Penang is a surprisingly interesting city, with a mixture of historical and modern lifestyles. Unlike Melaka, Penang is a fast-developing city, but still well-preserved with its heritage.
What are the best 3 things to do in Penang? Food, food, and food. In 2022, there’s another unmissable thing to do is to check out and explore Penang’s cafe culture. The cafe is definitely a trendy hangout in Penang!
Head to these 6 cafes in George Town and it’s easy to while away the afternoon with its vintage-chic-inspired interiors.
The Mugshot Cafe
📍302, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
🕑 8 am–10 pm (Sun-Thu), 8 am–12 am (Fri & Sat), open daily
⭐ 1,590 Google Reviews
With so many cafes to choose from, Penang lang probably has no time for other activities. The Mugshot Cafe making a great stop for cafe hoppers! It is located at the heart of George Town, serving fresh coffee, hand-crafted juices, homemade yoghurt, and the best bagels.
They also have a number of pastry, sandwich, and croissant options available, such as avocado egg sandwich, tuna croissant, and cranberry cream cheese croissant, you can’t go wrong with anything you order here.
Constant Gardener Coffee
📍Ground Floor, Penang Chinese Chamber Of Commerce Building, 9, Lebuh Light, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
🕑 9 am–8 pm, open daily
⭐ 725 Google Reviews
Constant Gardener Coffee is a tiny multi-roasters coffee shop serving high-quality coffee. Whether you’re going for a caffeine buzz or a place to chill and relax, this cafe is definitely worth a visit.
The baristas put effort into the water filtration, grams of coffee beans, and temperatures when brewing to ensure every diner gets to enjoy a good cup of coffee. If you’re somewhere nearby, try their consistently good filtered coffee. This will be the perfect place for all coffee lovers!
They also offer an early bird menu from 9 am-11 am during weekdays. You can get a cup of black coffee and danish at RM11 only!
20 Chulia Lane Cafe
📍20, Lorong Chulia, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
🕑 9 am–5 pm, closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays
⭐ 88 Google Reviews
Across the heritage shophouse at Lorong Chulia, a quiet alley lies a hidden gem, 20 Chulia Lane Cafe.
This cafe has a little of everything — good coffee, of course, a good ambience with Chinese opera playing by the neighbour next door, and a touch of rustic interiors. No one can ever resist a very-local-looking cafe, no one!
So let’s cafe hop like a local. Get your day started with a cup of cappuccino and a generous portion of their delicious Haus Pork Burger.
Narrow Marrow
📍312, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
🕑 3 pm–11 pm, closed on Tuesdays & Wednesdays
⭐ 596 Google Reviews
The cafe scene changes very fast in Penang. Narrow Marrow which is located at Beach Street (Lebuh Pantai) is one of the high-ranking among local cafe-hoppers.
Narrow Marrow is made for cake lovers. Their variety of fresh cakes is so attempting and instagrammable! Cakes like Matcha Malibu Tiramisu and Dity Chai Tiramisu strike a delightful sweetness to satisfy your sweet tooth and amazing appearance for your ‘gram.
Passion Heart Cafe
📍23, Jalan A.S. Mansoor, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
🕑 11:30 am–9 pm, closed on Tuesdays
⭐ 305 Google Reviews
Where to sip a cup of coffee with dessert on a cosy afternoon? Located at Jalan A.S. Mansoor, a few minutes’ walk from Camera Museum, Passion Heart Cafe has the best cempedak cheesecake in Penang.
They have a hugely satisfying selection of cakes if you’re a yam lover, and you love coconut, one of their best seller — Yam Coconut cake will satisfy your cravings at once! Russian cheesecake and poppyseed lemon cake are also worth giving a try.
Enjoying your favourite book in this cafe filled with vintage and wooden decors.
Yin’s Sourdough Bakery Gurney Walk
📍18, Gurney Dr, 10250 George Town, Penang
🕑 8 am–9:30 pm, open daily
⭐ 47 Google Reviews
Perhaps the most famous out of all the cafes along Gurney Walk is Yin’s Sourdough Bakery. It was originally started as a bakery cafe at Claimant Place by Su Yin. And now they have expanded to George Town!
Offering a wide variety of tempting pastries and tasty meal options to let you savour baked delights. Try out their best seller — Egg Benny Pizza topped with homemade tomato sauce, luncheon meat and runny meat.