Dory used to patronize these Old Penang Kopitiam that have since closed down for decades.
If you’re a true-blue Penangite, you’ll know that the heart and soul of the island’s food culture is in the Old Penang Kopitiam.
There was a time before the birth of fancy cafes selling overpriced coffee that cost more than a jar of instant coffee.
Back in 1983, when Dory first started working in Penang, finding a good cup of coffee was as easy as spotting a Hainanese kopitiam along Beach Street.
These little gems in the heart of the banking district were the go-to spots for locals to grab a cuppa and toast—simple, but oh-so-perfect!
From the Behn Meyer building (now Bangunan Wawasan), there were 5 notable places that I could head to for a kopitiam breakfast.
Those days, a cup of kopi O was 40 cents!
Imagine this: Five Penang Old-School Kopitiam to choose from for breakfast, where you could grab a cup of coffee and toasted bread for just RM1!
No frills, just pure, simple goodness to kickstart your day.
Contents
Ah Hin’s Kopitiam (Defunct)
A favourite hangout was at Ah Hin’s old kopitiam shed next to the Old Historical Malayan Railway Building at Gat Leuh Cina.
Uncle Ah Hin’s kopitiam reigned supreme.
If you ever walked by, you’d spot him—the most well-dressed kopitiam owner in town.
I’m talking long trousers, a long-sleeve shirt, a belt, and hair slicked back with enough Brylcreem to put any boy band member to shame.
Ah Hin’s kopitiam wasn’t just about the coffee; he had a special copper stove to toast bread or steam buns, and let me tell you, each bite was pure magic.
Ah Guan’s Kopitiam (Defunct)
If we didn’t fancy Ah Hin’s, there was the Alley Kopitiam run by a couple who lived there and served coffee with a side of love.
Their shed was at the end of the side lane separating CIMB Bank (formerly Ban Hin Lee Bank) and Bangunan Wawasan (formerly Behn Meyer).
There was no dining in, as there wasn’t any space.
Ah Guan would hurry to serve the office workers from Behn Meyer (Bangunan Wawasan) and Ban Hin Lee Bank (now CIMB Bank), weaving through the crowd with practiced efficiency.
Ah Chye’s Kopitiam (Defunct)
For lunch, I would take the other staircase from Behn Meyer to Victoria Street.
It was the shortcut to head to Ah Chye’s kopitiam, now Boston Coffee (but honestly, it’ll never be the same).
Here, Aunty Anne ran her Economy rice stall. Back then, every lunch felt like going back for a homecooked meal!
If I got tired of Chinese food, it was back to Ah Hin’s, as Makcik had a Malay rice stall in the next little area.
Old Uncle Kopitiam (Defunct)
Across the road was a very old uncle who operated from a makeshift counter outside some godowns, selling fried bihun and coffee.
This spot is now Victoria Inn.
Ah Keat’s Kopitiam (Defunct)
We used to have breakfast at Ah Keat’s kopitiam next to Lorong Chee Em. I remember my colleagues fondly calling him “Thunder Keat.”
He was incredibly patient with Phil Beng Lee from Cardiff, who was the only “Amo” able to order drinks in perfect Hokkien.
Ah Keat handled the drinks, while his wife, Ah Ean, served up her famous Instant Cook Kway Teow Th’ng.
It was the only kopitiam with proper facilities, including toilets. The shophouse is now Branded Bay.
Pung Mui Jee (Defunct)
Further down Chulia Street, there was an orange lean-to kopitiam run by a Hainanese family from Pung Mui Jee.
This little shed sat on a side lane, tucked against the wall of Nam Wah Hotel and Bar.
After several transformations, it became Regge Mansion.
Now, you’ll find Halab Restaurant there, but the spirit of that old kopitiam still lingers for the seniors who remember.
Toh Soon Café (In Operation)
When I was a young girl, my parents would take me to our favorite restaurant, Hameediyah, for dinner.
I used to pass by Toh Soon Café on the way to Hameediyah, never thinking to stop for a cuppa.
It wasn’t until years later that I stopped by for their Roti Bakar and Kopi O.
Nowadays, I still park at Kg Malabar and walk through Toh Soon Café to get to my Nasi Kandar.
Before Toh Soon Café became the big name it is today, it was just another quiet spot.
But ever since it gained Instagram fame, the long queues, with RELA officers, can be a bit intimidating to the aunties.
I’ve never had the time to stop by—it’s always packed!
However, I’ve been to the New Toh Soon Cafe at Bishop Street.
Nirvana Cafeteria (In Operation)
Nirvana Cafeteria is the only Indian-owned kopitiam I love to visit, and it has all the right vibes.
I’ve been here on and off for the past 30 years.
Located next to the Penang Buddhist Association, right under a giant tree, this coffee shop is bursting with local flavor in a quiet part of Penang.
It’s one of those little places where Penangites come to relax and enjoy good food.
Final Word
No, I won’t head to those fancy, Instagrammable cafés.
I’d rather choose the ones that feel like home, with their simple charm and the inviting aroma of charcoal and toasted bread
These kopitiam might be disappearing, but their legacy lives on in the stories we share.
Craving that perfectly charred toast or have a memory of a defunct old kopitiam?
Share your old photos with SmartDory—we’d love to hear from you!
Blog Disclosure: This blog is written independently. No compensation, such as free meals, monetary payment, or services, has been received from any of the featured establishments. These are some of the old places that the Editor visited exploring Penang.
Thanks for the blog Smart Dory. I have my own memories of the roadside kopitiam where I would visit with my father. He would have his usual hot kopi which he drank by pouring it into the saucer that came with the cup. I would order my favorite toast with butter and kaya (coconut jam)….mmm….delicious! Such good memories. – life was much simpler then and time slowed down as enjoyed our coffee and toast!
Thank you for sharing your wonderful memory! I, too, remember my father pouring his kopi into the saucer for me to share before sipping it, always paired with a warm, crispy kaya toast. Those simple yet precious moments at the roadside kopitiam truly made life feel slower and sweeter. It’s amazing how a taste or a scent can transport us back to those cherished times. I’m so glad this blog could bring back such nostalgic memories for you!