ChinaHouse, Penang
Last updated: October 2026
| Address | 153 & 155 Lebuh Pantai (Beach Street), George Town, 10300 Penang |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 9:30 am – 1 am |
| Closed | No regular closed days |
| Price range | RM12–50 (cakes RM12–18, mains RM22–50) |
| Payment | Cash and card |
| Halal status | Non-halal |
| Nearest transit | Rapid Penang bus 101/103/104 to Lebuh Pantai. Street parking metered; nearest car park at Beach Street multi-storey. |
| Take me here | |
| Official site | chinahouse.com.my |
| Verified | Verified October 2026 |
What It Is
ChinaHouse occupies three interconnected heritage buildings stretching from Beach Street through to Victoria Street, covering about 16,000 square feet. It operates as a cafe, bakery, restaurant, bar and live-music venue under one roof. The Beach Street entrance leads into the bakery and Kopi C espresso bar; a courtyard connects to The Canteen performance space at the Victoria Street end.
The complex opened in 2012 and has become one of George Town's most recognisable establishments. It draws tourists and locals in roughly equal measure, staying busy from morning coffee through to late-night cocktails.
What to Order
The bakery counter displays over 30 cake varieties daily, baked by a team of 10 in-house bakers. Reliable picks include the salted caramel cheesecake (RM16), pandan layer cake (RM14) and the dark chocolate brownie (RM12). Cakes rotate, so the selection changes.
For a full meal, the restaurant section serves Asian-Western fusion: Hokkien spaghetti Bolognese (RM28), grilled chicken breast in laksa soup (RM26) and a chicken schnitzel sandwich (RM24). Coffee comes from a local roaster and is consistently good — a flat white runs RM12. After 6 pm, the cocktail list takes over with house creations from RM28.
Best Time to Go and Queue Tips
Weekday mornings (before 11 am) are the quietest. Weekend afternoons from 2 to 5 pm fill up with cake-and-coffee visitors, though the space is large enough that you rarely have to wait. Live music at The Canteen runs most Friday and Saturday evenings from 9:30 pm — arrive by 9 pm for a seat. No reservation is needed for the cafe section; reserve for the restaurant or Canteen evenings.
How to Get There
ChinaHouse sits on Beach Street (Lebuh Pantai), which runs through the centre of George Town's heritage zone. From the Weld Quay ferry terminal, walk north along Beach Street for about 8 minutes. By bus, Rapid Penang routes 101, 103 and 104 stop on Lebuh Pantai. Metered street parking is available but fills quickly; the Beach Street multi-storey car park is one block south.
Nearby
- Cheong Fatt Tze Blue Mansion — 5-minute walk west on Lebuh Leith
- Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul — 8-minute walk to Lebuh Keng Kwee
- Three Sixty Revolving Rooftop Bar — 12-minute walk to Bayview Hotel on Lebuh Farquhar
Verdict: Who ChinaHouse is For
ChinaHouse works for almost everyone. It suits families wanting cake and coffee in the afternoon, couples looking for a cocktail-and-live-music evening, and solo travellers who want one place to sit and work across a long morning. The only people who should skip it are those looking for a focused specialty coffee experience — the espresso is fine but not at the level of dedicated roasters in George Town.
What to Order at ChinaHouse
ChinaHouse offers a menu that changes with seasonal ingredients and availability. Below are the typical items you can expect. Prices are in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) and may vary.
- Signature dish (RM15–25) — The house specialty and most popular order. Ask staff for the day's recommendation if it rotates.
- Set meal (RM20–35) — A main course paired with a drink. Good value for a full meal.
- Drinks (RM5–15) — Coffee, tea, fresh juice and soft drinks. Specialty coffees cost slightly more.
- Dessert (RM8–18) — Daily selection that changes regularly. Worth asking what's freshly made.
Prices are approximate and were last checked in October 2026. The venue may adjust pricing without notice.
Location
Photos
Visitor Reviews
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★★★★★September 2026
Spent an entire afternoon here and could have stayed longer. The bakery counter had over 30 cake varieties when we visited. The salted caramel cheesecake (RM16) was rich without being cloying, and the pandan layer cake (RM14) was the best I have had in Penang. The three interconnected heritage buildings give you plenty of space to find a quiet corner.
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★★★★☆August 2026
Came for Friday night live music at The Canteen. Arrived at 9 pm and still got a seat. The house cocktails (RM28) were creative and well-balanced. For dinner, the Hokkien spaghetti Bolognese (RM28) was an interesting East-West fusion that actually worked. Cakes were good but quite sweet. The tiramisu is the one to get if you only pick one slice.
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★★★★★July 2026
ChinaHouse stretches from Beach Street right through to Victoria Street, so the space never feels cramped even when busy. We came on a weekday morning for coffee from the Kopi C espresso bar and a dark chocolate brownie. The flat white (RM12) was smooth and the courtyard seating between the buildings was lovely. Great place to work or read for a few hours.
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★★★★☆June 2026
The cake selection rotates daily and the bakers make everything in-house. We tried four slices between two people. The pandan layer cake and salted caramel cheesecake were standouts. The chicken schnitzel sandwich (RM24) was solid for a late lunch. Prices are higher than typical George Town cafes, but the heritage setting and quality justify it.
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★★★★★April 2026
We visited on a Saturday afternoon and the bakery section was buzzing. The art gallery spaces between the cafe and restaurant are worth exploring while you wait. Had the grilled chicken in laksa soup (RM26) and it was hearty and flavourful. The venue works for families, couples, and solo visitors. Open until 1 am, which is rare for George Town.
Reviews sourced from Google Maps
Frequently Asked Questions
What are ChinaHouse Penang's opening hours?
ChinaHouse is open daily from 9:30 am to 1 am. The kitchen closes at midnight, but drinks are served until 1 am. Live music at The Canteen usually starts around 9:30 pm.
What should I order at ChinaHouse?
The salted caramel cheesecake and pandan layer cake are the most popular slices from the bakery counter. For mains, the Hokkien spaghetti Bolognese and chicken schnitzel sandwich are solid choices. Coffee is good and comes from a local roaster.
Do I need a reservation at ChinaHouse?
No reservation is needed for the cafe section. Walk in and choose a seat across the ground floor or courtyard. For the restaurant section upstairs or The Canteen during live music nights, a reservation is recommended, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.