13 Best Breakfast In Penang – With Local, Western Cafe & Halal Options (2020)

Breakfast in Penang is a golden opportunity to try Penang food! Don’t just stick to your hotel!

The best breakfast in Penang doesn’t have to be an authentic local breakfast either!

Among the kopitiam and hawker food courts are halal options too. And if you want to switch up flavors, there are an abundance of Penang breakfast cafes that serve western food!

Table Of Contents:

• Local Breakfast In Penang
• Western Breakfast In Penang
• Halal Breakfast In Penang

13 Best Breakfast In Penang

Local Breakfast In Penang

Many Malaysians love having nasi lemak or a bowl of noodles for breakfast! Together with teh tarik or kopi-o!

Thus, it’s not uncommon for the local coffee shops (i.e. kopitiams) to open as early as 6:30am!

If you go early, you can have the benefit of a quieter atmosphere and a larger choice of add-ons for your noodles!

1. Kong Thai Lai New Coffee Shop

Despite having to move from its original location on Hutton Lane:

Kong Thai Lai continues to serve affordable and excellent local coffee and one of the best roti bakar (i.e. toast) in town! With homemade kaya (i.e. coconut jam)!

You can also order char kuey teow, nasi lemak and fried rice!

2. Goh Chew Kopitiam – Fish Meat Hokkien Char

Famous for its upgraded version of fried bee hoon, Goh Chew Kopitiam does justice for many local dishes like Hokkien mee, char kuey teow and chee cheong fun too!

What makes their bee hoon special? Crispy deep fried sea bass, large prawns, sambal with sprinklings of fried pork fat cubes on top!

Locals know all about this place so if you want to try the dish together with the sambal sauce and prawns, come early!

Read more: 11 Best Char Kuey Teow In Penang

3. 113 Duck Meat Koay Teow Soup

Koay Teow soup usually has slices of shredded chicken but this place serves it with duck meat! The unassuming coffee shop is normally packed with people at lunch time!

There is the option to add homemade fish balls, duck intestines and bean sprouts. Do specify if you don’t want these in!

Go for their flavorful duck meat koay teow th’ng (clear soup) over their duck meat koay chiap (brown soup)!

4. Ah Wang Café

If you want simple kopitiam fare for brunch, you can try this coffee shop in Tanjung Tokong!

Local residents adore their traditional Hainanese coffee and homemade kaya on toast! Paired with soft-boiled eggs!

Their lime barley beverage is a caffeine-free option if you’ve already had your coffee fix for the day!

5. Zim Sum Restaurant

Have a variety of dim sum for breakfast at this busy establishment! Where the prices are reasonable!

Notable menu items include:

• Siew mai (Pork dumplings)
• Fried yam balls
• Egg tarts
• Turnip fried with bean sprouts
• Glutinous rice
• Har gao (i.e. prawn dumplings)

Western Breakfast In Penang

There are almost just as many western breakfast places in Penang as there are local eateries in Georgetown!

Particularly around Love Lane Penang and Chulia Street!

You should definitely include at least 1 Penang cafe during your trip!

6. Big Ben Breakfast & Western

In Malaysia, western food is usually more expensive than local food. But this café keeps the prices lower by maintaining a no-frills ambiance.

You can come here after a run at the Penang Botanic Gardens to sit down to their signature Big Ben breakfast set!

They have sandwiches, pasta, local coffee and toast too!

7. Penang Yin’s Sourdough Bakery And Café

Craving for some freshly-baked sourdough bread, bagels or pizza?

At Yin’s Sourdough Bakery And Café, you can have sourdough bread with homemade pineapple jam, almond butter, cheese or even grilled banana slices!

For drinks, try their western-style coffee or delightful kefir smoothies with tropical fruit!

8. The Big Beans

Walking distance from the Penang State Museum or Zim Sum:

You can spot the café from its bright turquoise exterior! The blue carries on inside the interior that hosts an eclectic mix of chairs and tables!

The Big Beans is run by an amiable couple. Their newly refreshed menu features western food with a Malaysian twist! Like bacon fried rice!

Pancakes, BLT, burgers and quesadillas are on their menu too! And an extensive coffee menu!

9. Let’s Meat

Let’s Meat is an authentic American restaurant not far from Penang Avatar Secret Garden:

Eggs Benedict, pancakes, American biscuits, and the pulled pork and steak sandwiches are all delicious! And come in generous portions!

The other highlight is the children’s play area!

Don’t forget to order one of their milkshakes!

10. Urban Daybreak

Next on the list, Urban Daybreak touts Australian-style breakfast, brunch and lunch!

Blue walls and decorative red windows mark the interior of the narrow but cozy space.

Ann’s Big One is their massive breakfast set that comes with salad and their homemade pork sausages!

Besides this, there are savory waffles, French toast, burgers, omelets, bagels, pasta and sandwiches!

Halal Breakfast In Penang

All the places we have listed up till now include pork in their menus.

So to be fair to our Muslim readers:

Here are some halal eateries so you don’t have to miss out! The first 2 are already on our Penang food list! So you can tick them off you bucket list!

11. Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang

Right from the moment the shop opens, you can tell from the long line of customers that this is one of the best nasi lemak stalls in Penang!

Add on some fish, squid or prawns if you want! Watch the way they prepare the nasi lemak in batches!

Read more: 11 Best Seafood Restaurants In Penang (Recommended By Locals)

12. Gemas Road Roti Canai

Gemas Road Roti Canai serves Indian paratha and parotta (i.e. roti canai) a bit differently:

With a slice of cheese, Sunnyside up eggs and raw onions! To go with any of their 3 available curries – dhal, chicken or beef curry!

The peak time is between 9am and 11:30am!

Read more: Penang Famous Cendol – 9 Best Cendol In Penang That You Can Try Today!

13. Nasi Kandar Kampong Melayu

All the way in Ayer Itam, this reputable nasi kandar stall has a loyal following (of Penangites and locals from other states) for its homemade curries and fresh ingredients! Like squid and beef!

They open really early so you can have yourself a hearty breakfast before checking out Kek Lok Si temple!

Prepare yourself for a long queue on weekends!

Getting To Penang Breakfast Places

Want to find more hidden food spots? You can trust our local travel guides from RayTheTour to bring you to their favorite breakfast haunts!

More about our private tour service:

• Completely flexible itinerary from morning till evening
• We have tours in Ipoh, Cameron Highlands and in-between too!
• Vans and MPVs are what we use
• Tour includes pick up and drop off from your hotel/ airport
• Chinese-speaking or English-speaking guides

Further reading:

• 4 Best Ways For Getting Around Penang (With All Penang Transport Options)
• How To Get From Penang Airport To Georgetown (4 Easy Ways)

Conclusion

Treat yourself to the best breakfast in Penang with this guide!

Have yummy local Penang food or western food at various breakfast places in and around Georgetown! Even dim sum!

You might just find your new favorite breakfast of all time!

PS: We have an awesome Penang travel guide for you.