There is a lot of really good coffee in Georgetown. This was an unexpected surprise for my coffee loving, caffeine dependent husband. Finding a cafe that takes its chocolate as seriously as it takes its coffee is incredibly rare, but Penang offered a few jewels for us to try, especially in the UNESCO World Heritage precinct.
Ome by Spacebar Coffee was one of these. It ticked all of the boxes. Good coffee for Rich; check. Named on the 2025 list of the world’s best coffee shops, it lived up to its reputation.
Beautiful, inviting space; check. Housed in one of the UNESCO heritage buildings, it is a very long and narrow cafe with limited seating up front and a few tables towards the back. Exposed brick walls, large sunlights, and a beautifully designed large wooden table are found at the back.
The chocolate was a huge tick. It is from Chocolate Concierge, a bean to bar maker based in Kuala Lumpur that is focused on highlighting Malaysian grown cacao beans and the different flavour profiles of each. The 72% dark chocolate made from beans from Batu Pahat (with notes of grapes, hazelnut and soft spice) is on offer, either hot or iced, for 17MYK. If after drinking this you want more, as you should, they also sell several Chocolate Concierge bars, easily recognisable by their stunning packaging.
Verdict: As a coffee shop should be. And isn’t the entrance gorgeous! One by Spacebar Coffee, 1, Louring Top Aka, GeorgeTown, Penang, Malaysia @ome.space
Open 7:30am to 1600 Sun-Sa, 7:30-15:00 Mon-Tues
