George Town, the cultural heart of Penang, is a city where food tells the story of centuries of migration, trade and tradition. Influences from Malay, Chinese, Peranakan and Indian communities come together to shape a culinary scene unlike anywhere else in Malaysia. While Penang is world-famous for its street food, George Town’s fine dining and chef-driven restaurants have quietly risen to prominence in recent years.
Local flavours, heritage recipes and regional ingredients are now being reimagined through modern techniques, resulting in memorable dining experiences that go far beyond hawker stalls. From elegant heritage mansions to humble shophouses and bustling night markets, here’s where to eat in George Town right now.
Kebaya Dining Room
Set within the beautifully restored Seven Terraces hotel, Kebaya Dining Room is a refined celebration of Penang’s Peranakan heritage. The restaurant offers thoughtfully curated two- and three-course set menus that reinterpret traditional Straits Chinese dishes through a contemporary lens.
Expect classic flavours elevated with modern culinary methods dishes such as slow-cooked beef paired with buah keluak jam or delicate prawn pai tee plated with finesse. The ambience mirrors the menu: vibrant mosaic tiles, plush velvet drapes and crystal chandeliers create a space that feels both elegant and deeply rooted in history.
Address: 14A, Lorong Stewart, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Teksen
Teksen is proof that great food doesn’t need frills. Operating out of a traditional shophouse since 1965, this family-run restaurant remains one of George Town’s most beloved local institutions.
The menu focuses on comforting Penang classics, including curry tumis with stingray, crispy roasted pork and stir-fried kangkung with belacan. Originally a simple porridge stall, Teksen has grown into a go-to spot for communal dining. Evening crowds are common, so patience is part of the experience and well worth it.
Address: 18, Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Communal Table by Gen
As its name suggests, Communal Table by Gen offers an intimate dining experience centred around a single long table overlooking an open kitchen. With seating for just 24 guests, the atmosphere feels personal and immersive.
The menu highlights modern Malaysian cuisine with subtle Peranakan influences, using locally sourced and seasonal ingredients. Standout dishes include skipjack tuna paired with ginger flower sorbet and Bidor duck prepared two ways aged and confit. An extensive drinks list, featuring everything from French wines to Sarawakian tuak and Japanese sake, completes the experience.
Address: 68, Lebuh Presgrave, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Indigo at The Blue Mansion
Located inside the iconic Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, also known as The Blue Mansion, Indigo delivers an elegant dining experience within one of George Town’s most historic buildings.
The restaurant serves an international menu showcasing premium ingredients such as Australian wagyu and Hokkaido scallops. Lunch features a three-course set menu, while dinner expands into a five-course tasting with optional wine pairing, alongside a dedicated vegetarian menu. Arrive early to explore the mansion, now beautifully restored as a boutique hotel.
Address: Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, 14, Lebuh Leith, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
Sood by Chef Ton
Opened recently but already making a strong impression, Sood by Chef Ton brings contemporary Thai cuisine to a 150-year-old heritage building in George Town. Helmed by acclaimed chef Thitid “Ton” Tassanakajohn, the restaurant focuses on small plates designed for sharing.
The menu balances bold flavours and playful presentation, with highlights such as Thai rice tacos filled with grilled prawn larb, yellow curry noodles with crab, and rich crab omelette finished with sriracha. It’s a lively, modern take on Thai dining that feels perfectly at home in Penang.
Address: 33, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Passions of Kerala
Penang’s strong Indian-Tamil roots are most evident in its banana leaf restaurants, and Passions of Kerala is a standout among them. Meals here begin with rice served on a banana leaf, accompanied by rasam and a selection of vegetable sides including lentils, pickles and crisp papadum.
Guests can customise their feast with additional dishes such as prawn sambal, chicken masala or mutton varuval. Finish with a refreshing mango lassi to balance the spicesit’s a deeply satisfying introduction to South Indian flavours in Penang.
Address: New World Park, 40, Jalan Burma, 10050 George Town, Penang
Pinxin Vegan
While Penang cuisine often leans heavily toward meat and seafood, Pinxin Vegan proves that plant-based dining can still capture the soul of local food. Founded by Penang native Jenn Woei Loh after adopting a vegan lifestyle, the restaurant offers cruelty-free versions of beloved Malaysian dishes.
From vegan nasi lemak to meatless asam laksa, the menu focuses on health-conscious yet flavourful cooking. Pinxin Vegan has also expanded into packaged ready-to-eat meals and spice blends, available both in-store and online.
Address: 38, Lebuh Tye Sin, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Kimberley Street Food Night Market
No food guide to George Town would be complete without its street food, and Kimberley Street Night Market is one of the best places to experience it. As night falls on Jalan Sungai Ujong, stalls line the street serving some of the city’s most iconic dishes.
The must-try here is duck kway chap flat rice noodles and assorted meats simmered in a dark soy broth. Other popular options include char kway teow, chicken feet, si koh soup and more. Pair your feast with a frothy cup of teh tarik from a nearby coffee shop, where you can sit down and enjoy your street-side spread.
Address: 1 Jalan Sungai Ujong, George Town
Final Thoughts
From refined heritage dining rooms to lively night markets, George Town’s food scene reflects the city’s rich cultural tapestry. Whether you’re seeking innovative fine dining or time-honoured local flavours, these restaurants showcase the very best of what Penang has to offer one unforgettable meal at a time.
