Mixture of cultures in Penang makes it very diverse in many aspects. For instance, it has become a sort of brand in Malaysia’s culinary field. I discovered there are a lot of tea houses in Penang, and they are so different from each other. One by one I was getting tea-high by various tea experiences from local tea shop to sophisticated afternoon set. From top things to do in Penang, tea experience was one of my favorite things to look for and discover. I invite you to spot tea houses in Penang and have your own unique tea experience.
Tea houses in Penang which you should visit
I have chosen few tea experiences to show you the wide variety of choices Penang offers. I hope you will find something for yourself and have a lovely time sipping tea and eating delicious pastries.
Komichi Tea House
Can you imagine having Japanese Matcha straight from family farm in Japan? Komichi Tea House is lead by Akame, lovely Japanese girl. This charming tea house is on a narrow street of George Town, (20, Lorong Toh Aka) and is a very little and cozy place.
Not to mention the great quality. In my opinion the best tea in Penang. I got totally high after trying matcha and I continued tasting another types of green teas bringing me to another state of mind. Hojicha, Kabusecha, Gyokuro – those and other delicious types waiting for you. In the end Akame served me Japanese Wagashi – little sweet of the day. Every day Wagashi is something different – all are traditional Japanese sweets. Wagashi and other deserts, mostly Matcha powder themed, empower better tea experience. All sweets are hand made by Akame, every day new and fresh. I went out of the place completely high and spoiled with good quality teas, sweets and super friendly staff.
As for the prices, Matcha costs 11 RM, tea pot of green high quality tea is from 10 – 20 RM per pot. Additional brew is free of charge.
David Brown’s Restaurant and Tea Terrace
Typical English high tea in a quintessential British colonial restaurant which is the highest restaurant in Penang? Who’s in? David Brown’s Restaurant is on Strawberry Hill, little hill on Penang hill with the great view on the island from it’s top. Tea set is a huge dose of Mini Pastries, Sandwiches which cannot be easly finished, though taste so amazing so that you may want to try to do so. Before I had this tea experience I had never had a good brownie in any of Asian countries. I already had opinion that it’s just not the culture of chocolate and simply not possible to find the real brownie here. I was wrong. Perfect brownie I got in this set and I couldn’t stop eating the other sweets as well. However, place is famous for freshly made English Scones served with homemade strawberry jam, whipped cream and butter.
As for the teas, selection of Twinings tea bags will be served in a pot suitable for two people. Regular black tea, chinese green tea, Earl Grey and local tea from Cameron highlands plus some herbal and fruit teas. This enormous afternoon tea set costs 108 RM and is designed for two people minimum.
Coming to Penang Hill is an adventure as well. You can either take a jeep or train or climb through the jungle, which I did. 5 km up was tough but worth it. All of those will make you discover unique nature and enjoy stunning views.
Faongg Herbal Tea Shop
In contrast, Faongg Herbal Tea Shop is completely local experience of a Chinese tea house. There are plenty of Chinese Tea Houses in Penang, but this one I loved the most for its location, simplicity, relaxing atmosphere and price. Tea house is right in the center of George Town (68, Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling) and where else you can get good tea for 1,5 RM – 3 RM?! Good black and green Chinese teas are served there and ambient reminds me those chill tea houses in Turkey, where old men come to sip tea with friends. Everyone seems to know each other and I truly enjoyed to relax there and kept coming back over and over.
Métisser Pâtisserie & Tea Room
Métisser Pâtisserie & Tea Room was definitely the most sophisticated tea experience I have ever had. Very elegant tea house in George Town which invites for fancy tea experience. Room is very stylish, and porcelain tea sets just stole my heart. Excellent service surely will advice you which tea to choose, depending of selected pastries. Not to mention the deserts and all sweets made in this tea house, just in front of your eyes. Fresh pastries are the greatest reason to visit this tea house. Again, my opinion about chocolate in Asia has changed, after trying their perfect truffles.
All teas are from Harney & Sons and come in an elegant pot suitable for two people. You can have typical English afternoon tea as well, getting a dose of pastries for two available at 88RM. You will find Métisser Pâtisserie & Tea Room close to Komtar on Jalan Pintal Tali, George Town.
Tea time? If you love tea as much as me, I bet you are heading to the tea fields in Cameroon Highlands in Malaysia. Highly recommened!
PL Pszczoła kocha przyrodę, kwiaty oraz herbatę. Najbardziej sprawia jej przyjemność życie i podróże w rytmie slow, bez pośpiechu. Stara się podróżować bardziej ekologicznie i inspirować do tego innych. Lubi poznawać inne kultury, tradycje, spędzać czas z lokalnymi i kosztować ich przysmaków. Jej ulubione miejsca w każdej podróży to uliczne bazary.
ENG The Bee is a nature lover and tea addict. Loves the idea of slow life and responsible traveling, constantly trying to improve to bee more eco-friendly. Appreciates old cultures and traditions, loves to immerse with locals, listen to ethnic music as well as taste regional food and drinks. Her favorite spots while traveling are family houses and street markets.
bez codziennej herbaty nie funkcjonuję. Stąd mam do niej duży sentyment i opowieści o herbaciarniach bardzo mnie urzekły. Po cichu zazdroszczę wrażeń 🙂 pozdrawiam serdecznie
Też podzielam to urocze uzależnienie 😀
I think tea is the best beverage ever (sorry coffee lovers), and I would love to try some Japanese Matcha. Thanks for the alluring pictures.
I loved everything about this! Here in the small town I now call home in Guatemala, it’s ridiculously hard to find so many things I enjoyed back in Canada, good tea being one of them. Thank goodness one of the expat stores has some, at a high price though. 😮
I always travel with tea wherever I go and bring lots of it from the countires which grows tea 😀 I should send you some 😀
Wow these all sound fantastic. I’m a tea drinker for sure but I have to admit I haven’t been to any tea houses yet. Perhaps now this post will inspire me to go in my area.
Tea houses is a completely new experience, you should try
As an American, I haven’t gotten the opportunity to experience as many tea times as I would like. I’d love to sit down for one of these beautiful meals and enjoy all the delicious treats.
I had no idea you could try all these different styles of tea in Penang, and love that I now know where I can get Japanese. Chinese. English and French tea experiences if I’m ever there! Also thanks for the tip on the brownies! Tasty ones are hard to come by in some parts of the world for sure.
Penang is unique in terms of food, that’s for sure, brownies, chocolate and also best local craft beer in Asia, I have tried here
I went there decades ago and it was spectacular! I would love to visit again with this post as a guide. Thank you!!
You are welsome, hope you will make it one day and enjoy the tea time 😉
my family loves afternoon tea (we have british heritage – our relatives still live there!) We recently did a russian-themed tea, but an asian-themed tea would be very interesting!
there is a lot to explore 😉
Ah! I love tea houses. They provide such a fun experience, and those pots are so lovely. 🙂
I am fond of tea pots as well <3 Would love to have them all
All these tea houses look so cute! I would loooove to visit Malaysia!
I truly love how this article being written.I really find it so great and engaging.
Thank you 🙂
I love these tea pots. The idea of a tea pot is actually cute!
I think the same, I think all of them are cute and I am sure I will have a huge collection one day
Herbata towarzyszy mi przez całe życie….czasami wybieram się z córkami do herbaciarni…..zawsze jest w tym coś wyjątkowego
I’m a tea person. So am happy to know about these tea houses. Nice
Welcome in the tea lovers club 😀
What a beautiful idea! I love this.
Zdecydowanie ta ostatnia 😉
Always have a cake with my tea 😀
Hmmm… Next place on my list 🙂
Wspaniałe miejsce. Marzy mi się taka angielska uczta z herbatą