Mews Café Penang in Muntri House Hotel may look like a hip but traditional kopitiam (coffee shop), although its laidback ambiance reminds us heavily of an Australian beachside bistro for surfers. An unpretentious place alive with personality, at its heart this café is a proud and firmly-rooted local business, determined to champion the island’s fiercely-competitive culinary scene.

Subtly balancing the demands of heritage and modernity expertly, Mews Café is a place where both traditionalists and the young urban set are amply catered for, with the menu split into two categories – local and western. The cuisine is matched by the restaurant’s house red and white wine options and diners can round off a meal with the kitchen’s short but sweet list of dessert offerings.