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ChinaHouse
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ChinaHouse

George Town heritage café, bakery, bar and arts space

Penang, Malaysia
3.9
6,774 reviews

Neighbourhood

Penang

Category

Cafe

Vibe

Cafe, Bar +4

Official website

About ChinaHouse

ChinaHouse is a mixed café, bakery, restaurant and arts venue occupying linked heritage buildings in George Town, Penang. An open-air courtyard connects its different spaces, which include galleries and a live-music venue at the Victoria Street end. Cakes, coffee and a changing programme of music make it useful for both daytime visits and an evening out. LGBTQ travel guides recommend ChinaHouse as a gay-popular place to socialise, but it is not a dedicated gay bar and has no permanent queer-specific programme established by the operator. Check the current music schedule if you are visiting for a performance. Archive photo credits — these gallery views show the venue at the time photographed; decor and facilities may have changed. Dining room, archive view (2018): Head towards the LIGHT by Allen Warren, Public Domain Dedication (CC0). Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/j316/45640322804/ Licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ Staircase towards the dining area, archive view (2017): descending into reality by Allen Warren, Public Domain Dedication (CC0). Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/j316/35665790205/ Licence: https://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/ Files reproduced without edits; the gallery may crop images to fit the screen.

What to expect

A gay-popular mixed café, bakery, bar and arts venue in George Town’s heritage centre.

Vibes

Good to know about ChinaHouse

Practical tips before you visit

A mixed venue recommended in LGBTQ travel guides; it is not an exclusively gay bar.
The complex has entrances at 153–155 Beach Street and 183B Victoria Street in George Town.
The Canteen music space is part of the same complex.
Check the day’s programme and book ahead for a particular performance.

Photos of ChinaHouse

Venue photos and gallery images for ChinaHouse in Penang.

Location

ChinaHouse

153, Beach St, Georgetown, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Get directions

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ChinaHousereviews & ratings

Read ratings and recent reviews of ChinaHouse in Penang from Google Maps, Yelp and WhereIs.Gay where available.

3.9

6,774 reviews

Overall rating across Google Maps.

Rating by source

  • Google Maps
    3.9

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Featured Google Maps reviews

Selected by Google Maps. Read more reviews on Google Maps.

Nabil ZA
Nabil ZA

2 months ago

Its a cake heaven! This cafe had been on my must-visit list for years. During a previous trip to Penang, the notoriously long queue meant I never got the chance to experience it. On my most recent visit, I finally stopped by for tea after spending the afternoon exploring the streets of George Town, and it was well worth the wait. The highlight of the cafe is undoubtedly the cake section, where rows of beautifully crafted cakes and pastries are showcased in an irresistible display. The selection is extensive, and honestly, choosing what to order was probably the hardest part of the entire visit. Beyond the tempting desserts, the cafe also offers a range of main dishes, making it suitable for both a full meal and a casual afternoon treat. The cake slices were impressively generous in size, making them perfect for sharing. The coffee was equally excellent, pairing beautifully with the desserts. Service was friendly and efficient, with no complaints whatsoever. Despite the cafe's popularity, everything felt well organised and welcoming. Overall, this is a place that truly lives up to its reputation. Whether you're a dedicated dessert lover or simply looking for a great spot to unwind in George Town, this cafe is a must-visit when in Penang. With such an amazing range of cakes to choose from, it's the kind of place that keeps you planning your next visit before you've even finished your first slice.

Review from Google Maps

Herman Fuso
Herman Fuso

a month ago

Lots of cake available! The meals, not really, too expensive. But the cake, it's really worth the price! Very delicious!!! Their tiramisu is the best! This house is so long, you can go through until the back of the house (to Victoria Street). And it has many sections along the way.

Review from Google Maps

Kezia Sunam
Kezia Sunam

2 months ago

My partner and I ordered three cakes, a Long Black, and iced water. Everything was amazing! The cake portions were very generous, making them great for sharing and definitely worth the price. My partner isn't usually a fan of sweet desserts, but he absolutely loved the Teh Tarik cake. He especially enjoyed the subtle salty aftertaste, which balanced the sweetness perfectly. For me, the Almond Orange cake was incredibly delicious-it's moist, flavorful, and not overly sweet. My favorite, however, was the alcoholic Tiramisu. The alcohol was perfectly balanced with the rich tiramisu flavor, making it very enjoyable. The Long Black was excellent too-smooth, rich, and without any sour taste, which I really appreciated. Overall, we had a wonderful experience and would definitely come back to try more desserts and coffee!

Review from Google Maps

Gilbert Tan
Gilbert Tan

4 months ago

A place that I must visit everytime I am in Penang. China House is much more than a café, it's an experience. Set within a series of beautifully restored heritage shophouses connected by a long walkway, the space feels like a creative maze where every corner reveals something different. From cozy café seating and art displays to hidden courtyards and live music spaces, it's worth taking the time to explore the entire property. The second floor features rotating art exhibitions and creative displays, while the back section opens up into a charming courtyard and bar area that comes alive in the evening. The real highlight for me was the cakes and desserts. The selection is massive, with dozens of cakes lined up on a long display table, making it almost impossible to choose just one. Whether you're into rich chocolate cakes, cheesecakes, fruit-based creations, or their famous tiramisu, there's something for every sweet tooth. The cakes are beautifully presented and perfect for sharing. For those who prefer something stronger than coffee, China House also offers an impressive range of beers and alcoholic beverages, making it a great spot to transition from an afternoon dessert stop into a relaxed evening hangout. The combination of heritage architecture, art, desserts, and drinks creates a unique atmosphere that keeps both locals and visitors coming back.

Review from Google Maps

Meow God
Meow God

4 months ago

I've been too ChinaHouse a few times n came back to the same conclusion. The cakes gotta be shared. Though luck if you're alone. The cake are rather big portion n some cans get really sweet after a while. Flavour wise - pretty good for some selections. This trip i has the coconut lemon cake n I really liked it. But again went there by myself n after more than half way in the sweetness crept in n had to order coffee. Now this is the thing I find weird. I didn't see the menu for drinks I just told the big guy by the cashier I would like to have Americano. N ended up being served long black. N yup it's thicker than I like. Wanted Americano becos it's more diluted n would go well with the cake. Perhaps they don't have Americano just long black but should at least tell me though.

Review from Google Maps

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Listing details

Listed in
Penang › Malaysia
Data from
WhereIs.Gay community, the venue and Google