The spirit of Italian cuisine at Bottega Penang
Like the unmistakable local Nyonya cuisine, one of the success secrets to Italian food is also the ability to borrow, adapt and invent some of the distinct yet sublime dishes we love today.
Glorious Food: Foreign flavours
International tourists and ex-pats need not worry as there is an assortment of international food outlets and restaurants to remind them of home. Locals often patronise them for a change in diet . . . actually Penangites are game to eat anything, anywhere. Most of the international restaurants are pricey compared to local pricing standards.
Neapolitan delights
The Italians have great skills with pasta, turning this basic staple into a virtual encyclopaedia of dishes, ranging from marinara to lasagna.
- Barista Cafe & Casa de Pizzeria at 133 Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling | T: +604-261 5013
- Bella Italia at 368-1-7, Jalan Burma | T: +604-227 2195
- Elmondo Italian Western Cuisine at 1-1-3 E-gate, Lebuh Tunku Kudin 2 | T: +604-659 2328
- Il Bacaro at 106 Campbell Street | T: +604-261 8290
- Jaloux at 24, King Street | T: +6016-452 9882
- Lunarich One Precinct Pizza & Pasta at Lengkok Mayang Pasir, 1B-G-31, Bayan Baru | T:+604-611 5340
- Mario’s Italian Cuisine at 88, Lintang Bukit Jambul | T: +6019-472 5837
- Markus Restaurant at 37F, Jalan Cantonment | T: +604 226 1443
- Pizzaiola at 33-SB-03, Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong | T: +604-250 5501
- Via Pre Italian Restaurants at 20E, Lebuh Penang | T: +604-262 0560
- Viva La Pasta at 96, Jalan Rangoon | T: +604-226 7618
Japanese temptations
The cuisine of Japan has enjoyed an unprecedented boom in popularity here in Penang. The Japanese believe a feast begins with the eyes and the presentation of even the simplest dish is always a masterpiece of colour and texture. Japanese temptations include sushi (seaweed paper spread with rice and topped with one or more fillings), sashimi (thin slices of raw fish), sukiyaki, tempura and teppanyaki.
- Aji Noren at 98-G-35, Prima Tanjung, Jalan Fettes | T: +604-899 4720
- Azuma Japanese Restaurant at Queensbay Mall, Bayan Lepas | T: +604-641 3118
- Dozo, Penang, No. 1-1-26, 27 & 28 (Ground Floor), SummerSkye Square, Jalan Sungai Tiram 8, 11900 Bayan Lepas | T: +604 608 6296
- Edo Ichi Japanese Restaurant at G05 & G06, Island Plaza, Jalan Tanjung Tokong | T: +604-890 3199
- Ginza Japanese Restaurant at 118, Jalan Tanjung Tokong, Tanjong Takong | T: +604-890 9918
- Hachiban Izakaya, Level 1, 32, Jalan Kelawei, 10250, George Town | T: +6016 617 8228
- Kaze Japanese Restaurant at Icon City, Bukit Mertajam | T: +604-611 8489
5-G-1, Promenade, Persiaran Mahsuri, Bayan Baru, | T: +6012-408 9980 - Kazumasa Japanese Restaurant, Fettes 10, 50C-1 Jalan Fettes, 11200 Tanjung Bungah | T: +6018 297 1886
- Kirishima Japanese Restaurant at Cititel Penang, 66, Jalan Penang | T: +604-370 0108
- Matsu at Lone Pine Hotel, 97, Jalan Batu Ferringhi | T: +604-886 8686
- Miraku Restaurant at 1st Floor, G-Hotel, 168A, Pesiaran Gurney | T: +604-229 8702
- Oh Sushi Japanese Restaurant at 3E-G-5, Block E, Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang | T: +604-899 0109
- Shunka Japanese Restaurant at 124 E, Jalan Burma | T: +604-228 3889
- Sushi Tei at Gurney Plaza, 170, Persiaran Gurney | T: +604-226 1486
- Sushi Zento at 10-A-11&12 Jalan Precinct 10, 10470 Tanjung Tokong | T: +604-899 2725
- Tsuruya Japanese Restaurant at I-avenue, 1-1-25, Medan Kampung Relau 1, Bayan Lepas | T: +604-641 0828
Thai cuisines
Thai chefs are skilled in whipping up tongue-tingling delights at Penang's top Thai restaurants. A local favourite is tom yam soup with its fiery, rather acidic blend of flavours. Pandan chicken, featuring morsels of chicken barbecue in pandan leaf, is also extremely popular.
- Aroi Thai Restaurant at 387, Jalan Burma | T:+604-227 6771
- Blue Chang Mordern Thai Cuisine at 417, Jalan Burma, Pulau Tikus | T:+6010-274 7351
- Bukit Genting Hill Leisure Park and Restaurant, Lot 569, Bukit Penara 7, 11000 Balik Pulau | T: +6016 492 8778
- ChiliHead Social Bar & Eatery AT 3A-G-11 Straits Quay, Tanjung Tokong | T: +604-890 3009
- Chok Dee Thai, 231-D, Jalan Burma | T: +604-229 1492
- Khunthai Restaurant at 1052, Mukim 9, Pasir Belanda, Teluk Kumbar | T: +604-625 1155
- Khunthai Restaurant at 7, Jalan Bunga Raya Merah 3, Permatang Tengah, Butterworth | T:+604-332 7523
- Krung Thep Thai Restaurant at 118, Lorong Selamat | T: +6011-1252 1693
- Sebai Sebai Thai Restaurant at 1, Lintang Batu, George Town | T:+604-656 8891
- Sebaidee Thai Restaurant at 1, Batu Green, Taman Jelutong | T: +604-656 8891
- Tree Monkey at Tropical Spice Garden, 595, Mukim 2, Jalan Teluk Bahang | T:+604-881 3494
Western and continental fare
Fast-food chains such as Mc Donalds, Pizza Hut, Colonel Sanders' famous Kentucky Fries Chicken and Kenny Rogers' Chicken are everywhere and Penang. On the other side of the coin, you have fine dining restaurants offering a wide range of Continental cuisine. You can feast on wild game dishes, slice through a done-to-perfection steak or sample succulent Boston lobsters and leave some room for sinful desserts and treats.
- Ferringhi Garden Restaurant, 34C, Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Penang | Tel: +604 881 1193
- Indigo, 14, Leith Street, 10200 Penang | T +604 262 0006
- Java Tree, Eastern & Oriental Hotel, 10 Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 George Town | T: +604 222 2000
- La Vie Restaurant, Le Dream Boutique Hotel, 139 Jalan Pintal Tali, George Town | T: +6012 402 1342
- Le Venue, 80, Lebuh Tye Sin, 10300 George Town | T: +604 251 9833
- Restaurant Au Jardin at The Warehouse, 125, Jalan Timah, George Town, 10300 Penang | T: +604 218 9594
- Sigi’s Bar & Grill, Golden Sands Resort by Shangri-La, Batu Feringgi Beach | T: +604 886 1852
- The Book Sandwich Cafe, 205 Lebuh Pantai, George Town | T: +604 261 3445
Middle Eastern meals
Middle Eastern cuisine spanning parts of three continents includes Arab, Persian, Jewish, Assyrian, Kurdish, Cypriot and Turkish dishes. The cuisine of the region is diverse comprising primarily of hummus, falafel, tahini, tabouleh, baklava, pita bread, baba ghannouj, foul mudammes and lokum as well as various meats and vegetables. Their style of cooking incorporates heavy use of olive oil and a diverse variety of spices. Indulge and sample authentic Middle Eastern meals in Penang as there are good restaurants located within the heart of the city, along Tanjung Tokong and Batu Feringghi.
- Al-Araby Mathaam at G3-G4, Tesco Extra Seberang Jaya | T: +6013-5000 900
- Al Shami Restaurant at Plaza Ivory, Halaman Bukit Gambir | T: +6019-232 0121
- Dandy Modern Food at 72-1-17, Arena Curve, Jalan Mahsuri | T: +6017-557 3141
- Khayrat Al-Sham Restaurant at Lot 15, Ground Floor, Lebuh Sungai Pinang 5 | T: +604-283 3859
- Lebanon Restaurant at 15, Jalan Tanjung Bungah | T: +604-891 7228
- Halab Penang at 381, Chulia Street | T: +604-251 9550
- Mr. Shawerma at 273a, Chulia Street | T: +604-251 9590
- Nasi Bukhari Mendi Sajid Khan at 2-1-25, Plaza Ivory, Halaman Bukit Gambir | T: +6017-427 2115
- Restaurant Qasar Hadramawt at 9, Ground Floor, De’ Rendezous, Jalan Perda Selatan, Bandar Perda, Bukit Mertajam | T: +604-537 2673
- Rubin Mardini Cafe Restaurant at 389 Jalan Batu Ferringhi | T: +6014-910 0478
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Written and photographed by Adrian Cheah © All rights reserved
Updated: 15 May 2021
A mouth-watering paella set lunch at Hola by Javu
Hola by Javu established in November 2021 is a tapas bistro located at Tanjung Point, a stone's throw from the Chinese Swimming Club. The elegant spacious interior overlooking the tranquil beachfront of Tanjung Tokong is ideal for one to enjoy some Spanish treats. On a visit, my daughter and I shared the scrumptious paella set lunch, a true value for money priced at only RM59 nett (available only on weekdays from 11 am – 5 pm).
Viet Garden offers an extensive pork-free Vietnamese menu
Penang is lucky to have a string of good Vietnamese restaurants offering scrumptious signature dishes. Vietnamese cooking draws on the influences of Chinese, Thai, Indian and French cuisines to create irresistible combinations of delicate flavours, fresh ingredients and fabulous textures. Viet Garden, located at Kimberley Street, is one such destination in Penang to enjoy authentic Vietnamese delights.
The Baking Garage offers a great loaf for the table
It is such a joy listening to the sound of a butter knife spreading butter onto a warm crispy toast. Tasting the salted butter melting on the bread is something so basic yet remarkably rewarding. Its crispy, comforting bite is heavenly. But hold on – not just any toast: it has to be a thick artisan sourdough slice from The Baking Garage (TBG).
Neighbourwood – intriguingly inventive in serving European cuisine with an Asian twist
When the MICHELIN Guide Kuala Lumpur and Penang 2023 was launched, Neighbourwood was listed as one of the Bib Gourmand establishments, along with 16 others in Penang. Located a stone's throw away from the iconic Minor Basilica of St. Anne in Bukit Mertajam, Neighbourwood serves delectable European dishes with an Asian flare including char-grilled choices.
Banh Mi Kitchen – serving up authentic Vietnamese bánh mì and more
As the name of the restaurant highlights, Banh Mi Kitchen focuses mainly on offering the iconic Vietnamese bánh mì sandwiches. Freshly baked baguettes, spread with pâté and margarine, are packed with a selection of stuffings (including ham, barbecue pork, roasted chicken, meat balls, prawns, fish, eggs or pork floss), topped with cucumber, pickled daikon and carrot, fresh cilantro and fiery chilli peppers for an extra kick.
Un Poco Loco, a Spanish locale to go crazy about
Un Poco Loco is more than just a tapas bar as there are some items on the menu that offer a more hearty meal. Located at City Junction in Tanjung Tokong, it is the brainchild of the team behind the one Michelin star Restaurant Au Jardin. Un Poco Loco is headed by Chef Yan You (executive chef) and Chef Alex (chef de cuisine). The menu is curated by Chef Kim Hock.
Mouth-watering 3-course set meals at Lumiére Restaurant
Lumiére Restaurant is a cozy, passion-led, innovative dining establishment in the heart of George Town (on the same street as the famous Teochew cendol stall off Penang Road). Led by a husband and wife team, Chef Jackson Yee and general manager Eunice, the restaurant focuses on quality ingredients, fresh flavours and eye-arresting presentations.
The delicious 4-course set lunch at Le Venue
My friends and I had a wonderful birthday celebration for Dorothy Wang at Le Venue. The hearty four courses in the set lunch were all elegantly plated, rendering a visual feast whetting the appetite. As always, Chef Petr Fehér's creations using quality ingredients were truly scrumptious. Let us take a closer look at each course.
Scrumptiously healthy breakfast offerings at EMILY Darling Cafe
EMILY Darling Cafe starts operations at 8:00 am. It was only a natural progression that the cafe added some breakfast options to its list of tempting pastries and cakes. I was there that Saturday morning, 21 May 2022, the first morning that three breakfast offerings were made available. Staying at E&O Hotel that weekend, I had a pleasant stroll along Penang Road to the cafe.
All-day breakfast at the gorgeous La Maison d’Antiques
La Maison d’Antiques, French for "The House of Antiques" is no ordinary antique shop. Unlike many antique shops that are packed to the brim with items for sale, La Maison d’Antiques elegantly curates the items into alluring dining halls. It is as if you have just entered a château or villa in the charming French countryside to indulge in an all-day breakfast affair. Yes, the breakfast menu stretches right up to 9:00 pm.
The Maker – offering eye-candy temptations of sweet treats and pastries
The Maker, located along upper Beach Street in George Town, first opened its doors to the public in March 2020. It offers fabulous-looking desserts and pastries from shortcakes to croissants and from tarts to breads. It is a heaven for those who relish sweet treats. There is a display glass counter that flaunts lovely beauties unapologetically. Let us dive in and take a closer look at some of The Maker's popular desserts.