New cafes and restaurants to try this February
Just when you think you’ve eaten your way through the island, Penang surprises with a new wave of cafes and restaurants, giving us more reasons to eat out again.
This February, the list is filling up to be a good one, with a collection that includes a mix of new neighbourhood cafes, refurbished ones with comfier spaces, as well as first outlet openings of large restaurant chains.
Table of Contents
1. Kin Coffee
New cafe in a pickleball hub
Image adapted from: @kin.coffee via Instagram
Kin Coffee is a new abode that feels like a corner of calm within the lively new sports hub Pickle by the Sea. Nestled along Penang’s Gurney Drive, a well-known stretch of scenic seafront where locals enjoy a nice promenade, the cafe makes for the perfect go-to caffeine spot, and post-game refuel spot for the fellow pickleball players, as well as casual passersby.
Here, you’ll be served with aromatic coffee drinks, alongside easygoing fare such as sandwiches, salads, and comforting cakes, as you wind down after a round or two of pickleball, or simply to enjoy a laid-back afternoon by the sea.
Address: Lot PT 844 & PT 845, Gurney Drive, Bandar Tanjong, 10250 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 9am-9pm, Daily
Contact: Kin Coffee Instagram
2. Moonshine Cakes and Coffee
Galore of cakes & desserts
Image adapted from: @moonshine.cc via Instagram
After a good three years tucked away cosily on Penang’s man-made Andaman Island, Moonshine Cakes and Coffee has shifted to a new home along the heritage-lined streets of Sri Bahari, George Town. Its new space boasts an old-shophouse charm and exudes a similar laid-back rhythm as it did previously, and a menu of eats and coffee that’s just as good.
Image adapted from: @nicole_lsx94 & @moonshine.cc via Instagram
There’s the Truffle Mushroom & Scrambled Eggs Tartine (RM25.90) and Pomodoro Eggs (RM25.90) as part of their brunch selections, as well as the usual coffee offerings with the espresso starting from RM9.90.
But the very thing not to miss at Moonshine is their galore of cakes and desserts. The Boozy Tiramisu and Pistachio Lemon Poppy cake are the cafe’s dessert staples, but it is the seasonal specials to look out for, with unique creations such as Kaya Toast Panna Cotta and the Chocolate & Mandarin cake in celebration of CNY.
Address: 10, Sri Bahari Road, George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 10am-6pm, Daily
Contact: 017-505 4829 | Moonshine Cakes and Coffee Instagram
3. Egg Percent
Speciality drinks like Mango Coconut Latte
Image credit: Egg Percent via Google Photos
One can never have too much dessert, and Egg Percent clearly agrees with its arsenal of dainty cakes and sweet drinks. You’ll find an assortment of visually-pleasing cakes, arranged in satisfying order behind a chiller display, with flavours such as Blueberry Rice Pudding and Pistachio Strawberry.
For their drinks, there’s the usual Americano (RM10) or Latte (RM12) to have with your sweet treats, as well as speciality iced drinks such as Mango Coconut Latte (RM15) and Matcha Strawberry (RM15).
Address: 95, Lebuh Victoria, 10300 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 12pm-9pm, Daily
Contact: Egg Percent Instagram
4. The Coffee Factory
Drip-of-the-day coffee
Image credit: Jia-Ju
The Coffee Factory is a cafe, yes, but it is also a little more than just a cafe. Located on the second floor of Ivory Plaza, the cafe is a nice, quiet haven that has become a favourite study and hangout spot for students of the nearby Universiti Sains Malaysia, thanks to the friendly baristas and their robust brews.
Image credit: Jia-Ju
Apart from sipping on bold coffees such as the TCF Drip-Of-The-Day (RM14) or a comforting Cappuccino (RM13), you can browse through the cafe’s curated selection of micro packs of beans, each cubic comprising roasted beans from estates of different countries.
Address: Ivory Plaza, 1-2-6 Bukit Gambir, Gelugor, Penang
Opening hours: 10am-7pm, Daily
Contact: The Coffee Factory Instagram
5. Buono Gelato
Bronte Pistachio & Black Thorn Durian gelato flavours
Image credit: @omu_my via Instagram
At Buono Gelato, you’ll walk in with a smile. The decor is delightfully a little offbeat and full of character, setting the perfect mood for what’s promised: lots of good gelato.
Their flavours mean business. The Classics have flavours such as Forest Berry and Belgium 70% Chocolate, the Premiums include the likes of Isuzu Matcha and Yokkaichi Black Sesame, while the special Buono flavour and Seasonal flavour are the Bronte Pistachio and Black Thorn Durian respectively.
Sizes are straightforward: a small scoop gets you one flavour for RM12, a medium with two flavours starts from RM15, and a large lets you try three flavours for RM18.
Address: 154, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, Penang
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 12pm-10pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
Contact: 016-428 8289 | Buono Gelato Instagram
6. Big Nuts Cafe
Health-conscious nut-based drinks
Image credit: @bignutscafe via Instagram
Big Nuts Cafe has just cracked open in Penang’s Arena Curve, a brand that locals may already know and trust. As a cafe venture of an existing homegrown roastery and healthy nut store, Big Nuts brings its passion for quality nuts straight to a friendly and spacious cafe and to its drink offerings.
Think coffee with nutty twists: their signature is an almond butter pecan latte (RM16) that’s creamy and gently nutty. There’s also the signature chocolate (RM14), as well as the Gula Melaka avocado smoothie (RM16.90), both rich and unapologetically satisfying.
Don’t miss out on the dedicated retail corner for patrons to shop for Big Nuts’ signature granolas, roasted nuts, and dried fruits.
Address: Arena Curve, Bayan Lepas, Penang
Opening hours: 11am-8pm, Daily
Contact: Big Nuts Cafe Instagram
7. Longjing Restaurant
Zhejiang cuisine
Image credit: @cozywei via Instagram
LONGJING Restaurant has officially opened its doors at Gurney Plaza Penang, and stepping inside takes you immediately to Hangzhou, the capital of China’s Zhejiang province. The space is thoughtfully composed with bamboo elements, tasteful wood elements, and subtle textures that echo the feeling of strolling through a misty bamboo grove near the popular West Lake.
The cuisine stays true to the heart of Zhejiang cooking, with dishes that are comforting, authentic, and deeply homely, including signatures such as Longjing tea roast chicken, pork belly wraps, vermicelli wrapped shrimps, and claypot rice.
Address: Gurney Plaza, Penang
Opening hours: 11am-2pm & 5pm-10pm, Daily
Contact: LONGJING Restaurant Instagram
8. ChaPanda
First ChaPanda outlet in Penang
Image credit: Cher Ong via Google Photos
The new outlet opening of ChaPanda at Queensbay Mall marks the China tea brand’s seventh outlet in Malaysia, and excitingly, Penang’s very first official store. Fans of tea beverages can look forward to trying out ChaPanda’s signature drinks, which include the crowd-favourite Mango Pomelo Sago, the fragrant Oolong Milk Tea, as well as the unique Soybean Cheese Foam.
Address: 3F-23-01, Queensbay Mall, 100, Persiaran Bayan Indah, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Opening hours: 10.30am-10pm, Daily
Contact: ChaPanda Malaysia Instagram
New cafes and restaurants to try in Penang in 2026
The fun of Penang’s food scene is that it never sits still. With new cafés and restaurants popping up every month, there’s always another spot to bookmark, another menu to try, and another excuse to plan your next makan adventure. So, bookmark this list, which we’ll be updating monthly, to keep your cravings well-informed.
Cover image adapted from: @cozywei via Instagram, @omu_my via Instagram, Egg Percent via Google Review