It’s not every day that you can claim to be among the best coffee shops in Malaysia. Yet, that is certainly an honour held by Ome by Spacebar Coffee, a quaint little cafe in George Town. And if you don’t believe that, they have proof in writing!
World’s and M’sia best coffee shops
In late February this year, on a list of the “World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops” were Ome by Spacebar and two other Malaysian coffee shops. These two were ONO Specialty Coffee & Matcha in ninth place and Sin See Tai in seventy-third.
Ome by Spacebar sits between the two, at the comfortable fifty-sixth place. So what is it about this coffee shop in Penang that merits it a place among the world’s best? Is it the coffee? The food? Something else?
Origins of Ome
Image Credit: Plan J on Google Review (Left), Olga on Google Review (Right)
The coffee shop actually started off as a passion project of Joachim Leong and Shean Tan, both of whom opened a pop-up business in Kuala Lumpur. Then known just as Spacebar Coffee, they decided to relocate to Penang in 2015, where prospects seemed brighter.
Ome by Spacebar Coffee, in its current iteration, opened in Sept 2017. The cafe remains housed in a heritage shophouse tucked away along a quiet alley. The only way to know you’re in the right place is by keeping an eye out for a nearby mural featuring Hindu-Buddhist gods.
At home at Ome
Image Credit: Erni In on Google Review (Left), Denisse Pangan on Google Review (Right)
The minimalistic cafe is intended to give off a homely vibe. In fact, “ome” is just an abbreviated “home” The place is warm and inviting. With brick walls, natural sunlight, moss gardens and simple furnishing, it puts you at ease effortlessly.
Speaking of aesthetics, should you drop by Ome by Spacebar, there is a high chance you will be walking into an art exhibition as well. The cafe frequently works with local artists, providing them a venue to showcase their talents and to just chill.
Espressos & nitros
Image Credit: Marc Chan on Google Review (Left), Ai Li on Google Review (Right)
What better way to chill than with a cup of coffee in hand? Ome by Spacebar has its share of speciality coffees, with its espresso coffees being most popular. People also put in a good word for the cold nitros and hand-poured brews.
With all the love poured onto the espressos, maybe a good word can be put in for the nitros. Ome by Spacebar switches up the beans it uses for its nitros on the regular? But overall, the nitros have a noticeable fruitiness, with a perfect balance of acidity and bitterness.
Teas by Hojo
In addition to coffee, the cafe also serves a fine selection of teas by Hojo, a prominent Japanese tea company. There’s more than matcha here, with these organically grown teas being flavoured with both fruit and flowers.
Pastries out the oven
Image Credit: Andrew Lin Yikai on Google Review (Left), Chia Yee Hiah on Google Review (Right)
If you are feeling peckish, perhaps take a look at Ome by Spacebar’s array of baked goods. The cafe lacks a hot kitchen, so don’t expect any pasta or burgers anytime soon. Still, the pastries make for a good complement to any cup of coffee.
Of note are the olive oil zucchini bread, the butter pound loaf, the bread pudding and the banana sesame bread. The star of the show has to be the zucchini bread, which comes toasted and with sea salt and crème fraiche. With a moist centre, it is balanced by a crunchy exterior.
For something heavier
Image Credit: Quentin Lapierre on Google Review (Left), Nikko Tan on Google Review (Right)
If you are in need of something slightly heavier, the cafe does have granola bowls. These are just as healthy as they are filling. Portions are generous and most customers have their granola with sides of strawberry, banana and blueberry.
Support good employers!
If neither coffee nor pastries are enough to convince you to spend some time here, perhaps this will! The cafe is an awesome place for its workers, with baristas having two days off weekly, paid breaks, above-market salaries and a 13th-month bonus. Gotta support good bosses!
Worth your time?
Image Credit: Amanda on Google Review (Left), Somphon Potisophon on Google Review (Right)
Overall, despite the simplicity of the concept that Ome by Spacebar has, it really deserves its success and more. No wonder it’s one of Malaysia’s best three coffee shops. And if you don’t believe it, why don’t you try a hot brew and a fresh pastry there?
Ome by Spacebar Coffee
Address: 1, Lorong Toh Aka, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Opening Hours: 7.30 am – 3 pm weekdays | 7.30 am – 4 pm weekends | Closed on Thursdays & Fridays
Contact: 019-6908259
Halal Status: Pork-free
You should also check out: Love local coffee? These 3 M’sian cafes are listed among the World’s 100 Best Coffee Shops
Feature Image Credit: Ome by Spacebar Coffee (Left), JN Tan on Google Review (Right)
