Norm — Restaurant in George Town

Penang. Let me tell you, this island surprised me. It wasn't what I expected at all. Don't get me wrong, there were gorgeous beaches - perfect for lounging with a good book and soaking up the sun. But Penang had this whole other side to it - a rich tapestry of cultures rolled into one.

Everywhere I wandered, I stumbled upon Chinese temples with dragons twisting up their roofs, Indian garland vendors with vibrant blooms spilling out of their carts, and clanking rickshaws piloted by friendly, chatty locals. The food! Oh my goodness, the food! From steaming bowls of Penang laksa to melt-in-your-mouth char kway teow, my taste buds were on a constant adventure.

Sure, there were pockets that were a bit touristy, but even those had a certain charm. Penang felt like a living, breathing kaleidoscope. A little chaotic, yes, but undeniably captivating. It wasn't just a place to visit, it was a place to experience, to dive headfirst into the mix of cultures, flavors, and sights.

Now, I'm not gonna sugarcoat it. The traffic can be a nightmare, and some parts of the island could use a bit of TLC. But that's part of Penang's unique character, I guess. And hey, if you're looking for a luxurious, all-inclusive resort experience, this probably isn't your spot. But if you want a taste of the real Asia, a place that will linger in your memory long after you leave, then Penang is definitely worth a visit. Just be prepared to fall in love with its...

“Norm” is a café / brunch spot in George Town, Penang. There seems to be two related spaces or concepts: • Norm Café at Lebuh Carnarvon — more intimate, dessert-/waffle-/cocktail-oriented.  • Norm Micro Roastery is spacious, industrial design, high ceilings, lots of natural light, offering more brunch & mains, specialty coffee, etc. 

Ambience / Design • Very modern, minimalist / industrial chic. Lots of natural light, high ceilings, indoor greenery.  • Good for photos / IG (“Instagrammable”) spaces.  Food & Desserts • Waffles generally well-liked. Varieties like the heart-shaped waffles, Apple Crumble, etc.  • Tiramisu often singled out as a signature dessert.  • Some mains also get praise — for example, the Prawn & Pumpkin Risotto is mentioned often.  Coffee and Drinks • People appreciate the coffee selection, specialty drinks, and cocktails.  • Matcha drinks also show up, though sometimes with mixed feedback.  Good for chilling / socializing • The café is considered a nice place to hang out. Relaxed vibes.  • Spacious in the Micro Roastery location makes for a more comfortable setting than...

We went here yesterday afternoon around 12:30pm. The place was small, but great ambiance! We ordered: *The waffle was really really good and refreshing, all components tasted great together! A plus for making their own earl grey ice cream, not serving store bought ice cream! 10/10 Vongole was really nice and light, pasta was al dente, with right amount of garlic, not too oily, generous clams and nice touch of saltiness from the capers! 9/10 I think a touch of lime/lemon zest would make it perfect! (Forgot the name of the drink), but it was refreshing and pretty! They made their own blend of rose and lavender syrup/extract. I would prefer the rose and lavender flavor/scent, to be more pronounced tho. 9/10

The plating and presentation was beautiful! All the staffs was friendly and attentive (making sure the food/drink was satisfactory for customers)

I could say, this was definitely one of the highlight of my travel to Penang! The waffle was surely memorable, I am still thinking about it now!

I will definitely try their infamous Tiramisu and other dish when I visit Penang again! Hopefully they added more...