What if your favourite café didn’t serve overpriced espressos… but real kopi kaw that tastes like home?
That’s exactly why Refresh Coffee is blowing up in Penang. And Malaysians can’t stop talking about it.
Two young founders. One simple question from their parents:
“Where’s the real kopi?”
From that moment, a whole movement began.
A Passion, a Dream & a Kopi Revolution.
Meet Kath, a coffee connoisseur, her industry is business, she’s the entrepreneur here. Kath does all the business aspects (marketing, branding, investing, etc. of the business) while Alan handles all the F&B related activities (discovering new menus & recipes, finding suppliers etc.)
Together, they noticed something everyone felt but nobody solved:
➡ ️ Cafés were getting fancier. Prices were getting higher. But the OG Malaysian kopi? Hard to find.
So they built Refresh Coffee a brand for:
- Hardworking people who need a strong, honest cup.
- Parents & grandparents who miss the old-school kopitiam flavour.
- Students & young creatives who want a cosy, beautiful café that actually feels like home.
And they’re doing it with 100% Malaysian-roasted beans. No imported hype. No greenwashing. Just pure Malaysian goodness.
Two Concepts That Malaysians Love
1️⃣ Grab-and-Go Kiosks For Highway Warriors
📍 Sungai Dua (Northbound, Shell R&R)
📍 Sungai Bakap (Southbound)
Famous for:
- Ice-cold refreshing drinks
- Thick, fragrant kopi kaw
- Affordable prices that don’t break your mood
Perfect for anyone rushing between Penang, Kedah, and Perak.
2️⃣ The Stunning Batu Kawan Flagship Café (Opened 8 August 2025)
Right opposite Design Village & nearby IKEA and yes, it’s gorgeous.
A double-storey standalone café filled with:
- Natural light
- Big tables + many power sockets
- A chill upstairs space for stand-up comedy, poetry slams, DJ nights & community events
And the best part?
Local kopi + Espresso brews? sell 50-50.
Youth, families, and café hoppers all find something to love.
From Zero to Flagship in One Year The Malaysian Dream in Action
Nov 2024 → First test kiosk opens
Raya 2025 → Nonstop queues. Customers begging for more locations
Aug 2025 → Grand opening of Batu Kawan flagship
2 weeks later → New southbound kiosk launches
The comments say it all:
“Best local coffee I’ve had in years.”
“Finally a café that feels refreshing inside and out.”
“Kopi kaw that tastes like my childhood.”
Refresh Coffee didn’t just open a café, they revived a culture.
The Secret Ingredient? A Hungry, Young Team
Building a brand in mainland Penang is no joke, talent usually goes to KL or the island.
But Kath and Alan flipped the script:
- Hire hungry young talent
- Grow together
- Fail together
- Build something Malaysia can be proud of
And giving up?
Never an option.
“Every month brought new energy,” Kat says. “The customers kept us going.”
The Next 12 Months? Major Expansion Mode.
Refresh Coffee is gearing up for:
- 10–20 new outlets nationwide
- 50–100 locations in 5 years
- Franchise packages launching soon
Malaysia’s local kopi culture is about to go mainstream and Refresh Coffee wants to lead the charge.
Come Feel Refreshed Yourself ☕✨
Whether you want…
✔ The thickest, most “kick” kopi kaw in Penang
✔ An icy drink after a long highway drive
✔ A cosy, aesthetic café for work, dates, or study sessions
Refresh Coffee is calling your name.
📍 Flagship: Batu Kawan (opposite Design Village) Double-storey café vibes
📍 Grab-and-Go: Sungai Dua (NB) & Sungai Bakap (SB) Lay-by
📲 Follow: @refreshcoffee.my on IG, TikTok & Facebook
(Malay, English, Mandarin & Tamil content because Kopi belongs to everyone.)
Tag your kopi buddy.
Plan your visit.
Your new favourite café is waiting.
