Arnold Cycling Cafe: Bicycle-themed Cafe in Butterworth
I have always wanted to write a feature about Arnold Cycling Cafe, one of my favourite coffee spots.
The first thing that grabs anyone’s attention is the cafe’s bicycle motif. From their logo to the interior design, there is no escape from the round wheels and triangular frame. The reason lies behind the fact that the founder of this cafe, Arnold H’ng, is a cycling enthusiast. He initially established the cafe as a gathering spot for his cycling club members, which turned out the premise attracted other patrons.
In 2014, Mr H’ng rebranded his cafe into Arnold Cycling Cafe as we know it today. Back then, cafe hopping was a novel concept, and Starbucks and Coffee Bean had been the popular choice for coffee.
The one where I am familiar with is hidden within a shop lot area near Jalan Ong Yi How. If you can spot a large Ultraman mural with their logo on the top, which means the cafe is just a few steps away.
What You Can Have There?
Aside from the classic coffee choices, you can get tea or soda.
My favourite from the menu is none other than the matcha latte. The piquant bitter matcha has masked the taste of the milk, and colour is identical to olive green rather than the typical light green.
If you feel like getting something sweet to balance the bitterness, you can get pastries, such as crepe cakes and muffins. Occasionally, I purchase their sandwich for brunch. Even with only four fillings and three bread choices, their fresh ingredients are better than what you can get from Subway.
They used to have chicken-mushroom pie, but they stopped selling them a few months ago.
The Experience
Arnold Cycling Cafe is a casual gathering area for middle-aged uncles. You would find one or two drinking a cup of hot Americano and chatting like it was a kopitiam. It has two private compartments for group functions, like birthdays or group projects.
Since it is near to where I live, I usually take away a tumbler of mocha or matcha latte. Before the pandemic, I would bring my grandaunt for a coffee break. One cup of mocha, each with a crepe cake to share.
“Please bring me a cup of mocha when you visit me next time,” my ever-sceptical grandaunt said. “It has to be from Arnold.”
It was also my parents’ not-so-secret dating spot. There was a time when I bought a cup of iced matcha latte before my online class, I found my parents sitting at the corner of the café.
“What are you two doing here?” I asked, holding the chilly plastic cup.
“Drinking coffee,” Mom said, setting her mug of latte on the table. “Why are you having an iced drink in the morning?”
Busted.
Dad scooted over a little closer to his wife. “Do you want to join us?”
I refused, then I abruptly left the establishment. It was better not to
It was a miracle that my family still loves their coffee even after 8 years. The coffee quality tasted the same as my first order.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10
Location:
Ong Yi How Branch: 20, Lorong Teras Jaya 2, Kawasan Perindustrian Teras Jaya, 13400 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang.
Bagan Specialist Central Branch: Lot A1 – 107 – RE, Jalan Bagan 1, Taman Bagan, 13400 Butterworth, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Opening Hours:
9am - 6.30pm (Sunday-Thursday)
9am-11pm (Friday & Sunday)
Socials