11 Best Cafes in Penang for Studying
Whenever we spend time in our favourite cafes around Penang, we notice how there’s always at least one person studying. This makes sense as coffee shops are peaceful havens where people can get their daily dose of caffeine for that extra boost in focus and alertness.
That’s why we decided to think of the countless cafes we tried in Penang and chose the ones we thought would be the best place to study in. And with this goal in mind, we were off!
1. Huey&Wah
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Premises | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Wi-Fi Connection | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Serenity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Friendliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
A cute and peaceful spot nestled in George Town, Penang is a cafe called Huey&Wah. We discovered this shop not too long ago because we kept hearing about its gourmet marshmallows.
However, we got more than we bargained for, as we were greeted by a nice and cosy coffee shop that offered a fairly varied menu. This spot offers delicious coffee and non-coffee drinks, desserts, pastries and of course, their famous gourmet marshmallows.
We ordered their smores along with some hot choco which was the perfect combination for a pick-me-up that day. You can try this combination too if you’re looking for something that will be a sure-fire hit.
They also offered brunch, but we found them a tad too expensive for our tastes. However, they did look extremely appetising from the menu, so feel free to give it a try if you’re not bothered by the price.
As for the reason we recommend this spot on our list, it’s because of its serene ambience. It wasn’t packed on the day we visited the place, but even if it was full, we still think that it’s a great place to study because of its spacious area.
If comfort is your main priority, however, make sure to choose the tables that come with chairs that have backrests. We made the mistake of picking the wooden stools because we didn’t think that we’d spend a long time here and our backs were killing us afterwards.
Pros
- Delicious gourmet marshmallows
- Wide variety of coffee and non-coffee drinks
- Chill and serene vibe
Cons
- Slightly pricey brunch menu
- Some stools are uncomfortable
Customer Reviews
Really good quality food
“Went for breakfast with my friends & kids. Really good quality food, friendly service and a cosy environment in a minimalistic design café. All drinks are made without sugar (you can add sugar to your liking), including juice.
It’s a little pricier than a normal café but I think it’s worth it for the quality. If you love marshmallows, then you should pay this café a visit. I am not a big marshmallow fan but will still visit again given the chance.” —Chun-Har Ch’ng, Google Reviews
First coffee
“Changed my mind about my regular Cappuccino with Huey&Wah’s Mallow White, it’s said the light latte (but double shot) topped with 2 cubes of Huey&Wah’s made marshmallow sweetened the coffee.
You can hardly find skim milk in most coffee shops in Penang, I haven’t found one either until now including Huey&Wah. Nice ambience and a wise location. The Mallow White costs myr13. Try the Rose marshmallow.” —lokaris, Tripadvisor
2. Bricklin Cafe Bar
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Premises | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Wi-Fi Connection | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Serenity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Friendliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
A great cafe that we think is perfect for studying is Bricklin Cafe Bar. It features comfortable seats and a wide variety of dishes and drinks that you can choose from as you’re reading your notes.
We don’t know about you but we love to eat some brain food when studying. Fortunately, this restaurant offers various brunch options and pastries that taste amazing, especially when paired with your cup of joe.
The dish we tried here was the Brekkie @ Bricklyn, which consisted of sausages, bread, egg, salad and a cup of yoghurt. It only cost around RM20 and the serving was generous making it a sweet deal.
We loved the interior of this cafe, as we’re suckers for rustic designs. The exposed bricks paired with its black finishes is a timeless look that we think a lot of people will appreciate when visiting this place.
It’s also a relatively peaceful coffee shop even when it’s crowded. That may be because of how far apart the tables are from each other.
The only problem we see with this establishment is its limited number of tables. This can be frustrating when you’re ready to study and the only thing keeping you from doing so is you don’t have a spot to sit.
Also, the Wi-Fi connection isn’t that great but is passable. Nonetheless, we still loved our experience here at Bricklin Cafe Bar.
Pros
- Peaceful surroundings
- Beautiful interior decor
- Wide variety of brunch options and coffee drinks
Cons
- Slightly limited number of seats
Customer Reviews
Dine in | Breakfast | RM 20–40
“I went to try their shakshuka and iced vanilla latte. It was so delicious. It was my first time eating shakshuka and I love it. The cafe is located @Hin Bus Depot. I enjoy their vibes, they have good taste in music.
They are friendly and accept cashless payments. Will repeat some day!” —Dalila K, Google Reviews
They got it right…
“A cafe next to the arts works. The coffee was good, they got the temperature right, nothing to complain about the cheesecake. High roof with brick walls add to the ambience”—Kris_thenomad07, Tripadvisor]
3. Wheeler’s Cafe & Bar
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Premises | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Wi-Fi Connection | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Serenity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Friendliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
There are tons of interesting coffee shops in the centre of George Town but one that we think is perfect for studying is Wheeler’s Cafe and Bar. For starters, they offer a wide variety of dishes such as quesadillas, nachos, burritos and more, all of which looked tantalising.
It also features an inclusive menu that we think will be appreciated by a lot of people. Aside from the usual brunch classics, they also serve gluten-free options and vegetarian-friendly dishes such as
However, we ended up only ordering a cold brew since we were already full at that time and it was a humid summer day. From the get-go, we immediately realised that this was the right decision as their cold brew was refreshing and delicious!
Aside from the menu, the thing that students and professionals alike will love the most about the place is its abundance of sockets. This is perfect for plugging in your smartphones, tablets or laptops during those long hours of studying.
Their Wi-Fi connection was surprisingly impressive as well! We encountered little to no problems while we were connected to their network, which was impressive considering that we were scrolling through a bunch of videos.
As for the downside, the main thing we could think of was the long queue that greeted us during our visit. This is to be expected in this place every day, especially during peak times because it’s a famous chill spot in the GeorgeTown Centre.
Furthermore, we felt that the customer service could use a bit of improvement in terms of their service speed. Regardless, we still enjoyed our time in the cosy and peaceful atmosphere of this cafe.
Pros
- Great wi-fi connection
- Inclusive menu
- Reasonable prices
- Abundance of sockets
Cons
- Long queues, especially during peak times
- Customer service could use some improvements
Customer Reviews
Wonderful brunch place
“Food was very good and the portion is fair for the price. Staff could be a bit warmer but sometimes can’t be best for everything. Coffee however wasn’t what I was expecting. It’s acidic and looked unusual.
I always have long black and here, the coffee colour looks brownish and light (almost close to drain water). Other than this, everything else was tasty. Will still be back, but maybe a latte next time :)” —Karen T, Tripadvisor
Dine in | Lunch | RM 20–40
“We went there on a weekday around lunch hour and we are seated near the entrance. Love their environment, ambient, and vibe. The bar looks nice, the staff is friendly at least to us.
We ordered two drinks and one dessert since we had lunch earlier.
The grapefruit cold brew is surprisingly interesting and refreshing at the same time. The dessert is OK.” —Williams Yee, Google Reviews
4. Budan’s Brew Coffeebar
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Premises | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Wi-Fi Connection | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Serenity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Friendliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
If you’re big on coffee or you consider yourself a coffee connoisseur, one of the cafes we recommend is Budan’s Brew Coffeebar. This shop is known for its artisan coffee drinks, which are all made by their expert baristas.
Getting drinks here is an experience in itself. Seeing the baristas meticulously create our coffee is mesmerising, from the weighing of the beans to the brewing process itself and more.
We decided to order one of their specialty coffee drinks which used coffee beans handpicked from this region. It wasn’t too bitter and it left an acidic tone upon drinking.
We thought of recommending this spot for studying because we remember how peaceful it was to sit at one of their comfortable chairs and drink coffee. There was a bit of a crowd during our visit but thankfully, that didn’t disturb the overall peacefulness of the place.
We think that this type of tranquility can help create the right environment for students and professionals. Also, it was weirdly relaxing to hear the talented team of baristas behind the counter as they were busy brewing coffee.
Ambience-wise, we think that it could use some improvements in terms of the design aspect of the place itself. It doesn’t offer the same artistic style that we experienced from the coffee drinks to how they were made.
Lastly, we wanted to give you a heads-up about the place’s prices. Since you’re getting an expertly-crafted beverage, expect to pay a bit more than what you usually pay for coffee drinks.
Pros
- Professionally-made coffee
- Peaceful environment
Cons
- Subpar internet connection
- The interior design could use some improvements
- Slightly pricey menu
Customer Reviews
Learned a lot about coffee
“The specialty coffees are really the best in Penang, because of the fact that they are hand-brewed in such a precise manner. Your beans are weighed, the water is boiled to a specific temperature, and the coffee is left to steep for specifically two minutes before being air-pressed out into a carafe of cold milk. Learned a lot about coffee appreciation from the owner here too!” —jchowjs, Tripadvisor
Dine in | Other | RM 20–40
“I recently visited Budan’s Brew, a coffee bar, and had an amazing experience. I tried their signature blend, the “Morning Call,” which was immersion brewed and resulted in a clean, sweet cup with an aroma of lychee and tasting notes of cherries. I was offered a large kurma, to my surprise, after which the coffee offered slight hints of black pepper, making it an even more unique experience.
Mr. Har, the owner himself, was incredibly friendly and showed me the different coffee gadgets that I could use to replicate a good brew at home. I appreciated his knowledge and willingness to share his expertise.
I highly recommend Budan’s Brew to anyone looking for a great cup of coffee. It was truly a delightful experience.” —Suibee Teoh, Google Reviews
5. Gudang Cafe
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Premises | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Wi-Fi Connection | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Serenity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Friendliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Gudang Cafe is a warehouse that has been refurbished into a coffee shop. At first glance, this seemingly old building didn’t look much but upon entering, we felt like we were transported into another place.
This rustic vibe is evident across the interior, from the exposed bricks to its old-timey stairs and more. It’s full of charm and character, and it’s one of our all-time favourite cafes just for its overall interior and exterior designs.
The main reason why we recommend this as a study place is because of its serene ambience. It does get crowded a lot but it doesn’t take away the relaxing vibe maybe because of the sheer space of the premises.
We also think that this is a great place for group studies mainly because of its long table which can accommodate up to 35 people. Plus, it has various sockets so that you and your study group can plug in your laptops or whichever device you use to read.
As far as their menu goes, it’s equally impressive as well. The place features a fusion of Japanese and American cuisines with offerings such as ramen noodles, shrimp pasta, waffle and ice cream, and more.
If we were to nitpick one thing that we don’t like about this place, it would be customer service. The staff were friendly but we found that they were a bit slow in making our orders.
Overall, Gudang Cafe is a great cafe for studying, especially with its spacious area, comfortable seats and peaceful ambience.
Pros
- Spacious area
- Wide variety of Japanese and American dishes
- Beautiful interior decor
- Free Wi-Fi
Cons
- Slow customer service
Customer Reviews
Excellent place for work
“The cozy open space creates a perfect vibe for anyone who wants some alone time with their PC. Great tunes play over the speakers while outside noises are dimmed out with the closed warehouse walls.
Warm lighting and refreshing juices, teas and coffees. The kitchen is currently closed for renovation. But cakes are available.
Will come back.” —melaniedtt, Tripadvisor
Dine in | Lunch | RM 20–40
“Like the food and coffee here. No complaint here.
The environment is interesting I would say and not too crowded during my visit. Nice place for hangouts. If you have a big crowd, well, they have one long table that can definitely fit more than 20 people I think.
Café hunters around the area should take a visit.
Parking: Difficult to get parking here if you drive here and private car parks here are expensive.”—Kingston, Google Reviews
6. Coffee Elements
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Premises | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Wi-Fi Connection | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Serenity | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Friendliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
One of our safest options, whenever we want to drink a cup of joe, is Coffee Elements. That’s because this cafe has never disappointed us with their amazing selection of coffee variations, whether it be cold brew, hot brew, frappe or anything in between.
Aside from coffee, they also serve a fairly varied menu that consists of pasta, desserts, brunch meals and more. However, keep in mind that their menu is kind of a hit or miss.
Some dishes are nailed to a tee while some aren’t that great. If you’re looking for a safe option, we recommend their tiramisu, as their version is the best one we’ve ever tasted in the entire region.
Food and beverages aside, we think that this place could also be a great study area because of its nice and cosy ambience. We can describe Coffee Elements as a minimalistic shop, as it mostly consists of white walls and wooden finishes–a timeless combination.
However, we felt that the arrangement made the tables a bit closer to each other as opposed to other coffee shops. There is a silver lining to this, as this makes it easy for group studies.
At the end of the day, Coffee Elements is a solid option if you’re looking for a place to study with great quality food and beverages.
Pros
- Minimalistic and peaceful premises
- Delicious coffee drinks
- Widely varied menu
- Reasonable prices
Cons
- Dishes can be a hit or miss
- Tables are placed close to each other
Customer Reviews
Dine in | Dinner | RM 20–40
“Recently relocated. A wallet-friendly cafe offering a variety of drinks, main courses and desserts.
Iced Houjicha latte was nice. The taste of houjicha was really appealing, even so when it is customised to no sugar.
The peanut butter waffle was nice. Crunchy waffles, walnuts, generous portion of peanuts paste with nips and cooling vanilla ice cream. All blended in very well. The syrup can be skipped since with all the condiments, the waffle is sweetened enough.
Although seafood aglio e olio took a long time to serve due to miscommunication between staff, it tasted quite good. Flavourful, garlicky, spicy, wok-hei and al-dente. Taken into liking how they seasoned and stir-fried the pasta.” —Kelvin Ying, Google Reviews
Definitely coffee
“Best, top-quality coffee in town! Food is not that expensive and delicious. Try their Thai-style spaghetti with mussels, that is the best dish I’ve had there. Coffee is the best, whether hot, cold, or ice blended. Coffee lovers must go there, great place to hang out as it is located in All Seasons Place which is a well-known local commercial complex too!
It is a little bad on the service side. You have to order at the counter. There is only 1 waiter and does not really serve. People who serve the food are people from the kitchen, and the waiter does not seem to be responding to the customers as well.
Would have given it a solid 10 if the service could have been better.” —Xnivx, Tripadvisor
7. BEAN Sprout Cafe
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Premises | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Wi-Fi Connection | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Serenity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Friendliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
The BEAN Sprout Cafe in Penang is an establishment that we frequently visit whenever we’re in town. We decided to include this on the list because every time we go here, there’s at least a customer or two that’s glued to their laptops, as they’re enjoying their drinks.
We think that the reason why this cafe is big with digital nomads and students is because of its great Wi-Fi connection. We tried it for ourselves during one of our stays here and it was indeed fast and reliable.
Another reason why this may be a great spot for studying is its peaceful ambience. It was also spacious enough to have your own study area where you don’t have to worry about overhearing other conversations and other unnecessary noises.
The place itself is also an admirable view. It features a tasteful old-timey look that can serve as a great background for your photos and a chill environment where you could focus on your studies.
It also helps that this cafe offers a variety of delicious coffee drinks and an expansive brunch menu. We tried their toast with avocado and it was great, especially when paired with a cup of their latte.
As for its downsides, the most glaring problem we have with this particular establishment is its limited operating hours. It closes at 5:00 PM, which may be a bit early for those students who only get a chance to study at a later hour.
Pros
- Peaceful and old-timey interior
- Delicious offerings
- Great Wi-Fi connection
Cons
- Limited operating hours
- Slightly pricey menu
Customer Reviews
Great coffee and small bites in this coffee place in central Georgetown, Penang.
“Very comfortable place, very cosy. The food was very good and the staff was friendly. We opted for the avocado toast and the coffee was very good as well.
Wide variety of other drinks available. Kids and family-friendly place. We were not disappointed for our lunch break in Penang.” —Andrei B, Tripadvisor
Dine in | Breakfast | RM 20–40
“Came here for a quick brunch and was surprised by the high quality of the food. The Avocado toast was amazing, full of flavour and very fresh. Not a huge avocado fan but this was one of the best. We also have the pancake with vanilla ice cream. These were also very good, perfectly soft but could do with more syrup. The iced coffee was very good, we had the salted caramel latte. The three staff were so helpful and friendly. The customer service is great here. We really like the decor, the open brickwork walls and the shabby chic vibe. The prices are high compared to local food but the food is high quality.” —morgyn ross, Google Reviews
8. More by Arang Coffee
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Premises | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Wi-Fi Connection | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Serenity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Friendliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
What many people consider a go-to cafe in Penang is this place called More by Arang Coffee. After hearing about it several times, we decided to check it out for ourselves.
It’s safe to say that we now understand why so many people recommend this place. For starters, It features a variety of coffee and non-coffee drinks, each of which is made by their expert baristas.
Furthermore, they offer an expansive brunch menu that consists of dishes ranging from waffles to complete rice meals and more. We were a bit taken away by their menu which led us to order a bunch of dishes such as their nachos and salad.
As for the premises of this establishment, we felt that it was worthy of being included on this list because of its spread-out tables. This allowed us to have our personal space even though the place was relatively packed during our visit.
We also liked the overall design of the place, especially the black tiles found on the walls behind their counter. It also contains the white neon sign of the place which blended perfectly with this black background.
Overall, our experience with More by Arang Coffee was great, as we were treated to superb dishes and expertly-made coffee drinks. The only downside we experienced was the slightly slow service but it didn’t come to a point where we grew impatient.
Pros
- Tasteful interior design
- Spread-out tables
- Delicious coffee and non-coffee drinks
- Reasonable prices
Cons
- Slightly slow service
Customer Reviews
Dine in | Other | RM 40–60
“Went in yesterday and it was the best decision ever. the food was great. I love their bread because it was so soft. The salad was fresh and the dressing was yummy as well. Big portion for a big breakfast and can share 2 people (for us la). If you can’t find parking, you can use the paid parking at the back of the building.
It’s worth it considering the food is great. Will go there again definitely. the coffee was delicious as well. Parking: back of the building” —amy lyn613, Google Reviews
Craving satisfied!
“Visit Penang with a friend and I was craving comfort food and good old wholesome sandwiches is exactly what this place provides and I am so happy about that. It’s really delicious I lost words for the grilled chicken cheese sandwich! With a side of fries and salad. Though the salad could use some dressing like vinaigrette or something. Overall my tummy is happy.” —nrlateeka, Tripadvisor
9. Black Kettle
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Premises | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Wi-Fi Connection | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Serenity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Friendliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Found in the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Beach Street is a cafe we recommend called Black Kettle. We’ve only been here once and we had a great time in their nice and cosy shop while we drank their delicious coffee drinks.
More specifically, we ordered an iced coffee latte and an iced matcha latte, both of which were spectacular. This made sense as the establishment is equipped with professional baristas who know what they’re doing.
They also offer a variety of flavourful dishes, from sweet desserts to savoury meals and more. It does charge a bit more compared to your usual cafes but it’s well worth the money because of the quality that you’ll be getting.
One of the main reasons we recommend this cafe for studying is its ultra-fast broadband internet. We thought that with a connection like this, students can easily access their learning materials online.
Also, it’s easy to spend numerous hours inside the establishment as it comes equipped with air conditioning and plush seats.
However, do keep in mind that this is a famous cafe which is why you’ll find it crowded most of the time. Fortunately, it has a spacious area so that you won’t run out of tables.
It does get a bit noisy sometimes, especially during peak times, which wasn’t a problem for us. We just think that it’s worth noting since this could be a problem for other people who can’t stand noise when studying.
Pros
- Spacious area
- Comfortable seats and air conditioning
- Well-made coffee drinks
- Wide variety of dishes
Cons
- Slightly pricey menu
- Can get crowded most of the time
Customer Reviews
Dine in | Dinner | RM 40–60
“This place is splendid. Definitely a must-visit cafe. I loved the ambience and the environment so much. The food here, I’ve no complaints regarding the taste. It was so delicious just that the price put a dent in my wallet but it was worth it” —Thinesh Prathaban, Google Reviews
Cool, Casual, Friendly, and Fun!
“A cool, engaging and vibrant location to catch up with friends, do some work, enjoy some nice food, or just escape the relentless Malaysian heat!
The coffee is good, the size of the tables, benches and whole eatery is great, and the baked goods are a delight. They play catchy music and there is a general feel-good buzz about it all.
A nice location to return to for various social activities or working exploits!!” —ianaD241SM, Tripadvisor
10. Kafka
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Premises | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Wi-Fi Connection | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Serenity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Friendliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
There’s something about spending a nice afternoon at cafes that makes us feel utmost relaxation. This is especially true when the coffee shop features a nice and cosy atmosphere and that’s exactly what Kafka is.
It features a cool minimalistic interior sprinkled with some plants here and there to add more colour. This kind of environment adds an overall feeling of serenity to their ambience which is always great to have.
This made us think that maybe this coffee shop could be a great spot for studying since we’re able to spend a peaceful afternoon here most of the time. Plus, they have a myriad of coffee drinks that can cater to different kinds of customers.
Personally, we love their cappuccino and caffe mocha, but we also order their matcha latte when we don’t feel like drinking coffee. So far, they’ve yet to disappoint us with the drinks we’ve ordered, as all of them tasted great!
We wish we could say the same about their food though, as we often found them subpar. It wasn’t bad but it didn’t live up to the same quality standard we experienced with their drinks.
Comfort-wise we don’t see any problem spending several hours here. The combination of plush and ergonomic seats with just the right air conditioning temperature hits the spot.
Pros
- Comfortable premises
- Minimalistic interior design
- Delicious selection of coffee and non-coffee drinks
Cons
- Some dishes are subpar compared to the quality of drinks
Customer Reviews
Dine in | Lunch
“Came here a few times for brunch. Can be really crowded and long waiting times for tables during peak hours like brunch/lunchtime. The food tasted really good, the price was slightly on the higher side. Iced coffee is good too. Service from the waitress definitely got room for improvement. Nice spot and ambience to catch up with friends.” —Jed I, Google Reviews
Cafe and food cakes
“Kafka is a quaint, whimsical cafe housed in an annex block to one of the bungalows at Kelawai.
Primarily a cafe with good cakes, it also serves Western meals. Social media and Instagram have made this place viral but the food quality does not match the hype.
Other than deserts, coffee is good and will give Starbucks a run for its money. Recommend 👍🏼”—Soo Hin Yeoh, Google Reviews
11. Urban Daybreak
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Variety | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Affordability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Premises | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Wi-Fi Connection | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Serenity | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior Design | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer Service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Friendliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Speed | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
If you want to take your studying to an Instagram-able cafe that serves equally presentable coffee drinks and brunch dishes, look no further than Urban Daybreak.
This coffee shop is one of the most aesthetically-pleasing cafes in the city and it just so happens that it’s peaceful. This kind of peacefulness led us to think of it when we were compiling cafes that would be great to study in.
It also helps that the place offers delicious finger food and beverages that can accompany you while you’re studying. If the menu is too overwhelming for you, we recommend trying their latte and eggs benedict, as they were both superb when we tried them first-hand.
We also wanted to highlight the customer service in this place. The staff is highly attentive and is more than willing to accommodate us with everything we need.
They were also approachable when we requested the Wi-Fi password, as we didn’t see the code anywhere. Speaking of Wi-Fi, they have a decent internet connection that’s not the fastest but enough to help in studying.
We wanted to give a heads-up, however, as some of the prices from their menu aren’t student-friendly. However, we felt that the price was reasonable based on the quality of the drinks and dishes we got as well as the overall dining experience.
Pros
- Instagram-worthy interior
- Peaceful and spacious premises
- Widely-varied menu
Cons
- Slightly slow service
- Average internet connection.
Customer Reviews
Highly recommended
“There was hype before we came. The crowd builds up and the anticipation was swelling up. We eventually got a place and ordered the most popular dish.
The big breakfast and the waffle fried chicken were the top 2 recommended dishes. We also ordered the Spanish Latte and the berry drink which was very good. The waffle fried chicken came and hit the mark without a doubt but we waited for the big breakfast a tad longer.
The good thing is that the servers were very fast to react by reaching out to us and offering us some drinks to calm our growling stomachs. Eventually, it came and again, very well done and love how flaky the scrambled eggs were and served with a generous serving of spinach.
Overall, the place deserves the credit and the rating. The internal deco was worth mentioning with the colonial theme drawing clean lines and matching wooden furniture. Great place and highly recommended.” —Chee Chun, Google Reviews
Best brunch in Georgetown!
“Hands down the most delicious breakfast we had in Penang! Fantastic friendly and accommodating staff, fabulous menu, great atmosphere and excellent coffee!! You will not be disappointed!” —DaviesFamilysg, Tripadvisor