GEORGE TOWN & PENANG
Penang is a vibrant Malaysian island renowned for its rich history, incredible street food, and multicultural heart, George Town. It is a stunning blend of colonial charm and modern Asian dynamism.
This tropical gem is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated globally for its architectural heritage and a culinary scene that reflects centuries of cultural fusion, primarily Chinese, Malay, and Indian.
Most Popular Attractions
George Town UNESCO Core & Cultural Heritage:
George Town Street Art: Famous, interactive murals and iron-rod sculptures scattered throughout the city center, illustrating the island’s history and daily life.
Khoo Kongsi: An elaborate and beautifully preserved clan house, showcasing exquisite traditional Chinese architecture and craftsmanship.
Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion (The Blue Mansion): A magnificent, indigo-colored Chinese courtyard house and museum, famous for its unique Sino-European blend of architecture.
Clan Jetties: Traditional waterfront settlements where houses are built on stilts over the water, offering a glimpse into the life of Chinese fishing communities.
Fort Cornwallis: The largest standing fort in Malaysia, built by the British East India Company when they first arrived in Penang.
Kapitan Keling Mosque: A significant 19th-century mosque and a testament to the influence of Indian Muslim traders in Penang’s history.
St. George’s Church: The oldest Anglican church in Southeast Asia, showcasing impressive Neo-Classical architecture.
Sri Mahamariamman Temple: An ornate Hindu temple featuring detailed sculptures of deities, located in the heart of Little India.
Little India: A vibrant district filled with the sights, sounds, and smells of Indian culture, street food, and shops selling traditional goods.
Pinang Peranakan Mansion: A luxurious museum showcasing the distinct culture, clothing, and artifacts of the Baba-Nyonya (Peranakan Chinese).
Armenian Street (Lebuh Armenian): A historically significant street known for its beautiful shophouses and key street art pieces.
Penang State Museum: Located in a colonial building, it holds artifacts and exhibits detailing the history and culture of Penang.
Penang Island Parks & Modern Sites:
Kek Lok Si Temple: One of Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist temples, famous for its towering seven-storey Pagoda of Ten Thousand Buddhas and a massive statue of Kuan Yin.
Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera): A collection of peaks accessible by a funicular railway, offering cooler temperatures and panoramic views of George Town and the mainland.
Tropical Spice Garden: A lush park showcasing over 500 species of tropical flora, focusing on spices and herbs.
Penang Botanic Gardens: A peaceful retreat known for its lush greenery, monkeys, and the famous Cannonball Tree.
Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm: A large, living butterfly sanctuary and garden with thousands of free-flying butterflies and other insects.
Penang War Museum: Located on Bukit Maung, it occupies a former British fort and barracks, detailing its use during World War II.
Queensbay Mall: A modern, large shopping center popular for retail and entertainment.
Penang Countryside & Coastal Areas:
Batu Ferringhi: A popular coastal resort area known for its long, sandy beach, watersports, and lively night market.
Penang National Park (Taman Negara Pulau Pinang): Malaysia’s smallest national park, offering hiking trails to beaches like Monkey Beach and Teluk Duyung (Meromictic Lake).
Balik Pulau: A tranquil town on the west side of the island, known for its traditional Malay villages, durian orchards, and scenic cycling routes.
Tanjung Tokong Floating Mosque: A beautiful mosque built on stilts over the sea, offering stunning sunset views.
Activities & Experiences
Go on a Street Art Hunt: Explore the historic core of George Town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, to find the famous street murals and interactive iron-rod sculptures.
Feast at a Hawker Centre: Experience the legendary street food scene at a bustling hawker centre like Gurney Drive or Cecil Street Market, sampling Char Koay Teow, Laksa, and Hokkien Mee.
Visit Kek Lok Si Temple: Explore this stunning, multi-tiered Buddhist temple complex, one of the largest and most impressive in Southeast Asia, especially its towering seven-storey Pagoda.
Hike to the Summit of Penang Hill (Bukit Bendera): Take the funicular train or hike up the mountain for cooler temperatures and panoramic views of George Town and the mainland.
Explore Clan Jetties: Visit the traditional waterfront settlements built on stilts, such as Chew Jetty, where the residents, primarily fishermen, still live and preserve their unique heritage.
Stroll through the Penang Botanic Gardens: Enjoy a peaceful morning walk among the tropical flora, and you may even spot some wild macaque monkeys and dusky leaf monkeys.
Take a Traditional Cooking Class: Learn to prepare authentic Penang Nyonya cuisine, a fusion of Chinese and Malay culinary traditions, known for its complex flavours.
Discover Little India and Chinatown: Wander through these vibrant cultural enclaves, browsing spice shops, traditional temples, and colonial architecture.
Visit the Blue Mansion (Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion): Take a guided tour of this iconic, indigo-hued Chinese courtyard house, a masterpiece of traditional Chinese architecture and Feng Shui.
Relax on Batu Ferringhi Beach: Spend a day on the island’s famous northern beach, enjoying watersports or exploring the lively night market that springs up after sunset.
Immerse Yourself in the Peranakan Culture: Visit the Pinang Peranakan Mansion to see a magnificent recreation of a wealthy Baba-Nyonya family’s home, complete with thousands of antiques.
Cycle around Balik Pulau: Rent a bicycle and explore the quieter, western side of the island, cycling past padi fields, fruit orchards, and traditional Malay villages (kampungs).
Local Tips & Transport
Walking is Best in George Town: The UNESCO World Heritage core is highly walkable. Most key cultural sites, street art, and hawker stalls are close together, making walking the most rewarding way to explore.
Public Transport (Rapid Penang Bus): Penang has an extensive and affordable public bus network. The CAT (Central Area Transit) bus is a free shuttle service that loops through the key attractions of George Town’s historic zone, making it very useful for tourists.
Trishaws: For a charming and traditional way to navigate the historic streets, hire a brightly decorated trishaw. Always agree on the fare with the rider before starting your journey.
E-Hailing/Ride-Sharing (Grab): Grab is the dominant and most efficient ride-sharing service in Malaysia. It is much more convenient and often cheaper than taxis, especially for travel between George Town and other parts of the island (like the airport, Penang Hill, or Batu Ferringhi).
From the Airport: The Rapid Penang Bus service (Bus 401E) offers a cheap and direct route from Penang International Airport (PEN) to the city center. Grab is the fastest and easiest option.
The Food is the Priority: Penang is internationally renowned as the food capital of Malaysia. The best food is often found in the non-air-conditioned hawker centres and street stalls. Don’t be afraid of the heat—it’s part of the experience.
The “3 Ms” Culture: Penang is a melting pot of three major cultures: Malay, Malay Chinese (Hokkien-speaking), and Indian. This diversity is reflected in the food, architecture, and religious sites.
Eating Times: While dining hours are flexible, most locals eat dinner between 7 PM and 9 PM. Hawker centres tend to be busiest in the evenings. Crucially, many popular hawker stalls have specific days off, so it’s worth checking if you have a must-try stall.
Nyonya/Peranakan Culture: This unique culture is the result of intermarriage between Chinese immigrants and local Malay women centuries ago. Look for the distinct blend in architecture (like the Blue Mansion) and, most importantly, in the delicate, vibrant flavours of Nyonya cuisine.
Hidden Gems:
- Armenian Street (Lebuh Armenian): The heart of the street art scene, filled with charming cafes, galleries, and boutique shops.
- Penang War Museum: Located on Bukit Maung, this historical site was a former fortress built by the British and is now an atmospheric, slightly creepy exploration of WWII history.
- Armenian Park: A small, tranquil green space hidden among the busy streets of George Town, perfect for a brief rest.
- The Goddess of Mercy Temple (Kuan Yin Teng): One of Penang’s oldest temples, built in the early 1800s, known for its ornate roof carvings and busy, fragrant atmosphere, especially during festive periods.
Language: While Malay (Bahasa Melayu) is the national language, most people in George Town speak very good English, and often Chinese dialects (Hokkien, Mandarin) and Tamil. English is widely used in business and tourism.
Top Restaurants
Siam Road Char Koay Teow [$5-$10] – A legendary stall (often with a long queue) that serves what many consider the best, most authentic char koay teow (stir-fried rice noodles) cooked over charcoal with powerful wok hei (smoky breath).
Hameed Pata Mee Sotong [$5-$10] – Famous for its spicy, tangy mee goreng sotong (fried noodles with squid) cooked in a distinctive red gravy, located in the Esplanade food court (Padang Kota Lama).
Deen Maju Nasi Kandar [$5-$15] – An immensely popular local nasi kandar spot known for its long lines and incredible curry gravies, especially the fried chicken and ayam ros (chicken in a rose-hued curry).
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendol [$5] – An iconic dessert stall, now with a shop front, serving the classic chendol (shaved ice with coconut milk, green rice flour jelly, and palm sugar) that’s a perfect local refreshment.
Hameediyah Nasi Kandar [$10-$20] – Claimed to be the oldest nasi kandar restaurant in Penang, serving a wide variety of rich, spiced curries and meats, including their famous ayam kapitan (Kapitan chicken curry).
Toh Soon Cafe [$5-$10] – A charming, time-honored alley cafe famous for its traditional charcoal-toasted bread, soft-boiled eggs, and Hainanese coffee (kopi-o).
Joo Hooi Cafe (Assam Laksa & Chee Cheong Fun stalls) [$5-$10] – A classic kopitiam housing famous hawker stalls, including one for the tangy, fish-based Assam Laksa and another for Chee Cheong Fun (steamed rice rolls with various sauces).
Air Itam Assam Laksa [$5-$10] – Located near the Kek Lok Si Temple, this stall is widely regarded as one of the best for the sour-spicy, aromatic Assam Laksa.
Kimberley Street Food Night Market [$5-$15] – Not a single restaurant, but a famous concentration of evening hawker stalls, including the “Four Heavenly Kings” (Koay Teow Th’ng, Duck Kway Chap, Char Koay Teow, and Chendol).
Chulia Street Night Hawker Stalls [$5-$10] – A lively nightly street food hub, famous for its wide variety of local dishes, especially the Wantan Mee and other noodle dishes.
Macallum Street Monday Night Market [$5-$10] – Only on Mondays, this is a vast, local market that offers a dizzying array of snacks, street food, and local delicacies away from the main tourist crowds.
Bee Hwa Cafe [$5-$10] – A well-known Halal Malaysian-Chinese cafe, famous for its Char Koay Teow and Hae Mee (prawn noodles) that replace pork with chicken and seafood without compromising flavor.
888 Hokkien Mee (Lebuh Presgrave) [$5-$10] – A no-frills local favorite for Hokkien Mee (prawn noodle soup) with an incredibly rich, spicy, and umami-filled broth.
Air Itam Duck Rice [$5-$10] – A small, highly-regarded stall famous for its succulent braised duck served with rice and a savory dark sauce.
Cecil Street Market Char Koay Teow [$5-$10] – Found within a bustling market, this stall is a long-standing local choice for a reliable, flavor-packed plate of Char Koay Teow.
Penang Famous Samosa [$5] – A small, unassuming shop in Little India that is famous for its crispy, perfectly spiced Indian snacks and samosas.
Restoran Nasi Kandar Line Clear [$10-$20] – A classic, no-frills nasi kandar institution nestled in a narrow alley, often cited as one of the most authentic late-night spots.
Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang [$5] – A popular, simple stall known for its packets of Nasi Lemak (coconut milk rice with sambal, anchovies, and peanuts) wrapped in banana leaves.
Goh Thew Chik Hainan Chicken Rice [$5-$10] – A highly-regarded spot serving authentic Hainanese chicken rice with tender poached chicken and flavorful oily rice.
New Lane Street Food Stalls (Lorong Baru) [$5-$15] – A popular open-air hawker center that comes alive at night, offering a great variety of dishes like Char Koay Teow and Oyster Omelette.
Chuan Chuan Lok Lok [$5-$10] – A popular mobile stall or shop where various skewers of raw food are cooked by the customer in boiling hotpots right on the street.
Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng [$5-$10] – A street food legend famous for its Indian-style Mee Goreng (fried noodles) with a satisfyingly chewy texture and a sweet-spicy kick.
Pitt Street Koay Teow Soup [$5-$10] – A Michelin Selected establishment known for its clear, delicate soup base with koay teow (flat rice noodles) and fish balls.
Chulia Court [$10-$20] – A great spot in the Chulia Street area for quality North Indian cuisine, including Biryani and various curries.
Sin Kim San Coffee Shop [$5-$10] – A quintessential Penang kopitiam where you can find excellent local breakfast and lunch, including good quality Hokkien Mee and Lor Mee.
Tiger Char Koay Teow [$5-$10] – A long-standing favorite for Char Koay Teow, now located at OO White Coffee Cafe on Carnarvon Street, famed for its slightly wet style with duck egg.
Kedai Kopi Ban Fong (Chee Cheong Fun) [$5] – Tucked away in a local area, this stall is praised for its super silky chee cheong fun (steamed rice rolls) served with a classic prawn paste sauce.
Lau Ee Traditional Dim Sum [$10-$20] – A classic, bustling dim sum spot that has been a local favorite for decades, offering a wide array of handmade Cantonese pastries and dumplings.
Nyonya cuisine is a unique fusion of Chinese ingredients and Malaysian/Indonesian spices, representing the culture of the Straits Chinese.
Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery [$20-$40] – A Michelin-starred local gem famous for authentic, home-style Nyonya cooking, with signature dishes like Ayam Kapitan (chicken curry) and Nasi Ulam (mixed herb rice).
Bibik’s Kitchen Nyonya Cuisine [$15-$30] – A highly-regarded spot offering traditional Nyonya home-style dishes with delicate spice blends, including Assam Laksa Kerabu and Ayam Pong Teh.
Little Kitchen @ Nyonya [$15-$30] – Located in a charming old house, this restaurant offers an authentic Nyonya taste, with a special focus on authentic flavors using antique plates and bowls.
Sifu Nyonya Cuisine [$15-$30] – A spot to visit for a wide-ranging, traditional Nyonya menu, with standouts like Tu Kar Chor (black sweet vinegar pork trotter) and Assam Prawn.
Nyonya Willow [$15-$30] – A Bib Gourmand establishment recognized for its authentic Nyonya flavors, with classics like Curry Perut Ikan (fish stomach curry).
Ceki Nyonya Restaurant [$15-$30] – Known for its very authentic and appetizing Peranakan food, often mentioned alongside other famous Nyonya spots on Sri Bahari Road.
Ivy’s Nyonya Cuisine [$15-$30] – A small, cozy, husband-and-wife operated gem that focuses on authentic Nyonya flavors and offers thoughtfully put-together set menus.
Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay [$5-$10] – An old establishment, recognized by the Michelin Guide, that specializes in traditional Nyonya kuih (colorful, sweet, steamed cakes) and snacks.
Mama’s Nyonya Cuisine [$15-$30] – A choice for those craving truly homey Nyonya food, known for strictly traditional in-house recipes for dishes like Loh Bak (pork roll) and Curry Kapitan.
Baba Phang 峇峇之家 [$15-$30] – A cozy restaurant offering classic Nyonya dishes like Ayam Pong Teh and Jiu Hu Char, sometimes featuring weekend-only specials like Lemak Laksa.
Gēn 根 [$50-$100] – A sleek, contemporary Malaysian restaurant focusing on local, indigenous produce, offering a creative, market-driven tasting menu and a unique open-kitchen dining experience.
Kebaya Dining Room [$40-$80] – Located in the elegant Seven Terraces Hotel, this restaurant offers elevated Peranakan and Indo-Chinese classics with a modern, inventive flair in a beautiful colonial-chic setting.
Kota [$30-$60] – Situated on the grounds of Fort Cornwallis, this restaurant offers a creative and playful take on traditional Malaysian cuisine, with photogenic and bold presentations.
Dining Room at Macalister Mansion [$70-$120] – A fine dining spot in a luxury hotel, known for its elegant, all-white setting and sophisticated modern Malaysian cuisine, often presented as a multi-course tasting menu.
Sood by Chef Ton [$30-$60] – A new Michelin Selected entrant, housed in a heritage building, offering a contemporary take on Asian cuisine with a focus on refined presentation and flavor.
Lili Restaurant [$40-$70] – The signature modern Malaysian restaurant at The Millen, blending old-world heritage nods with a contemporary menu that reinterprets local flavors.
Blacklinen [$30-$60] – A Michelin Selected restaurant offering contemporary cuisine, known for its creative dishes and stylish, modern ambiance.
Jawi House [$20-$40] – A unique restaurant focusing on Jawi Peranakan cuisine, a lesser-known fusion of Indian-Muslim and local ingredients, often featuring rich and flavorful Briyani and curries.
Tek Sen Restaurant [$10-$25] – Though often busy, locals still frequent this spot for its excellent traditional Chinese zichar (cooked to order) food, particularly the signature Double Roasted Pork with Chili Padi.
China House [$10-$25] – A massive, multi-function space housed in three interconnected heritage buildings, famous for its long counter filled with an overwhelming variety of delicious homemade cakes and a vibrant arts space.
Backdoor Bodega [$15-$30] – A tongue-in-cheek speakeasy cocktail lounge that made the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list, known for its creative drinks and hidden, local feel.
Mish Mash [$20-$40] – A busy, Asian-inspired hangout and bar, known for its creative cocktails and tapas-style food in a relaxed George Town setting.
Il Bacaro [$30-$60] – Located in a colonial building, this is a Michelin Selected restaurant offering quality Italian cuisine, a nice break from local food while remaining in a beautiful heritage setting.
Monk’s Brew & Espresso Bar [$10-$20] – A local-favorite cafe for specialty coffee and Western-style brunch or light meals in a cozy, tucked-away setting.
Richard Rivalee Nyonya Cuisine Restaurant [$20-$40] – Run by a renowned fashion designer, this stylish spot delivers simple yet memorable Nyonya flavors in an elegant environment.
Top Cocktail Bars and Clubs
Backdoor Bodega: An award-winning speakeasy cleverly hidden behind a clothing store on Jalan Gurdwara. It’s famous for its ever-changing, innovative cocktail menu that often incorporates local Penang flavors and ingredients.
Good Friends Club: Located on Jalan Gurdwara, this bar pays homage to the local kopitiam (traditional coffee shop) culture. It has a laid-back, retro vibe and serves creative cocktails with a cheeky spin on local traditions.
Manchu Bar (满族酒吧): Situated on Jalan Pintal Tali in the heart of George Town’s old quarter, this unique bar is inspired by ancient Chinese dynasties, featuring Han Chinese elements, red lanterns, and a selection of East-meets-West cocktail fusions, sometimes served in teapots.
No Bar Here: Found just a few doors down from its sister establishment, Backdoor Bodega, on Jalan Gurdwara. Despite the name, this is a bar channeling a nostalgic ’80s and ’90s vibe with its music and cocktail concepts.
Magazine 63 (天下第一客棧): Considered Penang’s pioneering speakeasy, this bar is hidden behind an unmarked wooden door on Jalan Magazine. It features an atmospheric, old-world Chinese opera setting.
The Canteen at China House: Part of the massive heritage compound on Lebuh Victoria, this section of China House is a premier live music venue, offering a relaxed setting for drinks, often featuring acoustic sets, jazz bands, and other electro-acoustic duos.
Beso Rosado by Chin Chin: A glamorous restaurant and bar on Lebuh Bishop known for its bright, rosy-pink, and gold interiors, offering a curated menu of Mediterranean-inspired tapas and exciting, herb-and-spice-highlighted cocktails.
Nomad Bar: Tucked away on Lebuh Kimberley, the owner’s cocktail menu showcases adventurous mixology inspired by his travels and various cultures, with daring ingredients like nori in a martini.
Chez Chez: A cozy and intimate cocktail bar on Lebuh Noordin known for its sleek minimalism and warm ambiance, focusing on East-meets-West cocktails that tantalize the senses with a delicate balance of local and international flavors.
Gravity, Rooftop Bar: Located atop the G Hotel Kelawai, this open-air lounge provides a stunning, high-floor view of the city skyline, from Penang Hill to the bridge, and is a fantastic spot for sunset cocktails and wine.
Three-Sixty Revolving Restaurant & Rooftop Bar: Perched atop the Bayview Hotel in the city center, this dual-concept rooftop bar offers a unique revolving indoor hall for dining and an open-air lounge with a wide array of beers and cocktails and a panoramic 360-degree view.
The Nest Cocktail Bar: Housed in a heritage shophouse in George Town, this bar offers a cozy, contemporary space with botanical decor and a long bar counter, perfect for unwinding over expertly crafted cocktails.
Drunken Gelato: Located on Lebuh Presgrave, this spot offers a sweet twist on nightlife, specializing in dessert-style cocktails and boozy gelato, great for a unique, post-dinner treat.
SO-OD Bar: A high-spirited bar in George Town, situated above SOOD by Chef Ton, that fuses Thai flavors with experimental mixology. It boasts an electric atmosphere with punchy personality, often featuring live bands and DJs.
Kool Kongsi Listening Bar: Hailed as a premier listening bar in George Town, the concept revolves around enjoying expertly crafted cocktails while immersing yourself in hypnotic vinyl beats in a quiet, respectful setting.
Soju Room: One of Penang’s most luxurious and famous nightclubs, located within Entertainment City (Penang Times Square), known for its trendy vibes, electronic dance scenes, festive DJ nights, and a contemporary setup with moving neon lights.
GloGlo: Often cited as the most “international” feeling club in George Town, this venue is known for its music selection and attracting a diverse crowd, though it may lean towards table service.
Mish Mash: Located on Jalan Muntri, this is one of George Town’s long-established cocktail bars, also known for its impressive selection of craft beers and single malt whiskeys, offering a vibrant atmosphere.
Er Yi Tai (二姨太): This hidden Japanese izakaya-style bar on Jalan Kuala Kangsar offers a dark and moody ambiance, specializing in Japanese Highballs, sake, and spirits, with a sophisticated, yet playful, twist on its cocktail menu.
The Pokok: A lively spot on Chulia Street, known for its friendly atmosphere and being a great place to stop for affordable drinks and a good time in the heart of the backpacking district.
Kara Kara: A spot on Lebuh Victoria that operates as a coffee shop by day and transforms into a speakeasy with retro vibes (1970s and 1980s-inspired) by night, often featuring live music.
Soundmaker Studio: Located on Lebuh Bishop, this is Penang’s most prominent alternative music club, hosting underground music and ideas, perfect for those looking for a different, edgier nightlife experience in Northern Malaysia.
Beach Blanket Babylon: The only seaside-facing bar right in George Town, located on Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, offering a casual and romantic spot for a cocktail or cold beer with a wonderful view of the sea breeze and sunset.
Antarabangsa Enterprise (Antarabangsa): A well-known local bar on Lorong Stewart, popular for socializing due to its cheaper alcohol prices, offering a no-frills, authentic local atmosphere.
Jupiter’s Bay: One of the popular, low-key bars on Love Lane, perfect for budget travelers and a casual drink, known for its long happy hour on Tiger beer and a welcoming vibe.
Soho Free House: A longstanding pub on Jalan Penang, providing a classic pub environment with a wide selection of drinks in a centrally located and often lively spot.