Penang is a modern Asian city that still preserves the traditional and historical elements of its past. With its buzzing cafe scene in Penang, travellers are often amazed by the myriad of cafes there—some exude an alluring old-world charm while others are more modern in terms of decor and food.

Whether you are looking for a chill time with your girlfriends, a great Instagrammable spot for photos or just simply savouring great food with freshly-brewed coffee, Penang’s dynamic cafe culture has it all.

This list of gorgeous cafes in Penang will turn your Instagram followers green with envy. Now it’s time to up your Instagram feed with these amazing Insta-worthy cafes you never knew exist in Penang!

Photo Credit: Jiah.wei

AWESOME CANTEEN

For the health junkie, Awesome Canteen is a great place to try Paleo dishes, which is known to be beneficial for health.

With healthy dishes such as the Paleo Eggplant Niku with Chicken (RM29.90), expect a hearty meal filled with plenty of nutrients. With its quaint interior paired with re-purposed industrial furniture as its main decor, the cafe offers a calm ambience for days when you feel taking a respite away from the crowd.

Photo Credit: Jolin_slng

BEHIND 50

#Throwback to the 70s with this retro and aesthetic cafe located at Muntri Street Penang. This interior rewinds you back to the old days with antiques such as the sewing machine, old cable televisions and traditional Penang galleries that are nowhere to be found these days.

If you are unsure of what to get there, Behind 50 is well known for their selection of delicious brunch items.

 Lebuh Muntri, George Town
10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 12 401 3392
Daily: 6pm – 12.45am

CHINA HOUSE PENANG

With its rustic interior, China House is arguably one of the most famous places in Penang.

The lifestyle space has different retail and dining concepts coexisting together so you get to explore the different photogenic spots and discover cafes, restaurants, galleries and more. There’s so much to see and do that one trip is not enough to cover the entire place.

153, Lebuh Pantai, George Town
10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 04 263 7299
Sun to Thu: 9am – 12am
Fri and Sat: 9am – 1am

Photo Credit: Coffee Elements

COFFEE ELEMENTS

Located at All Seasons Place, this convenient coffee joint is the go-to place for all coffee addicts.

Coffee Elements prides itself on offering the best of single origin coffee and handmade pastries. With its spacious and sleek environment, this is perfect for a night out with friends or a simple and casual dinner with your loved ones. Do try the unique Masala Chai Supreme tea when you are there.

6G-2-17, All Seasons Place
Lebuhraya Thean Teik, 11500 Ayer Itam
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 12 478 2693
Mon to Thu: 11am – 11pm
Fri: 11am – 11.30pm
Sat and Sun: 9am – 11pm

Photo Credit: Dan

DAN CAFE

Nestled in Lebuh Farquhar lies Dan Cafe that serves up great desserts, coffee and tea. A cosy cafe with lush woodland surrounds and ample natural light, this is the place to take our perfect Instagram #ootds.

Indulge in a molten lava cake with warm fillings oozing out that serves as a great teatime snack.

George Town, 38/1, Lebuh Farquhar
George Town, 10200 George Town
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Mon to Sat: 11am – 8pm

GUDANG CAFE

A warehouse-themed cafe, Gudang Cafe is a hidden gem located at Gat Armenian street. The old and rustic interior is the perfect backdrop for an Instagram picture.

Expect normal cafe fare to be served here such as Japanese and Chinese fusion food including the likes of ramen, penang hokkien mee and chicken katsu don.

5, Lebuh Armenian, George Town
10300 George Town
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 04 251 9634
Mon, Wed to Sun: 11am – 12am
Closed on Tuesdays

Photo Credit: Tomthorogood85

JUNK CAFE

Nestled in Chulia Street lies a small and humble stall that serves up great burgers, sandwiches and small bites.

In contrary to its name, Junk Cafe does not really sell Junk but its exotic interior showcases traditional clocks, wooden furniture, half torn walls and many other knick knacks hanging around. Hipsters, look no further!

401, Chulia Street, Georgetown
10200 George Town
Penang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16 438 3205
Mon to Thu: 3pm – 1am
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 2am

Photo Credit: Kota Dine & Coffee

KOTA DINE & COFFEE

Situated inside Fort Cornwallis, one of the longest-standing fort in Penang, Kota Dine & Coffee is a spacious and homely cafe.

There is a statue of the late Sir Francis Light you can take pictures with after indulging in their delectable Malaysian and Indian delicacies including Briyani and Kari (bowl of curry).

Georgetown, 10200 George Town
Penang, Malaysia
Tel:  +60 04 371 4929
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm

Photo Credit: Narrow Marrow

NARROW MARROW

With its rustic-retro interior deco, Narrow Marrow is a small cafe within a heritage house that tends to be overlooked by passerbys.

Well known for its exceptional coffee and desserts, it is no wonder this cafe managed to capture the hearts of many. Furthermore, the pocket-friendly prices of these small bites are perfect for the price conscious and those who are just after some finger food.

252A, Lebuh Carnarvon
George Town, 10100 George Town
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 14 303 6647
Sun to Tue, Thu to Sat: 10am – 1am
Closed on Wednesdays

Photo Credit: Matcho Cafe

MATCHO CAFE

In contrary to its “Matcho” name, Matcho cafe exudes  feminine vibes through their pink-coloured neon signage, walls and furniture. The quirky furniture appeals to Instagram-goers who wants something that will brighten their feed.

One of their proudest creations include the Pink Toast which is a must try.—what you can expect is a cloud of pink cotton candy atop the toast.

99B, Lebuh Noordin
George Town, 10300 George Town
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel:  +60 04 261 0031
Daily: 10.30am – 10.30pm

Photo Credit: Xjunlee

RABBIT X HOLDUP

Rabbit X Holdup is an intimate space where you get to people watch while sipping on a cuppa.

The cafe serves up a range of interesting soft serve flavours from Thai Milk Tea and Baby Blue to Brown Sugar Oolong Tea and they are known to have a milky taste. Have your soft serve accompanied with sweet toppings, definitely the perfect icy treat on a hot sunny day.

Photo Credit: Teels Heritage Cafe

TEELS HERITAGE CAFE

With a fusion of chinese and western-inspired decor, you can even spot this cafe fromafar—thanks to its bright-coloured colonial style exterior.

Don’t forget to try the Teels Special, which is a healthy concoction of pineapples, carrots, apple and mint leaves when you are there.

144, Jalan Burma
10400 George Town
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel:  +60 04 228 8177
Tue to Sun: 11am – 10pm
Closed on Mondays

Photo Credit: Tasty Toasty

TASTY TOASTY

Tasty Toasty has been making rounds on Instagram for its charming vintage vibes, complete with vintage square tile flooring, cement walls and wooden furniture.

In contrast to the traditional breakfast of Kaya Butter Toast with soft-boiled eggs, Tasty Toasty serves up toasts with a refreshing twist. There is even a dedicated menu solely to Toasts and Buns, alongside a small selection of Pasta items. One of the interesting concoction include the Scallop with Ebiko Sandwich.

Jalan Cantonment, Pulau Tikus
10350 George Town
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel:  +60 04 218 9623
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 6pm
Sat and Sun: 8.30am – 8.30pm

Photo Credit: Fatboijim

THE LAWN CAFE

This beautiful cafe sits at the lawn area of Eco Terrances; it embraces a glasshouse exterior that allows natural sunlight to pass through.

Surrounded by lush greenery, The Lawn Cafe is where you should head to if you want to avoid the hubbub of the city. Do not expect to have a full meal there, but rather small grubs and freshly brewed coffee to perk yourself up.

PT2509,, Jalan Paya Terubong
Paya Terubong, 11060 George Town
Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16 796 6089
Daily: 10am – 10pm

Written by: Alvina Liew
Edited by: Julee Ooi

Read: 10 Must-Try Local Dishes in Penang

Beyond anything else, Penang is known to be a food paradise with some of the best street food in Southeast Asia (we may be biased). Even tourists would have heard of the famous Hokkien Mee, Penang Char Koay Teow and Curry Mee.

So much has been said and written about Penang’s amazing street food but what most people may not be aware of, are the different local desserts they can find in Penang as well. Aside from the well-known Cendol, there is still an array of sweet treats to try when you are there.

For all you sweet tooths out there who are visiting Penang soon, here are 9 Local Desserts In Penang You Must Try. 

Photo Credit: Visit Penang

#1 AIS TINGKAP

Yes, this will probably remind you of our Bandung—a drink made with rose cordial syrup. The Ais Tingkap bears a similar resemblance with its rose-coloured syrup and it carries hints of flavours from various herbs and spices. One would normally find coconut flesh and basil seeds in this beverage.

Ais Tingkap, or known as Window Sherbet, derived its name in the 1930s when it was first sold through a window.

Photo Credit: Wikipedia

#2 AIYU JELLY

Aiyu jelly can be found in many roadside or hawker centre dessert stalls. When you re perspiring in the hot weather, nothing much beats a bowl of this icy treat to cool you off. the dessert boasts both sweet and sour tones from the sugar syrup and squeezed lemon drops. Slurp up the silky smooth transparent jelly and shaved ice.

#3 APOM BALIK

Apom Balik is a nostalgic snack for many locals who grew up eating this delightful treat sold at roadside mobile stalls. Only simple ingredients are used to make this fluffy pancake—flour, sugar, eggs, butter and tasty toppings such as peanut butter, ham and corn. Many people love to sink their teen into the pancake’s pillowy surface.

Photo Credit: The Malay Mail Online

#4 APOM MANIS

Not to be confused with Apom Balik, Apom Manis is a paper-thin pancake that is comparable to the French crepes. The flour batter is poured into flat pans to form its shape and the end result is a soft middle with crispy edges surrounding it. Most people have it plain, without the addition of toppings!

#5 CENDOL

If there is a dessert on this list that needs no further introduction, that would be the Cendol. In fact, Cendol is so iconic that most people would not dream of leaving Penang without trying it first! Comprising shaved ice, coconut milk, gula melaka and stripes of green jelly, this flavourful dessert has won the hearts of locals and travellers.

Those who are in Penang have to make a trip to Lebuh Keng Kwee, as that stretch of road is home to two street Cendol stalls with over 60 years of history and are touted as the best in Penang.

Photo Credit: Penaang Seaview

#6 ICE KACHANG WITH ICE CREAM

It is not surprising that Singaporeans and Malaysians share a common love for ice kachang. For something that is not that ordinary, you have to visit Penang’s most famous ice kachang stall at Swatow Lane.

Originally from a stall at New World Park food court,  Lee Brothers’ Ais Kacang now has its own shopfront and loyal customers are more than happy to patronise their new outlet. What you can expect from their ice kachang is a mountain of shaved ice filled with copious amounts of toppings in the likes of red bean, corn, jelly, evaporated milk and the best part—ice cream!

#7 NYONYA KUEH

Nyonya Kuehs are bite-sized delights that are great for snacking. What makes Nyonya Kueh so appealing is their multitude of bright colours which captures your attention immediately.

There are so many different types of Nyonya Kuehs including Kueh Talam, Kuih Bengka-Ubi and Pulut Tai-Tai. Those who are more adventurous can try something unique such as Rempah Udang (glutinous rice dumplings with shrimp filling) and Abuk Abuk (made of sago pearls, gula melaka and grated coconut)

Photo Credit: Serene Choo

#8 PUTU MAYONG

Similar to Putu Mayam in Singapore, Putu Mayong is essentially Indian-style steamed rice vermicelli cake. Try this delectable snack at Joe’s Putu Mayong and Putu Piring food truck in Penang. Every day, the vendors pipe moist pandan rice vermicelli on woven rattan baskets and leave them to dry.

Every day, the vendors pipe moist pandan rice vermicelli on woven rattan baskets and leave them to dry. Pair the Putu Mayong with brown sugar and grated coconut to enhance the taste!

#9 TONG SUI

Another favourite among Chinese in Malaysia, Tong Sui is loosely translated to as “sugar water” in English. There is an unbeatable range of choices when it comes to this Cantonese-style dessert that can be served either hot or cold.

A warm bowl of tau suan or sweet papaya and white fungus is great for curing hangovers while those who are looking for something to beat the heat can consider cheng tng (a type of sweet clear soup) instead.

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