Penang cafes are commonplace and recurring in the area, especially those which advertise themselves as being “modern” and “in vogue”. 

It can be difficult for tourists or frequent visitors to Penang to know which of these live up to the hype, and which do not. 

But fear not! In this article, we give you our favourite half-dozen cafes to visit in Penang. 

With a list of highlights at the top of each entry on the list, you can quickly skim the article and find your favorite Penang cafe without spending much time or effort. Onwards!

1. Tomorrow English Cafe

Image credit: @tomorrowenglishcafe

Highlights:

• All day breakfast
• Indoor seating with potted plants and kitschy decor
• A variety of affordable Full English breakfast platters

This Penang cafe on Prangin Lane boasts authentic Northwestern English fare and fresh ingredients. 

The proprietor of the cafe, Chef Qiu, studied in Manchester and developed a taste for authentic English cuisine. She has brought it back to Malaysia and refined the flavours for local palates.

Bacon is cured in house and all the baked goods, like sausage rolls and pork pies, are freshly baked in small batches to ensure that each of them is at optimum doneness (and deliciousness). If you like English food, be sure to check this out.

Address: 8, Lorong Prangin, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 9am – 6pm (Tuesday closed)
Social media: Instagram | Facebook

2. STFCC 

Highlights:

• Industrial-chic, modern street ambience
• Spicy fried chicken (gloves provided)
• Seafood, pork, or chicken katsu burgers

This intriguingly named restaurant is also called ST Fried Chicken Club. 

A recent addition to the local food scene, this Penang cafe offers a variety of savoury dishes, most prominently (as its name suggests) various different types of fried chicken.

The highlights of their menu are the Korean-style fried chicken, the prawn or pork burgers, and, surprisingly, the Tauhu Fa dessert. 

Pricing is reasonable and portions are decently sized too. Although the menu doesn’t lean one way or another in terms of cuisine, all the dishes have a distinctly Asian style, and the fried chicken is crispy, flavourful, and juicy. 

However, there is no coffee bar or any fresh beverages on the menu. But if you love fried chicken and gourmet burgers, this is the place to be in Georgetown.

Address: 34, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 12pm – 9pm (Monday closed)
Social media: Instagram | Facebook

3. Ciao Gelato

Image credit: @ciaogelatociao

Highlights:

• Monochrome modernist interior
• High quality gelato and sorbetto in a variety of flavours
• Low calorie counts and high protein/vitamin content on each dessert

This Penang cafe in Victoria street boasts the best gelato in town. 

Gelato, for those unfamiliar, is an Italian frozen milk dessert which typically includes less sugar, fat, and calories than the other, more common form of ice cream.

This newly opened outlet serves a healthier alternative to the highly calorific desserts most of us might crave (and then deny ourselves). 

With flavours such as mango, matcha, strawberry, chocolate, hazelnut, pistachio, and even more esoteric ones such as calamansi, this is a great option to indulge in desserts even when trying to count calories. 

Founded by a pharmacist, the gelato made by the eatery contains high quality ingredients, with minimal sugar and fat content. 

With desserts and flavours which will leave you feeling light and refreshed, this is a great Penang cafe to come if you want to chill and unwind with a cold ice cream.

Address: 171-A, Lebuh Victoria, Street, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 11am – 11pm (Wednesday closed)
Social media: Instagram | Facebook

4. La Maison d’Antiques

Image credit: @lamaisond_antiques

Highlights:

• All day brunch with European-inspired dishes
• Artisanal teas sourced from France as well as other cold and hot beverages
• Beautifully arranged antique laden interior (with fresh flowers on display)

This location is for those who love maximalist & eclectic decor instead of sleek minimalist looks. La Maison d’Antiques is a Penang cafe which has an antique focused concept and design.

With beautiful heirloom furniture, decor, and European style flower arrangements, this is a place to sit and drink in the feeling of being somewhere far away, in a time that has long since passed. 

However, that’s not the only thing you can drink in this eatery!

The French-inspired menu boasts many delicious breakfast and lunch dishes, and they have a variety of cold and hot beverages as well. 

The highlight of their menu, however, is their collection of artisan teas sourced from the French company Mariage Frères. 

Eating here will surely make you feel like a French aristocrat from a bygone era. If you love antiques, history, or literature, this is a great place to check out.

Address: 48, Jalan Burma, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours: 1pm -9pm (Tuesday & Wednesday closed)
Social media: Instagram | Facebook

5. Fourspoons @ Gurney Walk

Image credit: @fourspoons_penang

Highlights:

• Huge variety of ice cream flavours, waffles, and freshly made waffle cones
• Ornate modernist interior
• Located within Gurney Walk

Next on the list is another ice cream spot, this time located within Gurney Walk mall. 

However, unlike the previous location which served only gelatos and sorbettos, this Penang cafe serves up a veritable smorgasbord of different dessert dishes, whether it be ice cream, waffles, waffle cones, or sorbets.

With a large variety of flavours, as well as the option to take the ice cream over waffles or waffle cones (or even a cone within a cup, for those who want the crunch of the cone without the mess), this is a great spot for you. 

Although it is by no means healthy in any way, it does taste delicious and the flavours and textures are sure to impress even the die hard ice cream haters.

With flavours such as strawberry cheesecake, black sesame, caramelised banana, mint chocolate chip, and cranberry cherry, this is the place to be if you like ice cream cones and waffles.

Address: Gurney Dr, Georgetown, 10250 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 11am – 10pm
Social media: Instagram | Facebook

6. Yin’s Sourdough @ Gurney Walk

Highlights:

• Cozy, comfortable ambience
• Fresh bakery products made in house daily
• Organic and freshly prepared ingredients
• Continental menu

Finally, this Penang cafe focuses on baked goods and ingredients made in house in order to provide a totally unique dining experience. 

Yin’s Sourdough (also located on Gurney Walk) is renowned for their sourdough as well as their danish pastries, bagels, and pizzas.

Besides this, they also cure meat and fish in house. They are partnered with an organic shop located next to them who provide the bulk of their fresh ingredients.

Their coffee bar is also excellent. Overall, this is a very cosy, comfortable restaurant with delicious food and great ingredients. 

It’s a great Penang cafe to visit for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Address: 18, Gurney Dr, 10250 George Town, Penang
Operating hours: 10am – 10pm
Social media: Instagram | Facebook

We hope this article helped you find the best new Penang cafes this month! Follow us on Instagram (@penanglicious) for latest cafe reviews! Bon appetit!