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

Gone are the days where travelling leisurely is reserved for the wealthy. Vacations need not be extravagant and Singapore’s closeness to other Southeast Asian cities have equipped us with the privilege to frequent weekend travels. Why stay at home when you can venture out? Furthermore, Malaysian state Penang is only an 85-minute flight away from Singapore!

After spending a week in Georgetown, Penang, it dawned upon us that a getaway at this UNESCO World Heritage City is really a lot more affordable than what most people think – especially when you would be travelling without having to compromise on comfort. Starving yourselves is absolutely unnecessary and it helps that Penang’s street food is incredibly cheap.

From exploring Ernest Zacharevic’s street art, sampling Penang’s famous assam laksa to riding a trishaw, here is How You Can Travel To Penang For A 3D2N Trip With S$250 (All-Inclusive).

#1 EXLPORE ERNEST ZACHAREVIC’S STREET ART

Lithuanian-born artist Ernest Zacharevic’s street art is located all over Penang, where you can find interesting painted walls and wrought-iron caricatures. Each artwork humorously illustrates Penang’s unique colonial past and these 24 masterpieces are super popular.

$: Free

Various locations

#2 SAMPLE PENANG’S FAMOUS ASSAM LAKSA

The world-famous Assam Laksa encapsulates an interesting myriad of contrasting flavours; each mouthful of the tangy broth packs a punch of sweetness, sourness and even spiciness! Many ingredients – such as chilli, cucumber, mint leaves, onion, pineapple, prawn paste, poached mackerel, shallots and tamarind – are used to create this complex noodle dish.

$: Approximately RM$4 / S$1.30 per bowl

#3 PENANG ROAD FAMOUS TEOCHEW CHENDUL

Chendul (also spelt as chendol) is inherently a bowl of shaved ice dessert drenched in coconut milk and gula melaka. The refreshing treat is topped with kidney beans and pandan worm-shaped rice flour jellies. Eating this ice-cold dessert is a great way to combat Malaysia’s unbearable tropical heat. Chendul can be commonly found in roadside vendors across Penang.

$: RM$2.10 / S$0.70 per bowl

Jalan Penang, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-262 6002
Mon to Fri: 10.30am – 7pm
Sat and Sun: 10am – 7.30pm

#4 RIDE OR HOP ON A TRISHAW

Over at Penang, you can either hop onto a trishaw or even rent an entire trishaw to ride it around the city! It may seem a little outrageous but the experience will be a memorable one that you would still remember in years to come. The price varies across each rental company so do look around for the best rate before settling for one.

$: Approximately RM$22.50 / S$7.50 per hour

#5 MACALLUM CONNOISSEURS COFFEE COMPANY

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.

$: Coffees from RM$6; Mains from RM$10

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

#6 CHECK OUT HIN BUS DEPOT ART CENTRE

Hin Bus Depot Art Centre was formerly a bus garage, but has since then evolved into an open-space art venue. Artist Ernest Zacharevic had his first solo exhibition here and the rest is history. Today, visitors can drop by the art exhibits or check out the periodical pop-up shops.

$: Free

31, Jalan Gurdwara, George Town
10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Tel: +60 4-226 5691

#7 CHULIA STREET WANTON MEE

When daylight wanes away, Lebuh Chulia street awakens from her afternoon nap and transforms into a bustling food street. One particular vendor – with no visible signboard – is exceptionally famous for its springy wanton noodles. It is the go-to place for locals and tourists alike, even before celebrity food critic Anthony Bourdain sang praises of this glorious dish.

$: RM$3.50 / S$1.20 per small bowl, RM$4.80 / S$1.60 per large bowl

Lebuh Chulia, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

#8 LIVE MUSIC AT 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.

$: Beers from RM$12 

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

#9 HIKE UP PENANG HILL

Penang Hill -otherwise known as Bukit Bendera – stands at 2,732 feet and boasts the highest point in Penang. Situated six kilometres away from the city centre of Georgetown, the forested area comprises a number of hills and could be accessed by the funicular railway or foot.

$: Free

#10 BANGKOK LANE MEE GORENG

Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng has been unanimously coined by natives as Penang’s very best. The stall can be easily missed if you do not look hard enough. It is found inside Seng Lee Coffee Shop, where the cook whips up fragrant plates of sweet and spicy fried noodles.

$: From RM$3 per plate

Seng Lee Café, 270, Jalan Burma, Georgetown, 10050, Pulau Pinang, Pulau Pinang Malaysia

#11 QUEUE FOR CHAR KWAY TEOW

As its name implies, Siam Road Char Kway Teow is located along Siam Road and you can opt for takeout or dine at the nearby coffee shop. The locals love him so much that many have nicknamed him as the God of Char Kway Teow. Each aromatic plate of stir-fried noodles is served with beansprouts, Chinese sausage, chives, cockles, eggs, fried pork lard and prawns.

$: Small – RM$5 / S$1.70, Medium – RM$5.50 / S$1.85, Large – RM$6.50 / S$2.20

Siam Rd. (off Jalan Anson), 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

#12 TELUK KUMBAR

For an unforgettable dining experience, head over to Teluk Kumbar, a tiny fishing village at the south of Penang Island. The remote area is where Penangites visit for the freshest mouthwatering seafood; in fact, you can see many sampan boats floating atop the waters! The deserted village also boasts a breathtaking views of the sunset, so don’t forget your cameras.

$: From RM$20 per person

#13 NEW LANE HAWKER CENTRE

New Lane Hawker Centre is a stretch of road with vendors lined up on both sides of the street. This is the one-stop destination where you get to savour a plethora of Penang local delicacies such as char kway teow, char koay kak, nutmeg juice and whatnot at very budget prices.

$: From RM$5.50 per dish

Lorong Baru, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Mon and Tue: 4pm – 10pm
Wed: Closed
Thu to Sun: 4pm – 10pm

#14 GRAVITY ROOF TOP BAR

Perched atop G Hotel Kelawi is Gravity Roof Top Bar, a stunning bar featuring alternative vantage points of Penang. Opened throughout the day and into the night, it is a great place to chill out with friends over a drink or two.

$: From RM$26 per cocktail

2 Persiaran Maktab, 10250, Penang, Malaysia

Daily: 12pm – 11pm
+60 4-238 0000

#15 BRUNCH AT BLACK KETTLE

Black Kettle only opened its doors for less than half a year, but has already become a popular brunch destination amongst 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 (RM$28 / S$9.15) and Ramen with Slow Braised Beef (RM$24 / S$7.85).

$: Coffees from RM$7 ; Mains from RM$18

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

TOTAL EXPENSES PER PERSON FOR 3D2N (ALL-INCLUSIVE)

4-Star Hotel Stay (2 nights): S$148 (for 2 persons)
Return Tigerair tickets: S$68** (per person)
Transportation + Return airport transfer: S$58
Food: S$50
Attractions: Mostly free
TOTAL: S$250 per person (all-inclusive)

** This fare is based on Skyscanner’s flight booking platform with no check-in baggage.

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.

Located in a compound of three heritage buildings, China House is a multi-concept venue spanning across 16,000 square feet. It features 14 unique spaces, including a bakery, cafe, live music performances, local art gallery and outdoor courtyard.

China house is arguably one of the most famous places in Penang and its interesting concept is worth a special detour.

Whether you are after an Australian-style wholesome brunch or great live jazz, China House – which opens from 9am till late daily – has all your varying preferences covered.

Till date, we find it mind-blowing how these different concepts can actually coexist together harmoniously. China House in Penang has indeed challenged the notion of a typical cafe.

China House’s Beach Street Bakery section is a head-turner and is extremely popular amongst patrons. Those with a sweet tooth are spoilt for choice; the long table boasts a splendid selection of 30 mouthwatering cakes!

After heeding the recommendation of China House’s regulars, we decided to order the Tiramisu Cake (RMB15) which has been infused with kahlua. Crunchy, sweet and moist, the large portion of cake is indeed one of the best we’ve ever had.

Cakes aside, the numerous spaces at China House each offers interesting spreads of gourmet food and beverages. From bento sets, hearty Western classics, international wines to aromatic coffees, the options are aplenty and there is definitely something that will please.

Coffee beans used at China House are on a rotational basis, but the primary roasts that are used in preparing caffeinated drinks are namely El Primero Blend and Single-Origin Fazenda Ambiental Fortaleza that are imported from Singapore’s reputable Nylon Coffee Roasters.

If you ever intend to visit China House, do make it a point to walk through the entire complex – there are many great photographic opportunities and exciting discoveries awaiting you.

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

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.