ChinaHouse in Penang
Penang is known for its diverse culture, especially when it comes to the culinary scene. Being home to Michelin star-awarded restaurants, international cuisines and homey cafes, this eclectic island is simply bursting with food options.
But if you like your afternoon tea with a sprinkle of local heritage, look no further than the famous ChinaHouse in Penang. Housed within three connected heritage buildings, ChinaHouse is not just a mere cafe serving cakes – it is also hosts restaurants, bars, an art gallery, and a mini library.
A creative cultural hub that occupies three heritage buildings
Right at the crossroads of some of the busiest streets in George Town, stands several old colonial-style buildings that’s home to one of the artsiest and most happening spots in Penang.
A map drawing of ChinaHouse’s lengthy compound.
For locals, this place needs no introduction. But for the uninitiated, ChinaHouse Penang is much like a multifaceted hub – a cafe at the core, but one that also happens to have several other restaurants, bars, and an art gallery all tucked with its large space. As it occupies three heritage houses, and extends throughout a main road, it even has two entrances – one at Beach Street and another at Victoria Street.
The cafe may look unspectacular from the outside. But as soon as you step inside, you’ll find yourself in an uber chic space abuzz with a plethora of activities. What started as a heritage-style cafe-cum-bakery that churns out rustic cakes in 2012, has since burgeoned into an artistic enclave and a gathering place for creative souls.
The no-frills, hip cafe feels like a local gem you would find hidden in Brooklyn, New York City. Its long and narrow main corridor, lined with vintage and antique wooden furnishings, oozes an old-school charm. The rambling hallway branches into several rooms filled with more vintage ornaments, local antiques, and timeless pieces that contribute to the cafe’s nostalgic aesthetic.
A cosy cafe with a galore of decadent cakes
Enter ChinaHouse through its Beach Street entrance, and you’ll find yourself in Kopi C Espresso Cafe & Bar. This cosy cafe serves Australian-style all-day breakfast and coffee – but thanks to its incredible array of cakes and pastries, they’ve cemented themselves as a local-favourite brunch spot.
The cafe has an array of rustic and homely cakes that are displayed enticingly in a glass case on a large banquet table, with up to 30 different types of whole cakes available daily. From towering layered cakes and dense tortes to warm morning pastries and sweet mini tarts, the options here are pretty much endless.
Their cakes are served in hefty slices, and every bite is a rich one.
If every single cake is making you salivate and you simply just cannot narrow your choices down, here are the few we have tried and our takes on them to help you out. It goes without saying that the signature Tiramisu (RM21.70/slice) has to be part of your order when you’re at ChinaHouse. These behemoth darlings are so popular, you’ll spot several whole ones prepped and ready in the cooler as they get sold out fast.
The Tiramisu here isn’t the conventional ladyfingers and mascarpone affair. Chocolate sponge layers sandwich a thick chocolate cream that’s studded with dark chocolate pieces. The slice is blanketed with mascarpone cream and fully encrusted with crystallised roasted almonds for a satisfying slight crunch factor.
We opted for a Kahlua-infused one, and the sponge cake was spiked with just enough booze that enhances, not overwhelms.
For something even more decadently luscious, we went for the Black & White Cake (RM21.70/slice). This is a generous slice of dark chocolate cake frosted with a thick layer of vanilla buttercream. While the frosting was slightly sweet, the chocolate cake was moist and the silky ganache layer was moreish. Overall, the cake had a fragrance that is somewhat reminiscent of those traditional chocolate birthday cakes from our childhood.
The Lemon Curd Pistachio Cake (RM18.87/slice) was a pleasant citrusy surprise. Its presentation is a modest one compared to the other cakes on the menu, but a bite of this dessert was an explosion of flavours – a zesty and sweet party in your mouth. Other fan favourites at ChinaHouse are the Salted Caramel Cheesecake (RM20/slice), Chocolate Decadence (RM23/slice), and Red Velvet cake (RM23/slice).
Doodle away with crayons provided by the cafe as you enjoy your cakes.
In a space abounding with creative diversity, the cafe invites patrons to contribute to the art scene here by lining the tables with white drawing paper. You can draw to your heart’s content on the paper.
A reading corner, Chinese courtyard, and retail spaces
Take your time to walk and explore the whole stretch of ChinaHouse. There are several rooms that are dining spaces for restaurants and bars, including BTB which serves fusion modern cuisine, a private event space called 14 Chairs, as well as Vine & Single that has a jaw-dropping selection of imported wine and whiskeys.
Even if you’re not a foodie or creatively inclined, you’ll find other corners to take a break from the ever-busy George Town here. Keep yourself company with some sweet treats and a good book instead at ChinaHouse’s reading corner called The Library, with rows of shelves filled with books and magazines of all sorts.
There are also wooden cabinets filled with even more books, along with vintage trinkets and quirky antiques.
It wouldn’t be far-fetched to say that ChinaHouse is like a mini art gallery, with the bounty of art pieces and murals that deck almost every inch of its walls. Take the time to explore the assortment of quirky-and-eccentric, intricate-and-whimsical artworks, drawings, and sculptures here – many of which are masterpieces created by ChinaHouse’s very own patrons.
We couldn’t help but marvel at the messages conveyed through these art pieces, and even squealed at how adorable some of them were – we spotted various kitty portraits here that’ll be a treat for cat lovers to seek out.
The red-brick moongate is an inviting entrance of the courtyard, and a famous backdrop for an IG shot.
A short walk from the kitchen where bakers are whipping up all sort of treats is the popular Chinese Courtyard of ChinaHouse. It’s a gorgeous open-air spot to chill with your cakes and coffee, while being surrounded and shaded from the sun by lush green foliage and mango trees.
Fun fact: If it gets too hot for you, and the pool in the courtyard starts calling your name, you can dip your feet in it. Yes, you can actually do that here, and even swim in it if you wish – the pool is not just for aesthetic purposes.
You know you’ve reached the end of the cafe once you’ve stumbled upon The Canteen, a hip bar that serves comfort food specials at night. Gather your friends for a get-together here, if you’re looking for a spot hang out at with some tipples and great live music on the weekends.
The first floor of ChinaHouse is already animated with activities. So, you’ll be amazed to know that there’s also a spacious second floor that houses gallery spaces for seasonal exhibitions. We saw unique trinkets, precious jewellery, and more eclectic art pieces at the latest showcase.
There’s also a retail space selling local handmade items such as batik apparel, rattan bags, and artsy tiffin carriers, as well as art books, postcards, prints, and jewellery.
Must-visit cafe for cakes & art in Penang
ChinaHouse has a building facade that encapsulates the charms of old Penang – but step inside and be wowed by an ambience that’s creatively urban. It’s no wonder that it’s touted as one of the chicest spot on the island to visit, and just an overall great place to immerse yourself in local culture and feast on luscious cakes.
Address: 153 & 155, Lebuh Pantai and 183B, Lebuh Victoria, George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 9.30am-1am, Daily
Contact: 04-263 7299 | ChinaHouse website | Facebook | Instagram
More Penang places to visit here:
- Emperor Villa, hiking trail in Penang that leads to a traditional Chinese villa
- Old-school bakeries in Penang
- Best bars in Penang
Photography by Jia-Ju.
Cover image adapted from: TheSmartLocal Malaysia