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The Alley, 5 Stewart Lane
If you're wandering the charming streets of Georgetown, Penang, keep your eyes peeled for a hidden treasure—The Alley, 5 Stewart Lane. Nestled away near the tranquil Kuan Yin temple, this cozy café is a delightful escape from the bustling city. The distinctive front, adorned with lush greenery, may easily go unnoticed, but step inside, and you'll find a world of flavor waiting just for you.
The atmosphere here invites you to relax and unwind. Customers like Irma Resha have described it as a perfect haven, especially on those rainy Penang afternoons. As you settle into its warm ambiance, you’ll quickly discover that The Alley is much more than just a pretty spot. The menu is a carefully curated mix of coffee and desserts that focuses on quality over quantity, making each item a worthy treat.
One standout dish is the Uji Matcha, praised for its smooth, earthy tones that perfectly balance sweetness and bitterness. But the true star of the dessert menu is undoubtedly the Key Lime Pie. Irma describes it as refreshing and tangy, while Bea Banaag goes as far as to call it a “slice of heaven.” This dessert has the kind of magic that lingers, making it a must-try for anyone visiting.
For cheesecake lovers, the supreme burnt cheesecake has received rave reviews for its cloud-like texture and delightful flavors. Jane noted its lightness, and while she appreciated both the cheesecake and key lime pie, she found herself leaning towards the former as her personal favorite. Each bite delivers the perfect amount of sweetness that almost feels like indulgence without guilt.
The coffee here is another highlight, with customers like Jane raving about the latte. The emphasis on sourcing high-quality, light roast beans results in a cup bursting with fruity aroma and vibrant acidity. And if you’re someone who enjoys the nuance of flavors, you’ll appreciate their unique touch—a side of coffee blossom tea, which complements the coffee beautifully without overshadowing its character.
While the space may be limited, making it more suited for intimate gatherings or solo delights, this only adds to the charm. Claire Li reminisces about her previous visits, remarking on how the friendly staff and the lazy cat lounging by the entrance enhance the cozy, home-like atmosphere of The Alley. With each visit, you'll feel more like a welcomed guest than just another customer.
To sum it up, The Alley, 5 Stewart Lane is not just a café; it's an experience waiting to be savored. From the comforting warmth of its atmosphere to the exquisite flavors crafted in each cup and plate, this spot is sure to linger in your memory long after you leave. When you find yourself in Penang, make sure to stop by and indulge. You may just find your new favorite dessert or the perfect cup of coffee to warm your soul.
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“ Burnt cheesecake is great - nice gooey inside and not too sweet. I had the dirty latte and the presentation was great, but it's just not for me. ”
“ I went there because I was reading some articles where to find good Key Lime Pie and boy that article didn't lie at all. The Pie was to die for, we enjoyed it very much, the flavor, the texture, the extra lime zest they put. Their churros also nice, doesn't taste like traditional churros but more like elevated experience with the toppings and their sauce selection. Coffee were brewed nicely as well. One of the place that I put in my personal top 10 cafe in Penang. The issue is finding parking, but if you manage to find parking, walk a bit is not an hassle. Another one that make me a bit nervous was their door, it's a sliding door but it looks like push pull door, so we end up seeing a lot of people try to push the door and it looks like it might break. ”
“ It’s a gem hidden in an alley, right next to the Kwan Yim Thong. Their coffee is good, but it’s nothing compared to their nutmeg pound cake. It’s really impressed me. The cake served with cream (they put it aside as I am lactose intolerant), nutmeg jam, pinch of sea salt and drizzled with olive oil. The nutmeg jam which is quite sour (to me) but it amazingly pairing so well with the sea salt. Sweetness, sour and salt … this is the best combination. ”
“ Bvery cozy environment, me and my mum came here few years ago and we love the cats outside a lot, enjoy their cozy space as well! Today I decided to drop by again to have some me time with a sip of coffee, also bought some nice cakes for sharing. The churros are awesome! You may choose your dips and sides. All the cake taste so good, I’m glad that everyone in the house enjoy their cakes. I bought brunt cheesecake, lemon cheesecake, brownie. The coffee is sour taste, with great texture. Staffs are friendly and I had a great time alone by just sitting there and enjoying myself. Will definitely visit again. ”
“ During my 3-day, 2-night trip to Penang, I ended up visiting this café twice — yes, it was that good. I even reserved my limited stomach space just for them. Tucked away in a hidden spot just a few minutes’ walk from where I stayed, this café offers a rather unique sensory experience. It’s located near a Kuan Yin temple. You might easily walk past it — the shopfront is tiny, shielded by lush green plants, with only a small sign by the door confirming you’ve found the right place. And yet, despite being so hidden, it was nearly always packed. This place delivers equally on coffee and dessert. I tried the supreme burnt cheesecake (RM18) and the key lime pie (RM16) — both were cloud-light and practically melted on the tongue, with just the right amount of sweetness. I personally preferred the cheesecake, but both were absolutely worth the calories. The menu is small, but I truly believe every item is carefully curated — quality over quantity. I ordered the latte (RM13) on both visits because the first one completely stunned me. They seem to be using light roast beans recently — bursting with fruity aroma and bright acidity. The barista clearly knows what they’re doing: full extraction, thick crema, and a luxurious texture. The creamy milk was also spot on. One tiny detail I adored — they only add two ice cubes to their iced latte. I genuinely believe this helps preserve the flavor and intensity without diluting it too quickly. It invites you to sip slowly and savor each drop. If you order coffee, they’ll even serve you a tiny cup of coffee blossom tea on the side — it tastes like a slightly tangy herbal tea. The staff were lovely and greeted every customer with a smile. The only downside? The space is quite limited, so it’s probably not ideal for groups larger than four. But for a solo traveler like me, it was perfect — the kind of place where you want to curl up with a book (though I get the feeling the café isn’t super into that idea ). Oh, and there's a lazy cat lounging at the entrance who sleeps through everything and couldn’t care less about visitors — but you can give it a little pat. All in all, this café is going straight to the top of my must-visit-again list for the next time I'm in Penang. ”
“ They had a really good variety of beans for filter coffee and the one I had was key lime pie was solid! Buttery tart with lime juice and not overly sweet cream. Music option was calming, giving a relaxed ambiance. Loved sitting and chilling there! And would love to go back next time ”
“ This key lime pie is a SLICE OF HEAVEN! The sweet-sour balance in every bite is pure magic - legit in my top 3 desserts EVER I’m already dreaming of recreating this masterpiece at home! The pie is crafted like a work of art, and trust me, it’s 100% worth the trip! We loved it so much we went back twice! Their coffee and chai are super cozy too, but that key lime pie? It’s the MVP that stole my heart! 5 stars, hands down! ”
“ Discovered The Alley by chance on a rainy day in George Town, and it was such a gem. The cozy atmosphere was exactly what we needed, and their Uji Matcha became an instant favorite — smooth, earthy, and perfectly balanced. The Key Lime Pie was another highlight: tangy and refreshing, and the Caramel Coffee was rich with just the right sweetness. Honestly, every item impressed me!! Definitely be back here on my next Penang trip ”