Forest Canteen – indoor terrarium garden-cum-cafe
Dining outdoors in a garden may sound dreamy and romantic, but for Malaysians, it’s simply unfeasible with the sweltering heat and scorching sun.
Enter Forest Canteen – a terrarium lab-cum-cafe that sits right next to the sea in George Town, Penang. The cafe is small and unassuming from the outside, but once you enter the establishment, you’ll be surrounded by dozens of terrariums adorning every nook and cranny of the cafe, from the counter to the ceiling, as well as all sorts of plants that will make you feel like you’re in a terrarium yourself.
It’s like dining in a greenhouse
Forest Canteen’s space is small, so a booking is highly recommended to secure a table here. There are only around 7 tables that cater to diners as the space is shared by Moonshop Gallery, a plant design laboratory.
Image credit: @abk___________
Moonshop Gallery conducts terrarium-building and other botany arts workshops in the same location, so you’ll get to observe workshop attendees building and tending to their mini gardens while waiting for your food to be served.
Image credit: @abk___________
Whether you’re a plant-lover or not, you’ll be filled with a sense of serenity and tranquility when you’re in Forest Canteen. Apart from their ubiquitous greenery, the cafe has a Scandi-minimalist vibe as its space is decorated with lots of wood and white accents.
Image credit: @abk___________
Serves simple home-cooked meals
Food-wise, patrons can expect simple home-cooked meals that you would have likely seen during mealtimes with your family at home.
Forest Canteen’s rice sets – priced at around RM13 each – come with a main meat dish, a bowl of soup, and a side of vegetables. The menu changes every day but you’ll find the likes of braised chicken with potatoes, omelette with minced chicken, sweet corn soup, lotus root soup, herbal chicken soup, stir-fry long beans, okra with sambal, and more.
Image credit: @ksy.syk.foodie
If you’re craving for a sweet treat, you can finish off your healthy meal with their cake of the day. The dessert menu is not fixed either, but their Burnt Cheesecake, Earl Grey Pound Cake, Tiramisu, Lychee Rose Cake, and Moist Brownie (around RM16 for a slice) are often available.
Image credit: @lucas_yi
Pair the cakes with their pretty drinks, such as Taro Latte, and Lychee Soda (around RM13 each), and we guarantee that your tummy will be as contented as your Instagram feed.
Image credit: @nicole_lsx94
Enjoy a tranquil dining experience at Forest Canteen
Whether you have a date with bae or lunch with friends, Forest Canteen provides a peaceful environment for you to sit back and unwind for a little while as you spend quality time with your meal companions.
Address: 38/1 Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: Wed – Sun 12PM-7PM (Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Telephone: 017-432 6221
Check out other places to visit and things to eat in Penang right here:
- 10 Insta-worthy Penang cafes
- 10 bakeries in Penang for bread, pastries, and cakes
- Guide to Penang’s Frog Hill, a hidden attraction spot
- Penang’s Hin Bus Depot is an arts and culture hub
- 10 best spots in Penang to catch the sunset
Cover image adapted from: @ksy.syk.foodie and @lucas_yi
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