Toh Soon Cafe

Toh Soon Cafe is a beloved old-school kopitiam tucked down a narrow alley off Lebuh Campbell in the heart of George Town, serving traditional Penang breakfast since 1950. It is best known for toast grilled over charcoal — the bread and kaya are made in-house — paired with soft half-boiled eggs from kampung (free-range) chickens and strong Hainanese kopi. The setting is pure heritage Penang: fold-out tables crammed into the lane and cooks working over glowing charcoal, now run by the founder's son and his family. Come early; a queue of locals and travellers builds through the morning, and it is one of the most photographed traditional coffee shops on the island.