New cafes and restaurants in Penang
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 year, the list is shaping 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
– March –
1. Ovalthinker Coffee
A small cafe below a residential apartment
Image credit: @_____eee via Instagram
Tucked within an apartment block, Ovalthinker Coffee has a certain neighbourhood charm that most quaint cafes in the city cannot replicate. Warm, small, and charmingly yellow, the cafe is exactly the kind of place where you might see patrons working quietly on their laptops, sketching, or simply staring out of the window whilst sipping their coffee.
Coffee menu here sticks to a speciality cafe philosophy: well-made and simple. Drip coffees are the cafe’s signature, with a nice selection of various flavour profiles to choose from, as well as coffee classics including americano and lattes. Pair them with homemade baked goods such as the cheesecake tofu and madeleines.
Address: 1-G-1, Lebuh Nipah 1, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Opening hours: Sat-Thu 8am-4pm (Closed on Fridays)
Contact: Ovalthinker Coffee Instagram
2. Acupaday Gelugor
New cafe outlet at Gelugor
Image credit: @ifat2015 via Instagram
Acupaday has recently expanded with a new branch at Vona Park in Gelugor, bringing its coffee beverages, Western dishes and Asian-inspired eats to the residents and locals in the area.
There’s a selection of Japanese-inspired donburi rice bowls such as such as the chicken katsu don (RM20) and teriyaki aalmon don (RM20), as well as pasta selections including a classic aglio olio (RM18) and their best-selling creamy pumpkin pasta (RM24). Acupaday’s coffee and speciality beverages remain the cafe’s highlight – there are signature drinks such as espresso cube or mocha cube with silky milk (RM17) where you pour creamy milk over a glass of frozen cubes of coffee.
Address: Vona Park (Next to Petronas petrol station, Jalan Bukit Gambir, 11700 Gelugor, Penang
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am-9pm (Closed on Mondays)
Contact: 011-6571 1005 | Acupaday Instagram
3. Butter Cheezy Chicken
Fried chicken goodness
Image credit: @cindy.teoh via Instagram
Butter Cheezy Chicken is the perfect supper spot to hit when you’re feeling something real sinful when it’s bedtime. At the heart of the menu is their lineup of fried chicken options. Priced at just RM9.90, there’s the deluxe chicken burger, which features a crispy boneless chicken thigh tucked into a soft bun, the crispy boneless chicken bites and crispy wingettes and drumettes that are ideal for sharing or snacking.
For those looking for a complete meal, the BCC Solo Feast Combo (RM19.90) bundles the fried chicken with sides and drinks. Customers can choose between items like a chicken burger, boneless chicken bites, or wings, paired with shaker fries or golden fried corn sticks, along with a refreshing iced drink.
Address: 1-1-30, Tingkat Mahsuri, Bayan Baru, 11950 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Opening hours: 11am-2am, Daily
Contact: 018-252 6277 | Butter Cheezy Chicken Instagram
4. A-Xing Rice Roll
Chewy purple rice rolls with various fillings
Image credit: @axingriceroll.pg via Instagram
Sometimes, we just want to drop by a casual eatery and be satisfied by some simple, convenient and delicious food. At the newly opened A-Xing Rice Roll, you’ll get that.
Inspired by Asian rice roll snacks that combine rice, seaweed, and a variety of savoury ingredients into one compact meal, the star here are freshly made purple rice rolls packed with flavourful fillings in a handheld format, making it a great option for a light lunch or an easy snack on the go.
Must-try recommendations include the salted ggg yolk rice roll (RM15), the teriyaki unagi rice roll (RM17) for those who enjoy sweet-savoury Japanese flavours, the black pepper chicken rice roll (RM16), and the indulgent mozzarella cheese rice roll (RM15) that adds a creamy, melty twist to the traditional rice roll.
Address: 64f, Lebuh Kimberley, 10100 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 10am-9pm, Daily
Contact: 04-217 0840 | A-Xing Rice Roll Instagram
5. So Do Fun
Authentic Sichuan cuisine
Image credit: @leeqin via Instagram
Recently opened at Queensbay Mall is So Do Fun, a Chinese restaurant that specialises in authentic Sichuan cuisine. Its menu offers classic Sichuan dishes that highlight the region’s signature flavours, including a standout item and a staple Sichuan dish, the boiled fish in spicy broth (RM88), which has tender fish simmered in a deep red broth infused with chilli oil, dried chillies, and Sichuan peppercorns.
There’s also the Leshan sweet skin roast duck (RM39), chilli eggplant with century egg (RM28), as well as Chengdu Mapo Tofu (RM26), all of which are best enjoyed with a bowl of steamed rice to soak up the bold sauce.
Address: Queensbay Mall, Penang
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
Contact: So Do Fun Instagram
6. Kak Tao Lang
Home-cooked-style Malaysian comfort food
Image adapted from: @kaktaolang via Instagram
The new Asian eatery in George Town called Kak Tao Lang brings a warm, homey touch to familiar dishes, with a focus on simple and hearty comfort food.
You’ll find crowd-pleasing classics such as fried chicken chop rice (RM16.90), sour spicy lala noodles (RM19.90), curry chicken rice (RM18.90) and homestyle sambal sotong rice (RM21.90).
Address: 93, Victoria St, 10300 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 11am-9.30pm, Daily
Contact: 017-961 1334 | Kak Tao Lang Instagram
– February –
1. Yume Studio
Houses a film camera store & ceramic workshop
Image credit: Jia-Ju
Once a hidden gem in Bukit Mertajam, Yume Studio has begun a new chapter along the buzzy streets of Lebuh Acheh in George Town, bringing along the same creative spirit, and of course, coffee that’s as good as ever.
The space carries a distinctly Taiwan cafe-inspired aesthetic, exuding a chic-cosy charm with dark wood furnishings, cosy corners of potted plants and retro posters, as well as the soft daylight filtering through the huge sunroof.
Image credit: Jia-Ju
Their small menu of drinks offers a selection of coffee and non-coffee beverages that are exceptional, but here, it isn’t all just about the coffee. Right at the entrance, patrons will be greeted by a film camera store, and further inside within the cafe, there are curated corners for various personalities including a space for ceramic workshop, as well as a modest display of vibrant risograph zines.
Address: 34, Lebuh Acheh, 10450 George Town, Penang
Opening hours: 11am-10pm, Daily
Contact: 016-448 9119 | Yume Studio Instagram
2. 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
3. Moonshine Cakes and Coffee
Galore of cakes & other 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
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. 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 latte (RM19.90) that’s creamy and gently nutty. There’s also the signature chocolate (RM15.90) that’s 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
8. 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
9. 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: @axingriceroll.pg, @_____eee, @jiawenn_0507 via Instagram
This article was updated on 23rd February and 12th March 2026.