Boho chic Narrow Marrow Café has a new home on Beach Street, Penang.
When the secret alleyway café started in 2014, it was squished between two shophouses on Carnarvon Street.
In Penang, Carnarvon Street is known for two things – school books and undertaking business.
Back in the day, the Convent school girls would give the undertaker the telephone number to the boys they didn’t quite fancy who fancied them.
Some of the SXI boys reading this will remember those high school days.
Narrow Marrow Café – A Social Hub
Alvin and Jamie started the Cafe where everyone wanted to be a bar in 2014.
It was and still is the creative hub where their friends and regulars love to hang out.
When the café started, it was in this narrow strip of the shophouse.
In George Town, a traditional shophouse is a building type serving both a residence and a commercial business.
The shophouses are often narrow and deep – some punctuated by two or even three air-well for ventilation.
There are a few places in George Town where you can dine in a pre-loved property with a minimal makeover and full of rustic charm and character.
- Narrow Marrow
- China House
- Ecco Café
It is not the swankiest cafe for visitors to George Town; it has the best atmosphere.
Many of the cafes featured in Lonely Planet‘s must-eat places in Penang are housed in pre-war buildings with an offbeat, quirky air.
You will be surprised that a few of these gems serve excellent pasta and fantastic pizzas made from scratch.
Travelers seem to know where to head, and locals become regulars in these cafes where everyone knows your name.
Narrow Marrow Café New Location
Since 2020, Narrow Marrow has moved to a wider space next to the Le Petit Four Patisserie.
The new location is much wider than the old narrow one.
It is endearing to see Alvin and Jamie holding the fort and getting things shiphape in accordance with the new normal.
Narrow Marrow Café – Menu
Expect to find your all-time favorite coffee, cheesecakes, tiramisus, and toddler by familiar faces on the cafe menu.
Drinks
Yesses…. The mildly sweet alcoholic beverage is intriguing.
The beloved toddy (coconut palm wine) is the founders’ secret plan of warming customers up to drinking in a café.
Toddy Mojito (fresh mint) or the Toddy Basito (fresh basil) may tickle your fancy.
It is less intense than the one sold at the Kedai Tuak (Toddy Shops) in Penang and Butterworth.
While I don’t have a Tuak in the afternoon heat, I’m impartial to Jamie’s outstanding cheesecakes in-house.
We tried a few drinks.
The coffee here is good for an afternoon. Judging from its slightly bigger cup, it is supposed to come in a double shot.
- Americano
- Matcha Latte
- Banana Smoothie
- Marakesh Mint
Our dessert and drinks to while away the afternoon.
The Banana Smoothie.
Cheesecakes
Jamie’s cheesecakes are always baked fresh and contain straightforward ingredients.
The New York-style cheesecake is a no-frills cheesecake that packs a punch in flavor and texture.
What I like about the taste is that it is not “jelak.”
The distinct flavor is attributed to the fresh lemon juice and the sour cream.
I love the taste of Narrow Marrow’s cheesecakes for someone whose favorite cake is a Victoria Sponge (old school and boring).
The cakes are decadent without being overly sweet.
The Cheesecake was on sale the day we went
- Strawberry Sourcream
- Coconut Clitoria
- Salted Gula Melaka
- John Lemon
John Lemon Cheesecake
Salted Gula Melaka Cheesecake
Coconut Clitoria Cheesecake
Salted Gula Melaka Cheese (RM 15)
Salted Gula Melaka Cheesecake is an exciting combination packed with a dense cheese layer and topped with a delicious walnut and solid crumbs.
Salted Gula Melaka Cheese (RM 15)
Narrow Marrow Café – Deco
Alvin, the architect (we shared the design studio once upon a time), and Jamie built many of the items and did the installations in the café.
Bare walls display various odds and ends with random mixed-media art pieces, which testify to the couple’s unique style.
Several well-preserved old items, such as toys, books, knick-knacks, and handicrafts, were sourced from closed optometry and optical shops.
These also included vintage furniture and hardware that had been used in those businesses.
The upcycle furniture and mismatched seats are perch-worthy.
Both tourists and locals love to hang out here.
Overall, there are many spots for that Instagram shot.
Their terrariums are made in an assortment of reused glass jars, which is the most intriguing.
The Lounge Area at Narrow Marrow Cafe, Penang.
A shaft of light from the Air-Well.
Review of Narrow Marrow Cafe
The cozy cafe has character.
There are exciting twists on the beverage menu.
I enjoyed the coffee, smoothie, and the taste of the tangy cheesecakes.
I’m not much for drinking toddy (a personal choice), but the Toddy Mojito is interesting and worth a try if you like mint!
And if your herb is basil, you will enjoy the Toddy Basito.
I’m making another visit when the hot menu is ready!
Narrow Marrow Cafe
312, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10300 George Town, Penang
Business hours: 10 am – 6 pm (Friday to Sunday); Closed Tuesday and Wednesday
Mobile: 014-3036647
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meal.
