Best Tarts in Penang

This hidden gem has cemented itself as a hotspot to savour Cantonese-style biscuits and pastries. Nothing to shout about the ambience and there is no dining space either, yet patrons choose to nibble the delectable snacks while scouring the heritage streets. Everything on the menu is made from scratch and no preservations are added. Among the must-have is their coconut tart which is made from heirloom recipes. The doughy base is filled with sugared grated coconut and capped with swirled crust and baked to perfection. You can certainly feel the love and care given to this one-of-a-kind tart that justifies its loyal following. 

Among the living legacies on the island, Ming Xiang Tai once started dishing out their homemade delicacies on trishaw back in 1979 and today, they are housed in a colonial building along Burmah Road and have never failed to see a brisk business. The showstopper here is their delectable egg tarts which have a crispy outer crust and gleamingly good egg custard in the middle. Just like the patrons, be sure of grabbing home armloads as its worth each and every calorie. Their extensive menu of traditional Cantonese pastries is not to be missed too. 

Dolce Dessert should be in every sweet tooth’s bucket list. Be it word of mouths or online reviews, both locals and tourists are singing praises. Huge ratatouille caricatures adorning the walls of the charming cafe will be your welcome reward. If you think the setting is downright photo-worthy, just make your way to the long glass shelves that are chockfull with a gazillion of cakes and confectionaries. While drooling helplessly, be sure of including their fruit tart into your gobble list. Choices like mango, strawberry and longan are widely vouched but if you’re on the fence, their mixed fruit tart is the best bet. Visually arresting and generously loaded with mango, apple, longan, apple and kiwi – you’re definitely in seventh heaven.  

This spacious restaurant is well-regarded as a dim sum haven by Penangites. Their widespread menu might give you a little conundrum but no visit here is complete without their tarts that scores full marks with a custardy centre cupped in a flaky crust. The best seller is their egg custard tart but if you need another reason to cherish your tart party, their pandan version does not disappoint.

This quaint restaurant with a noteworthy purple façade has been pulling in punters for their signature curry puffs. The plump puffs may have seized most of the headlines but leaving without sinking your teeth into their Portuguese tarts would be insane. This adorable nibble consists of an eggy cushion in the middle draped with a crispy outer ring which wins your heart over upon the first bite. To multiply your craving, their new rendition, cheese tarts are available for limited time only. 

What you’re looking at above is a masterpiece that scores in creativity, taste and presentation. To binge down this luscious lemon tart, make your way to Ropewalk Piazza, a revamped pre-war building where you can find this relatively new eatery. With a minimalist decoration, whitewashed walls and furniture, this place hums elegance and cosiness. More confectionaries line up to tempt your attention but keep an eye out on this lemony delight, which has a subtle balance of sweetness and offers a lingering tang of lemon to your taste buds.