W life Cafe is one of those high-ceiling, Instagrammable spots with vibrant pops of colour.
Everything comes alive inside.
And once upon a time, it was perfect.
I’ve always had a soft spot for vegetarian restaurants.
There’s something comforting about supporting a place that’s trying to do good.
For health, for animals, for the environment.
That’s why I was excited to revisit W life Cafe.
It’s a place I used to enjoy, long before the MCO.
Back in the early 2000s, if memory serves me right, there was a humble, canteen-style cafe here.
It was run by Tzu Chi volunteers.
It had that down-to-earth charm.
Simple food.
A warm smile at the counter.
Regulars who knew each other.
The meals were hot, quick, and satisfying.
A proper lunchtime gem when I was still working in the CBD.
Years later, I came back and found it transformed.
The space had been upgraded.
It now had a lovely ambiance, polished interiors, and a full rebrand as W life Cafe.
It join other meatless lunch spots in Penang.
Nice.
My last visit was in December 2022.
I had lunch with three colleagues, and they all loved the food.
I remember thinking, wow, they’ve really done well.
So when Bee, who’s now fully vegetarian, and I were planning lunch, I suggested we go back to this vegetarian cafe.
It felt like a safe choice for both of us.
Business was noticeably slow on a Saturday afternoon — a quiet scene in what used to be a bustling cafe.
W life Cafe Self-Service Setup
The self-service setup at W life Cafe feels a bit too much like a canteen.
Here’s how it works now at W life Cafe.
- You order and pay at the counter
- Get a buzzer
- Pick up your own food
- Find your own utensils
- Carry your own water
- Clear your own plates
Now, I’m not fussy.
I don’t mind ordering and paying before the meal.
Carrying a tray, searching for cutlery, and pouring water feels more like a canteen than a cafe.
At cafe prices, I expected a little more comfort.
W life Cafe Noodles in 2022
W life Cafe 2022
This Hokkien Mee arrived steaming hot back in 2022 — a simple detail that made the meal memorable.
Self-Service Feels Like Work
Now, I’m not against self-service. I don’t mind paying upfront.
But once I’m carrying a tray, balancing cutlery, and searching for water like I’m in a food court.
It stops feeling like a relaxing meal and starts feeling like work.
For a vegetarian restaurant charging cafe prices, I expected a little more comfort.
This setup might be common in places like Singapore or Australia.
But many local diners still prefer a small touch of table service — something that feels a bit more welcoming.
W life Cafe could take a page from Taiwanese cafes.
They often have cutlery and serviettes neatly placed in a small container at each table.
Even that small detail makes a big difference.
A central hot water or tea station would also be a nice addition.
But here’s the thing: in those cafes, the food still gets served to your table.
all of which clearly contain eggs or dairy. There are currently no marked vegan options, and no plant-based milk
alternatives for drinks. If you’re fully vegan, it’s best to ask the staff before ordering.
Vegan Options? Not Much Left
If you’re vegan, be warned — the menu has changed quite a bit.
There’s only a smaller selection left.
Despite what some of the glowing reviews suggest, vegan options are now extremely limited.
Even the set lunch, which includes a dessert, was a bit of a letdown.
The dessert? A tiny jelly with santan.
It was about the size of two jumbo fries — no exaggeration.
It’s Still an Instagrammable Cafe — But Is That Enough?
There’s no denying it.
W life Cafe is one of the more Instagrammable cafes around.
The interior is thoughtfully designed, and you’ll get plenty of beautiful photos.
But a restaurant can’t rely on ambiance alone.
Diners come for the food and the overall experience.
Basic things.
Thing like handing over one menu instead of two could easily be solved with a QR code at the table.
And customers expect a hot lunch.
The cold dishes and lukewarm soup made it hard to enjoy the meal — even in such a lovely setting.
The Nyonya Rice, served in a charming tiffin carrier at RM17, offers more variety and flavour than the Nasi Lemak at the same price.
Everyone gets a paging buzzer at W life Cafe — once it buzzes, it’s time to collect your own food from the counter.
I Wanted to Love It And Still Hope I Can.
I came in hoping to enjoy a meal with a good friend.
And to support a local vegetarian restaurant I had fond memories of.
I left with mixed feelings.
W life Cafe has a lot going for it.
The location is great.
The design is beautiful.
The coffee? We didn’t order it, because the food quality had already dipped.
And the self-service setup feels cold — in more ways than one.
This isn’t a takedown.
It’s a gentle nudge.
If anyone from W life Cafe is reading this, I hope you’ll hear the heart behind it.
People want to support you.
We want the food to arrive hot.
We want the service to feel thoughtful.
And we want to leave feeling like it was worth the visit.
I believe you can get there again.
W life Cafe
2, Gat Lebuh Gereja, 10300 George Town, Penang
Business Hours: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Closed on Sundays
Blog Disclosure: This blog is written independently. No compensation, such as free meals, monetary payment, or services, has been received from featured establishments.
