10 Best Coffee in Penang (Cafe Series)

Is coffee your favourite pick-me-up in the morning? People in Penang seems to get more savvy in choosing coffee these days. Though there are tonnes of cafes in Penang serving coffee, you’ll find most of it basic and boring. Finding a good cup of coffee in Penang is a bit of an adventure, but there are still quite a few cafes in Penang that specializes in coffee, thanks to their undying passion. So, here we are with cafes serving some of the best coffee in Penang.

10 Best Coffee in Penang (Cafe Series):

Explore a wide range of specialty/ fine coffees with different blends and brews in these cafes. You’ll definitely walk out more knowledgeable, and a good cuppa of course.

#1 Constant Gardener Coffee

A small, quaint cafe nestled in Chinese Chambers Of Commerce Building, it’s casual to miss it at first glance. Located right opposite Esplanade, Constant Gardener is a coffee haven. The owner, is an international traveling coffee snob, very knowledgeable. The baristas are highly specific when brewing a cup of coffee. From water filtration, temperatures, grams of coffee beans and many more. The beans used are seasonal, you get to taste different beans from all over the world from time to time. Ask anyone and they’re sure to tell you Constant Gardener is in their best coffee in Penang list.

 

 

Address: 9 Lebuh Light, Ground Floor, Chinese Chamber of Commerce Building, George Town, Malaysia.
Operating Hour: 9 a.m.-12 a.m. (Closed on Monday)

 

#2 Old Master Coffee

Nestled in the historical clan temple Boo San Tong, Old Master Coffee is considered a gem in the rough. Started in 1959 by the father who was the only coffee roaster, till today the 80-year-old sir is still roasting his own beans. They’re also the only coffee factory in Malaysia who claimed the title of Nanyang Siang Pao 95th Anniversary Outstanding Business Award recently. Try their signature golden coffee, also known as “kopi-o”. You could taste the richness of the beans roasted together with butter, sugar and salt. Or, get their “Hor Ka Sai,” Nanyang mocha which has a smooth coffee texture added with cocoa aroma. They have also introduced their latest “Cheese Coffee” which is the millennial’s favourite, cream cheese on top of good coffee. The flavors surprisingly paired well together, creamy with a hint of saltiness. The concept is truly unique, and we must say, Old Master Coffee serves one of the best coffee in Penang with a strong local culture.

 

 

 

Address: 117-A, Victoria Street Annex Buildings, George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. (Daily)

 

#3 Ome by Spacebar Coffee

Started as a small project out of passion, a pop-up in Kuala Lumpur which then evolved into a shared space in Penang. Now, they’ve moved out from the space to open up their own shop— Ome by Spacebar Coffee. “Ome” literally means home without the “H.” Still serving the good old specialty coffee sourcing beans from all around the world, with a few artisan roastery to choose from. Apart from coffee, Ome has now introduced in-house bakes and fine teas. Those who are keen and passionate about learning coffee, the owner duo offers barista apprenticeship programme. Apart from coffee knowledge, you’ll also learn about the business side of running a cafe and prep you in barista competitions.

 

 

Address: 1, Lorong Toh Aka, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 8 a.m.-6 p.m. (Closed on Thursday)

 

#4 Macallum Connoisseurs

A former factory building turned into cafe, step into Macallum and you can still find traces of the past. The warehouse-like cafe is really spacious, with a roasting room being seperated by a glass window towards the end, looking highly professional. With that said, they do serve house blend such as medium-dark roast with Brasil Fazenda Parasio, Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Mocca and Guatemala Antigua Pacaya Estate. Penangites might find medium roast to be too weak due to their beloved strong “kopi” found in coffee shops. Note from editor: Not a coffee expert but loved their rose latte (loving flavored coffee is not a sin), rich, smooth coffee finish yet with a hint of rose. No doubt Macallum serves really good coffee in Penang, adjusting and adapting to local’s preferences.

 

 

Address:1 Gat Lebuh Macallum, George Town, Malaysia.
Operating Hour: 9 a.m.-12 a.m. (Daily)

Read Also: Top 9 Cafes in Georgetown

 

#5 Full of Beans

Amongst the cafes, only a few offers Arabica coffee in Penang, and Full of Beans is one of them. Tucked in Straits Quay, Full of Beans offer a wide range of specialty coffee, from the common ones to some fancy coffee such as Jamaican Blue Mountain. The names on the menu are so uncommon you’ll be confused, unless you’re a coffee enthusiast. They have a few methods in brewing specialty coffee based on your taste preference. So if you’re unsure of it, just hit the barista, they’re skilled. They too serve signature coffee such as Ice Drip Coffee, Turkish Coffee, Shakerato, Vienna Coffee and more. This place is definitely the coffee Encyclopedia, coffee lovers’ wonderland.

 

 

Address:  Unit 3A-G-11, Jalan Seri Tg Pinang, 10470 Tanjung Bungah, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 10:30 a.m.-10:30 p.m. (Daily)

 

#6 Budan’s Brew Coffeebar

Some say Budan’s is the McCoy of coffee, the owner is a coffee philosopher. Coffee is their forte, especially Artisan coffee. We recommend trying out their hand drip coffee and cold brew if you’re looking for smoother, denser and finer texture, without a bitter aftertaste. You can also choose the what beans you want for your coffee as they have a range of beans, some are pretty uncommon. Unwind in the afternoon at Budan’s and get some tips from the owner, you’ll walk out with handful of coffee knowledge.

 

 

 

Address: THE MOMENT, 31-M First Floor, Cantonment Road, Pulau Tikus, 10350 George Town, Penang.
Operating Hour: (Sun-Thurs) 9 a.m.-10 p.m. (Fri&Sat) 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

 

#7 Coffee Lane

Another cafe run by a coffee philosopher, Coffee Lane is meant for coffee lovers. Their affection toward coffee is reflected on their in-house coffee beans roasting, utilizing various coffee beans sourced from all over the world. You can get coffees blended by different beans to taste the distinctive difference. If you need any help, the barista is more than happy to explain to you the taste profile of each bean and its origin. The comfortable, unpretentious setting is really good for coffee over conversations.

 

 

Address: 435, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
Operating Hour: (Sun-Wed) 10 a.m.-10 p.m. (Fri&Sat) 10 a.m.-12 a.m.

 

#8 Bricklin Bar Cafe

Set in Hin Bus Depot, Bricklin Bar has been there since the day Hin Bus Depot got revamped and opened to public. Their menu is simple, coffee, tea, pastries and light meal. Coffee is simple yet enough for people to keep reminiscing it. Their Bricklin Blend consists of beans from few different regions, it’s a medium roast. It has a strong, long and fruity finish, the perfect morning pick-me-up. Pair your cuppa with their irresistible sweet treat, a harmony balance. Explore the art in Hin Bus Depot while enjoying a good coffee in Penang.

 

 

Address:  31A, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: (Mon-Thurs) 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. (Fri-Sun) 10 a.m.-11:30 p.m.

 

#9 Coffee Affairs

Upon entering, you’ll notice the names on the menu board above the bar counter. That my friend is their list of coffee, you’ll be shocked by the choices available. As the name suggests, they serve seriously good coffee in Penang. Their sous vide cold brew with Ethiopian Yirgacheffe bean is something to try out if you love cold brews. They’re aromatic with a hint of fruity aftertaste. Their Brazilian Santos is full bodied and well balanced. Not a fan of fancy coffee? Their latte and other beverages are a thumbs up as well.

 

 

Address: 21, Lebuh Bishop, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 11 a.m.-11:30 p.m. (Daily)

 

#10 Dān单

An escape from hustle and bustle of Penang, find serenity in Dān. They take their coffee seriously, and are the minority that serves single-origin coffee. Coffee lovers would definitely love this place. For beginners, pick tasting plate and you could sample different types of coffee. Dān is the first cafe in Northern Region of Malaysia to own the prestigious Slayer Steam from USA, a revolutionary machine in the world of coffee. So expect exceptional brews from them. Their Single Origin and Dutch Coffee are their specialty.

 

 

Address:  38/1, Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang.
Operating Hour: 1 p.m.-10 p.m. (Closed on Sunday)

Related: Top 15 Desserts in Penang to Beat The Heat

*BONUS:

The Alley

Known for their churros and probably burnt cheesecake, The Alley serves kickass coffee in Penang as well. The group of millennial has a strong passion towards coffee they keep experimenting different brews and blends to cater the perfect coffee for you. How did we know? They’re pretty active on social media. They changes their beans occasionally so head over to The Alley to try out. Love your cup of coffee? You could bring home your favourite blend from the cafe’s Barista Select list, they’re limited though. If hot beverages are not your thing, their cold brew is something. Cold, smooth and rich with low acidity, perfect.

 

 

Address: 5, Stewart Lane, George Town, Malaysia.
Operating Hour: (Mon-Thurs) 2 p.m.-10 p.m. (Fri-Sun) 12 p.m.-12 a.m.

 

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