Ome by Spacebar Coffee — Restaurant in George Town

I came in search of good coffee but was left disappointed by my experience here, starting as I entered the cafe. As I arrived I was informed of a time limit for staying here. Signage at the entrance had already stated this, but there was clearly a keenness to get this message across with great clarity.

As I walked into the narrow, somewhat cramped interior the owners may have appreciated my desire to leave as soon as I drank my coffee. This desire only increased as I sat on an uncomfortable high stool, in front of a mirror (edit. My apologies for not knowing the layout of the cafe so precisely, after spending less than 20 mins here, let's not though detract attention from the uncomfortable stool).

A highlight was the cake I tried, delicious. Really nice, thank you. But I primarily came for coffee and asked for a milk-based latte with an extra shot. Where to begin? This was easily my worst experience of a latte in all my time in Malaysia. In fact I cant remember having such a bad coffee for a very long time. It was an incredibly weak offering, served at barely lukewarm temperature. Awful. Never again.

Edit: I thank the owner for their reply. I dont need a patronising hug, just a decent coffee. When I ordered a cafe latte and paid for an extra shot, I really did not think I would need to communicate on strength here, or a basic expectation of something resembling a warm cafe latte at the very least (as opposed to lukewarm bordering on almost cold). This is indeed a first. In my experience of ordering and drinking milk-based coffee in many parts of the world this really was as bad as it gets. I dread to think of the taste here without that supposed extra shot. But anyway, let's just try to place responsibility for this 'experience' and serving of almost cold 'coffee' on the...

Ome by Spacebar Coffee in Penang is a true hidden gem that perfectly captures the charm and creativity of Georgetown. Tucked within a cozy, rustic space with beautifully exposed brick walls and an open-air ceiling adorned with lush greenery, this café offers a tranquil escape from the bustling streets outside.

The atmosphere is effortlessly inviting, enhanced by a playlist that included the mellow tune of Pulling Our Weight by The Radio Dept., setting the tone for a relaxing experience. The thoughtful design and serene ambiance make it an ideal spot for coffee enthusiasts, book lovers, or anyone looking for a peaceful place to unwind.

The coffee is nothing short of excellent—meticulously brewed with rich flavors that reflect the care and expertise of the baristas. Paired with a slice of their perfectly moist, flavorful cake, it becomes an indulgent treat for your taste buds. The cake itself, with its subtle nutty and sweet undertones, is an absolute standout.

What sets Ome apart is the attention to detail—not just in their offerings but in the entire experience they craft for their guests. Whether you're here to sip on expertly brewed coffee, explore the curated collection of books and coffee-related merchandise, or simply soak in the warm, artistic vibes, Ome by Spacebar Coffee delivers on all fronts.

It's a must-visit for anyone in Penang looking to enjoy exceptional coffee in an inspiring setting. This spot is truly a love letter to the art of café culture, and it's hard not to leave with a smile and the...

We heard this cafe is a famous one in Penang, however I think it was overrated as reasons below,

Coffee latte (we had iced coffee latte) was overall good, has special fruity passion fruit and chocolate hint which is quite special and good. It depends on individual taste, could be positive to some and could negative to others (we were 8 and we had different opinion)

Cake (we had dark chocolate pistachios) was average good, quite moist and not overtly sweet

Service was extremely bad! We entered the cafe by receiving a message from a staff that had you decided to stay or leaving now which for us was super rude. Then we were a sitting inside the cafe after ordering drinks and cake, and the same person used a rude tone to ask “so you want to stay?”, seems to us that we were there just to occupy their space.

Ambient was average, just good to avoid the hotness in Penang (many cafes nearby have better ambience). Just take note, there is limited 1 hour stay and minimum 1 order person (which is understandable for business purpose)

Overall, we found they treated their clients very badly even though we knew that they have limited space to do their business but the tone they used was very offensive. I am sure you could fine better coffee and cake in other cafes nearby where we did try others. Definitely not going back to OME...