8 cafés in Penang for your caffeine fix

Norm Micro Roastery is well-known amongst coffee fans and café hunters who come from near and far. Formerly a shipping yard, its space is bright and vast, featuring large doors, high ceilings, and skylights. This pet-friendly café also has a food menu for you to indulge in alongside your coffees, with a highlight being the prawn and pumpkin risotto.

Around sunset, its adjoining space turns into a speakeasy that serves creative cocktails and a scrumptious dinner menu. 

Tucked away in a quiet neighbourhood and hidden behind lush foliage is Lunabar Coffee. This café is especially a must-try if you love cakes, ice cream, matcha, and, of course, coffee, which you can enjoy in its serene garden setting or inside its minimalist and cosy space.

Temu, Malay for ‘meet’, is known for its Instagrammable minimalist interiors and fantastic house blend. Coffee-wise, order the Temu Coffee if you prefer milk-based coffee or go for the Monday Cloud if you prefer your coffee black. Also popular are its sweet treats and matcha drinks, especially its signature Temu croffle (a hybrid between a croissant and waffle), burnt cheesecake, and almond croissant.

Located along Jalan Penang, Forest Cloud Beverage Company is committed to bringing you the best cups of coffee made with modern techniques and the best beans around. Its brightly-lit interiors make it a great spot to get some work done with a cuppa to accompany you. 

You can also pick up a bag of beans or two to bring home with you or even partake in coffee classes if you want to venture further into the world of coffee. 

One of the mainstays in the local café landscape, The Alley is quaint little hangout that serves some of the best cups of coffee on the island. Its space is comfortable and charming, making it a great place to kick back from the heat, though seating is limited.

If you need a bite, take your pick from its selection of delectable home-baked goods. Need a coffee on-the-go? Grab a bottle of its cold brew to bring along with you for your walks through the city. 

For a coffee break in a rustic and comfortable setting with exposed brick walls, head to Ome by Spacebar Coffee, founded by Joachim Leong and Shean Tan. The go-to café for many Penangites, Ome by Spacebar Coffee is known for its high quality specialty coffee drinks. Its house-made baked goods are also popular amongst its diners, especially its olive oil zucchini bread. 

Do take note of the one hour time limit when the café is particularly busy and seating is extremely limited. We recommend making your trip there as early as possible to avoid the crowds. 

Aesthetic and quaint, The Table Specialty Coffee lives up to its namesake with fresh brew and signature drinks. The signature Cremo Latte pairs well with pastries like the almond croissant with custard and brownies, while non-coffee drinkers will enjoy the matcha and chocolate selections.