övern is the go-to gem for those looking to savour some good buttered, rolled and folded pastries (All photos: Aireena Azni/ The Edge Malaysia)
Heading upstate and looking for a hangout spot? Check out these cafes in Alor Setar for their dedicated (and decidedly delish) offerings.
Foreign desserts and delicacies may not be the first thing that comes to mind when people think of Alor Setar. After all, Kedah is the undisputed Jelapang Padi of Malaysia and the locals are more inclined to choose nasi over roti anytime when it comes to their daily meals. However, cute cafes and bakeries have been mushrooming in the city of late. One that has made its mark in the pretty world of pastries recently is övern. Launched in mid-2023, the bakery instantly became a sensation for its cromboloni (a cross between croissant and bomboloni), so much so that it had to almost double its daily production.
A year later, övern is still the go-to gem for those looking to savour some good buttered, rolled and folded pastries.It serves an excellent variety of viennoiseries and, besides the cult cromboloni, there are croissants, pain Suisse, pain au chocolat, fudgy cookies and fragrant cinnamon rolls, all of which are showcased on a gleaming stainless steel counter. The open display is a cunning move as, besides the buttery fragrance permeating the air (guaranteed to drive diners to distraction), the mere sight of the sheer array will also surely lead dieters astray. There is only one downside. Queues form quickly here so you might feel the pressure to leave once you are done lest beady-eyed walk-ins give your table frequent side-eyes.
img_6556.jpg
Service is smooth and prompt. Your choice of delights will quickly be sent to your table and should you be stumped, go for the caramel granola croissant, easily one of their best-sellers. Generously topped with dried cranberries with toasted almonds adding a salty-savoury layer, it goes well with a glass of Wild Limeade. If exciting conversation leads your orders to turn cold, the friendly staff will only be too happy to reheat them for you. Besides baked goods, there are also other savoury breakfast options such as nasi lemak and grilled cheese pesto and scrambled egg toast to choose from.
G1 & G2, Bangunan Arena, 55, Lorong Perak 12, Kawasan Perusahaan Mergong. Daily, 9am to 8pm.
Mind Coffee Roastery scores highly for its location which is right in the heart of Alor Setar’s historic Pekan Cina, opposite Pekan Melayu, both of which are over 150 years old and used to be thriving hubs in bygone days. A stone’s throw from the state mosque and Pekan Rabu, a shopping complex dominated by Malay merchants who sell ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook food such as serunding, belacan and kuih bahulu, traditional clothes as well as handicrafts, the cafe can easily be spotted at the busy intersection of Jalan Tunku Yaakub and Jalan Tunku Ibrahim.
From outside, the double-storey corner shop looks like a newly built structure painted off-white, and complete with red roof tiles and dark wooden windows. Its contemporary architecture makes it stand out from the rest of the pre-war neighbouring lots. Established in June last year, Mind has been drawing coffee enthusiasts as well as artistic talents, something worth highlighting as the creative community is rapidly growing in the state. Talks and workshops by experts, are held often and there is even a space on the first floor where local artists can exhibit their works.
img_6477.jpg
The thirsty will be pleased with the slew of beverages offered, and prices are, happily enough, pocket-friendly. The crew were also the Team Barista Throwdown champion at the Northern Coffee Fest 2023, which means you can trust them to deliver a good cuppa, made using beans roasted and brewed in-house. The menu also offers a small selection of food and snacks such as pasta, poke bowls, nachos, bagels, cakes and ice cream. The environmentally conscious, however, would probably be disheartened by the fact that drinks are served in disposables, guaranteed to prevent one from fully enjoying the goods without guilt.
106, Jalan Sultan Muhammad Jiwa, Pekan Cina. 2pm to 12am. Closed on Tuesdays.
Its name is a chic play on the Malay word for estuary but Móara, a charming coffee spot situated at Jalan Kanchut in a prominent district known among the locals as Cowboy Town, deserves to be on your hit list whenever the need for refreshments strike. Occupying a corner lot in a residential area that has been transformed into a double-storey cafe, its approach to aesthetics is simple, clean and monochromatic. Design enthusiasts would appreciate the spacious, homely interior which boasts functional wooden furniture while different kinds of seating arrangements easily accommodate groups of all shapes and sizes. Outdoors, the concrete and stone-clad is softened with generous plantings of pokok alang-alang (a type of low-maintenance grass native to Asia), a focal feature of Móara.
img_6619.jpg
A selection of coffee offered is prepared using beans sourced from locations recognised for quality and distinctive flavours, including Central America, South America and East Africa. One of their signatures is Chocolate Cinnamon, a refreshing twist on the usual iced chocolate — it is topped with cold foam and finished with a cinnamon stick and dash of cinnamon powder whose aroma and smokiness add depth to the rich chocolate taste.
Another must-try is the Peanut Buttercream Latte, an interesting take on a Malaysian favourite first popularised by local joint Gigi Coffee. The combination of espresso, steamed milk and a heavenly swirl of foamy and light buttercream is enriched with peanut butter and peanut bar slices. The roasted salty flavour of nut butter overpowers the coffee so it is the ideal choice for those who do not fancy a bitter aftertaste.
Pair your drinks with hearty choices like pasta, pizza, snacks and salads. Bestsellers include a homemade smash burger although the pizzas, all freshly-baked in a wood-fired brick oven, deserve part of your calorie quota as well.
2176 G, Taman Tunku Habsah, Jalan Kanchut. 10am to 12am. Closed on Mondays.
This article first appeared on July 8, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
