Finding the Best Food Courts, Restaurants, and Street Carts

The food in George Town, Penang is legendary—there is simply no other place in the world where such a mix of cultures has contributed their culinary influences to one cause. Chinatown, Little India, hawker stalls, and food courts create a delightful variety of options for dining in George Town, making it an overwhelming yet exciting experience.

Food Courts

While hawker stalls are found throughout the city, it can be more convenient to have numerous options in a single location. This allows for a fun experience of grazing from cart to cart. George Town’s expansive food courts boast an impressive selection of hawker foods with centralized seating.

• New World Park: Once a failed amusement park, it has transformed into George Town’s premier food court. A wide variety of Penang specialties, including mee rebus and Hokkien mee, can be enjoyed under one expansive roof at street prices. Each food counter is clearly marked with its offerings. Located in the northwest of the city at the junction of Burma Road and Swatow Lane.
• Red Garden: Although grungier and more chaotic than New World Park, the location on Jalan Penang is worth the visit. A mix of carts and counters serve fantastic dishes at prices often cheaper than traditional restaurants. Expect to find lok-lok, Assam laksa, rojak, and more, alongside Thai, sushi, and even Filipino options. The Red Garden opens for dinner at 5:30 p.m.
• Sri Weld Food Court: This simple yet affordable food court is known for its excellent food. Sri Weld is situated on the eastern tip of George Town between Lebuh Pantai and Pengkalan Weld.
• Cecil Market Food Court: Located on Lebuh Cecil southeast of the city center, this classic food court is ideal for sampling local favorites such as laksa, char kway teow, and roast duck. Open daily from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Street Food in Penang

Some of the best and most affordable food in George Town is found at the many stalls along the streets. Approaching busy hawker carts may feel a bit daunting, but there’s no need to worry; the vendors are friendly, and the food is safe, ensuring a thriving culinary scene.

The following are the most popular areas for experiencing cheap eats:

• Gurney Drive: This coastal esplanade along Persiaran Gurney, just north of George Town, is widely regarded as one of the most famous places for street food in Southeast Asia. Numerous carts are lined up along the walk, although some locals prefer other spots due to rising prices. Keep in mind that Gurney Drive is too far to walk from the city center and requires transportation. The food scene here starts around 6 p.m.
• Chinatown: As night falls, the streets of Chinatown come alive with vendors selling noodles, dumplings, and skewers. Head to Lebuh Kimberly and the surrounding streets, where the authentic ambiance often means you’ll find little English on the signs. For an easier option, Lebuh Chulia’s tourist strip offers stuffed dumplings, lok-lok, and other local favorites from English-speaking hawkers.

Restaurants in George Town, Penang

George Town is home to numerous restaurants, ranging from open-air venues with concrete floors to upscale hotel establishments offering fine dining experiences.

• Upper Penang Road: The northern end of Jalan Penang hosts a stretch of upscale restaurants and bars, featuring tapas, outdoor seating, and sushi options.
• Nagore Place: Located in the northeast of George Town at the intersection of Lebuh Chulia and Lebuh King, Nagore Place features a beautiful collection of colonial-era buildings that house restaurants serving Indian, Malay, Thai, and Western dishes. The area comes alive on weekends and stays open late.

Malaysian Indian Food and Mamak Stalls

For delicious Malaysian Indian food served on banana leaves, explore the offerings in Little India. Visit Lebuh Pasar and Lebuh Penang, where you’ll recognize the right area by the lively Bollywood music echoing from nearby speakers.

For 24-hour Mamak cuisine outside of Little India, Khaleel Restaurant on Jalan Penang (close to touristy Lebuh Chulia) is highly recommended. It’s the ideal spot to try chapati, murtabak, and other Tamil specialties.

Directory for Penang Food

Learning about Penang’s food specialties is the first step; however, locating these local favorites can sometimes be a challenge. Below are quick suggestions from locals for finding beloved dishes:

Hokkien Mee

• Red Garden Cafe Food Court: North Jalan Penang; open 4:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
• Street carts along Lebuh Kimberly; night only.

Assam Laksa

• Joo Hooi Cafe: 475 Jalan Penang; open noon to 5 p.m.
• Gurney Drive Esplanade: Persiaran Gurney; food served after 6 p.m.
• Cecil Market Food Court: Lebuh Cecil; open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Mee Rebus

• Red Garden Cafe Food Court.
• Street cart at the corner of Lebuh Campbell and Jalan Penang.

Nasi Kandar

• Nasi Kandar Line Clear, junction of Jalan Penang and Jalan Chulia; open 24 hours.
• Khaleel Restaurant: north end of Jalan Penang; open 24 hours.
• Hameediyah Restaurant: Lebuh Campbell; open 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Lok-Lok

• All food courts.
• Street cart on the tourist strip of Lebuh Chulia; open night only.

Rojak and Cendol

• Red Garden Cafe Food Court.
• Gurney Drive Esplanade: Persiaran Gurney; food served after 6 p.m.

Chinese Duck

• Sky Restaurant: located inside the Sky Hotel on Lebuh Chulia; lunch only.
• Fatty Loh Chicken Rice: Nagore Place; open late.

Fried Oysters

• Kedai Kopi Seng Thor: 160 Lebuh Carnarvon; open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Red Garden Cafe Food Court.

Seafood

• Weld Quay Seafood: 18 Weld Quay; open for dinner.
• Red Garden Cafe Food Court.