Kafka Coffee venue was once a gym I frequented about a decade ago, likely the now-defunct Clark Hatch.
It’s fascinating to see how this space has transformed into a cozy café.
I remember the café opening sometime in 2019, and I visited it numerous times over the years. Since COVID-19, this café has slipped off my radar.
You know how it is with places and people—certain friends become tied to certain hangouts.
We often stop visiting those old haunts when those friendships change or fade.
Kafka was one such place for me.
My last visit was probably before the lockdown.
The café is at the an annex adjacent to a bungalow formerly owned by the Flying Club Penang on Kelawei Road, close to UOB Bank Kelawei.
Kafka Coffee is in a convenient location and easily accessible and with free parking.
It’s was a regular spot for me before COVID-19 and I have fond memories of bruches and teatime cafe hopping here.
As Penelope once mentioned, it’s unfortunate that many smaller cafés don’t survive past their third birthday, but Kafka has held on, even as others have faded away.
Today, Penelope was back, and we enjoyed a lively brunch at Kafka Coffee with Cindy and WW.
Since Penelope has become a pescatarian, we opted for vegetarian dishes instead.
I was tempted to go for the Eggs Benedict, but recent disappointing experiences made me hesitant to order it again.
We settled into a quiet corner of the café, where the mishmash of bare concrete walls, remnants of old tiles, and white plaster exuded a quaint, whimsical charm.
The sound of light conversation and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the café, making it feel warm and inviting.
Penang cafés often embrace minimal renovations, creating spaces filled with greenery and mismatched furniture.
This quirky yet picturesque combination gives them a unique appeal.
Kafka Coffee’s interior blends bare concrete walls, remnants of old tiles, and white plaster for a whimsical and charming ambiance.
A selection of Western foods is available on the menu, such as sandwiches, pasta, eggs benedict, toast, pancakes, and some meat dishes.
We had to hunt for the limited vegetarian options and chose two that proved to be interesting, tasty, and satisfying.
Vegetarian Big Breakfast (RM32.90)
We started with the Vegetarian Big Breakfast which was surprisingly wholesome and tasty. I promptly shared a photo of the meal with Justin.
We had a disappointing brunch two weeks ago, so I wanted to show off this spread: two large slices of sourdough topped with fried eggs and a generous serving of mashed avocado.
Poor Justin had to settle for plain sliced bread toast back then.
This set came with salty grilled halloumi cheese, cherry tomatoes, and sautéed mushrooms—worth the money.
Vegetarian Big Breakfast featuring 2 sunny-side-up eggs, sourdough bread, mashed avocado, sautéed mushrooms, and tomato—perfect for sharing.
Penelope ordered her favorite drink, the hot Hojicha Latte (RM13.90), which she thoroughly enjoyed.
Salted Caramel Latte (RM13.90)
I opted for the hot Salted Caramel Latte but couldn’t help comparing it to the version I had at Soul Cafe—it didn’t quite live up to the memory of my favorite.
As we chatted, the other two ladies mentioned wanting a Korean lunch elsewhere but decided to join us for coffee and cakes instead.
Spiced Eggplant Shakshuka (RM26.90)
The conversation flowed, and we decided to share the Spiced Eggplant Shakshuka
The Shakshuka arrived in a small cast-iron skillet, brimming with a rich, tomatoey gravy. It was loaded with flavor—earthy cumin and paprika, roasted tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant.
The only thing missing was the feta!
The perfectly poached egg on top added extra satisfaction.
With pita bread on the side, it made for a quick, easy, and healthy meal.
Spiced Eggplant Shakshuka featuring a runny egg and roasted peppers in a rich tomato sauce.
Kafka Coffee Portion Size
The portions were enough to share, so we didn’t overindulge.
Both dishes, the Vegetarian Big Breakfast and the Spiced Eggplant Shakshuka, earned full marks for taste and execution.
The satisfaction we felt after finishing these dishes was truly unparalleled.
Since the café was quite busy, our Nori Chicken Bites didn’t arrive as they were sold out.
We only wished the server had informed us about this.
Later, Cindy and WW dropped by, and we enjoyed more coffee and a slice of Cempedak Butter Cake.
The consensus was that another café, known for its home baked goodies, makes a better version of the cake.
The exterior of Kafka Coffee, adorned with lush green plants and expansive glass windows.
Kafka Coffee Review
We had a lovely time at Kafka Coffee.
The atmosphere was lively yet not too loud, allowing us to converse easily.
We left with a strong desire to return, especially the next time Penelope is up for more café adventures.
There are still so many items on the menu we’d love to try!
Overall, Kafka Coffee did not disappoint.
We were pleased with the service, though some servers needed more English skills. Despite this, they were friendly and helpful.
Kafka Coffee
Address: No. 15, Kelawei Road, 10250 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Business Hours: Daily: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Contact Number: 04-218 9726
Google: https://g.co/kgs/dd4SKNK
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.
