10 Best Cafes In Penang Worth Travelling For

penang cafes

Our recent cafe-hopping adventure has brought us to Georgetown – the capital of Penang – where we witnessed an up-and-coming cafe scene in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage City.

What makes Georgetown’s cafes so unique is that majority of these Malaysian cafes are located within restored colonial shophouses and each exudes an alluring old-world charm.

Here are 10 Gorgeous Cafes in Penang with Free Wifi and Great Ambience that we highly recommend.

awesome canteen sekeping penang

Awesome Canteen Penang Sekeping


#1 AWESOME CANTEEN AT SEKEPING VICTORIA


As its names suggests, Awesome Canteen is located right within Sekeping Victoria Guesthouse. The vast rustic-looking space is characterised by raw concrete walls and tall trees; it was love at first sight the moment we stepped into the serene cafe!

The menu includes dishes such as handmade sandwiches, Western pastas, burgers and artisanal cakes.

164-A & 164-B, Lebuh Victoria
Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-261 3707
Mon: 11am – 10pm
Tue: Closed
Wed and Thu: 11am – 10pm
Fri and Sat: 11am – 11pm
Sun: 11am – 10pm

black kettle penangduck pasta black kettle


#2 BLACK KETTLE


Black Kettle only opened its doors for less a year, but it has already become a popular brunch destination among locals and expats alike. The bakery-cum-cafe offers a plethora of freshly baked goods as well as sumptuous mains.

Our favourite items were hands down the Smoked Duck Pasta (RM28/ S$9.25) and Ramen with Slow Braised Beef (RM24/ S$7.90).

105, Beach Street, Georgetown
10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-251 9270
Daily: 8.30am – 12am

bricklin bar cafe penang

bricklin bar cafe


#3 BRICKLIN CAFE BAR


Bricklin Cafe Bar is situated within the compounds of Hin Bus Depot Art Centre, where you can visit the bricked-wall cafe before/after exploring the surrounding art exhibitions. Bricklin Cafe Bar takes pride in serving third-wave specialty coffees (RM$10 / S$3.30 for a latte) and a mouthwatering selection of pastries (from RM$5 / S$1.65).

P.s. Bricklin Cafe Bar is brought to you by the same people behind Kuala Lumpur’s Feeka.

31A, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-226 6813
Mon to Fri: 10am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 11pm

brown-pocket-penang


#4 BROWN POCKET CAFE


Brown Pocket Cafe differs from the other cafes listed here as it is not found in one of Penang’s heritage shophouses, but is instead perched atop of Gurney Paragon Shopping Mall. The spacious modern-looking cafe is renowned for their liege waffles and pancakes, but a wide selection of other desserts are too available. It is a perfect pitstop for exhausted shopaholics.

Gurney Paragon, Jalan Kelawai
George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-218 9668
Daily: 10am – 10pm

china house penang cafechina house penang


#5 CHINA HOUSE


China House is arguably one of the most famous cafes in Penang. The multi-concept venue features 14 different spaces and spans across 16,000 square feet; it is simply amazing how they can actually coexist together harmoniously. Think live band entertainment, Australian-style cafe, outdoor Chinese courtyard, a local art gallery and more! A definite must-visit in Penang.

153, Lebuh Pantai, George Town
10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-263 7299
Sun to Thu: 9am – 12am
Fri and Sat: 9am – 1am

constant gardener coffee penangconstant gardener coffee


#6 CONSTANT GARDENER COFFEE


Tucked away at the ground level of Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Building is Constant Gardener Coffee, an impressive specialty coffee shop. Coffee is serious business here; you can choose to have your caffeinated beverages prepared from Malaysia or overseas roasters. Have a Latte (RM $12 / S$3.95) or try the Black Coffee Filter (RM 15.50 / S$5.10).

9, Light St, Georgetown
10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-251 9070
Mon: Closed
Tue to Sun: 9am – 12am

macallum connoisseur

macallum penang


#7 MACALLUM CONNOISEURS


At first glance, one cannot help but to wonder if the industrial-chic Macallum Connoiseurs cafe is actually a warehouse.

We soon found out that it was once a factory and has since then retained its container-like vibes. The place is so huge that it even has its own outdoor carpark! Macallum Connoiseurs is also a proud owner of an on-site coffee roastery and coffee academy.

1, Gat Lebuh Macallum
10300 Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-261 3597
Daily: 9am – 12am

narrow marrow penang

narrow-marrow


#8 NARROW MARROW


Retro-looking Narrow Marrow could be easily missed if you do not look hard enough. Housed in one of Penang’s pre-war shophouses, the inconspicuous narrow cafe is definitely the most hipster cafe in this listicle.

Narrow Marrow used to import their roasted coffee beans from award-winning Australian Dimattina Coffee, but they have since switched to a blend from a local roastery, Tongue Mission.

252, Lebuh Carnarvon
George Town, 10100 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16-553 6647
Mon: Closed
Tue to Thu: 3pm – 12am
Fri, Sat & Sun: 2pm – 1am

tavern in the park


#9 TAVERN IN THE PARK


Tavern in the Park is too situated a stone’s throw away from Hin Bus Depot Art Centre. The beautiful cafe bears an uncanny resemblance to an english cottage house, except that it is illuminated by contemporary spherical lamps and floor-to-ceiling transparent glass doors.

125, Jalan Timah
George Town, 10150 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-218 9394
Mon: 11.30am – 10pm
Tue: Closed
Wed to Sun: 11.30am – 10pm

churros the alley

the alley cafe penang


#10 THE ALLEY CAFE


As shown in the pictures above, The Alley Cafe certainly deserves a medal for its catchy artwork.

The cafe serves only handcrafted coffees and desserts, so make sure you have had proper meal before visiting it. Churros (small – RM$7 / S$2.30, large – RM$10 / S$3.30) are the bestselling dessert here, where you get to pair it with caramel, chocolate or nutella dips.

5, Lorong Stewart
George Town, 10200 Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-261 3879
Daily: 12pm – 12am


About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.