Tucked away in the charming Museum Hotel, Roots Café Bar offers a quiet retreat, featuring delightful desserts.
Though off the central tourist belt, the location still feels connected to the heart of George Town.
Roots Owner Jeff, with his partner, has curated a cozy space here.
The eatery provides a respite for dessert lovers seeking a tranquil café experience.
The dessert menu has balanced flavors without being overtly sweet.
The Museum Hotel shares a beautifully curated space with ample dining space and a pool with Roots Café Bar.
The area exuding old-world charm while maintaining modern functionality.
The deco and heritage aesthetics are seamlessly blend, creating an inviting atmosphere.
Though the pool is small, it provides a refreshing respite from the tropical heat during the day.
At night it sparkles like a blue sapphire, twinkling beneath the dark skies.
Everything is magical at night, enhancing the serene surroundings.
The ambiance is calm and relaxing, making it a perfect retreat for dessert lovers!
It feels like going back to Ah Ma’s house that has morphed into a dessert café with treats to die for!
Love, love, love.
Contents
Roots Cafe Bar
Roots Cafe Bar is famous for its signature cakes.
These are unique and impressive in appearance and taste. T
he coffee, tea, and chocolate drinks served are equally delicious too.
The menu choices are so tempting that it’s hard to decide!
My first visit was with the aunty classmates. Everyone wanted to eat and didn’t want to wait for that annoying food photographer aunty to snap snap snap…
That outing we tried the
- Dutch Baby Pancake
- Pull Apart Garlic Bread
- Rose Cheesecake
So I make another outing with Robin, who not only loves desserts but like to take photos too!
As this is my second visit here, and let me tell you three reasons why it’s one of the best dessert cafés in Penang.
- Lovely décor
- Friendly staff
- Decadent desserts
Roots achieve and Overall score of a 10 out of 10.
It used to be super crowded, but now the ambiance is just right, as we went during dinner!
There is no super long wait to get in or for our desserts.
The rest of the dessert lovers dropped by after 8pm, probably after dinner.
Roots Menu
There’s lots to root for!
With everything looking so delicious, let’s start with drinks.
Coffee, Tea or Chocolate?
Roots Drinks
Roots Desserts Bar is known for its handcrafted beverages.
The Roots Hot Chocolate is a rich, smooth drink with just the right hint of sweetness!
This makes it a warm indulgence without being overly sweet.
The Hot Latte, on the other hand, strikes the perfect balance between robust coffee and creamy milk.
It’s a comforting option for those who enjoy coffee without too much sugar.
A Hot Latte or Roots Hot Chocolate. Wink. Look at that smile!
Roots Beautiful Cakes
Jeff’s attention to detail shines through in the café’s beautiful cakes.
He envisions the taste of the cakes and encourages his pastry chefs to create these designer creations.
One of their best seller is their Water Melon Cake.
We decided to order others to try!
I’ve never been a fan of matcha.
But at Roots, their Matcha Grape Cake pairs beautifully.
The subtle bitterness of matcha with the refreshing burst of sweet grapes so well!
It’s a harmonious dessert that’s light yet satisfying.
I may have found the perfect match for my taste!
For something a bit more tropical, the Raspberry Lychee Cake offers a unique combination of tart raspberries and fragrant lychee.
The unique Raspberry Lychee Cake or Matcha Grape Cake? Why not order both?
Once again, the cake isn’t overly sweet but refreshingly balanced.
One remarkable aspect of dining at Roots is that you never get that “jelak” (overly full or sickly) feeling.
Instead, you leave feeling happy and satiated.
We always have the feeling that we can eat more!
Roots Desserts
Dessert lovers will be thrilled with the Roots Tiramisu.
This classic treat, has layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone.
It is delicately sweet and smooth.
There are two other places where I also enjoy the tiramisu; the Italian restaurants in Penang; Bottega and Kucina.
But if you’re a tiramisu lover Roots is your best bet for a wide selection of desserts!
Honeydew Sago or the Roots Tiramisu?
For a more local-inspired treat, the Honeydew Sago offers a deliciously light and cooling experience!
Honeydew Sago is a unique dessert presentation featuring three little treats.
The treats on the long rectangular platter, is meant to be sampled one by one.
However, according to Jeff, they’re best eaten mixed together for a burst of flavor!
Roots Savory Items
Robin and I wondered if we should go elsewhere for supper since our dessert outing was at 7:30 PM.
But there’s a first time for everything, so we thought, why not have dessert before the mains?
Jeff included two savory items for those who love a balance of flavors.
And really, what’s not to love about sausages and cheese with toasty bread?
For the ideal sharing plate, the British-Style Sausage Roll Bites is a poppable, party-friendly mini version of classic sausage rolls.
The only thing that held me back was that they were piping hot straight from the oven.
The smell of freshly baked goodies was simply irresistible.
The Sausage Bites are packed with flavor and could easily be a meal.
I can imagine baking these in my toaster oven when I’m too tired to go out or cook.
Another great sharing plate is the Pull-Apart Garlic Bread, served in a dim sum basket.
It’s soft, fragrant, and deliciously buttery—a perfect, indulgent snack.
Robin and I had a great time pulling it apart to see the cheese stretch.
It’s absolutely delicious!
Sausage Bites and Pull-Apart Garlic Bread – perfect snacks anytime!
Enjoy the savory Sausage Bites and the irresistible Pull-Apart Garlic Bread for the perfect appetizer duo.
We love the cozy atmosphere—it’s a perfect place to chill.
We had a wonderful meal hosted by Jeff, and Nany joined in on the fun.
Just spent the evening laughing, exchanging ghost stories, and enjoying a wonderful outing.
Conclusion
Roots Café Bar is a hidden gem in Penang. Tucked away from the crowds, it is rich in flavor and ambiance.
It feels like a secret spot – a perfect hideaway for chit chatting.
You can enjoy indulgent desserts (with lower calories) and delicious drinks.
Meet Me Here at Root Cafe Bar!
We love the cozy atmosphere, perfect for chilling with friends or family.
There is ample seating space, whether you prefer tables or sofas.
Everything on the menu screams TASTY!
The drinks and desserts were beautifully presented, and the experience was delightful. I highly recommend it!
It’s an ideal place to enjoy a quiet moment and indulge in expertly crafted treats.
I’ll definitely return to Roots!
For more hidden gems in Penang and unique café experiences, dive into other off-the-beaten-path locations!
Explore Smartdory’s cafe hopping on Penang and check out George Town’s unique hotel staycation experiences that await you.
Roots Dessert Bar
72, Jalan A.S. Mansoor,
10050 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Hours:
Mon to Fri: 2 PM to 11 PM
Sat & Sun: 12 PM to 11 PM
Google: https://g.co/kgs/ShpvSMu
