Love Lane Penang: What To Love About This Popular Street In George Town

Love Lane of George Town, Penang is a narrow street with some history to tell! It links Farquhar Street to Chulia Street.

Once known for its brothels, many of the Chinese-style traditional shop houses are now boutique hotels, hostels, hipster cafes and bars.

You can dip into Love Lane for a coffee or an evening cocktail in between exploring George Town!

Table Of Contents:

• History
• Cafe
• Food
• Nightlife
• Penang Street Art
• Hotels Nearby
• Attractions Nearby
• Getting Around Penang

History Of Love Lane George Town, Penang

Love Lane has been spotted on maps of George Town as far back as 1803.

There are multiple theories to how it got its intriguing name:

1. Shiite Muslims devotees used to partake in self-flagellation processions here back in the 19^th century!
2. The street might have been named after a certain British officer
3. It was a brothel hub for sailors
4. Or, like the Concubine Lane in Ipoh, Love Lane was where wealthy Chinese men kept their mistresses.

Penang Cafes Near Love Lane

Take your pick from Love Lane’s number of alluring cafes!

1. Beryl’s Chocolate Story

At this quirky chocolate boutique, you can learn the history of chocolate in a gorgeous heritage house as you breathe in the heavenly scent of chocolate!

Note: The café is downstairs while the museum/gallery is upstairs!

Before leaving the delightful Beryl’s Chocolate Story, you may want to pick up some freshly-made chocolate to go!

• Address: 5, Lorong Love, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
• Opening Hours: Daily from 10am to 7pm (Closed on Mondays)
• Contact: +604-2293777

2. Coffee 45

This vegetarian-friendly deli has a nice selection of local and western dishes like kampung fried rice, nasi lemak, burgers, spaghetti, wraps and more!

In addition to the reasonable prices and quality food, you might find yourself returning for the cosy vibes and friendly staff!

• Address: 45, Love Ln, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
• Opening Hours: Daily from 8:30am to 7pm
• Contact: +6012-364 4661

3. WHEELER’S

Considering the generous portions and quality of the food, the prices are fairly reasonable.

And seeing that it’s usually busy during the weekends, the staff does the best that it can!

Try their signature dish, the Espresso chicken or double cheese burgers if you don’t know what to order!

Note: Great coffee.

• Address: 67, Lorong Love, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
• Opening Hours: Daily from 8am to 12am
• Contact: +6019-524 7703

4. The Mugshot Café

Smells of freshly baked bread and the house specialty (bagels!) will entice visitors in for light refreshments!

Along with the yummy bagels and good coffee, this charming café has a variety of uncommon yoghurt flavors!

Notes:

• Gluten-free options are available!
• There is an optical shop at the back!

• Address: 302, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
• Opening Hours: Daily from 8am to 10pm; Friday & Saturday, 8 am–12 am
• Contact: +6011-26447007

5. The Daily Dose Café

Open for breakfast till the afternoon, The Daily Dose Café is run by 2 amiable Malaysian ladies.

Coffee and wholesome homemade local or Western food like bacon sandwiches are the stars of the menu!

SiSit inside in the comfort of the air-conditioning. Or dine Al-fresco at the shaded veranda in front of the café!

Note: You can order wine too.

• Address: 36, Stewart Ln, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
• Opening Hours: Daily from 9am to 5:30pm (Closed on Tuesdays)
• Contact: +6012-438 8373

Penang Food Near Love Lane

Other than cafes, there’s authentic Penang food right around the corner at the end of Love Lane!

Including Kimberley Street Food Night Market (8 minutes’ walk), a popular Penang night market.

1. Food Hunting At Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls

During the evening, you can make your way to the south of Chulia Street for the roadside hawker stalls!

It’s not a big market but you’ll be able to find most Malaysian classic dishes here!

What to try:

• Popiah
• Wantan mee
• Muah chee
• Satay
• Lor bak
• Assam laksa
• Apom

Distance from Love Lane: ~3 minutes’ walk

2. Steak Frites

If you fancy something besides street food, Steak Frites does decent medium-rare 150g or 200g beef tenderloin steaks served with a side of fries and salad!

You can top up your meal with a glass of Argentinean red wine for an additional RM20!

Note: They don’t have anything else on the menu except steaks!

• Address: 23, Love Ln, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
• Opening Hours: Daily from 6pm to 11pm (Closed on Mondays and Thursdays)
• Contact: +604-262 1323

Love Lane Penang Nightlife

Love Lane is a few minutes’ walk away from some of the coolest bars and restaurants in Penang!

Especially along Chulia Street with its pub-hopping opportunities!

Note: The first two options on this list are open for lunch too!

1. Holy Guacamole – Love Lane

It’s not every day you find a Mexican café in Penang!

Colorful Holy Guacamole combines a restaurant and a bar with great service and live music in the evenings!

Although the menu has been tuned to suit local tastes, they have the classics like quesadilla, fajitas and of course, alcoholic beverages!

Think tequila, margarita and sangria!

• Address: 65, Love Ln, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
• Opening Hours: 12pm to 12am
• Contact: +6017-482 9065

2. The Loft – Love Lane

Next on the list is another establishment by the same management that own Holy Guacamole! But with wood fire pizza as their specialty!

The pork-free menu has an appetizing selection of pasta and salads too!

Note: Beer and wine is sold at the bar in the middle of the restaurant!

• Address: 57, Love Ln, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
• Opening Hours: 12 pm–12 am
• Contact: +6017-586 5755

3. Micke’s Place

Renowned among the Penang backpacker community, Micke’s Place has both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks!

Beer is very cheap during happy hour! And on weekends, there’s a live band playing until 12am!

Note: Not the easiest place to find parking!

• Address: 94, Lorong Love, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
• Opening Hours: Daily from 4pm to 12am
• Contact: +6012-493 8279

4. Foxhole 24

No stranger to a crowd, this casual cocktail bar/ European pub is busiest on Saturday nights!

Many backpackers love to come here after dinner for the rousing atmosphere, music, beers and unique house cocktails!

Note: Non-smokers may not appreciate the smoky environment (indoors as well)

• Address: 24, Muntri St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
• Opening Hours: Daily from 5pm to 12:30am (Closed On Sundays & Mondays)
• Contact: +6017-536 5128

Penang Street Art At Love Lane

While you’re around Love Lane, see if you can spot these Penang street art!

1. “Fisherman” Mural

Russian artist, Julia Volchkova completed this detailed mural of an Indian boatman in 10 days back in 2016!

Artist: Julia Volchkova

2. Little Girl in Blue

Another name for this large wall mural is Kungfu Girl. You can find this one on Muntri Street adjacent to Penang Ta Kam Hong.

Artist: Ernest Zacharevic

3. Dancing Girl

There’s a graceful figure of a girl in black and white above an inconspicuous archway in Stewart Lane (Lebuh Stewart)!

Hotels Near Love Lane Penang

It’s not easy to choose the best hotel in Penang with so many reputable ones close to George Town!

There are some hotels right by Love Lane too!

1. 23 Love Lane Hotel

23 Love Lane Hotel has only 10 exclusive rooms set in multiple restored heritage buildings! Each room is unique and incredibly homey!

New additions to the hotel include Muntri Suites pre-war shop house with 3 rooms. And another separate building for the Stewart Suite.

Sadly, maintenance is somewhat lacking.

What you’ll like:

• Free WiFi
• Afternoon tea and breakfast
• Plenty of nooks to relax
• Traditional decoration
• Beautiful grounds

Good to know:

• Strategic location comes with some road noise
• On-site SteakFrites@23 Restaurant is next to the hotel

• Address: 23, Lorong Love, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
• Contact: +604-262 1323
• Price Range: From RM550 (2 Pax)

2. You Le Yuen Heritage Guesthouse

Couples especially appreciate the privacy of 4 romantic and comfortable suites at You Le Yuen, a restored shop house at George Town!

As well as its convenient location with attractions, eateries and bars within walking distance!

What you’ll like:

• Free WiFi
• Lovely wooden furnishings and antique décor
• Excellent breakfast
• Friendly host and staff
• Quiet
• Smoke-Free

Good to know:

• They serve Indian food at the courtyard garden of their hotel (by appointment only)

• Address: 7, Lorong Love, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
• Contact: +6013-492 2125
• Price Range: From RM280 (2 Pax)

3. The 80’s Guesthouse

Leaning towards a hostel approach, The 80’s Guesthouse has double rooms, mixed dormitories and females-only dormitories.

Without compromising comfort or style!

What you’ll like:

• Free WiFi
• Complimentary basic breakfast
• Wonderful staff
• Comfortable beds
• Clean shared bathrooms
• Common lounge with TV

Good to know:

• Lockers are available for dormitory guests
• They offer laundry service and luggage storage
• Earplugs for light sleepers

• Address: 46, Love Ln, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
• Contact: +604-263 8806
• Price Range: From RM99 (2 Pax)

4. Old Penang Guesthouse

In a refurbished century-old shop house:

Single travelers will be able to have privacy at this hostel as they do have single rooms!

Along with double rooms, triple rooms and bunk-bed dormitories (mixed/ female).

What you’ll like:

• Free WiFi (not too reliable)
• Lively nightlife around
• Helpful staff
• Clean premises (including communal shower facilities)
• Simple adequate breakfast
• Spacious common area

Good to know:

• Bicycle hire service
• 24-hour front desk

• Address: 53, Lorong Love, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang Island
• Contact: +604-263 8805
• Price Range: From RM92 (2 Pax)

Read more:

• 5 Star Hotels In Penang – Top 11 Luxury Resorts
• 11 Best New Hotels In Penang
• 11 Exceptional Airbnb In Penang

Attractions Near Love Lane

These are some worthy Penang attractions to stop at on your way to or from Love Lane!

1. Penang State Museum and Art Gallery

Note: This location may be temporarily closed due to renovations.

Dating back to 1962, this grand building has a tremendous collection of relics from the past! Including cultural artifacts like Malay daggers (keris).

And captivating stories of riots between the Chinese secret societies and British authorities back in the 19^th century!

Note: The art gallery is in a separate location (Dewan Sri Pinang on Light Street)

Distance from Love Lane: ~4 minutes’ walk

Read more: Top 21 Penang Museum To Pop Into (Especially Items 8 & 13)

2. Goddess of Mercy Temple Penang

Between Little India and Love Lane is the oldest Taoist temple (built in 1728) in Penang!

Many devotees still come to worship the main deity Guan Yin, the Goddess of Mercy.

Especially during her birthday and the Jade Emperor’s birthday!

Distance from Love Lane: ~3 minutes’ walk

3. Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion – The Blue Mansion

An elegant boutique hotel as well as a Peranakan museum, The Blue Mansion never fails to impress!

Their daily tours are from Friday to Sunday and are usually full on weekends! They have two sessions, one at 11am and another at 2pm!

Read more about the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion.

Distance from Love Lane: ~6 minutes’ walk

Entrance Fee: RM25 (Adult), RM12.50 (Child under 12 years old)

Read more: 13 Best Things To Do In Georgetown Penang (Must-See Attractions)

3. Sri Mahamariamman Temple At Little India Penang

From 8am to 12pm and again from 5pm until 9:00 pm:

Visitors can enter Penang’s oldest Hindu temple to admire the interior (and exterior) architecture up close!

Distance from Love Lane: ~5 minutes’ walk

Further reading:

• Khoo Kongsi Temple Penang – See Exquisite Architecture At This Heritage Gem
• Penang National Park (Ultimate Guide) – Spend A Delightful Day Hiking In Nature

Getting Around Penang

When you want to see more than just George Town, a private tour service like RayTheTour offers convenience and quality!

Join RayTheTour to learn more about Love Lane’s street art, hipster cafes, and background history!

What to expect with our tours:

• We follow your own Penang itinerary – or you can let our local guides take you to their favorite places!
• Tour hours typically start from 9am and end at 6pm (we’re not strict on the times!)
• We use MPVs and vans
• Our guides speak English or Chinese
• Includes pick-up and drop-off service anywhere in Penang
• Possible to extend your tour to Ipoh or Cameron Highlands!

Book via WhatsApp.

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Further reading:

• How To Get From Penang Airport To Georgetown (4 Easy Ways)
• How To Get To Penang Island From Kuala Lumpur (KL)

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Conclusion

What’s not to love about Love Lane in George Town? Trendy cafes, a spirited night scene, hotels in heritage shop houses, with street art thrown into the mix!

And the fact that it’s close to many must-see Penang attractions!