The hustle and bustle of city life in Penang can be stressful. A place where you can sit back, relax and unwind while enjoying a cuppa and having some bites would be a nice way for a temporary escape. Thankfully, they have plenty of book cafes that let you enjoy your moment alone or with your friend(s) or loved one. Below are the 6 book cafes to visit in Penang.
1) Jing Si Books & Cafe
The predominantly wooden-themed and Zen-like interior, coupled with its relaxing ambience makes Jing Si Books & Cafe a good place to read a book and sip some good tea. Or order one of their nutritiously homemade multi-grain beverages such as Chinese Yam & Apricot Kernel Mix and Job’s Tears & Beans. The shelves are mostly lined with Chinese books and if you plan to spend your time there, you need to remove your footwear and place them in a small shoe bag before entering the store.
Address: 31, Beach Street, 10300 George Town, Penang.
2) ChinaHouse
ChinaHouse occupies not one but three interlinked heritage buildings, complete with an open-air courtyard. The buildings house a retro-style cafe serving cakes, baked goods and other scrumptious bites, restaurants & bars, a private event space, an art gallery and a reading space appropriately named as The Library. As the name suggests, you will find large shelves displaying different types of books and magazines. You can go ahead to pick your preferred reading materials from the shelves and read them while enjoying your food and drink in the comfort of a cosy interior.
Address: 153, Beach Street, Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang.
3) BookXcess Gurney Paragon
Visiting BookXcess often gives us a different vibe, depending on the outlet locations. The Gurney Paragon branch is no exception and it is also one of the most stunningly designed BookXcess stores ever seen in Malaysia. This is particularly evident with its distinctly tallest and longest bookshelf spanning a whopping 3-storey high (!). You will find large collections of books with plenty of seats around. And if you are looking for some bites and drinks, simply visit BookXcess’s in-house cafe known as Cafe Wolf on the upper floor.
Address: 163D-7.06-7.16 & L8.02-8.-5, Gurney Paragon, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Penang.
4) Black Kettle
Located at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Zone, Black Kettle’s retro-chic decor immediately attracts one’s attention upon entering the cafe. There’s a sense of warmth and cosiness as you spend time here, complete with shelves that display assorted books. Have a read and enjoy a freshly brewed cuppa and delicious desserts such as cakes, creme brulees and homemade churros. Hungry? Not to worry, though as Black Kettle got you covered with its range of comfort foods from burgers to pizzas and pasta. The cafe also provides plenty of plug points if you are looking to do some remote work with your laptop.
Address: 105, Beach Street, Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang.
5) PMPS Books Cafe
PMPS, which is short for “People Mountain People Sea”, welcomes you with its cosy cafe setting and shelves that line the books. They even have sets of games, where you can play with your friend(s). Enjoy one of their hot or cold beverages such as honey lemon tea, latte and cappuccino. If you need some bites, they have assorted sliced cakes available. Their menu also consists of mains from nasi lemak to pasta and pizzas.
Address: PMPS Books Cafe No 20, Jalan Besar Kampung Jawi, Sungai Bakap, 14200 Sungai Jawi, Penang.
6) Potters Place
Small but cosy, Potters Place displays plenty of books on the shelves that you can pick and read while enjoying a cuppa. They also serve fresh apple & orange juices and teas. Need some bites to go with your drink? Try one of their hearty sandwiches including Chicken Mayo, Tuna Mayo and Streaky Beef. Or snack on their yummy cookies, kaya toast or banana fritters. A good place to enjoy some me-time moments or hang out with friends. Books aside, you will find various board and card games to play.
Address: 53, Lebuh Acheh, George Town, 10300 George Town, Penang.
