Why limit the list to the seven best breakfast cafes in Penang? Why not 21 or more?
While a new cafe in Penang springs up almost overnight, there are only so many that Dory will bring family and friends to visit.
I will head to one which is almost like my canteen for my meals.
Others are my favorites. Some are memorable, and others offer good service and value for money.
Some breakfast cafes I like have different menu items – I’m not a huge Big Breakfast fan.
I’m more of the Grilled Ham, Cheese Sandwich, and Cream Cheese Bun sort of aunty.
I’m more of an aunt who enjoys a grilled ham, cheese, and cream cheese bun.
I want a Flat White over a Cappuccino and prefer a hot Americano with a dash of cold milk to even the temperature.
Why does the query of why never seem to receive a satisfactory response that will persuade me to consume or consume more foam?
Best Breakfast Cafes In Penang
So, if you’re visiting or local, having the best café breakfast in Penang is something you wouldn’t want to miss.
Let’s dive into a café with tasty, affordable food before splurging on an aesthetically pleasing café with a heftier price tag!
Since Dory has a penchant for ham and cheese sandwiches and Indian food, let’s see her top seven list. You’ll be surprised!
1 Trois Canon Café (HK Style)
The Cha Chan Teng-inspired Trois Canon Café offers a reasonably priced menu with delicious food that gets my top vote.
If you enjoy beef, you must try their Philly Cheese Steak Bun.
You consistently get three ingredients done to perfection: cheese, thinly sliced sirloin steak, and a soft bun.
The best part is that the obtrusive lettuce, cucumber, and tomato are absent, allowing you to fully appreciate your beef sandwich.
Perfect with ice-cold HK-style milk tea, coffee, and Ying Yong.
I only visit Trois occasionally since it’s challenging to locate parking on Campbell Street.
Trois Canon Cafe
Address: 165, Lebuh Campbell, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: Daily 7.30 AM – 4.00 PM
Saturday Closed
2 Bonjour Garden Bakery Café (Bakery)
Let’s put it this way: I usually hang out here and like nothing better than their Club Sandwich for brunch.
This is the best breakfast café in Penang, and it opens at 9.30 AM.
Easy, convenient service and consistency are crucial to turning first-time customers into regulars.
I like everything on the menu, and breakfast is one of my favorite meals at Bonjour Garden.
The other is a coffee and pastry snack; the caramel cheese bun is the bomb.
There are a few variants, like the original or walnuts, raisins, or cranberry.
Bonjour Garden Bakery Café is in Gurney Paragon’s basement and very easy to park.
Bonjour Garden, Gurney Paragon Mall
Address: 14, Lorong Kelawai, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: Daily 10.00 AM – 9.00 PM
3 Kesum Art Restaurant (Malay)
Kesum Art Restaurant is one of my favorites and the best spot for Johorean cuisine in George Town.
Their breakfast sets have Kacang Phool, Lontong, Soto Ayam, Nasi Lemak, and Laksa Johor!
The restaurant cum art gallery has a nice ambiance with art by resident artists Rosli Jaafar and Shaparel Salleh.
Food is halal, tasty, and delicious; you will return for more!
Kesum Art Restaurant
Address: 104, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: Sat & Sun 8:30 am–5 pm
Tues to Fri 12–8:30 pm
Monday Closed
4 Shobana’s Kitchen (Indian)
If you want authentic South Indian Cuisine that will tantalize your taste buds in a lovely setting, Shobana’s Kitchen has you covered.
I found this place one morning and decided to stop in for breakfast—puri and Bru Coffee—and I wasn’t disappointed.
Shobana’s Kitchen
Address: 20D, Lebuh Penang, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Breakfast: 8 AM – 11 AM
Hours: Daily 8 AM – 7 PM
Tuesdays Closed
If I want to splurge (for Penangites, it means once in a while, lah), I’ll head to these heftier-priced breakfast cafes in Penang.
5 Kafka @ Kelawai (Café)
Inspired by simple designs and good food, Kafka is quaint and lives up to its reputation for decent eats that don’t disappoint.
The coffee packs a punch and is delicious!
My favorite item on the menu is their Shakshuka, which comes in two versions: an Eggplant Shakshuka and another with Pork Chorizo Sausage Shakshuka!
Kafka @ Kelawai
Address: 15, Jalan Kelawai, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: Daily 8.00 AM – 6.00 PM
6 Emily Darling Cafe (Bakery)
The Emily Darling Cafe offers a selection of freshly baked pastries, coffee, tea, and decadent desserts in a lovely, colourful atmosphere beneath a black ceiling.
The croissants are lovely and flaky.
Ask for a garden salad, and you will have a visually stunning, satisfying, and lovely brunch.
Emily Darling Cafe
Address: 186, Jln Penang, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: Daily 9.00 AM – 6.00 PM
Sat & Sun 8.00 AM – 6.00 PM
Tuesdays Closed
7 Two Frenchies Cafe Bistro (French)
Bonjour! I head to the Two Frenchies for the best Croque Monsieur in George Town.
The bistro is a casual dining restaurant offering delicious home-cooked French food with excellent service.
A FamilyMart ham and cheese sandwich is good on most days, but life with the Gruyere and béchamel sauce becomes so tasty!
Two Frenchies Cafe Bistro
Address: 36, Lebuh Bishop, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: Tues to Fri 11:30 am–10:30 pm
Sat & Sun 9 am–10:30 pm
Mondays Closed
Conclusion
Are you looking for an Insta-worthy café or the prettiest food?
You might wonder if an Instagram-worthy cafe makes the experience richer.
For me, the best breakfast cafes in Penang are those that turn a visitor into a regular.
They do this easily with quality food, consistency, and good service.
I rather have a simple place where I can eat and taste my food and speak to the serves and the people who make our food.
And since I often get the same thing at the same café whenever I find something I like, I can readily tell if the quality is constant.
That’s more to eating than having the best aesthetic but so-so-good food.
So test my list and, if you like, order my recommendations and let me know what you think.
If you’re wondering, where’s the closest place to stay that you can walk around easily?
My friends love to stay at the 4 stars OZO George Town Penang, where they get great deals and accessibility.
Getting around Penang is easy via Grab or just walking.
Have a fun experience testing the Best Breakfast Cafes In Penang list!
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.