Originally published August 26, 2022. Updated September 20, 2026.
New Cafes in Penang I’m Checking Out
The new cafe scene in Penang never really sits still. Some places come and go quickly, while others settle into the neighbourhood and become part of the local rhythm.
So I’m not keeping this as a fixed list from one particular year. I’ll add new places as I check them out, and keep the ones that continue to deserve a mention.
Here are some of the cafés currently on my radar.
chucafe8 厝 Lebuh Cintra, George Town Penang
chucafe8 厝
chucafe8 is one of those little George Town cafés I’m happy to keep on my radar.
Hidden along Lebuh Cintra, this small owner-run café specialises in French toast, milk toast, sandwiches and slow coffee.
It was quiet when I first knew about it. Then it went viral on XHS and, suddenly, queues appeared. 😂
We ordered the Classic French Toast and HEC. The bread was excellent, soft with a slightly charred edge, and the seasoning was nicely done. I also liked the well-balanced latte and their
Prices are very reasonable for George Town, which is another reason I like it.
The team is small, so bring a little patience. Good toast takes time. 😉
Chef Danny Yeong, Emily Darling
Emily Darling
You know how some places slowly start to feel like home?
Emily Darling has become one of my favourites. I don’t need a special occasion to go. If I’m in the mood for quiet coffee and something sweet, this is one of the places that comes to mind.
And when I say I’m bringing the whole kampung, I mean it. Friends, food, chit-chat. The more the merrier.
I’ve also enjoyed watching the owners grow from home bakers into a proper café operation. Chef Danny Yeong has since completed the professional pastry programme at Le Cordon Bleu, earning his Diplôme de Pâtisserie.
For me, that journey is part of the charm. I’ve watched the story develop over time.
And yes, I’m a regular!
Seven Days cafe, Penang Road
Seven Days
Before it became Seven Days, owners Beverly and her partner were behind Higher Ground at Kinta Lane. Now they’ve moved into the old Ho Ping coffeeshop on the corner of Penang Road and Kampung Malabar.
There is something rather nice about seeing an old Penang coffeeshop building given another lease of life.
They serve a coffee that I actually like, along with some interesting pasta dishes.
Most mornings, if you give me a choice between café breakfast and noodles from the market, the noodles will probably win. Hahaha.
But 7 Days is where we drop in for coffee, breakfast and, most importantly, a good old chit-chat.
Sometimes that is exactly what a café is for.
Sad Panda cafe, Penang
Sad Panda
I’ve walked past this little café with the rather odd name many times before finally stepping inside.
Turns out Sad Panda is a bakery too, because the owner makes his own sando bread, that soft Japanese milk bread that is perfect for sandwiches.
The Egg Mayo Sando is one of the more luxurious versions I’ve had around town. Super good.
I also like their breakfast mix-and-match, because you can customise what you want instead of accepting a fixed combination.
My usual order is easy: Egg Mayo Sando and apple juice.
Why not coffee?
Their beans lean Italian, floral and more acidic than my palate enjoys. That’s simply my preference. If you love floral coffee, you may feel differently.
Aunty Dory isn’t going to pretend every coffee bean was roasted specifically for me. 😂
The Garden Cottage by Cara Caro, Pulau Tikus
Garden Cottage Cafe
When I was working in Pulau Tikus, the old house that became Garden Cottage Cafe was one of the more interesting buildings I used to pass.
So when it became a café, I was naturally curious.
The Garden Cottage by Cara Caro is run by experienced F&B owners, with a rustic, slightly bohemian feel that doesn’t go overboard. I like that the old house has room to breathe. It feels open and relaxed.
When we visited, the sourdough toast sets and salad tasted fresh and thoughtfully prepared. Service was friendly and attentive too.
For me, the building is half the charm. It is always nice to see an old Pulau Tikus house given another life.
Malaya Kopi Penang at Loke Thye Kee
Malaya Kopi Penang at Loke Thye Kee
Some cafés give you good coffee.
Some give you nostalgia.
Malaya Kopi gives me both.
The best part for me is sitting inside the historic Loke Thye Kee building and looking out towards Komtar. That view never gets old.
Two things I particularly like are the Nasi Ulam and Kopi Butter. In fact, they are the things I happily tapao for my mother.
And yes, I may be the only Chinese aunty in Penang who turns up with two hot Kopi Butter in a thermos flask.
What to do? Mum wants her coffee. Aunty Dory delivers. 😂
For me, that’s what makes a café memorable. It’s not just what’s in the cup. It’s the place and the memories.
Utoo Boho Cafe, Penang
Utoo Boho Café
Whimsical Utoo Boho Café brings back memories of an afternoon dining with Steph, John and Yvonne.
We had the prettiest cakes.
One that caught our attention was the Lacy Weensy Nutmeg, from the Floret Essence petite gâteau collection. It was beautifully decorated with delicate floral details, while the nutmeg filling gave it a distinctly Penang touch.
Naturally, four grown adults photographed the little cake from every possible angle before anyone dared to make the first cut. 😂
It felt almost too pretty to eat.
Almost.
In the end, cake won.
As it should.
Tea Kadai Indian, Little India
Tea Kadai HQ
Tea Kadai is one of the most unpretentious cafés in Little India, and that is exactly why I like it.
No need to dress up the experience. You get Indian coffee, tea, biscuits and simple Indian snacks, including bhaji and pani puri.
This is the sort of place I enjoy when I’m around Little India and want something casual rather than another polished café experience.
I’ve known Little India for a long time, and places like this still feel connected to the neighbourhood.
Order a masala tea, get some snacks and sit outside for a while.
It doesn’t need to be complicated.
Sometimes simple is enough.
A Living List of New Cafes in Penang
Penang’s café scene changes quickly, so this list will keep evolving.
Some cafés will become regular favourites. Some will disappear. And some will surprise me completely.
That is part of the fun of café hopping in Penang.
If you know of a new café that I should check out, send it my way. I may not promise to visit immediately, but I promise I’ll be curious.
