18 New & Iconic Penang Cafes 2021: Great Aesthetics, Good Coffee, And Even Better Food

Eunis Ong

Last updated 21 Mar 2024

Photo Credit: @crystal_qing, @jiashinnnn, @mrcigar

Penang Cafe-Hop Till You Drop

If you thought cafe-hopping is so last year, think again. Penang isn’t just for its mouth-watering street eats – this Malaysian food paradise hides a buzzing cafe scene that proves that cafe-hopping is still going strong. From unbelievably aesthetic interiors to over-the-top fusion desserts, check out these 18 Penang cafes for a food adventure that’s equal parts style and substance!

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1. Norm Micro Roastery

Housed in a space with high ceilings, minimalistic furnishing, polished cement, and skylights, Norm Micro Roastery exudes a rustic, industrial vibe. Sunlight spills in from the roof, making the cafe look as if it has an open roof, but it's in fact fully shaded and air-conditioned. The menu here is extensive, with healthy food options like granola and chia pudding as well as hearty items such as French toast, risotto, and pastas. Their signature tiramisu and great coffee are must-tries when you're here!

Address: 13, Gat Lebuh Gereja, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang

2. Kopi Hutan

Tucked away at the top of Penang Hill at a height of 730 metres above sea level, Kopi Hutan is the highest cafe in Penang. You'll probably already know what to expect here from its name - basically good coffee in a charming space surrounded by lots of trees! Unwind after exploring Penang Hill with a cup of fragrant Arabica coffee and freshly-baked cakes. Although the menu selection here is pretty limited, it's still a very lovely space to relax and recharge.

Address: Summit road, Penang Hill, 11500 Penang, Malaysia

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3. Crumbles & Cream

Located in Iconic Hotel Bukit Mertajam, Crumbles & Cream is the perfect place to rest your legs and escape the heat with the accompaniment of fresh pastries, coffee, ice cream, and other delicious desserts. This chic eatery is dressed in cosy hues of pink and is full of picturesque corners for you to catch up with your loved ones. We'd recommend heading here for their high tea set that comes with a selection of dainty and delectable treats as well as freshly brewed flower tea or coffee.

Address: 71, Jln Icon City, Bukit Tengah, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang

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4. Dear You

Dear You cafe brings a slice of Korea to Georgetown with its fluffy milk loaves, cute drinks, and other Korean-inspired desserts. This quaint cafe is hidden behind an unassuming vending machine door - simply pull it open and you'll be greeted by a dreamy space with walls plastered in shades of pink. Catch up with your friends over treats that look a bit too cute to be eaten, from aesthetic brunch platters to strawberry cake and fluffy milk loaves that can be paired with mushroom soup or chocolate fondue!

Address: 495 F, Jalan Penang, 10000, Georgetown, Penang

5. 65 Ondo Bakery Cafe

65 Ondo Bakery Cafe is a fairly new kid in town, having just opened its doors at the end of 2020. The cafe is housed in a rustic space featuring warm tones, wood decor, rattan furniture, and a laid-back vibe. 65 Ondo specializes in Japanese-inspired baked goods, and is most known for their shokupan, also known as Japanese milk loaves. Enjoy your shokupan with toppings of your choice, whether it's matcha spread, butter, or cream and orange slices. They've also got a lovely selection of other desserts such as tarts, cream puffs, cakes, and cronuts!

Address: Eco Bloom, No. G- 11, Pangsapuri, Tingkat Eco Meadows 1, 14100 Simpang Ampat, Pulau Pinang

6. Ang Ang's Roastery 洪烘咖啡

Indulge in a good cup of drip coffee by the window overlooking the streets, or catch up with your friends under the glass roof at Ang Ang's Roastery's new branch in Bukit Mertajam. Besides good coffee, the cafe serves up a variety of desserts, sides, and mains. Some of our favourites include their Matchamisu (a Tiramisu cake but with matcha instead of coffee!), Lotus Seasalt Cookies, and signature burnt cheesecake.

Address: 48, Lorong Seri Alma, Taman Selesa, 14000 Bukit Mertajam, Pulau Pinang

7. 815 Paliro Cafe

815 Paliro Cafe is another Korean-inspired cafe with a menu where you can spot iconic Korean street snacks and dishes such as egg drop toasts, japchae, and gimbaps. They're also known for their adorable ddungcarons, Korean-style macaroons that are also known as 'fat macaroons' as they're stuffed with generous amounts of filling! The ddungcarons at 815 Paliro Cafe come in absolutely cute designs and all sorts of flavours such as matcha, nutella banana, sweet potato, earl grey, and peanut butter.

Address: 214, Lebuh Victoria, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang

8. Macallum Connoisseurs Coffee Co

Established in 2015, Macallum Connoisseurs is famous for being Penang's largest cafe, boasting a total space of 8000 sqft. Besides being a cafe and restaurant, it also houses a coffee academy and roastery within its rustic, industrial space. Start your day with a hearty Big Breakfast or a healthy bowl of muesli, or pop by during lunch or dinner for some juicy burgers, pasta, or pork steak. Macallum Connoisseurs proudly roasts their own coffee beans, it's no wonder the aroma hits you right when you step in!

Address: 1, Gat Lebuh Macallum, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang

9. Wheeler's

Nestled in a quaint corner of Love Lane, Wheeler's is an iconic Penang cafe that's perfect for coffee, people-watching, and some downtime between your sightseeing and char kuey teow hunt. The cafe exudes a charming vibe with its open floor plan and airy interior and serves up a great menu of Western cuisine, coffee, desserts, and even alcoholic beverages (get a cocktail or cold glass of beer for a chill night). The menu at Wheeler's is extensive, and there are lots of options even for vegetarians, vegans, and those who practice a gluten-free diet.

Address: 67, Lorong Love, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang

10. Lunabarcoffee

Perfect for lazy mornings or laid-back afternoons, Lunabarcoffee serves up fine brewed coffees that coffeeholics are bound to appreciate. Sip on a cuppa and dig into freshly-baked homemade cakes (we especially like their lemon poppy seed cake and banana cake) while being surrounded by lots of greens.

Address: 10d, Jalan Clove Hall, George Town, 10050 George Town

11. Urban Daybreak

Located in the heart of George Town, Urban Daybreak is the go-to spot for those craving a hearty brunch. Inspired by the breakfast and brunch items in Australian cafes, Urban Daybreak offers an amazing all-day breakfast menu with everything from the classic big breakfast, eggs, sausages, waffles, and toast!

Address: 338, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10300 George Town

12. China House

An article on cafes in Penang will not be complete without having the iconic China House on the list. Dubbed “Penang’s Longest Cafe”, China House is a sprawling multi-concept heritage compound - this two-story establishment is made up of 14 different spaces – including a cafe, bakery, and restaurant. The cafe is every cake lover’s paradise with over 50 different types of cakes a day – from classics like Carrot Cake and Lemon Curd Pistachio to the locally-inspired Pandan Pound Cake and Fresh Ginger Cake. They also have scones, quiches, sheet cakes, and pastries to plump up your tea-time selection.

Address: 153, Beach St, Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

13. Belle and Cream

If you’ve never had burnt cheesecake, better get on that train fast. This traditional Basque style of cheesecake has taken the Malaysian cafe scene by storm, with several cafes baking up their own renditions of this dessert. Brought in next door by Aussie-inspired Chapel Street Cafe in Georgetown, Belle and Cream specialises in two things: Burnt cheesecakes and bubble tea. This clean Kinfolk-esque nook serves different flavors of burnt cheesecake, from matcha to milk tea. Each wedge is melt-in-your-mouth rich with a crisp caramelized crust, and comes with a side of warm, chewy tapioca pearls.

Address: 16, Medan Lim Cheng Teik, Kampung Syed, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

14. The Alley

No, this isn't the bubble tea shop we all know of. Hidden along the quiet Stewart Lane, The Alley is known to serve the most heavenly churros in Penang. The cafe is small in size and offers a cosy, homey ambience. Housed in a colonial building, the cafe is easy to overlook as its signboard doesn't even bear the name of the cafe.

Address: Summit road, Penang Hill 11500 Penang, Malaysia

15. Pik Nik

Pik Nik is one of the pioneers of Penang's cafe scene - it has served Penangites as a fun lepak place since 2011! The cafe has a retro and laid-back vibe, as well as a room covered in pink that will make pink lovers go crazy. Sip on your coffee on pink camper benches beneath rattan lampshades and snap that perfect pic for your IG feed.

Address: 15, Jalan Nagor, 10500 George Town, Pulau Pinang

16. Joies Cafe

Hidden away with no signboard, Joies Cafe in Georgetown’s Pulau Tikus suburb is a sourdough specialist and cafe rolled into one. This health-centric cafe prides itself on its artisanal homemade sourdough, which takes at least 24 hours to prepare. The crusty, tangy bread features heavily in their cafe menu, serving as a base in sweet and savoury open-faced toasts like Italian Fruit and housemade Onion Jam. Supposedly, they have one of the best Carbonara in town too.

Address: 1st floor 32, Jalan Moulmein 10350 Pulau Pinang, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia

17. Fuku Eatery

Serving up Japanese fusion comfort food, desserts and coffee, Fuku Eatery is your one-stop cafe if you’re in the mood for something comforting yet unconventional. This woodsy, airy space has a good selection of mains, counter-top bakes, plated desserts and drinks – all with a little twist. For lunch, choose from a selection of fusion bowls and omurice combinations – the Omu Tori Kaarage has just the right balance from sweet Japanese curry, crispy fried chicken, and velvety seasoned eggs.

Address: 37 Beach St, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

18. Norm

Norm nails that minimalist cafe aesthetic, from the wide beams of sunlight pouring in through the skylights and windows to their white walls with wooden facings. Waffles are a favorite on their daytime menu. Get the Monkey Business for a decadent dessert, which comes with crispy banana chips, chocolate ice cream and a rich chocolate sauce. For something brighter, the Citrus Passion is an interesting alternative – topped with grapefruit, orange, passionfruit and a scoop of ice cream.