Ah Lai Cafe Under The Big Tree, Gat Lebuh Gereja – Delightful and Simple Local Breakfast

Looking back from the yesteryear, there are many places that operate their business in small huts or street stalls. As we are stepping towards modernization, there are not many places like these nowadays. Therefore, these type places will soon be something in the past and may become our country’s heritage. For those who have not tried out this place, it is good for you to pay a visit to this place before it is moved or given way to developments.

The place is known as “Ah Lai Cafe” but it is more famously known as “Cafe Under the Big Tree”. This cafe got the name due to its strategic location where it was built just under a very big tree. It is not hard to locate this place. If you are driving via Weld Quay Road from bridge to town area, turn left into Gat Lebuh Gereja where you can see the DSOP building. Keep driving for another 150m and you will see the Cafe located under the tree on your right, which is the “Cafe Under the Big Tree”

Hot Tea – RM1.20, a cup of hot tea or coffee to start off the day is my usual morning routine. The tea here was rich in aroma. However, when you ordered remember to ask for “less sweet” as the tea or coffee had always been on the sweet side.

Roti Bakar – RM1.80, you can choose to have butter or butter + kaya toast.

2 x 1/2 boil eggs – RM1.80

There are many ways to enjoy your roti bakar. The traditional way is take the toast with fork and dip into the 1/2 boiled egg and place them into your mouth. Or alternately you can finish up your toast first and followed by the 1/2 boil egg. I still prefer the classic way of having my toast dipped into the 1/2 boiled egg.

Another way of having the toast and 1/2 boiled egg together is the express and instant way. You can request the eggs to be placed on top of the toast. Instant toast + 1/2 boiled egg – RM3.60

The instant toast + 1/2 boiled eggs is made for the office workers who need to have quick breakfast. By choosing this you can save 1/2 of your breakfast time.

Instant noodle with Clear Soup/ Duck Soup Flavored/ Tomyam/ Curry – RM3.80. The instant noodle was cooked with the flavors of your choice. At the same time the noodle was added with some evaporated milk for additional creaminess to the soup. The bowl of noodle included ingredients such as sausage slices, an egg, slices of carrot and cabbage.

The noodle was very springy and the taste was so delicious. It made me wanted to go back for more.

Overall, the taste of the food was simple and delicious and it was perfect for classical local breakfast. The lady owner was very friendly too. The place had a simple and nostalgic setting. Please don’t expect too much for this kind of ambiance. Another drawback of this place was the parking was not easy. An alternative is you may try your luck for the public car park lot in this surrounding area.

Editor’s Review (5 Stars Rank):

Taste
Price
Food Presentation
Service
Overall

Quick Facts:

Family Friendly
Parking
Pork Free
Alcohol
Credit Card
Smoking
Reservation
Private Room
WIFI Available

Operation hours: 9.00am-5.00pm (Mon-Fri), 9.00am-1.00pm (Sat) – off Sunday & Public Holidays
Contact: 016-477 1332 (Ah Lai/Ah Lim)
Address: 15, Gat Lebuh Gereja, 10200 Penang
GPS: 5° 41′ 66.29″ N, 100° 34′ 29.40″ E