Penuin is a strip of shophouses in Batam that’s quietly turned into one of the city’s hottest cafe and food hubs, especially once the sun starts dipping in the late afternoon. It’s also super accessible from Harbour Bay, just ±15 minutes away. So, bookmark these spots for your next Batam trip.

1. Gazoz Cafe

Gazoz is an Australian-style brunch cafe in Penuin that’s built up a cult following from Singapore, with guests known to come back two days in a row just for breakfast here. Inspired by Chef Gunawan’s time working in Australia, the menu plays with texture and balanced flavours, from breakfast and brunch, to hearty lunch and dinner mains, to sweet desserts for when you just want to sit and chill with a coffee.

The one to order is the Truffle Mushroom Croissant — buttery, flaky pastry paired with a poached egg that spills a perfectly runny yolk the moment you cut into it. Don’t stop there though; the mains and desserts are worth digging into as well.

Address: Ruko Sinar Penuin Lestari, blok YB no. 1 & 2, Batu Selicin, Kec. Lubuk Baja

Opening hours: Daily, 9AM–9PM

2. Little Box & Little Gift 

If you’re the type who can’t leave a trip without snacks for everyone back home, this multi-concept souvenir spot in Penuin has you covered with two connected concepts.

Little Box is known for its premium kue lapis (layer cake), made with Golden Churn butter for a rich and buttery aroma, available in Original and Nutella flavours. It’s now got four outlets around Penuin, plus a second-floor cafe where you can sit and relax after shopping.

Address: Komplek Ruko Sinar Penuin, Blk. A No.10, Batu Selicin, Kec. Lubuk Baja

Opening hours: Daily, 08:00 AM – 09:00 PM 

Little Gift leans into easy-to-pack souvenirs — think Indonesian-inspired fridge magnets (the Indomie one is a bestseller), batik clothing, woven bags, and more kue lapis. Its exclusive item is the rolled layer cake (kue lapis gulung), with the Strawberry Roll Cake as a weekend/holiday-only signature, alongside classic blueberry and original flavours. Leave a review on-site and you’ll score a free ice cream.

Address: Ruko Penuin Center Blok Q1, Batu Selicin, Kec. Lubuk Baja

Opening hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 09:00 PM 

3. Aroi Cafe

Aroi Cafe is a Thai restaurant in Penuin that opened in November 2025 with recipes sourced directly from a Thai partner who owns a restaurant back in Thailand — many of the ingredients and seasonings are imported too, so this isn’t a watered-down version of Thai food. The cafe itself is small and simple, but the food delivers plenty of character.

Expect a creamy Tom Yum loaded with fresh prawns, crunchy Som Tum, aromatic Thai Basil Chicken, and Mango Sticky Rice to finish. Whether you’re rolling in solo, as a couple, or with a group, there’s plenty here to work through.

Address: Ruko Penuin Centre, Blok Ya No 06, Batu Selicin, Lubuk Baja

Opening hours: Daily, 09:00 AM – 09:00 PM 

4. Rambucci, Cimuka and Cucika

Need a reset in between cafe-hopping? This trio of hair, skin, and foot care studios in Penuin has you covered from head to toe, all within walking distance of each other.

Rambucci is a hair care studio specialising in scalp treatments, where a massage chair gives you a full-body massage while your scalp gets analysed, washed, treated, and styled — all without leaving the chair. The scalp check-and-recommend process makes the whole thing feel personalised rather than one-size-fits-all.

Cimuka is a beauty clinic that skips the upselling — treatments are affordable, the space is clean and bright, and package prices are listed clearly upfront. They’ll recommend something suited to your actual skin condition rather than pushing the most expensive package. Kids can get a facial massage (totok wajah) if the adults are getting treatments, and the collagen facial is a favourite among tourists looking to stave off premature ageing.

Cucika is a foot care studio built for a proper reset. Its signature TOE Treatment starts with a 10-minute herbal foot soak using soap and mineral salt, followed by exfoliation, peeling, brushing, and gentle foot care to slough off dead skin. You can also pick a scrub variant — Aloe Vera, Cucumber, Milk, or Lavender — while the therapist keeps the whole session calm and unhurried. A solid last stop before heading back to the ferry.

Address: Komplek Ruko Sinar Penuin, Blk. D No.6, Batu Selicin, Kec. Lubuk Baja

Opening hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 09:00 PM 

5. Itc.h Cafe

If you’ve been seeing salt bread all over Batam food accounts lately, this is where it’s coming from. Itc.h is a small, cosy cafe in Penuin built entirely around Japanese-style salt bread, and it’s earned a reputation as one of the “hypest” salt bread cafes in the city.

Their bestsellers are the Milk Cream, the soft, buttery bread with a smooth, not-too-sweet milk cream filling, and the Garlic Cheese, a savoury option with clear garlic flavour and a creamy cheese finish, still soft and fluffy underneath. Pair either with the Apple Oolong Cheese Foam, where sweet-tart apple meets a noticeable oolong aroma and a creamy foam top that ties the whole thing together.

Address: Jl. Komp. Sinar, Jl. Komp. Penuin Centre Blk. C No.5, RW.6, Batu Selicin, Lubuk Baja

Opening hours: Daily, 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM

6. Lamoist Signature

Famous across Singapore and Malaysia for its premium layer cakes, Lamoist Signature’s Batam outpost turns into a moody, sophisticated dinner and hangout spot once the sun goes down — think warm wood panelling, low classic lighting, and leather seating that makes you want to linger.

The Mid-Century British look here is genuinely well done, and the menu backs it up — it leans pricier, but you can taste where the money goes, from the handmade quality to the premium ingredients coming out of both the kitchen and the bar. Staff are attentive and make locals and out-of-towners feel equally welcome. If you’re after a proper dining night out in Batam, this one’s worth tracking down.

Address: Blk. E, Jl. Komp. Penuin Centre No.1 2, RW.3, Batu Selicin, Kec. Lubuk Baja

Opening hours: Mon – Fri 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sat – Sun 09:00 AM – 10:00 PM

7. Yi Gan Er Jing

Tucked up a small staircase and easy to miss if you’re not looking for it, Yi Gan Er Jing is Batam’s first Chinese-inspired bar, complete with live Mandarin music every night that keeps the mood relaxed rather than rowdy. It’s not a big space, but the Chinese-style decor sets it apart from every other bar in the city.

For drinks, go for the Pink Lady — a tropical, fruit-forward cocktail that’s smooth, sweet, and an easy pour if you want something lighter on the alcohol. To snack on, the Fried Lunch Meat is an addictive bar bite of thick luncheon meat coated in egg batter and fried until golden and crispy — simple, but exactly what you want next to a drink.

Address: Blk. M, Komp sinar Penuin No.8, Batu Selicin, Kec. Lubuk Baja

Opening hours: Daily, 4:00 PM – 2:00 AM