There is something about Penang that makes a lazy afternoon of scones, finger sandwiches and a properly brewed pot of tea feel exactly right. The island wears its colonial past on its sleeve, and a good high tea here is not just a snack. It is a whole experience, usually inside a heritage mansion, a hilltop tea terrace, or a grand hotel lounge with fans turning overhead. Whether you are planning a birthday treat, a catch-up with friends, or a quiet weekend indulgence, George Town and the hills above it have a spread for you.
We did the legwork so you do not have to. Every venue on this list holds a Google rating of 4.0 or higher from real diners, and we have ordered them by how many reviews each place has earned, so the most-loved and most-visited spots sit near the top. From the iconic Palm Court at the Eastern & Oriental to boutique mansions and cosy tea houses, here are the 10 best places for high tea in Penang to plan your next afternoon around.
What Is the Difference Between High Tea and Afternoon Tea?
Most Penang venues use the two terms interchangeably, but they started out different. Afternoon tea is the dainty, mid-afternoon ritual of scones, pastries and delicate sandwiches served on a tiered stand with a pot of tea. High tea was originally a heartier, later meal for working families, with warm savoury dishes. What you will find at the hotels and mansions below is closer to classic afternoon tea, sometimes stretched into a lavish buffet or a set that leans local with kaya, curry puffs and nyonya kuih alongside the scones. Book ahead for the fixed-seating sets, as the popular ones sell out on weekends.
How Much Does High Tea in Penang Cost?
Prices swing widely depending on the setting. A relaxed tea house or cafe set can run from around RM30 to RM60 per person, which is easy on the wallet for a casual weekend treat. The grand heritage hotels and mansion experiences sit higher, often RM90 to RM160 per pax, and some are priced for two so they suit a couple or a special occasion. Menus and prices change often, so treat these as a guide and confirm the latest set and seating times directly with the venue before you go. Many spots also run seasonal or festive high teas worth asking about.
Table of Contents
- 1. Palm Court at Eastern & Oriental Hotel
- 2. Suffolk House Restaurant
- 3. Orinea Restaurant
- 4. David Brown’s Restaurant & Tea Terrace
- 5. TopView Restaurant & Lounge
- 6. Macalister Mansion
- 7. The Edison George Town
- 8. Communal Table by Gēn 根
- 9. Winter Warmers Coffee & Tea House
- 10. The Glasshouse at The Prestige Hotel
1. Palm Court at Eastern & Oriental Hotel
If you only do one high tea in Penang, make it this one. The Eastern & Oriental has been the grande dame of George Town since 1885, and its Palm Court sets the gold standard for a colonial-era afternoon tea. Picture crisp linen, a tiered stand of scones with clotted cream, dainty sandwiches and cakes, and a pot of your chosen loose-leaf tea, all in a setting dripping with old-world charm. It is the classic choice for anniversaries, milestone birthdays, or simply treating yourself like a guest from a bygone era. Seatings are limited and reservations are recommended, so call ahead and dress a little smart.
Operating Hours: Daily; afternoon tea by reservation
Address: 10, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-222 2000
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2. Suffolk House Restaurant
Suffolk House is a beautifully restored Georgian garden mansion, and taking English afternoon tea on its verandah feels like stepping into a period drama. The setting is the star: high ceilings, timber floors, and a green lawn that keeps the city noise far away. The tea spread runs proper and traditional, with fluffy scones, jam and cream, savoury bites and neat pastries to work through slowly. It suits a genteel catch-up, a mother-daughter treat, or anyone who loves a bit of history with their brew. It is also a lovely spot to pair with a wander around the grounds afterwards. Weekends get busy, so booking ahead is wise.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 250, Jalan Air Itam, 10460 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-228 3930
Google Review: View on Google
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3. Orinea Restaurant
Orinea is for the guest who wants their tea time to feel like theatre. This Gurney-area gem has built a devoted following for its artful, plated dessert and afternoon experiences, where each course is styled to look as good as it tastes. Expect intricate sweets, thoughtful pairings, and a moody, intimate room that photographs beautifully. It leans more refined tasting-menu than casual buffet, so it is a treat for a special date, a small celebration, or a foodie friend who appreciates the details. Seating and sessions are limited and it does not open every day, so a reservation is essential. Come with an appetite for the pretty and the precise.
Operating Hours: Mon–Wed 6:00 pm – 11:30 pm; Fri–Sat 2:30 pm – 11:30 pm; Thu & Sun Closed
Address: 68-18-1, Sunrise Gurney, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 019-528 8933
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4. David Brown’s Restaurant & Tea Terrace
For high tea with a view you will not forget, ride the funicular up Penang Hill to David Brown’s. Perched on Strawberry Hill, its open-air tea terrace looks out over rolling greenery and, on a clear day, all the way to George Town and the sea. The Devonshire-style tea set, with scones, cream and a pot of tea in the cool hill air, turns an afternoon into a proper outing. It is a favourite for couples and families who want to make a half-day of it, combining the hill railway, the gardens and the tea. Weather can shift quickly up top, so a light jacket and an early booking both help.
Operating Hours: 11:00 am – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: Strawberry Hill, Penang Hill, Bukit Bendera, 11300 Ayer Itam, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-828 8337
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5. TopView Restaurant & Lounge
Sitting on Level 68 of Komtar, TopView swaps heritage charm for a jaw-dropping panorama of the whole island. This is the spot to bring visitors who want their high tea with a side of skyline, taking in George Town, the bridges and the mainland from way up high. The afternoon and tea sets pair light bites and sweets with the kind of view that usually costs a lot more elsewhere. It works well for a relaxed date, a family day out tied to the Rainbow Skywalk, or an easy in-town treat when you do not want to drive up a hill. Go before sunset and linger as the city lights flicker on.
Operating Hours: 10:00 am – 10:00 pm (Daily); Tue until 7:00 pm
Address: Level 68, Komtar, Jalan Penang, 10000 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 017-289 0877
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6. Macalister Mansion
Macalister Mansion takes a stately 1900s residence and reworks it into a slick boutique hotel, and its afternoon tea sits right in that sweet spot between grand and contemporary. Taken in the mansion’s elegant lounge or leafy courtyard, the set pairs classic tea-time sweets and savouries with polished plating and a calm, design-led atmosphere. It is a stylish pick for a grown-up celebration, a treat between friends, or anyone who likes their heritage with a modern twist. The whole property is worth a slow look, from the art dotted around to the striking dining spaces. Reserve ahead, as seating is intimate and fills up on weekends.
Operating Hours: Daily; afternoon tea sessions by reservation
Address: 228, Jalan Macalister, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-228 3888
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7. The Edison George Town
The Edison is a restored 1900s mansion on Lebuh Leith, and its afternoon tea leans into that heritage-boutique elegance. Served in gracious colonial-style surrounds, the set brings together traditional scones, sandwiches and sweets with a refined touch, best enjoyed slowly in the hotel’s airy courtyard or parlour. It is a quietly luxurious choice for couples, a small gathering, or a solo afternoon with a good book. The location puts you in the thick of George Town’s heritage core, so you can pair the tea with a stroll past the clan houses and street art nearby. Booking ahead is recommended to secure a table during the afternoon tea window.
Operating Hours: Daily; afternoon tea sessions by reservation
Address: 15, Lebuh Leith, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-262 2990
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8. Communal Table by Gēn 根
Communal Table by Gēn 根 is the modern, creative end of Penang’s tea scene. Tucked on Lebuh Presgrave, it is known for beautifully composed desserts and thoughtful, seasonal sweet courses that feel more like a chef’s tasting than a standard tiered stand. The intimate room and hands-on service make it a memorable weekend treat, especially for those who love pastry with a bit of artistry and a story behind each plate. Its weekend afternoon sessions are the ones to target for a tea-time visit, and seats are few, so book early. Bring a friend who appreciates the craft, and let the kitchen surprise you.
Operating Hours: Sat–Sun 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm & evenings; Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri evenings; Wed Closed
Address: 68, Lebuh Presgrave, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 012-578 3323
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9. Winter Warmers Coffee & Tea House
Winter Warmers is the cosy, unpretentious choice when you want a proper pot of tea without the formal hotel price tag. This charming tea house at The Gurney keeps a wide selection of loose-leaf teas alongside cakes, scones and light bites, all served in a warm, homely room that invites you to settle in. It is a lovely everyday spot for a relaxed chinwag with friends, a quiet solo afternoon, or an easy family treat. Because it runs from morning till late, it is also handy when you fancy tea outside the usual afternoon window. Ask the staff to help you pick a brew, they know their leaves well.
Operating Hours: 8:00 am – 10:30 pm (Daily); Fri–Sat until 11:00 pm
Address: The Gurney Resort Hotel & Residences, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-291 9848
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10. The Glasshouse at The Prestige Hotel
Rounding out the list, The Glasshouse at The Prestige Hotel brings a playful, design-forward take on afternoon tea. Inspired by a whimsical, Alice-in-Wonderland spirit, the space is all quirky details and eye-catching interiors that make it a firm favourite for photos. The tea sets pair pretty sweets and savouries with a bright, cheerful setting right in the heart of George Town on Church Street. It suits a fun outing with friends, a birthday moment, or anyone who enjoys a bit of theatre with their scones. With the venue open from early until late, you can time your visit around the rest of a day exploring the old town. Reserve ahead for the tea set to be safe.
Operating Hours: 6:30 am – 11:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 13, Church Street Ghaut, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tel: 04-217 5888
Google Review: View on Google
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Penang gives you the full range of high tea, and the right pick really comes down to the mood you are after. For a grand, bucket-list afternoon, the Palm Court at the Eastern & Oriental and the garden setting of Suffolk House are hard to beat. If you want a view, ride up to David Brown’s on Penang Hill or head to TopView above Komtar. And for something more modern and creative, Orinea, Communal Table and The Glasshouse each bring their own flair. Every venue here clears a 4.0 Google rating, so you can book any of them with confidence.
Sets, seating times and prices do change, and many of the best spots run limited daily sessions, so a quick call or online booking before you go always pays off. Now pick your setting, dress the part, and make an afternoon of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most famous high tea in Penang?
The Palm Court at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel is the most iconic, offering a classic colonial-era afternoon tea in a heritage setting dating back to 1885. Suffolk House and David Brown’s on Penang Hill are also long-standing favourites for a traditional English-style tea.
Do I need to make a reservation for high tea in Penang?
Yes, for most of the venues on this list. The heritage hotels and mansions such as the E&O, Macalister Mansion and The Edison run limited afternoon tea seatings that fill up on weekends, and smaller spots like Orinea and Communal Table have very few seats. Booking a day or two ahead is the safest bet.
Where can I find high tea in Penang with a view?
For a hilltop setting, David Brown’s Restaurant & Tea Terrace on Penang Hill overlooks lush greenery and George Town below. For a skyline view, TopView Restaurant & Lounge on Level 68 of Komtar serves tea with a sweeping panorama of the island and its bridges.
Is high tea in Penang expensive?
It depends on the venue. Casual tea houses and cafes such as Winter Warmers can start from around RM30 to RM60 per person, while the grand heritage hotels and mansion experiences typically range from RM90 to RM160 per pax. Prices change often, so confirm the current set with the venue before you go.
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
