Published Jan 25, 2023 | Updated Feb 5, 2026
There’s no shortage of breakfast cafes in Penang, but only a handful are places I actually return to.
This list isn’t about trying every new opening or chasing pretty plates for photos.
It’s about the cafes I bring family and friends to, the ones that feel familiar, reliable, and worth waking up for.
My idea of a good breakfast is simple.
I’m more likely to order a grilled ham and cheese sandwich or a cream cheese bagel than a big, heavy breakfast set.
Coffee matters too. I’ll take a Flat White over a Cappuccino, and I like my Americano with a splash of cold milk so I can drink it straight away.
Otherwise, Bru Coffee with fresh cow’s milk or a Hong Kong-style milk tea or coffee is usually my order.
That’s how this list came together.
These are the best breakfast cafes in Penang, based on where I genuinely go back to, not places I tried once and forgot about.
Breakfast Cafes In Penang
So, if you’re visiting or local, having the best café breakfast in Penang is something you wouldn’t want to miss.
Let’s dive into a café with tasty, affordable food before splurging on an aesthetically pleasing café with a heftier price tag!
Since Dory has a penchant for ham and cheese sandwiches and Indian food, let’s see her top seven list. You’ll be surprised!
Contents
Trois Canon Café
The Cha Chan Teng-inspired Trois Canon Café offers a reasonably priced menu with delicious food that gets my top vote.
If you enjoy beef, you must try their Philly Cheese Steak Bun.
You consistently get three ingredients done to perfection: cheese, thinly sliced sirloin steak, and a soft bun.
The best part is that the obtrusive lettuce, cucumber, and tomato are absent, allowing you to fully appreciate your beef sandwich.
Perfect with ice-cold HK-style milk tea, coffee, and Ying Yong.
I only visit Trois occasionally since it’s challenging to locate parking on Campbell Street.
Philly Cheese Steak Bun at Trois Canon Café (HK Style Café)
Trois Canon Café
165, Lebuh Campbell, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours:
- Monday to Friday & Sunday: 7:30 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
Bonjour Garden Bakery Café – Permanently Closed
This used to be one of my all-time favourite breakfast cafés in Penang, loved for their Beef Club Sandwich and caramel cheese buns. It closed in June 2025. I’m keeping this note here for reference, but it’s no longer part of my 2026 list of cafés I regularly visit.
Kesum Art Restaurant
Kacang Phool Set at Kesum Art Restaurant (Malay)
Kesum Art Restaurant is one of my favorites and the best spot for Johorean cuisine in George Town.
Their breakfast sets have Kacang Phool, Lontong, Soto Ayam, Nasi Lemak, and Laksa Johor!
The restaurant cum art gallery has a nice ambiance with art by resident artists Rosli Jaafar and Shaparel Salleh.
Food is halal, tasty, and delicious; you will return for more!
Kesum Art Restaurant
104, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Friday: 12:00 PM – 8:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Shobana’s Kitchen
If you’re curious about authentic South Indian breakfast, Shobana’s Kitchen is worth a try. I only stopped by once for a puri set and Bru Coffee, but it left a great impression.
Shobana’s Kitchen – Worth a Try
20D, Lebuh Penang, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Breakfast Hours: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Hours:
- Tuesday: Closed
- Monday & Wednesday to Sunday: 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
If I want to splurge (for Penangites, it means once in a while, lah), I’ll head to these heftier-priced breakfast cafes in Penang.
Kafka @ Kelawai
Eggplant Shakshuka at Kafka @ Kelawai
Inspired by simple designs and good food, Kafka is quaint and lives up to its reputation for decent eats that don’t disappoint.
While the coffee packs a punch for regulars, it’s a bit too acidic for me.
My favorite item on the menu is their Shakshuka, which comes in two versions: an Eggplant Shakshuka and another with Pork Chorizo Sausage Shakshuka!
Kafka @ Kelawai
15, Jalan Kelawai, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours: Daily 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Emily Darling Cafe
Breakfast at Emily Darling Cafe (Bakery & Café)
The Emily Darling Cafe offers a selection of freshly baked pastries, coffee, flower tea, and decadent desserts in a lovely, colourful atmosphere beneath a black ceiling.
The croissants are lovely and flaky.
Ask for a garden salad, and you will have a visually stunning, satisfying, and lovely brunch.
Emily Darling Cafe
186, Jalan Penang, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours:
- Tuesday: Closed
- Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Two Frenchies Cafe Bistro
Croque Monsieur at Two Frenchies Cafe Bistro
Bonjour! I head to the Two Frenchies for the best Croque Monsieur in George Town.
The bistro is a casual dining restaurant offering delicious home-cooked French food with excellent service.
A FamilyMart ham and cheese sandwich is good on most days, but life with the Gruyere and béchamel sauce becomes so tasty!
Two Frenchies Cafe Bistro
36, Lebuh Bishop, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Hours:
- Monday: Closed
- Tuesday to Friday: 11:30 AM – 10:30 PM
- Saturday & Sunday: 9:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Why These Are the Best Breakfast Cafes in Penang
For me, the best breakfast cafes in Penang are those that turn a visitor into a regular.
They do this with quality food, consistency, and good service.
I prefer simple places where I can enjoy my meal and chat with the staff who make it.
Since I often order the same thing, I can tell quickly if the quality is consistent. That’s more important to me than pretty aesthetics with so-so food.
Try my list, order my recommendations, and let me know what you think.
If you’re wondering where to stay nearby, my friends love the 4-star OZO George Town Penang for its convenience and accessibility. Getting around is easy by Grab or on foot.
Have fun exploring these best breakfast cafes in Penang!
Blog Disclosure: This is a NOT sponsored blog post. All opinions are mine. The writer and friends paid for their meals.
