Most tourists on their way to Penang have street food, culture, and sandy beaches on their minds. But the historic, charming Malaysian state is so much more than its vibrant arts scene, those famous old-style coffee shops, or the UNESCO World Heritage Site of George Town.
Penang’s also got pet cafes. Yep — cozy, animal-friendly spaces made for cuddling with canines and chilling with felines.
Traveling with pets? Or maybe you just want the benefits of emotional support animals without subjecting your fellow travelers to peacocks, ducks, or marmosets as seatmates. In any case, we present you: five places in Penang to hang with four-legged friends.
Corgi & The Gang Pet Café
We love this café just based on its name alone. Corgis (and their butts) are the cutest. Period. And a business that spotlights these short-legged dogs is one that we can get behind.
Other resident canines at this cafe include Toy Poodles, Malamutes, and Siberian Huskies, who mingle with visitors’ pets while the humans have their waffles, pasta, and whatever other things human eat.
Oh, and if your canine needs an afternoon of grooming or a place to stay overnight, note that Corgi & The Gang runs a pet shop and hotel as well.
80P, Jalan Mount Erskine, Tanjung Tokong, Penang, Malaysia. +60 4-890 1708. Mon-Fri noon-10pm, Sat-Sun 10am-10pm.
Bark & Bean
Humans and hounds can dine here together, with cakes and coffees on the menu for owners and snacks for their furkids. Located just next to pet grooming salon and store The Fox Butler, this cozy pet “wellness lounge” is home to Corgis and Pomeranians, who are up for snuggling with visitors coming in without a four-legged buddy.
18, Jalan Pantai Jerjak, Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia. +60 4-657 7388. Sun-Thurs 11am-8pm, Fri-Sat 11am-10pm.
JDog House & Café
As the self-described first and largest dog petting café in Malaysia, JDog also offers grooming and pet hotel services at its space, where dog lovers can jump into the fenced off area and get into the fluff of things with more than 15 resident Siberian Huskies, Samoyeds, Dachshunds, Schnauzers, and Alaskan Malamutes. The doggos take naps every now and then, though, so you’ve got to step off during those times. Focus on sandwiches, salads, fruit juices, and coffees to distract you in the interim.
72-2-35, Arena Curve, Jalan Mahsuri, Bayan Lepas. +60 19-288 8378. Mon & Thurs 11:30am-9:30pm, Fri-Sun 11am-10pm.
Wag N Romp
Get up close and personal with furry friends at this small, grey-walled café opened by pet shop Fluffy Dogs R Us, where free-roaming Afghan Hounds, Toy Poodles, Golden Retrievers, and Dachshunds run the place. Just kidding. But they sure do walk the walk.
On the menu are coffees, teas, waffles, simple pastas, and pastries, plus doggy snacks for the furkids (supplied from the treats section of the pet shop).
161 Jalan Kelawai, George Town, Penang, Malaysia. +60 4-229 9161. Daily noon-7pm.
Purrfect Cat Café
This cat haven is decked out with plushies, tree towers, and toys to keep the fluffy ones occupied. Taking up a two-story shop house, the space features all sorts of kitschy and quirky cat merch on the ground level, while the second floor café is separated into the cats’ room and the dining area, where pastries and cakes are served.
There’s a corner where most of them chill out, with breeds like Bengals and Scottish Folds eyeing people for ear scratches.
53, Jalan Muntri, George Town, Penang, Malaysia. +60 4-261 1197. Daily 10am-9:30pm.
