Breakfast in Penang Your Top 10 Local Spots

Visitors to George Town love to head out for breakfast in Penang, where the locals eat in the morning.

Most of the time, my friends from outstation (a colloquial word to mean for other states) would ask SmartDory for recommendations.

There was a time that I skipped breakfast; intermittent fasting and all – did it work?

Of course. It worked for my friends.

As for the Little Fish, let’s say she’s back to chowing down some delicious Penang hawker fare and café food for breakfast – AGAIN.

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Outstation friends often ask SmartDory questions like

• Where and What to Eat in Penang?
• What are the places in Penang that locals recommend eating?
• New places to eat in Penang?

So, if you have these questions, here are the answers you’re looking for from a local perspective.

Local Breakfast In Penang

You can sink your teeth into a Penang local breakfast, join Penangites for a Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai, or a bowl of noodles to kick start your day!

Choice drinks are Kopi O or a frofty Teh Tarik.

So, it’s not unusual for the local Kopitiams to open as early as 6.30 AM!

If you go early, you can choose your corner table and enjoy the quieter atmosphere.

Plus, you get a wider choice of add-ons for your noodles!

When it comes to breakfast in Penang, every local has their favorites, and believe me, that list is long.

Let’s break it down to what tickles my fancy as a chief eater for the Penang travel and food blog – SmartDory.

I’m that quintessential Malaysian at heart; I would eat Nasi Lemak, Thosai, and Char Koay Teow for breakfast, lunch, and dinner!

Recently, I’ve started going Pork-Free, AND a whole new world opened before my eyes.

I started to notice vegetarian cafes, restaurants, and Kopitiam.

Mix it up to enjoy the best of Penang’s food scene, and you get the local vibes of cheap eats and artisanal java joints.

Wherever you head to Penang, you must try the local breakfast at a Kopitiam – the Kopi (Coffee) and toasted Kaya (coconut jam with egg paste), Bread Toast, and Half Boiled Eggs.

Remember to make room for a few other hawker favorites.

If you prefer pork-free versions of hawker food in George Town, you will be happy to eat to your heart’s content at these two Kopitiam in Penang.

Tasty Char Koay Teow without lard. Spicy Curry Mee without blood cubes.

Time to grab a great, inexpensive meal and drink in the atmosphere.

Ultimate Breakfast In Penang List

While there are many great places to eat, these are my favorite Kopitiam. I go to them regularly for a local breakfast with the vibes.

For the best in vegetarian Penang hawker food, check out my all-time favorite Kopitiam at the end of the article.

1 Bee Hwa Café (Halal)

Bee Hwa Café is a Muhibbah Kopitiam patronized by Muslims, Hindus, and the Chinese community.

The Chinese lady owner is the cook, and she makes delicious Penang hawker food with chicken from a Halal-certified supplier.

The Indonesian Muslim helpers prep the ingredients, make your kaya toast and eggs, and serve you.
Coffee is good, solid, and thick with a fragrant aroma.

My go-to order is spicy curry mee, and Kopi O served in a big mug and toast with eggs.

If you like the heat and spicy, try the Char Koay Teow or Maggi Goreng with added sambal for a kick.

You can find a picture menu of other pork-free versions of Penang local delights pasted on the Kopitiam walls.

Go early to chope the table!

What I Order: Spicy Curry Mee, Toast with Eggs, and Kopi O

Bee Hwa Cafe Penang (Halal)
Location: 10, Lebuh Dickens, George Town, 10050 George Town, Penang
Hours: 7.00 AM – 4.00 PM (Closed on Sundays)

2 Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang @ Beach Street (Halal)

A long line of customers waiting to tapao (takeaway) the pre-packed Nasi Lemak wrapped in banana leaves at Sri Weld Food Court.

In addition to Ikan Bilis and Telur, the choice of toppings is fried fish, Squid, and even Prawns.

However, there is no fried chicken on the menu.

The fiery red sambal sauce has a slightly sweet taste!

You must try the basic Telur and Ikan Bilis while you pile on the ingredients for your other orders!

And if you’re wondering how to eat Nasi Lemak – you can use a spoon or your hands!

What I Order: Telur and Ikan Bilis with extra Fried Fish.

Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang
Location: Sri Weld Food Court, Beach St, George Town, 10300 George Town, Penang
Landmark: Near Tourism Malaysia Office
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7 AM to 3 PM, Saturday, 7 AM to 2 PM, Closed on Sundays

3 Roti Canai Gemas Road (Halal)

Gemas Road Roti Canai serves one of Penang’s tastiest Roti Canai (Paratha) for local breakfasts.

The order I like best is Roti Canai with a slice of cheese, Sunnyside eggs, and raw onions!

Try a Roti Canai with their available dhal, chicken, or beef curry!

Unless you have a sweet tooth, you may want to ask for less sugar for your Teh Tarik.

Go early in the morning if you don’t want to wait for a free table!

Peak hours for breakfast are between 9 AM and 11:30 AM!

Recommendation: I love the roti with curry chicken, a fried egg, cheese slice, and extra raw onions.

Of course, a mix of the curries for the “banjir” way locals enjoy their roti!

Roti Canai Gemas Road
Location: 51, 29, Jalan Gemas, Taman Kampar, 10460 George Town, Penang
Landmark: Caunter Hall
Hours: Thursday, Saturday & Sunday: 7 AM to 12:30 PM
Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday: 7.00 AM to 12:30 PM and 5.30 PM to 9.00 PM (Closed on Mondays)

4 Arati Villas (Pork-free food but serves Alcohol)

If you’re staying at hotels in Tanjung Bungah and opt out of buffet breakfasts, head to Arati.

Arati Villas is a favorite among the locals and residents around the Tanjong Bungah area.

You’ll be happy to find authentic banana leaf rice here without going downtown.

Check out the wide range of authentic home-cooked Indian dishes.

You can choose Roti Jala, Chapati, and Roti Bomb instead of eating rice.

Arati Villas is most well known for their delicious Indian food at an affordable price.

What I Order: Roti Jala with the Chicken Curry and Masala Potato

Arati Villas
Location: 9, Tanjung Bunga Park, Tanjung Tokong, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang.
Landmark: Opposite Hotel Mercure Penang Beach
Hours: Tuesday to Friday 8.00 AM – 10.00 PM, Saturday to Sunday 7.30 AM – 10.00 PM (Closed on Monday)

5 Lorong Seratus Tahun Curry Mee (Non-Halal)

Penangite’s favorite gem is the Lorong Seratus Tahun Curry Mee, although some may beg to differ.

The curry noodle stall is close to half a century old, with second and third-generation regulars showing up for breakfast daily.

A big bowl of spicy Curry Mee comes with blanched yellow noodles swimming in a thick curry broth.

If you love the creamy taste of santan and spicy chili, you must head here early for a bowl of deliciousness.

What I Order:  Big Bowl with extra chili paste and order two glasses of iced Kopi

Lorong Seratus Tahun Curry Mee
Location: 55, Lorong Seratus Tahun, 10400 George Town, Penang
Hours: 7.30 AM – 2.30 PM (Closed on Thursdays)

6 Ah Koo’s Hokkien Mee @ Classic Café (Non-Halal)

Regulars eat their Hokkien Mee at Ah Koo’s every morning without fail.

Ah Koo’s, a local favorite, is reputable for its dose of the best Hokkien Mee in Penang.

The stall operates only during the morning.

Be prepared for a minimum of 30 minutes during peak hours.

Classic Café is one of the first Kopitiam in Penang, with only one hawker stall that fully packs daily.

Ah Koo’s Hokkien mee broth is one of the thickest, with a full-bodied shrimp aroma.

You get an extra serving of crispy lard bits if you’re lucky!

Depending on your preference, some may find the soup too sweet.

Be sure to get there early if you want a bowl, and be prepared to wait for a table and wait for your Penang Hokkien Mee breakfast.

By 11 AM, the stall is sold out.

What I Order: Hokkien Mee with Bee Hoon prawns and extra prawns.

Ah Koo’s Hokkien Mee @ Classic Cafe
Location: 126 Jalan Perak, 10150 George Town, Penang
Landmark: Opposite Padang Brown Hawker Centre
Hours: 8.00 AM to 11.30 AM (Closed on Tuesday)

7 Chok Kee Porridge Café (Non-Halal)

Our pick of thick, flavourful Chee Cheong Chok is at one of Penang’s oldest pork porridge places.

Chok Kee Porridge serves Cantonese-style thick porridge, flavoured with pig innards and pig blood cubes and topped with smokey roasted pig intestines.

If you don’t want to eat the porky porridge, there’s Century Egg Congee (Pei Tan Chok) and Groundnut Porridge (Fah Sang Chok); ask for it!

Chok Kee Porridge Cafe
Location: 188, Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang
Landmark: Next to Wei Min Medical Hall
Opening Hours: (Mon-Fri) 11.00 AM – 4.30 PM (Sat & Sun) 8.30 AM – 2.30 PM

8 Pushcart Char Koay Kak (Fried Radish Cake) (Non-Halal)

The Sister Char Koay Kak Pushcart stall at Macalister Lane, currently run by the Eoh sisters, has been around since 1963.

One of my favorites, the fried radish cake, is an aromatic, soy-infused, delicious, cholesterol-laden treat.

The most decadent way to eat this is to have the sisters cook this with two eggs!

Eoh Sisters Char Koay Kak
Location: 94C, Lorong Macalister, George Town, Penang
Landmark: Seow Fong Lye Coffee Shop
Hours: 7.30 AM to 1.00 PM (Days off are not fixed)

9 Chee Cheong Fun @ Seow Fong Lye (Non-Halal)

Penang Chee Cheong Fun is steamed, warm, rolled soft, thin rice noodles.

The dish has three sauces to flavor the plain steamed rice flour rolls.

The main ingredient is shrimp paste, giving it an extra intense, savory flavor.

The garnish is a dash of shallot oil, a shake of toasted sesame seeds, and fried shallot crisps.
Sweet Sauce and chili paste add a balance to the taste.

You can ask for it to be unrolled to get more sauce on the Chee Cheong Fun.

If you don’t fancy the sauces, you can order the Chee Cheong Fun cut unrolled, served with shallot oil, soy sauce, sesame seeds, and fried shallot crisps.

For breakfast takeaways, he recommends not getting it steamed.

Chee Cheong Fun @ Seow Fong Lye 
Location: Macalister Lane, Penang
Landmark: Stall outside Seow Fong Lye Cafe
Hours: 7.30 AM -12.30 PM (Closed on Wednesdays)

10 Jian Jian Vegetarian Food

Jian Jian is where vegetarians get their Penang Hawker food fix.

When the food is good, I eat through the menu.

Jian Jian Vegetarian Food has a rotating menu for vegetarian versions of Penang’s favorite hawker noodles, fried and soupy.

The Penang Assam Laksa and Char Hor Fun, both the dry and wet versions, are my favorites.

You can order a vegetarian version to try “Oh Chien” Fried Oyster. The spicy chili dipping sauce is the bomb.

What I Order: Dry Char Hor Fun and Penang Assam Laksa with Kopi.

Jian Jian Vegetarian Food
Location: 58, Lebuh Tye Sin, George Town, 10300 George Town, Penang
Landmark: At the corner of Lebuh Tye Sin and Lebuh Cecil
Hours: 7.00 AM – 2.00 PM

Ten Places For Breakfast In Penang Is Not Enough?

I know.

That’s why I added more places that I frequent.

Believe me.

It’s not so easy to get on the shortlist.

11 Fried Fish Bee Hoon @Goh Chew Kopitiam (Non-Halal)

Goh Chew Kopitiam at Lorong Baru (New Lane) has a stall serving a lux version of the humble Economy Fried Bee Hoon and Yellow Noodles.

The noodles are cooked with lard oil (a lot of it) and infused with a mild savouriness from the Soy Sauce.

Economic Fried Bee Hoon is an essential comfort food many enjoy without other ingredients.

The lux version has deep-fried fresh sea bass and large prawns to match your order.

The Sambal Chili (somewhat oily) is served on a small plate as a dipping sauce.

Some diners complain that the Noodles taste bland without any Wok Hey, but this is a braised noodles dish – not comparable to Char Hor Fun.

What I Order: Char Bee Hoon with Extra Fried Fish, Prawns, and Kopi Peng.

Kedai Kopi Goh Chew 五洲茶室 (Non-Halal)
Location: 45, Lorong Baru, (New Lane) George Town, Penang
Landmark: Next block to Sunway Hotel
Hours: 8.30 AM -12.00 PM (Closed on Tuesday)

12 Restaurant Jaya AGD

Various vegetarian/vegan foods are separated from regular Indian food.

There is a section with different local veggies, mushrooms, vegetarian chicken, and vegetarian meat cooked in a traditional Indian style.

Try Indian bread such as roti-canai and chapati.

What I Order: Cheese Chapati with Masala Potatoes and Bru Coffee

Restoran Jaya AGD Sdn Bhd (Jalan Gottlieb)
25, Jalan Gottlieb, Taman Selamat, 10350 George Town, Penang
Landmark: Hope Children Hospital, Jalan Gottlieb
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7 AM to 11 PM

Klook.com

13 OO White Kopi Waterfall (Non-Halal)

OO White Coffee is a modernized “Kopitiam” that provides local Malaysian food.

Local favorites include Hokkien Mee, Char Kuey Teow, Hainanese Chicken Rice, and Teow Chew Fried Oyster.

They are known for their signature hand-brewed coffee and Nanyang kaya butter toast.

This Kopitiam opens early in the morning for early risers and joggers at the Botanical Gardens.

What I Order: Nanyang kaya butter toast and Kopi

OO White Coffee Waterfall
29 & 31, Jalan Gottlieb, Taman Selamat, 10350 George Town, Penang.
Landmark: Waterfall Hotel, Jalan Gottlieb
Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7.00 AM to 5.00 PM

14 Breakfast ROTI by GB (Non-Halal)

Ever wonder what it’s like to have a Western breakfast under a shady tree?

Head to the heartland near some condos off the touristy spots. You’ll find Roti by Golden Bowl.

Start with a classic Kaya Butter Toast, Eggs, and Coffee.

You can try fancy Pocket Toast or even Cheesy Maggi.

Leave the Lattes and Cuppuicno for the cafes.

You’ll want to try their signature Kiam Kopi (Salted Coffee) and Hor Ka Sai (Tiger Bite Lion)

What I Order: Cheesy Maggi and Iced Kiam Kopi.

Breakfast ROTI by GB
9, Medan Penaga, Kampung Batu Lanchang, 11600 George Town, Penang
Landmark: Taman Selatan Apartment
Hours: 8.00 AM to 2.30 PM (Mon-Sat) 7.30 AM to 2.30 PM (Sundays) (Closed on Tuesdays)

15 Chettiar’s Tiffin Café @ Penang Street

Chettiar’s Tiffin Café’s variety of South Indian food is popular with the local breakfast crowds.

The restaurant has an extensive menu and serves delicious food quickly. The prices are low, and the portions are pretty big.

Dosai, Idli, and Vada are all tasty!

Try the South Indian combo with Masala Chai for breakfast.

They do an excellent Banana Leaf Thaali for lunch.

My favorite is their freshly fried Vadai, which is made on order.

What I Order: Vada and Masala Chai

Chettiar’s Tiffin Café
35, Lebuh Penang, 10200 George Town, Penang
Landmark: Opposite Woodlands Restaurant
Hours: 8.30 AM to 10.00 PM

List Not Long Enough, You Say?

Okay.

How about I add some places below for all who love bread in the morning?

Western Breakfast In Penang

Remember when you next visit a breakfast in Penang,  for a King awaits the early riser!

Let me know if there are other Penang Kopitiam you enjoy breakfast in, and I’ll add that to the blog.