Penang may be home to many iconic local foods (think char kuey teow, Hokkien mee, nasi kandar and rojak, just to name a few). But this popular island city in Peninsular Malaysia, particularly George Town, has plenty of contemporary coffee places mushrooming around the area. Without further ado, here is our selected list of 8 Best Coffee Places Worth Exploring in George Town in alphabetical order.
1) Black Kettle
This nearly seven-year-old Black Kettle (it first opened in August 2015) is more than just a cafe. It also doubles as a bistro and a patisserie. For the latter, they pride themselves in baking their cakes and pastries in-house and from scratch too (i.e. no instant or pre-mixed ingredients whatsoever). But let’s talk about their speciality coffee, which is sourced from Melbourne-based Dimattina. Expect plenty of medium-roasted java goodness — all freshly brewed on a daily basis no matter whether you go for the classic long black or others like caffe latte and cappuccino. Best paired with one of their handmade baked goods.
Address: 105, Beach St, Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang
2) Coffee Lane
Here’s a cosy and wonderfully laidback cafe that offers plenty of good coffee. Using only quality beans sourced from all over the world, Coffee Lane’s caffeine-centric menu covers everything from black coffee to milk coffee, filtered coffee and coffee blend. Ask the barista if you need some recommendations that suit your palate since they have different types of beans available. And while you are at it, don’t forget to pair your caffeinated beverage with one of their delightful homemade cakes.
Address: 435, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
3) Constant Gardener Coffee
Enjoy great brews at Constant Gardener Coffee, where there are plenty of recommended choices worth sipping here. Try their signature aromatic single-origin black coffee or espresso. Or if you prefer something milky with reduced acidity, their flat white and cappuccino come highly recommended. Finally, pair your favourite java with Constant Gardener Coffee’s in-house cheesecake. A little trivia about the cafe: Apparently the partial name “Constant Gardener” is dedicated to the owner’s mother who enjoys gardening.
Address: Ground Floor, Penang Chinese Chamber Of Commerce Building, 9, Lebuh Light, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
4) Macallum Connoisseurs
Spanning around 8,000 sq. ft. worth of space, Macallum Connoisseurs has made its mark as the largest cafe in Penang. And that is not all, as the space also houses a roastery, a restaurant and an academy. Not surprisingly, they roast their coffee in-house, offering the likes of single-origin filtered coffee using different types of beans from various parts of the world such as Colombia, Panama and Indonesia. They also have light bites and baked goods like muesli, bagels, and croissants.
Address: 1, Gat Lebuh Macallum, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
5) More by Arang Coffee
The word “spacious” best describes the casually chic cafe of More by Arang Coffee. Good enough to accommodate a large group of people, the cafe serves some good coffee (e.g. Salted Caramel Macchiato, Piccolo Latte, etc.) on the menu. Hungry? Try their signature Oriental-style, deep-fried Arang Chicken Chop or if you prefer something light, take a bite of their fried Fish Fingers served with homemade tartar sauce.
Address: 170G-2 Livingston Tower Argyll Road, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
6) Ome by Spacebar Coffee
This Instagram-friendly cafe, complete with exposed brick walls and cement floors that line the minimalist interior, gives it a distinctly rustic vibe. Sit back and enjoy a cup of freshly-brewed coffee whether alone, with your friend(s) or your loved ones. Remember to pair your drink with one of their fresh homemade cakes or other baked goods.
Address: 1, Lorong Toh Aka, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
7) The Mugshot Cafe
Coffee and bagels. All we can say is that it is a match made in heaven, particularly if you order their bestselling cappuccino. Their bagels are renowned as among the best ever tasted in Penang, all made fresh upon order. And if you are a fan of yoghurt, they have some — yes, homemade — choices with assorted toppings such as Apple Crumble and Mango & Walnut among others.
Address: 302, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
8) Wheeler’s
Caffe Mocha and Matcha Latte Frappe are some of their must-order items here in Wheeler’s. Tired of the same old coffee? You might want to try their Almond Milk Latte or the chilled beverage of Caffe Freddo. Finally, if you are looking for something to eat, they have hearty mains like Fisherman (deep-fried battered tilapia fish fillet) and homemade Bacon Arugula Pizza (turkey bacon, cheese, parmesan cheese & rocket salad).
Address: 67, Lorong Love, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Need more food recommendations in Penang? You got it!
