Peninsula House
Peninsula House is a hidden gem set in a heritage building from 1937. While the entrance may seem modest, the upper floor reveals a stunning, high-ceilinged retro dining space. The concise menu draws inspiration from Australian cuisine, featuring organic ingredients sourced from local indoor farms and its own garden. Seafood is a highlight, with the crayfish and prawn étouffée tagliatelle standing out for its deep, rich umami flavor. Reservations are highly recommended.
Penang
Others
Friends / Group
Lucky Hole
Lucky Hole is a vibrant restaurant set in a former factory, featuring a retro industrial design and lively atmosphere. The open kitchen’s charcoal grill takes center stage, serving a variety of chargrilled meats, seafood, and vegetables. A standout dish is the wild-caught giant prawns topped with crispy garlic and chili oil. Finish with the warm banana cake paired with Baileys ice cream, offering a delightful contrast of flavors and temperatures.
PenangInnovative / ModernFriends / GroupCouple / Date
Ghee Lian
Ghee Lian is a well-loved spot known for its focused menu of noodle dishes. The signature green tom yum delivers a perfect balance of sour and spicy flavors. Topped with crispy fried fish that’s golden on the outside and tender inside, along with large, umami-rich prawns, each bowl is deeply satisfying. In addition to the tom yum, their noodle soup and fried noodles are equally enjoyable, making it a great place for simple yet flavorful comfort food.
PenangMalaysianFriends / GroupSolo Dining
Gēn
Gēn, meaning “root” in Chinese, is a restaurant where the chef explores his culinary roots and childhood memories through a seasonal tasting menu. The dishes highlight local ingredients, especially seafood, with each course offering a creative surprise. The presentation is elegant and often playful, such as silky chicken soup served in a glass bottle. A curated selection of organic and biodynamic wines complements the menu, creating a refined and thoughtful dining experience.
PenangInnovative / ModernFriends / Group
Ming Qin Charcoal Duck Egg Char Koay Teow
Ming Qin Charcoal Duck Egg Char Koay Teow is a long-standing local favorite known for its smoky, wok-fired noodles. Stir-fried over charcoal with duck egg, the dish delivers exceptional wok hei and rich flavor. Despite its simple setting, the stall draws crowds, especially on weekend nights. Add an over-easy egg for extra indulgence, or start with the blanched octopus appetizer, served warm with a tangy-sweet dipping sauce. It’s a must-try spot for authentic char koay teow.
PenangMalaysianFriends / GroupSolo Dining
Taman Bukit Curry Mee
Taman Bukit Curry Mee is a well-loved stall that has been serving its signature curry mee for nearly 40 years. The rich, creamy broth combines coconut milk with a spicy curry paste, creating a deeply flavorful and comforting dish. A highlight is the half-cooked cockles, which deliver a briny sweetness and burst of juices with every bite. It’s a true local favorite that offers an authentic and satisfying taste experience.
PenangMalaysianFriends / GroupSolo Dining
BM Cathay Pancake
BM Cathay Pancake is a long-standing street stall established in 1962, known for serving just one specialty: Apam Balik, a chargrilled pancake filled with sweet peanut sugar. Made fresh to order and served piping hot, it delivers a perfect contrast—crispy on the outside and soft, chewy on the inside. Simple yet incredibly satisfying, it’s a beloved local favorite that keeps customers coming back.
PenangOthersFriends / GroupSolo Dining
Neighbourwood
Neighbourwood is a cozy neighborhood restaurant created by its owner for the local community. It serves European-inspired dishes with subtle Asian influences, along with chargrilled specialties. While the menu changes every six weeks, signature sharing plates like half roast chicken au jus, Berkshire pork loin, and fish en papillote remain staples. Starters such as fish croquettes and homemade desserts are also highlights, and their sourdough bread is perfect to take home.
PenangInnovative / ModernFriends / Group
Jwala
Jwala, named after the Sanskrit word for “fire,” is known for its chargrilled dishes and artisanal breads baked in a custom-built tandoori oven. Signature items include tandoori tiger prawns, flaky puff pastry naan, and gluten-free roti. The menu blends familiar meats like chicken and lamb with unique ingredients such as hamachi collar and croissant. With a strong selection of vegetarian options, Jwala offers a creative and well-rounded dining experience.
Greater Kuala LumpurIndianFriends / GroupCouple / Date
Sister Yao’s Char Koay Kak
Sister Yao’s Char Koay Kak is run by three sisters who inherited their father’s stall, first established in 1963. They specialise in char koay kak, a beloved Teochew snack from their ancestral roots. The rice cakes are stir-fried over high heat, delivering a delightful wok hei aroma, and seasoned with just the right amount of soy sauce, bean sprouts, egg, and a touch of spice. Add optional hot sauce for an extra kick of flavour.
PenangMalaysianFriends / GroupSolo Dining
Frangipaani
Frangipaani offers a warm and rustic atmosphere, with a softly lit interior featuring wood accents and tan leather, as well as a cosy and relaxing terrace. Since 2019, the kitchen team has been serving traditional Indian cuisine thoughtfully adapted to suit local tastes. Popular choices include the vegetarian samosa chaat and a range of tandoori specialties. The raan dum biriyani—whole lamb leg slow-cooked with fragrant basmati rice—is perfect for sharing and makes for a memorable dining experience.
Greater Kuala LumpurIndianFriends / Group
Restaurant Shu KL
Restaurant Shu KL is named after Chef Wong’s mother and reflects his Chinese heritage and childhood food memories. The restaurant offers a single tasting menu inspired by Chinese diaspora cuisine, reinterpreting familiar flavours with seasonal produce and modern European techniques. A standout dish is his take on drunken prawn—raw akaebi marinated in Shaoxing wine, drizzled with umami-rich Huadiao beurre blanc, and topped with ikura and tender cubes of squid for added layers of texture.
Kuala Lumpur City CentreInnovative / ModernBusiness / Client DinnerCouple / Date
Seed by Whitegrass
Seed by Whitegrass is a modern restaurant and sister concept of the acclaimed Whitegrass in Singapore. The inviting space features earthy tones and cool neutrals, while the wave-shaped counter seats offer a captivating view of the open kitchen. The Japanese chef crafts a European-inspired menu using Japanese produce and seasonings, creating a refined fusion of flavours. Seafood dishes stand out for their creative twists and delicate seasoning. Don’t miss the crusty yet airy focaccia, especially when paired with the creamy whipped butter.
Greater Kuala LumpurInnovative / ModernCouple / Date
Restaurant Blanc Penang
Restaurant Blanc Penang is an elegant fine dining restaurant located in an 18th-century castle-turned heritage boutique hotel. The graceful colonial-style dining room features royal blue walls, white window shutters, and a striking faux white tree at its centre. The eight-course tasting menu is highly refined, while the à la carte options are equally extensive. Each dish thoughtfully incorporates a variety of Asian ingredients and is carefully balanced in flavour. Be sure to save room for the desserts—they are simply too good to miss.
PenangInnovative / ModernBusiness / Client DinnerCouple / Date
Duck Blood Curry Mee
Duck Blood Curry Mee is a hidden gem located inside a Malaysian-style café. The dish features noodles served in a savoury-sweet white curry broth made with coconut milk, freshly prepared every day. Among the many toppings available, the roasted pork stands out for its rich flavour and crispy texture. Be sure to add their homemade chilli sauce, which enhances the dish with an extra kick of spice and depth.
PenangMalaysianFriends / GroupSolo Dining
Du-An (Lebuh Pantai)
Du-An (Lebuh Pantai) is a casual and relaxing restaurant that celebrates traditional Malaysian cooking. The interior combines faux cement walls with warm wooden furniture, creating a comfortable atmosphere. The menu features local favourites such as nasi lemak, rendang beef, laksa, and satay. A standout dish is the skin-on mutton curry, known for its melt-in-the-mouth texture, bold aromas, and perfectly balanced seasoning that hits a pleasant level of spice. All ingredients used are halal-certified.
PenangMalaysianFriends / GroupSolo Dining
Kebaya Dining Room
Housed in a beautifully restored heritage building, Kebaya Dining Room offers an elegant setting with high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and scarlet velvet drapes. The concise menu highlights a refined selection of Peranakan cuisine alongside vegetarian options. Meat lovers can try the tamarind-glazed grass-fed beef from Australia, while the prawn geng curry can also be prepared as a vegetarian dish. Finish with the refreshing Markisa semifreddo, and don’t miss the competitively priced wine list to complement your meal.
PenangPeranakanFriends / Group
Kayra
Kayra showcases contemporary cuisine inspired by the culinary traditions of Kerala in southwest India, a region long known as a historic centre for peppers and spices. The restaurant reinterprets Kerala’s heritage dishes with a vibrant mix of spices—central to the cuisine’s identity—presented with modern aesthetics. Beef dishes feature prominently on the menu, offering bold and flavourful options. With reasonable prices and a modern industrial interior highlighted by brick design, Kayra provides a stylish yet relaxed dining experience.
Greater Kuala LumpurIndianFriends / GroupThe truthfulness, accuracy, or completeness of the information contained on this website shall not be guaranteed.
