the café serves up a nice selection of classic café fare, with waffles, sandwiches and salads provided from Fingerprints Café, run by Tan’s sister and aunt.
The Salted Egg Yolk Oreo waffle, a whimsical tango of sweet and savoury, is a good pick for those with adventurous tastes.
Or try the Vanilla Berries waffle, which combines vanilla gelato, strawberries and blueberries with the café’s zesty homemade jam.
If you’re looking for something more filling, Petra Pudu also has a varied sandwich selection, with choices of chicken, beef and lamb all available.
A highlight, however, is the Smoked Salmon Toast, served with homemade sourdough and sour cream, a delectable dish that feels both comforting and refined.
While Petra Pudu is open most of the day, Tan believes the best time to visit is about 6-8pm, as the café offers breathtaking views of the sunset. It’s also cooler at this time of day: unless you truly want to experience the heat as part of your desert experience!
The café faces a busy section of the city, complete with LRT tracks: if you’re a railway enthusiast (like Tan is), this is an excellent place to sit back with a drink, relax and just watch the trains go by. It’s an oddly therapeutic experience.
So, next time you’re looking to dine in a different style, let the spirit of Petra guide you to this charming little rooftop oasis. Do make sure to greet the café’s two cats, Putra and Petai, who are friendly and enjoy wandering around!
Petra Pudu Rooftop Café
392, Jln Pudu
Pudu, 55100 Kuala Lumpur
Business hours: 12pm-9pm (Closed Tuesday and Wednesday)