Breakfast cafes in Penang
Breakfast. The most important meal of the day, but only the lucky few wake up early enough to savour it properly. Thankfully, the myriad of breakfast options in Penang does not give us any excuse to skip the meal – not that we can resist a good plate of scrambled eggs with toast anyway.
Though we love our usual nasi lemak and roti canai, there are times when we crave for a hearty avocado toast or a comforting bowl of shakshuka. So if you’re looking for a cosy cafe to indulge in a weekend brunch, here are 9 breakfast cafes in Penang to absolutely make your morning.
Table of Contents
- Breakfast cafes in Penang
- 1. Mugshot Cafe & Rainforest Bakery – bagel sandwiches & homemade yoghurt
- 2. Let’s Meat – all-American breakfast & burritos
- 3. Urban Daybreak – fried chicken waffles & shakshuka
- 4. Picco Polo Cafe – croque madame, big breakfasts & croissants
- 5. Sin Seh Kai Artisan Bakery – sourdough & shokupan loaves
- 6. Wheeler’s Cafe & Bar – vegan-friendly sandwiches & pour over coffee
- 7. Tomorrow English Cafe – English breakfast with black pudding
- 8. Chapel Street Cafe – “crocoon” wraps & burnt basque cheesecake
- 9. Unknown Cafe & Bistro – pan-grilled shrimp croissants & tiramisu coffee
- Breakfast cafes in Penang
1. Mugshot Cafe & Rainforest Bakery – bagel sandwiches & homemade yoghurt
Image credit: @rainforest.bakery
No doubt, one of the first cafes that come to mind when breakfast is mentioned among Penangites is Mugshot Cafe. This pioneer cafe in George Town has been baking and brewing ever since the cafe culture hit Malaysia.
While many cafes have come and gone, Mugshot Cafe continues to be a staple spot among locals for their hearty food and variety of bakes, that all taste consistently good.
Image credit: @alykhaw
For such an acclaimed cafe, their menu might look simple. But don’t judge it just yet.
Their signature bagel sandwiches, for starters, are so fragrant that they go well with any condiment – or just plain on their own. There’s the Bagel & Egg (RM13.50) – a “tulip” of bacon encasing a runny egg on a buttery toasted bagel – and Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese (RM14.50), a classic bagel combo.
Their homemade yoghurt (RM13.50) is highly raved about as well. Tangy and creamy, it’s served with different toppings such as Mango & Walnut, Jackfruit & Gula Melaka, and Apple Pie.
Pair these with some brewed coffee – commonly served here with double shots of espresso, or doppio – not to be missed out on as well.
Image credit: @doublemakan
Right next to Mugshot Cafe is their sister bakery, Rainforest Bakery. You’ll hardly notice you’ve stepped into a different establishment, with the two eateries separated only by a doorway. Just when you think the cafe’s bagels hold enough carbs for breakfast, the bakery’s enticing display counter beckons you with its racks of football-sized pastries and hearty loaves.
Whether you’re munching on the bakery’s humongous Chelsea Buns (RM2.50), Chocolate Croissant (RM6.90), or famous loaf, the Poppyseed Bloomer (RM10), you won’t leave the cafe with a stomach only half-full. Cafe diners can order pastries from the bakery, and vice versa.
Pro tip: Come early to try the cafe’s Tomato Focaccia (RM7.50), baked fresh from the oven with the tomatoes bubbling and deliciously charred. Or wait for the second fresh batch if you must, as these tend to sell out early. Thank us later.
Address: 302, Chulia St, 10200 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: Sun-Thu 8am-10pm | Fri & Sat 8am-12am
Contact: 04-261 4641 | Mugshot Cafe & Rainforest Bakery Facebook | Instagram
2. Let’s Meat – all-American breakfast & burritos
Image credit: @nicole_lsx94
Run by a married couple and their friend from the US, who miss food from home, Let’s Meat is a family-friendly cafe frequented by a community of likeminded expats. Find local folks keen to experience a slice of cuisine from the States dining here too.
Don’t roll in expecting the usual Western brunch fare of avocado toast or acai bowls. Their huge menu is American to the core, and boasts a variety of no-frills diner classics.
Image adapted from: @foodieonabittenapple & @micherrysibs
Every dish on the menu is solid, packed, and hearty, and will keep you full till dinner.
Their All-American Breakfast (RM40.90) is a massive spread clearly meant for a family – comprising bacons, sausage patties, eggs, and a towering stack of hot pancakes. Let’s Meat Burritos (RM28.90), another hearty dish, stuffs a hunk of black beans, fajitas, scrambled eggs, and sausages in a warm tortilla wrap.
Wash down the greasy – but amazing – breakfast with Brewed Coffee (RM12), which is refillable. Or opt for their nutritious selection of juices (RM13-RM15) and smoothies (RM17-RM19), or indulgent and filling sweet milkshakes (RM18-RM21).
Address: 18, Lebuh Lembah Permai 4, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-8pm | Sat 8am-3pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: 04-899 8510 | 016-215 4234 | Let’s Meat website | Facebook | Instagram
3. Urban Daybreak – fried chicken waffles & shakshuka
Image credit: Urban Daybreak
Urban Daybreak is another highly-raved breakfast cafe in Penang, and for good reason. They have been the go-to place here for weekend breakfast and brunch for many years now, and continues to live up to their patrons’ reputation. Apart from opening to a second branch in Bangsar, KL, the cafe recently expanded their Penang outlet to a roomier space too.
Image credit: @neyneymunchie
The cafe’s menu features classic brunch staples plated enticingly – but trust us when we say they taste just as good as they look. There’s Stout Pulled Pork with Poached Egg (RM28.50), a glorious clump of tangy BBQ pulled pork served atop a sourdough toast, and Fried Chicken Waffle (RM26.50) for a deliciously sinful breakfast combo of waffles and fried chicken.
They also make a mean Shakshuka (RM23.50) – a tomato and pork stew with pools of eggs, served with fragrant toast.
Image credit: @urbandaybreak
For those who insist breakfast should be a sweet affair, the Signature French Toast (RM23.50) is a must-try – fluffy brioche toast is served with bruleed bananas, doused in maple syrup, and topped with crispy bacon for a cut of saltiness. Even their lighter options, such as the Yoghurt Granola Bowl (RM22), are incredibly satisfying for anyone with a sweet tooth.
For drinks, Urban Daybreak offers a bevy of handcrafted coffees – including Best Drink Ever (RM13), which is a mix of Americano and homemade vanilla cream, and the decadent Creme De Cacao (RM15) that is sure to take Mocha lovers to heaven.
Address: 34, Lebuh Bishop, 10200 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 7.30am-3.30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 04-262 9693 | Urban Daybreak Facebook | Instagram
4. Picco Polo Cafe – croque madame, big breakfasts & croissants
Image credit: Picco Polo Cafe
A relatively new and trending brunch spot among cafe-goers, Picco Polo isn’t just coaxing the crowds with their rustic yet sleek interior. Their meals are worth the time spent searching for a parking spot in the usually busy, two-lane Lebuh Pantai.
The breakfast selection may seem like an afterthought in their extensive menu of lunch and dinner meals. But one bite in and you’ll see why this place is a hotspot among locals. The Big Breakfast (RM24.90) impresses with ingredients all cooked to perfection, and the Croque Madame (RM17.90) is a stacked beauty of brioche bread, silky poached eggs, and luscious bechamel sauce.
Image credit: @piccopolo
If you have room for more food, the original crusted or matcha-flavoured Cinnamon Whirl (RM5.90) and Mini Croissants (RM5.90 for 2) are worth trying. These sweet carbs pair well with their coffee beverages, such as Piccolo Latte (RM9).
Image credit: @jerriexlim
Apart from all-day breakfast, the cafe also serves heavier meals for lunch and dinner such as pastas, risottos, burgers, and even fusion dishes.
Address: 284, Lebuh Pantai, 10300 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 8am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 04-226 2776 | Picco Polo website | Facebook | Instagram
5. Sin Seh Kai Artisan Bakery – sourdough & shokupan loaves
Image credit: Sin Seh Kai Artisan Bakery
Sometimes, we don’t want omelettes or loaded waffles for breakfast. Sometimes, we just want pillowy yeasty carbs that come in the form of good ol’ bread.
Trust Sin Seh Kai Artisan Bakery to settle your cravings for you. With a menu filled with bread items, this bakery does not mess about when it comes to homemade baked goods. From ultra-buttery croissants and sourdough loaves to Banh Mi and Asian soft rolls, you’ll be able to live out your pastry dreams here.
Image adapted from: Sin Seh Kai Artisan Bakery & Sin Seh Kai Artisan Bakery
Breads and pastries of all forms are displayed so enticingly by the counter that you’ll struggle to pick just one to try. But we’ll make it easier for you. The Cranberry & Walnut Sourdough (RM6.50) is as delicious as it is nutritious, and Shokupan Loaves (RM6.50) – plain or made with red rice yeast or charcoal – are incredibly creamy and cottony.
Other fresh bakes worth getting include their Cinnamon Rolls (RM5.50) and Pain Au Chocolat (RM5.50) – basically, almost everything rolled and kneaded from the kitchen is stellar.
Image credit: @mytastingoutloud
Don’t mistake their simple food presentation for apathy when you’re dining in.
Dishes such as Baker’s Big Breakfast (RM29) is a carefully crafted plate of homemade sausages and sourdough toast, with scrambled eggs, grilled potatoes, and smoked salmon. Their Mushroom Grilled Cheese Sandwich (RM13), a gloriously cheesy yet delicious mess, and buttery Croissant Egg Sandwich (RM10) are just as tasty.
Served in charming traditional kopitiam cups, their brews – such as Americano (RM6) and Flat White (RM11) – pair divinely with their variety of carby goodness.
Address: 102-D, New World Park, 5, Jalan Burma, 10050 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 7.30am-6pm, Daily
Contact: 010-214 7228 | Sin Seh Kai Artisan Bakery Facebook | Instagram
6. Wheeler’s Cafe & Bar – vegan-friendly sandwiches & pour over coffee
Image credit: Wheeler’s
Wheeler’s Cafe and Bar is about as chic as a breakfast spot can get. Tucked in an alley studded with lauded spots and hidden gems, the stylish cafe is always lively and abuzz with waiters darting from table to table, and patrons chattering away.
Come early or make a reservation, as they’re almost always packed.
Image credit: @javeneee
The cafe’s menu might seem pretty standard at a glance. But pore over it for a moment and you’ll find dishes whipped up with unique condiments, spaced between by vegan-friendly and superfood-influenced options.
Most of their star menu items can be found on the breakfast and brunch list. Some must-try items include Smoked Duck Benedict (RM24.90) and Smoked Salmon Avocado with Poached Eggs (RM26.90). Perfect for health-conscious eaters are the Vegan Sandwich (RM24.90) or Yoghurt Bowl (RM15.90).
Image adapted from: Wheeler’s & Wheeler’s
Wheeler’s doesn’t just serve amazing breakfast dishes. They are a treat for coffee lovers as well – the cafe boasts several skilled baristas who know more than a thing or two about coffee.
A delightful cup of Pour Over Coffee (RM16.90), brewed with a range of the cafe’s own blend, is recommended. We suggest taking home several bottles of their Cold Brew Coffee (RM14.90) too. These are available in flavours such as Macadamia and Salted Caramel, and will be a treat to have on slow mornings.
Else, opt for Mocha Freddo (RM14.90), a creamy, chilled concoction of intense chocolate and coffee, or their Almond Milk Latte (RM13.90), which is one of their many vegan coffee options. Non-caffeine drinkers can go for their shakes and smoothies, such as the Avocado Mango Milkshake (RM17.90) or Soursop Yoghurt Smoothie (RM16.90).
Address: 67, Lorong Love, 10200 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: Thu-Mon 8am-12am | Tue & Wed 9am-12am
Contact: 019-524 7703 | Wheeler’s Cafe & Bar website | Facebook | Instagram
7. Tomorrow English Cafe – English breakfast with black pudding
Image credit: @nicole_lsx94
Tomorrow English Cafe is a newcomer to the cafe scene in Penang, but they’re one to watch. It isn’t hard to guess the type of breakfast served at this cafe from its name. Their menu features proper British grub that has received nothing but raving reviews from patrons.
The cafe is operated by a Penangite who gathered her skills and knowledge about the food industry after working at a cafe in Manchester. Everything here – from the interior to the food – feels authentically British, unpretentious and lovely.
Image credit: @nicole_lsx94
Their English breakfast spread is the real deal.
Hailed as one of the best breakfast platters in town, the fry-ups don’t consist of the basic bacon, eggs, and toast. The Classic Full English (RM38) is a bona-fide all-English breakfast plate that includes juicy, homemade Cumberland sausages, streaky grease-free bacon, baked beans, homemade buttery British bloomer, as well as perfectly grilled button mushrooms and free-globe tomatoes.
For an extra RM5, you’ll get to taste the star of the show – the classic black pudding, which is so high in demand among local folks that the cafe constantly runs out of it.
Image credit: @tomorrowenglishcafe
You’ll want to save some room for their baked goods by the counter. There are quintessential English bakes such as Scones with Cream Cheese (RM10), Pork Pie (RM15), Scotch Eggs (RM18), and even the occasional Yorkshire Pudding.
Their brews and beverages are relatively simple, but still heavenly. Try their irresistible Hotel Chocolate (RM15) with an option to adjust its sweetness level – 99% Pure, 85% Smooth, 70% Classic, 50% Milky, Vanilla White, or Sea Salt.
Pet-owners will be thrilled to know that Tomorrow English Cafe is pet-friendly, so bring along your furbabies and treat yourself to some indulgent English breakfast that’ll make your morning.
Address: 8, Lorong Prangin, 10100 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 9am-6pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 019-227 1867 | Tomorrow English Cafe Facebook | Instagram
8. Chapel Street Cafe – “crocoon” wraps & burnt basque cheesecake
Image credit: @jerriexlim
Chapel Street Cafe has been a shining beacon for a filling Australian-style breakfast in Penang for quite some time now. Located in a heritage house with various seating sections, the cafe is a comfy place to treat yourself to a full-fledged breakfast meal.
Their dishes are hearty, substantial, and not at all subtle with the condiments. There’s the Chapel Street Burrito (RM25), a meaty wrap with bursting flavours, and Crocoon Wraps (RM26), a mighty crescent croissant cocooning cheddar cheese, bacon, pork sausages, and a genius touch of honey that’s not for the faint of heart.
Image credit: Chapel Street Cafe
Their array of robust coffee will leave you wanting for more than just a cup. A no-frills cup of Americano (RM10) or Flat White (RM11) are stunningly good – patrons also swear by their Aussie Iced Coffee (RM18).
Image adapted from: Chapel Street Cafe & @chapelstreetcafe
Pair the fragrant bitterness with desserts from two other stores housed inside the cafe – Belle And Creme and Yun. Opt for a hefty cookie, a heavenly slice of burnt basque cheesecake or some milky homemade gelato.
Address: 14, Medan Lim Cheng Teik, Kampung Syed, 10250 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 9am-5pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 04-226 0620 | Chapel Street Cafe Facebook | Instagram
9. Unknown Cafe & Bistro – pan-grilled shrimp croissants & tiramisu coffee
Image credit: @unknown.penang
If you’re looking for a cafe with a good ambience as well as a varied menu, Unknown Cafe is the place to go. With pastel blue walls with wooden floors and furnishings, the cafe’s interior feels homey in a chic-retro way, exuding an atmosphere that will set the mood for your day.
Image credit: @unknown.penang
Their menu is exceedingly simple, but well worth your time and money. Cosy up and order a plate of a Full Work Breakfast (RM27.90) that brings together childhood fry-up favourites, or Nuts & Granola (RM18.90) for something lighter but just as substantial.
Other options include Spicy Shakshuka (RM18.90), Tempura Fish Tortilla Wrap (RM19.90), and Pan-grilled Shrimp Croissant (RM23.90).
Image credit: @kitoki
Besides their breakfast plates, the assortment of beverages they have to offer are interestingly eclectic. Ruby Rose Coffee (RM12.90) adds a tinge of rose flavour to a basic latte, while the Tuscan Trifle Tiramisu Coffee (RM15.90) has layers as complex as its name – dark cocoa, kahlua, Italian dolce sauce, and cream come together in the drink.
Fret not if you don’t take caffeine. There are a myriad of choices for smoothies and even mocktails here. A tall glass of blended Strawberry Valentines (RM16.90) or Banana Cream Pie (RM12.90) are as good as desserts.
For something more refreshing, their range of mocktails will quench your thirst. Lucifer Apple (RM15.90) is a shockingly green apple-and-mint concoction, and Taeyeon’s (RM15.90) is a reviving fruity drink that shares a name with the popular Korean singer.
Address: 35, Jalan Pahang, 10450 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 9am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 016-531 0407 | Unknown Cafe & Bistro Facebook | Instagram
Breakfast cafes in Penang
You won’t want to miss out on the variety of breakfast cafes Penang has to offer – there is an abundance of places here that serve delicious and highly ‘Grammable dishes.
Drop by one of these cafes to start your day off feeling like a champion. After a feast of stuffed bagels, a cup of coffee, and croissants, or a full breakfast platter, you’ll never go back to soggy cereals and burnt toasts again.
More food places in Penang here:
Cover image adapted from: @wheelerspenang, @ohjustmunch, @Urban Daybreak & @unknown.penang