No Charge For Change
The kinder option isn’t the problem, the surcharge is. Time to free the plant-milk, Malaysia!
Which Malaysian Coffee Shops Are Most Plant-Milk Friendly?
We Ranked Malaysia’s Most Plant-Milk Friendly Coffee Shops
Malaysians love their coffee. But for those who prefer oat, soy, or almond milk, it’s not always easy to find, and when it is, it often comes with an extra charge. That’s why we set out to rank Malaysia’s top 12 coffee chains: to spotlight the cafés making plant-based choices simple and fair, and to inspire others to brew change for good.
Why Pay More?
Ever wondered why choosing the kinder, healthier option costs extra? No Charge For Change is a campaign calling on coffee shops to drop the unfair surcharge on plant-based milks. Whether you prefer oat, soy, coconut, or almond, you shouldn’t have to pay more for doing something good—for your health, for animals, and for the planet. By joining this growing movement of conscious coffee drinkers, you’re helping shape a more ethical and sustainable café culture, one cup at a time. Because a better choice shouldn’t come with a higher price tag.
Why Swap for Plant-Based Milk
The facts are clear: Dairy milk has a far greater impact on the environment than plant-based milk. For example, compared with oat milk, cows’ milk production generates more than three times the greenhouse gas, takes up more than 11 times the land, and uses 13 times the fresh water.
Environmental footprints of dairy and plant-based milks
Impacts are measured per liter of milk. These are based on a meta-analysis of food system impact studies across the supply chain which includes land use change, on-farm production, processing, transport, and packaging.
Land use m2 per kg
Greenhouse gas emissions kg of CO2 eq per L
Freshwater use L per Lg
Eutrophication PO4 = per L
Our Coffee Shop Ranking Results
Here it is—Malaysia’s very first ranking of coffee shops based on how plant-milk-friendly they are!
From oat to soy to almond, plant-based options are on the rise, but not all cafés treat cows’ milk and plant-based milk equally. Some celebrate sustainability and inclusivity, while others still add unnecessary barriers.
Our ranking looks at the largest and most recognised local and international coffee-shop chains in Malaysia and analyses several key elements that matter most to plant-based customers. Here is what we took into account when scoring:
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Signature plant-milk drinks
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Surcharges applied for plant-milk
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Availability of plant-milk as substitute or default
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Positive sustainability and plant-milk messaging
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Visibility of plant-milk options to consumers
Malaysia’s Most Plant-Milk Friendly Coffee Shops!
*If two coffee shops received the same overall score, the one with the lower or more favourable plant-milk surcharge was ranked higher.
Disclaimer: Information on each coffee-shop chain was collected between October and December 2025. Any changes made after this period may not be reflected in the rankings. The inclusion of any coffee shop chain in this ranking does not imply affiliation, partnership, or endorsement by Mercy For Animals.
Scoring is based on objective information available to consumers at the time of research, including in-store experience, menu offerings, and staff communication. While efforts were made to contact each coffee shop chain to verify details and clarify inconsistencies in alternative-milk availability, most brands did not respond to our requests. Therefore, scores reflect what customers can reasonably expect based on publicly available or directly observed information.
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Your voice matters. By adding your name, you’ll join a growing number of Malaysians calling on coffee chains to drop the surcharge for plant-based milk. Together, we can show that consumers want fair choices, healthier options, and a more sustainable, and compassionate coffee culture.
Let’s make plant-based milk accessible for everyone, everywhere.
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