The 17 Must-Try Restaurants in George Town

Among Penang's most unique — and delicious – dishes is rojak, a vibrant salad of crunchy, tangy, and sweet fruits and vegetables drizzled with a rich dressing that combines sweet, savory, and spicy notes, finished with crushed peanuts and raw sugar. This stall, located in a seaside, semi-open-air hawker center, is one of the best places to enjoy it. Although it’s meant to be open in the evenings, you might find it unexpectedly closed (a common occurrence). If you visit on a good day, consider taking home a tub of their dressing. [$]

Appom, often referred to as “hopper” in English, is a crispy, bowl-shaped crepe with roots in Sri Lanka. Its slightly tangy taste, filled with crumpet-like holes, can come with a freshly cooked egg, if desired, and is typically served with a curry-like dipping sauce. It's one of the top breakfast choices in George Town. This stall has no official name or sign; just look for the blue canopy opposite Express-Mart. [$]

This collection of connected, sprawling shophouses serves a variety of meals: breakfast, coffee, burgers, vegetarian options, and Malaysian-inspired dishes. However, the real star here is dessert. Resist the urge to dive into the vast table overflowing with cakes, pies, and cookies. You haven’t truly experienced George Town without sampling the ice cream made with salted gula Melaka, a Malaysian palm-sugar syrup. [$$ - $$$]

Arguably the quintessential Penang dish is nasi kandar, featuring a lavish assortment of rich, hearty, often meaty, Muslim Indian-inspired curries served over rice. Hameediyah claims to be the city’s oldest establishment serving this dish and is certainly the most beloved; expect to wait in line during peak hours. If rice doesn’t appeal to you, consider the delicious murtabak, which is a spiced minced filling (egg plus beef or chicken) wrapped in thin flatbread, griddled to perfection, and accompanied by a sweet and sour dip. [$ - $$]

This tiny, always bustling hawker center is your go-to spot for two of George Town’s signature dishes: asam laksa, which features udon-like rice noodles swimming in a rich, aromatic, fish-infused broth, and cendol, delightful short, squiggly noodles served in sweetened coconut milk over shaved ice. Open for lunch only. [$]

Skip the mundane hotel breakfast and kick off your day in George Town with lor bak, a delectable assortment of deep-fried goodies (firm tofu, minced pork wrapped in tofu skin, crispy shrimp fritters, Chinese sausage, pig’s ear) served alongside cucumber slices and a sticky, savory dip infused with five spice powder. This beloved Chinese dish has been prepared by the same elderly couple at this hawker center for decades. Breakfast only, closed on Mondays. [$]

Char kway teow, a dish of flat rice noodles stir-fried with egg, shrimp, cockles, Chinese sausage, and chili paste, is one of those meals that loses its essence when enjoyed outside its birthplace. George Town boasts several renowned vendors, but for the authentic smoky, spicy version, seek out this reserved chef at a mobile stall. There’s no English sign, so look for the wok in front of Sin Guat Keong Cafe. Open evenings only. [$]

This spot offers a diverse range of foods, from a cart serving elusive Baba-Nyonya dishes (a blend of indigenous and Chinese culinary styles) to a vendor dishing out tasty oyster omelets. However, the star attraction is undoubtedly the hokkien mee. This indulgent bowl features a mix of rice and wheat-and-egg noodles in a rich, red broth made from pork bones and prawns, topped with crispy pork belly and a hearty sprinkle of fried shallots. Open evenings only. [$]

If you can only squeeze in a visit to one hawker center during your time in George Town (though you should really allocate more time), make it Lorong Baru. It perfectly captures the lively atmosphere and diverse food offerings that make dining in this city such a joy. Notable dishes include otak-otak, fish curry wrapped in banana leaves; smoky satay skewers; char koay kak, rice cakes stir-fried with egg, shrimp, bean sprouts, and chili paste; and chee cheong fun, rice noodle rolls topped with a savory shrimp paste and sesame seeds. Open for dinner only. [$ - $$]

While buffets often prioritize quantity over quality, this self-serve Indonesian restaurant defies that trend. Pile your plate high with beef rendang, flavorful soups, zesty dips, creamy coconut curries, stir-fries, and a variety of vegetable dishes, then show it to the staff who will tally your total. Each option is fresh and vibrant. Open for lunch only. [$]

While not as famous as other hawker offerings in George Town, koay teow th’ng—flat rice noodles in a clear broth made from duck, complemented by fish balls—holds a special place in the hearts of locals. The fish balls here are crafted from eel, tender and delightfully fishy, avoiding the rubbery texture often found elsewhere. A rich drizzle of pork fat and crispy garlic enhances the dish beautifully. Available for breakfast and lunch only, closed on Mondays. [$]

Situated roughly two miles northwest of the city center, this bustling hub features a vibrant market, food stalls, and restaurants. It’s an ideal spot for breakfast, showcasing highlights like a renowned mee goreng, a robust Indian Muslim-inspired dish made with round wheat noodles, dried squid, potatoes, tofu, egg, and chili paste. Another must-try is the flavorful curry mee, a combination of wheat-and-egg and rice noodles served in a spicy coconut milk broth, topped with cockles, shrimp, firm tofu, and steamed chicken blood cubes. Available for breakfast and lunch only, with many vendors closed on Mondays. [$]

Oh chien, often called “oyster omelet,” doesn’t quite capture the essence of this culinary delight, which combines eggs, tapioca flour batter, and lightly cooked oysters. With Chinese origins, this dish is a staple in George Town. The version here is fried in lard, resulting in an incredibly rich, crispy texture that resembles the flavor of bacon. Available afternoons only, closed on Wednesdays. [$]

Every evening, outside this otherwise unassuming restaurant, a vendor offers an array of rich, hearty Muslim/Malay-style soups. Choices include beef, quail, oxtail, and even bull’s penis, but we always choose sup kambing, a goat soup where the gamey meat is complemented by fragrant dried spices and generous amounts of crispy fried shallots. [$]

In a city renowned for its incredible food, Tek Sen might just claim the title of the best restaurant around. Established in 1965, its menu offers a delightful introduction to Penang-style Chinese and Baba-Nyonya cuisine, blending indigenous and Chinese flavors. While you can’t go wrong with any choice, popular dishes include the double-cooked roast pork with chili padi, stir-fried sweet potato leaves with sambal belecan (fermented shrimp paste) and shrimp, as well as assam pedas, a tangy stingray soup. Don’t forget to order the house-made nutmeg syrup drink. Open for lunch and dinner, closed on Tuesdays; expect to queue. [$$ - $$$]

George Town boasts a vibrant South Asian community, with many members tracing their roots to South India. This cultural influence means the city is renowned for its thali, a delightful all-you-can-eat, meat-free banana leaf meal, and dosai, the crunchy South Indian crepe. Situated at the edge of the lively Little India, this unassuming spot is among the top choices for both. [$ - $$]

If you have even a passing interest in Chinese cuisine, you've likely come across char siew, which consists of succulent slices of sweet, oven-roasted pork. However, you haven't truly experienced char siew until you've visited Wai Kei. Here, the pork is rich, caramelized, crispy, and smoky, served alongside rice, fresh greens, and a bowl of soup. It's open for lunch and dinner (weekdays only), but be aware that supplies are limited, so arriving early is advisable. [$ - $$]