Skip common tried-and-tested desserts and go off the beaten track, discovering hidden gems and restaurants where you least expect a perfect sugar fix.
Yukeshwaran Devadas
Thu Mar 30 2017
While Char Kuey Teow and Nasi Kandar have always been on the forefront of Penang’s food hunt, one should not overlook desserts, especially when the weather is scorching hot.
Skip common tried-and-tested desserts and go off the beaten track, discovering hidden gems and restaurants where you least expect a perfect sugar fix.
As per the name, crepes are the name of the game here. Located along Gurney Drive, this humble-looking restaurant which does bring to mind a cottage, is host to a variety of sweet and savoury crepes. However, the reigning champ of the extensive menu got to be their Mango Cup. The crepe is aesthetically shaped as a cup and is generously filled with fresh mango slices, scoops of mango ice cream, whipped cream and finished with chopped nuts. The fun interplay of taste and texture will melt your heart in no time. Definitely an Instagram-worthy material too.
Housed within Reunion Heritage House, Merry Me @ Ice Estate is a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cafe, but yet, it has been earning a dear place in the hearts of ice cream lovers. The ambience ticks all boxes for a hipster hangout but it only plays second fiddle to the liquid nitrogen ice cream. Mango, Matcha and chocolate are some of the many flavour profiles offered and the creamy concoction can be topped with a bouquet of toppings or perched above their homemade waffles. Don’t forget to try their colourful macaroons too!
A serving of ice kacang is rich and flavourful enough to be a star all on its own, but at Kek Seng Cafe, it’s been bumped up a notch thanks to the addition of homemade durian ice cream and colourful jellies on top of the rudimentary ingredients. 'Ooh' and 'aah' over this delectable dessert in a no-frills atmosphere that evokes nostalgic vibes of the island before development kicked in.
Georgetown is ubiquitous with desserts but for those who speak less calories and healthy food, make your way to Mugshot Cafe. The thick of this cafe might be their wood-fired oven made bagels yet their selection of yogurts does not pale in comparison. The yogurts, served in mugs, are made on a daily basis and choices include Kiwi & Honey, Mango & Walnuts, Walnuts & Raisins and Jackfruit & Gula Melaka. Done relaxing and recharging, seek out wall murals and heritage buildings that are only a stone’s throw away.
Skip common tried-and-tested desserts and go off the beaten track, discovering hidden gems and restaurants where you least expect a perfect sugar fix.