Mews Cafe is a hipster but traditional bistro in Muntri Mews Hotel, George Town.
The traditional Kopitiam (coffee shop) cafe serves Malay food adjusted to Western tastes.
This restaurant has an elegant and vintage feel tucked in the old part of George Town.
The small and unique Cafe has a menu prepared with fresh local ingredients.
I’ve been often over the years, mostly to enjoy a good meal with visiting homies rather than writing a review.
Or rather, any review.
Since the lockdown, eating out with friends has been a rare and planned occasion.
We start scheduling meals instead of a free and easy go here and there to eat.
What’s Mews Cafe like?
Diners entering the Mews Cafe would be enveloped in a black-and-white world of mosaic tile floors, ornate China dishware, white marble tabletops, and Kopitiam chairs.
At one point, many trendy cafes would have these once-traditional Kopitiam styles in an upmarket setting.
You can dine in the cafe or the alfresco area (which is currently unavailable).
The ambiance is beautiful and refreshing, with healthy green plants outdoors.
It is quiet and friendly for coffee and reading a book without disturbance.
Contents
Brunch At Mews Cafe
Getting KC to hang out with Penny and me wasn’t easy.
We wanted more than fresh coffee and eggs over easy, and Penny suggested Mews Cafe.
Of course, I agreed.
I got to tell the story of how Muntri Mews used to be the stables in the old days when the money in Penang used to own horse carriages.
Old horse stables and architecture give you a feel for what Penang was like before.
Part of the collection of Edwardian-era buildings, Muntri Mews, started as communal parking for horse carriages.
The heritage building was originally the mews meant for the row of grand terrace houses built along the street during an era of affluence.
The rooms above the stables were communal quarters for the drivers and syce who cared for the horses.
So, if you’re looking for a truly unique cafe in Penang, especially a former horse stable, Mews Cafe is capable of putting an end to your hipster cafe hopping.
Plus, we got to be part of history by eating at Mews Cafe even if we didn’t get checked in at Muntri Mews.
KC: Would you like to stay at an old hotel?
Dory: Nope.
Penny: Why not? You scary fish, Dory?
Dory: I like spanking new places and rooms with low ceilings. Once I was invited to stay at home in Langkawi with 14-foot roof space, I got the whole house to myself and chicken me chose the smallest room with the lowest ceiling. Or Cabuts!
Penny: I would gladly stay.
KC: I’ll pass.
I looked at those two, famished since I couldn’t read the menu.
No cheeky, it’s not because I never go to school, okay?
It’s the aunty thing.
Penny tried to order. KC watched bemused as Dory signaled to the staff for help!
There’s an escape clause when it comes to ordering when you can’t see to order—it’s called getting the maitre d’ to recommend.
Getting a great ambassador of the dining room makes the experience so pleasant.
Mews Cafe Menu
Mews Cafe boasts that their delectable spread is prepared using fresh local ingredients, homemade sauces, and spices without MSG (monosodium glutamate).
Food-wise, Mews Cafe offers a menu of food packed with flavor.
The menu is split into two categories – local and western.
The menu is small and engaging, and the dishes are well-executed.
The portions are generous, which means you will be able to share.
The presentation on a round enamel pan is simple and suitable for old-fashioned cutlery lovers.
Indeed, it is a pretty sight that brings flavor to the fore.
I wanted to try a few things that weren’t on the menu.
The Sri Lankan lunch set was launched in 2021.
I hadn’t had Sri Lankan food before and wanted to try the Kariwila Sambol (Bitter Groud Salad).
I fantasized about hoppers, string hoppers, milk rice, coconut roti, sambals, kiri hodi, curry, and much more excellent Dahl.
Delicious Sri Lankan sweets, made with domestic spices and sweetened with treacle and jaggery, floated through my mind.
I arrived late.
Penny pulled a face.
KC smiled.
I thought, “Yay, you two had a half-hour head start to gossip about me.”
I ignored Penny’s scowl and launched into telling them about my friendly Grab driver, whose car was decorated with Power Puff Girls pockets that held the MySejahtera QR code.
Dory: Menu fonts are too small, and I’m too hungry to read. Did you order?
Penny: Yeah, a carrot juice.
Dory: We come to share one carrot juice? Do I get to chew on the glass???
Penny did eye rolls, but these aren’t on the menu either.
Dory: Is the Sri Lankan set on the menu?
Penny: Hello, Muntri Mews serves Malay food.
Dory: Come. We will go to Sri Lanka next.
KC: Let’s order.
Since I couldn’t read the menu (this is called not wearing bifocals, not illiterate, okay?), we signal the wait staff for some healthy recommendations.
Do remember to check out the seasonal blackboard specials for one-of-a-kind mains.
Penny: You, healthy?
Dory: Can we have lots of santan in all the dishes?
A platter for two pax but generous enough to feed three!
We ordered the platter for two (RM80)
The set comes with small Bites (Satay or Cucur Udang), two main courses with crispy papadam, and a choice of dessert.
Penny and KC chose.
My job was to eat, remember the names of dishes I ate, and write.
Easy right?
Oh yes, and pay money.
Mains
- Laksa Lemak
- Beef Rendang
The other items are:
- Beef and Chicken Satay
- Kacang Botol Kerabu
- Crispy Papadom
Desserts
- Banana Fritters
The food at Mews Cafe does not disappoint.
You may initially find it slightly pricey, but the portions are generous enough to feed the three of us.
An RM80 Cafe lunch for three pax is not too pricey.
Laksa Lemak
The Laksa was tasty.
There was a moment when I was fishing around for Tofu Puffs and hoping I didn’t encounter any cockles.
Penny looked at me as if reading my mind.
KC: We ordered Laksa, Dory. Not Helen’s Curry Mee.
Ahh… no wonder; I thought the Curry Mee looked odd in a charming way.
But then the Laksa rice noodles were doing the backstroke in a huge bowl of santan. What’s there to complain?
The Laksa in Mews is an upscale version of this traditional kampung fare made with real santan (or cream?), but it was richly coy and lovely.
The creamy broth provides a nice smooth slurp to the noodles, much to our amusement.
KC helped us finish the Laksa with gusto.
Laksa Lemak (lfet) Kerabu Kacang Botol (right)
Kerabu Kacang Botol (Four Angled Beans Salad)
We had a small side of Kerabu Kacang Botol.
The thinly sliced beans and onions are tossed with grated coconut, pounded dried shrimp, and toasted Belacan, and they are seasoned with sugar and lime.
That’s how we make it at home.
Beef Rendang
We loved the Beef Rendang, a Malaysian beef stew made with chunks of well-marinated spices and coconut milk.
Beef Rendang was soft and tender enough but lacked the powerful spice punch.
Muntri Mews serves Malay food that is adjusted to Western tastes.
I remember the taste of Serunding Asli Kampung Laut from Kelantan. It was so fragrant that all other recipes fell short of par excellence.
Beef Rendang
Chicken & Beef Satay
Satay is thick, chunky, tender, and cooked through, and I’ve encountered several thick satays that are raw inside.
The version at Mews Cafe is good, and my mom would approve.
As for me, I prefer the Beef Satay over the Chicken Satay.
The peanut sauce would be nicer and spicier for my taste.
Fat, thick, juicy Satay
Caramelized Banana Fritters
Diners can round off a meal with a selection of the short but sweet list of dessert offerings.
I’ve heard comments that the caramelized banana fritters with ice cream were epic.
My two dining companions were okay with it, but I wasn’t fond of panko-crusted banana fritters.
It’s just a personal thing.
Panko-crusted caramelized banana fritters with ice cream were epic?
The cuisine at Mews Cafe can be matched by the restaurant’s wine options.
Mews Cafe Review
Mews Cafe is a good, small, cozy place to meet for a meal or coffee with cakes.
The food we ordered was delicious and reasonably priced.
When Mews Cafe opened, there were a few nice cafes and restaurants in George Town serving Malay cuisine in an air-conditioned environment.
The waiters were friendly and helpful. The service was attentive.
Noted: The quality of the food and service has been maintained since I first dined here in 2017.
Pet lovers will be happy to know that Mews Cafe is pet-friendly.
The exterior of Mews Cafe on Muntri Street, Penang.
Mews Cafe Location
Mews Cafe is on Muntri Street, within the main UNESCO World Heritage area, Little India, and a short walk from Penang Road.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/cG5r9unA3LyHvuKD7
Mew Cafe Parking
While there is plenty of roadside parking, go early if you don’t want to walk the length of Muntri Street in the hot sun. Otherwise, take a Grab.
Mews Cafe (Pork-Free)
Opening Hours: 12.00 PM to 9.00 PM
Address: Muntri Mews, 77, Jalan Muntri, George Town, Penang.
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.
