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10 Best Hipster Cafes in Penang [2024]

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Hipster Cafe Penang

Hipster Cafe Penang

Penang is a foodie’s paradise, and it’s no secret that the hipster cafe scene is thriving here. If you’re looking for an unique and Instagrammable cafe to check out, look no further! We’ve put together a list of the 10 Best Hipster Cafes in Penang. Whether you’re a fan of avocado toast or craft coffee, there’s something for everyone on this list!

1. Constant Gardener 

Key ServicesHipster Cafe Penang
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/ConstantGardenerCoffee/
Address9 Lebuh Light, Ground Floor, Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce Building 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Phone+60 11-6078 7883
Emailoperation@constantgardener.coffee
Operating HoursDaily 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM

A little, multi-roaster coffee shop serving Penang, Constant Gardener specializes in coffees, as well as freshly produced, distinctive cheesecakes, single origin hot chocolates, lovely infusion teas, and other things.

Key Differentiators:

  • Reasonable price
  • Relaxing ambiance
  • Good service

Customer Testimonial:

Good coffee with nice ambience, relax setting. Great place to chill or doing casual meet up. Plenty of electric sockets available to recharge phone/laptop juice.”

YaoLong Lim

2. Wheeler’s Cafe 

Key ServicesHipster Cafe Penang
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/wheelerspenang
Address67, LoveLane, Georgetown 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Phone+60 19-524 7703
Emailwheelerscoffee67@gmail.com
Operating HoursDaily 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Wheeler’s Cafe offers a versatile and welcoming environment where most events can be held. They provide coffee, Western cuisine, pizza, nachos, and other goodies. The varied menu will suit the majority of palates and work well for all mealtimes, from breakfast to dinner. Pasta and their thin-crust pizza are perennial favorites.

Key Differentiators:

  • Classy ambiance
  • Event’s place
  • Good food

Customer Testimonial:

“Good food, coffee and service, in summary consistently good which is not a given in Penang, recommended.”

John Andersen

3. Urban Daybreak

Key ServicesHipster Cafe Penang
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/urbandaybreak
Address338, Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone+60 4-262 9693
Emailurban.daybreak@gmail.com

In the center of Georgetown, Penang, you can find the hip artisan cafe known as Urban Daybreak. With a focus on classic Australian breakfast and brunch with a twist, Urban Daybreak was founded by a group of friends who believe in delicious soul food. They want to produce scrumptious, all-natural cuisine that makes you want more. Come on in and take part in a delightful and interesting adventure at our little cafe that they call home.

Key Differentiators:

  • Cozy atmosphere
  • Best brunch
  • Great service

Customer Testimonial:

Place is simple and quaint. Food is simple and delicious.”

Letha Shaferry Binel

4. ChinaHouse 

Key ServicesHipster Cafe Penang
Websitehttps://www.chinahouse.com.my/index-new.html
Address153, Beach St, 10300 George Town, Penang
Phone 04-263 7299
Emailinfo@chinahouse.com.my
Operating HoursDaily 9:30 AM-12:30 AM

In addition to being a beloved dining spot for locals, ChinaHouse is a well-liked tourist destination known for its cakes. It’s probably one of the most recognizable and enduring names in Penang’s cafĂ© culture. It is located within the complex of three old buildings and a courtyard outside, and it consists of a cafe, restaurant, art gallery, bakery, and shop all in one enormous space. Cakes come in 30 different types.

Key Differentiators:

  • Traditional taste preserved
  • Excellent service
  • Features music bands

Customer Testimonial:

“Books and games
 Delicious desserts.”

Subhaseni Chinniah

5. Black Kettle 

Key ServicesHipster Cafe Penang
Websitehttp://www.blackkettle.com.my/
Address105 Beach Street, 10300 George Town, Penang
Phone 04-251 9270
Emailtalk2us@blackkettle.com.my
Operating HoursThursday – Tuesday 11:00 AM-8:00 PM (Closed on Wednesdays)

Black Kettle provides an opportunity to taste authentically made-by-hand European baking without leaving Malaysia. Every bakery item that is produced has a high standard of quality because it is made using French cooking techniques to inspire artisan European flavors.

Key Differentiators:

  • Great desserts
  • Affordable
  • Big and cozy place

Customer Testimonial:

“Great place to meet up to catch up with friends over lunch. The seafood risotto I ordered was delicious, and the coffee was very good as well. Cozy environment if you’re looking for a place to chillax as well.”

Boon Hoong Ooi

6. Gudang Café

Key ServicesHipster Cafe Penang
Websitefacebook.com/gudangcafe
Address5 Gat Lebuh Armenian 10300 Penang, Malaysia
Phone+60 4-251 9634
Emailgudangcafe@gmail.com
Operating HoursDaily 11:00 AM – 11:00 PM

Gudang Café is an industrial-chic café built in the form of a warehouse. The vast main area, which is decorated with heavy wooden tables and dotted with tall stools like a bistro and a cocktail bar, is where the beauty of this establishment lies. Their coffee beans are supplied from Ethiopia, Colombia, Myanmar, and India, and they serve Southeast Asian-inspired cuisine with a Japanese influence.

Key Differentiators:

  • Japanese-inspired food
  • Reasonable price
  • Great ambiance

Customer Testimonial:

“The iced chocolate is definitely my type. The pasta and salmon burger are super delicious and fulfilling. The cake is good too. Spacious space and nice vibes. Great service and friendly staffs.”

#MyNameIsMuna #MUNALICIOUS

7. Macallum Connoisseurs

Key ServicesHipster Cafe Penang
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/Macallum
Address1 Gat Lebuh Macallum 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Phone+60 4-261 3597
Emailvince@macallumcoffee.com
Operating HoursDaily 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

A sizable warehouse that has been fully furnished with elegant industrial-chic features houses Macallum Connoisseurs. Large events can be held here with ease because there is plenty of seating. Under one roof, the location houses a cafe, restaurant, academy, and coffee roastery. You can learn the fundamentals of being a barista from their academy, including how to hand-craft brewing or use advanced latte techniques.

Key Differentiators:

  • Relaxing atmosphere
  • Delicious pastries
  • Best iced coffee

Customer Testimonial:

“Best and nice coffee. Good music and environment.”

Kaven Ho

8. Frank Laurent Coffee Roasters

Key ServicesHipster Cafe Penang
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/franklaurentcoffee
Phone+60 4-295 5370
Emailfranklaurentcoffeeroasters@gmail.com

Despite having multiple locations throughout the city, Frank Laurent Coffee Roasters’ earliest and most well-known location is on the first floor of Udini Square. Their coffee is manufactured with various beans imported from several remote regions of the world, including Ethiopia, El Salvador, and others. They have a large assortment of international coffee beans.

Key Differentiators:

  • Expert baristas
  • Great breakfast
  • Reasonable price

Customer Testimonial:

“Thoroughly enjoyed their coffee, one of the best in Penang. I’ll always pop in to get my fix whenever in town. keep doing what you do guys.”

Melvyn Loo

9. Mugshot Cafe & Rainforest Bakery

Key ServicesHipster Cafe Penang
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/themugshotcafepenang/
Address302, Chulia Street 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Phone+60 4-261 4641
Operating HoursMonday- Tuesday 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Wednesday-Thursday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Friday-Saturday 8:00 AM – 12:00 AM

Mugshot Cafe & Rainforest Bakery is a well-known choice because of its excellent coffee and western-style bagels. The cafe has its own bakery that specializes in bread and bagels and is located inside a typical shophouse. They can be served plain with a dash of cream and cheese, or they can be served with fuller (and pricey) options like smoked salmon, turkey ham, bacon, and eggs, or the sweet-tooth-pleasing Nutella and Banana combo. Their yogurts are delicious and healthful, and their espresso is strong.

Key Differentiators:

  • Relaxing atmosphere
  • Delicious pastries
  • Expert baristas

Customer Testimonial:

“Not much to say. Food & coffee excellent. Ambience are so cozy. “

Malis Mohd Nor

10. Chapel Street Cafe, Belle and Cream and Yun 

Key ServicesHipster Cafe Penang
Websitehttps://www.facebook.com/Chapelstreetcafe/
Address14 Medan Lim Cheng Teik 10250 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Phone+60 4-226 0620
Emailchapelstereetcafe@gmail.com
Operating HoursMonday, Wednesday-Sunday 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM, Tuesday Closed

In essence, Chapel Street Cafe, Belle and Cream, and Yun are three establishments in one. Chapel Street Cafe is a plant-filled coffee shop with an Australian theme that’s ideal for finding a peaceful spot in the city. It is connected to Belle and Cream, a dessert haven right next door, which specializes in bubble tea and scorched cheesecake, a Basque specialty that is currently quite well-liked in Penang.

Key Differentiators:

  • Cozy atmosphere
  • Great breakfast

Customer Testimonial:

“Great food and nice atmosphere for gathering. Will come back again for sure.”

Cheah Chee Guan

Hipster Cafe Penang

Hipster Cafe Penang is a great place to find delicious food and drinks. The cafe has a relaxed atmosphere that makes it the perfect spot to gather with friends. If you’re looking for a great breakfast, Hipster Cafe Penang is the place to go. Thanks for reading!

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Rachel Tan - FunEmpire

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I'm currently the editor at FunEmpire Media Malaysia. I've over 8 years of experience in the media industry discovering the best local businesses, places and things to do in Malaysia. From lifestyle, entertainment, food, travel, education and more, I strive to curate the very best Malaysia has to offer.