Georgetown Penang is most famous for being a tourist hub and heritage site, but it’s also known as a cafe hub. Like most capital states in Malaysia like Melaka or Johor Bahru, Penang is becoming a new spot for cafe hopping. But which cafes are worth your time and money? Here are our picks for the best cafes in George Town, Penang.
What makes these cafes unique, much like George Town itself, are the longhouses and structures which they have refitted. Some use vintage antiques to decorate the cafe’s, other literally have holes in the wall that show bricks. Whichever quirky fixture they fancy, the best cafes in George Town blend heritage and modernity in their own ways.
But it’s not just the interiors that bring cafe hoppers indoors; it’s the coffee they serve. Some of these cafes offer unique beans that you can only find in specialty coffee shops. Some also offer delectable dishes alongside their coffee to make a perfect brunch. From savoury roasts and sandwiches to indulgent cakes and sweet treats, these Georgetown cafes will have your cravings covered.
(Hero image credit: Instagram/mugshotcafe and feature image credit: Instagram/ome.space)
8 best cafes in Georgetown, Penang to visit on your next cafe hopping session
1 /8
In the center of Chulia Street, George Town’s busiest street, The Mugshot Cafe has been a favorite among locals and visitors for home-baked bagels and coffee. The exposed brick walls and industrial-furniture are part of the cafe’s charm. One of the cafe’s must try’s are their house bagels filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese, are, and homemade yogurt and nut-spiced granola. With its ever-changing array of pastry and hand-drawn coffee-type drinks, it’s the perfect spot to drop by for breakfast or a leisurely brunch before to going out to explore.
Operating hours: 8AM – 10PM (Monday – Thursday), 8AM – 12AM (Friday – Saturday)
Image credit: Instagram/themugshotcafe
2 /8
A little hideaway along a little alleyway in the famous Armenian street, Potter’s Place is a charming place to recharge after long walks along the street. Owned by a kind barista named Khaled, the cafe serves up unique local roasted coffee beans and snacks like kaya toast and grilled cheese sandwiches. The drinks and snacks are affordably priced, especially compared to cafes in Kuala Lumpur. With black and white grungy artwork hung on the walls, old books, and wooden furniture, the cafe feels like visiting an old bookshop. The cafe encourages you to cozy in and relax for a peaceful hour or two, perfect for those looking for a quite retreat.
Opening hours: 10:30AM–6PM (Tue, Sun), 12:30PM–6PM (Thu), 10:30AM–9PM (Fri, Sat); (Closed on Mon and Wed)
Image credit: Instagram/potters_place_cafe
3 /8
Along Jalan Zainul Abidin is Kraffmen Café, an Aussie café serving serious brunch and specialty coffee in the heart of Penang city. Industrial-chic ambiance is matched by its progressive menu, including crowd favourites like their red wine pork rice, house nachos, and fusion cream pastas. Famous for meaty dishes and hospitable service staff, Kraffmen also has an excellent range of coffee from smooth flat whites to aromatic cold brews. Whatever your craving is, be it lazy Sunday brunch or a or a quick coffee fix, this cafe is a perfect place for a pit-stop.
Operating hours: 11AM – 10PM (Closed on Wednesday)
Image credit: Instagram/gemarngopi
4 /8
In Lebuh Pantai, Reggae Café Penang infuses George Town’s laidback café culture with some hipness through its reggae-inspired menu and vibrant ambiance. Serving Western cuisine with an Asian twist, the cafe is today the go to spot for locals and tourists. Pizzas, sweet and sour chickens, and fried fries served with iced latte or cold beer are some of the sweetheart items off their menu. The atmosphere is never gloomy—perfect for those who love to be treated to excellent food and groovy music.
Operating hours: 10AM – 12AM
Image credit: Instagram/reggaecafepenang
5 /8
Amidst George Town’s peaceful oases, Pause Mood is a minimalist coffeehouse bring a unique flair into George Town in the guise of laid-back, reflective coffee culture. Its street-level seating arrangement invites reflection on human existence over an excellent cup of espresso or filtered coffee. There isn’t much to eat here, but the café compensates with its quiet atmosphere, cleanliness design, and service where every little detail matters. Good for travelers or artists who need that little bit of extra time for themselves to work, Pause Mood invites visitors to breathe, relax, and be.
Operating hours: 9AM – 5:30PM (Closed on Tuesdays)
Image credit: Instagram/pausemoodcoffee
6 /8
Off Beach Street, in an elegant corner, is Le Dux Patisserie, a stylish French-themed café owned by pastry chefs trained at Le Cordon Bleu. Sleek, minimalist, plain interior leads out to their stunning pastries. Freshly baked are buttery almond croissants, apple cinnamon escargots, and their creative edible tiramisu cup—a stunning, scrumptious dessert. With perfectly crafted coffee and research-ed tea substitute on hand, Le Dux offers boutique patisserie quality appropriate for hedonistic afternoon breaks or morning catch-up sessions.
Operating hours: 8:30AM – 6PM (Closed on Tuesday)
Image credit: Instagram/jowiepeace
Located in Lebuh Pantai, Le Petit Four Pâtisserie is a classy French cafe with delicious pastries. A peach-colored interior and cheerful sunlit room, this café is ideal for some pampering. It is the croissants so immaculately built, the pistachio tarts, and almond croissants freshly baked every day that attract visitors here. Pastries, served with rich lattes or perfumed teas, are stunning as much as they are a technical and taste masterclass. It’s a upper class venue ideal for teatime chats or a gossip session.
Operating hours: 9AM – 6PM (Closed on Thursday and Friday)
Image credit: Instagram/lepetitfourpatisserie
Hidden in Lorong Toh Aka is Ome by Spacebar Coffee, an unassuming yet quality gem that is a hit among Penang coffee connoisseurs. The straightforward facade conceals a cozy room that is where baristas painstakingly craft with love. Espresso lovers delight in the clarity of taste in their lattes and pour-overs and home-baked treats like their olive zucchini bread or apple butter cake that capture the hearts of patrons. Ome’s small stature, personalised service, and devotion to the art for over seven years has made it one of the city’s top cafes.
Opening Hours: 7:30AM–3PM (Mon, Tue), 7:30AM–4PM (Sat, Sun); (Closed on Wed, Thu, Fri).
Image credit: Instagram/ome.space
