11 Best Restaurants in George Town Penang
George Town is a tourist hotspot because of its attractions and restaurants to offer. Throughout the years, we’ve been lucky enough to try out the local establishments of this humble town.
From Malay to Mexican, International and more, this place is filled with restaurants that can satisfy specific cravings. And that, in turn, got us thinking about which ones are the best.
So, we set out to scour the streets of this town to bring you the list of the best restaurants in George Town Penang. Let’s get started!
1. Hameediyah Restaurant
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Value for money | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Serving size | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Hygiene | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Washroom | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Overall cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Interior decor | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
If you’re visiting Penang for the first time, one restaurant we recommend you must try at least once is Hameediyah Restaurant.
This is because it holds strong historical significance and it’s widely considered as the best place to get nasi kandar, a Penang specialty. It’s also one of the oldest restaurants in the country as a whole so it pays to include it in your itinerary.
Of course, we had to order their specialty when we visited this place and it’s safe to say that they’re right about their claim! Their nasi kandar was well made and we could really see the experience they have with making this particular dish.
They also had a wide selection of curry sauces, which we had the pleasure of trying. We opted for the lamb curry, as we heard that it’s one of the best-sellers in their place and we can see why once we tasted it.
Ambience-wise, there wasn’t anything special that caught our eye in terms of their interior but this wasn’t necessarily bad. For us, it’s a no-frills eatery, which you visit to get good food, and they’re pretty successful at that.
Overall, we think this place is a gem. It’s the best place to get nasi kandar and other local Malay dishes and it charges them at reasonable prices.
Pros
- Delicious nasi kandar and other Malay dishes
- Well-ventilated
- Affordable prices
Cons
- Average interior design
- Long queues
Customer Reviews
Dine in | Lunch | RM 20–40
“It was super crowded when I visited this restaurant, had to stay in line outside the restaurant for 15 minutes to get to order.
The staff was quite nice and some are really friendly and served with a smile, but some just serve you with flat faces.
But the food, is really really great, in line with their reputation, and the portion was so big. So if you eat not that much, I suggest ordering just 1 portion and sharing it with a friend, just like my friend and I did.
If you wanna go to this restaurant, avoid breakfast, lunch and dinner time because it will be super crowded. But it was really worth the wait.
The location is on the side road, so if you use a car, it will be difficult to find a parking place, especially during rush hour.
Wheelchair accessibility: Not accessible for wheelchair” —Endah Kurnia Wirawati, Google Reviews
Out of this world biryani
“I could go on a rant about the service, and the environment, and don’t even get me started on the queue. I started queuing around 1030 in the morning and the line was 1 hour long.
But none of that matters. Food justifies everything. Mind-blowing Nasi Kandar that you can’t get anywhere else. I’d say the beef was a bit too chewy but the biryani soaked with 4 types of gravy is killer. Just out of this world.” —InsaneHum, Tripadvisor
2. Restaurant Blanc
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Value for money | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Serving size | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Hygiene | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Washroom | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Overall cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior decor | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
It’s not always that you can get the opportunity to dine inside a restaurant that looks like a mansion. Restaurant Blanc is, hands-down, one of the fanciest places we’ve been to in Penang and it’s not just because of its classy interiors.
We’ve tried other full-course meals before but the one offered here was just levels above everything else. Restaurant Blanc is a gourmet restaurant that serves French, European and contemporary cuisines, all of which are well-made by their expert chefs.
It was tough to highlight which dish was the best above all but we’ve got to go with the crab sandwich. Everything about this was nailed to a tee from the texture of the bread to the tenderness of the sweet crab meat and more.
Dining here is a whole experience in itself too and this can be attributed to the world-class customer service. Their staff was approachable and they did everything with finesse, from pouring wine onto our glass to serving the food.
Of course, an experience like this wouldn’t come cheap, which is where the downside comes in. It’s an expensive restaurant but it’s one where you wouldn’t feel cheated because the price they charge is appropriate for the dining experience they provide.
Pros
- Classy dining experience
- Delicious full-course meals
- World-class service
Cons
- Expensive prices
Customer Reviews
One more time even more perfect
“This is probably my 5th time and the new menu is outstanding and the service is excellent, I must admit the temperature of the restaurant is a bit low. Every dishes on the set menu are so delicate, well-presented and tasty with a nice fusion mix. The wine pairing is a must as they are serving great bottles of wine. Honestly, they deserve a one-star Michelin, pricy but worth every cent! Will go back” —DCapion11, Tripadvisor
Dine in | Dinner | RM 200+
“We love the local food here in Penang but decided to give this place a try and had zero regrets. Service was impeccable! Every dish was so innovative it was a whole experience unpacking each course, and so yummy too. Special mention to the bartender whose secret cocktails really brought together the whole experience.
We also appreciated the little something they prepared for my partner for his birthday! Worth every cent, thank you for the wonderful night 🙂
Dietary restrictions: Very accommodating to my dietary restrictions” —Diane Therese Adalene Rozario, Google Reviews
3. The Loft – Love Lane
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Value for money | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Serving size | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Hygiene | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Washroom | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Overall cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior decor | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Want to taste the best pizza here in Penang? Look no further than The Loft – Love Lane! This amazing restaurant takes being a pizzeria to the next level with its delicious offerings and classy interior, which both make for a great dining experience.
The first thing we wanted to highlight about this place is its pizza. We could really tell how experienced they were with creating this dish, as it had the perfect dough texture and overall flavour.
They had a variety of flavours but we eventually ordered two types: The loft special and the pepperoni. We decided that these two flavours were the best ones to order for us to judge them properly and we were right!
The pepperoni is an all-time classic so we were certain that they would nail this, and surely they did. Personally, we thought that it featured the perfect pepperoni-to-pie ratio which made each slice flavourful.
Hygiene-wise, we don’t have any complaints, as the entire establishment was thoroughly cleaned – down to the washrooms.
The only problem we have with this restaurant is that its menu is slightly pricey. We can see this being an issue with other customers, especially if they aren’t willing to pay this much for pizza, pasta and other Neapolitan dishes.
Pros
- Wide variety of delicious pizza pies
- Classy interior design
- Clean premises
Cons
- Slightly pricey menu
Customer Reviews
Really good
“Shared 2 pizzas across 4 adults. Was full enough at the end and the pizzas were well-cooked and tasty. Had been looking forward to a nice pizza after a dreadful experience at Don Corleone’s pizza at Healy Macs. This is what pizzas should be like! Will go again and try other things on the menu. The wings others were eating looked excellent.” —W7366IRivano, Tripadvisor
Dine in | Dinner | RM 60–80
“Enjoyed my time here for dinner. Was craving beef steak for dinner and found it here. Only one option for the beef steak, it was big and made 2 adults full (also ordered grilled octopus). But the beef wasn’t the best steak, it was just okay. Would come back to try the pizza.” —Li May Chong, Google Reviews
4. Two Frenchies Cafe Bistro
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Value for money | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Serving size | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Hygiene | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Washroom | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Overall cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior decor | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
A nice cafe that serves delicious coffee and French cuisine is this spot called Two Frenchies Cafe Bistro. It’s located at Lebuh Bishop and it’s a must-visit if you’re a sucker for chill cafes that serve full meals on top of their coffee drinks like us.
First of all, we wanted to highlight their expansive beverage menu which caters to both coffee and non-coffee lovers. Personally, we love coffee, which is why we were thrilled when we saw their selection.
We eventually ended up ordering their iced cappuccino and iced latte, both of which were perfect! We didn’t have a problem with its bitterness and sweetness levels, which shows just how much their baristas know what they’re doing.
We were surprised by how many dishes they offered but we decided to opt for the hamburger steak and their pizza for that day. We found them average compared to the quality of their drinks but still, they weren’t terrible.
However, we appreciated that they had an inclusive menu consisting of options for people with different kinds of diets and restrictions.
Ambience-wise, the cafe featured a nice and creative interior decor for their ground and second floor. The first floor was more like a classy restaurant while the second floor was more of a quaint and dreamy cafe.
If we were to give our two cents about things that they could improve upon, it would be their service. We felt that the waiting time for our orders was a bit too long but it wasn’t to the point where we grew impatient.
Pros
- Well-made coffee drinks
- Inclusive menu
- Cool interior decor
Cons
- Slightly slow service
- Some items are pricey
Customer Reviews
Dine in | Lunch | RM 60–80
“Generally their staffs are professional, quick on their actions and polite….customer oriented.
Their food taste is generally good… It is quite authentic. Their Alfredo spaghetti is very tasty.
It is not uncommon to find their tables are fully reserved during dinner time.
Area for Improvement – If they want to bring customer service satisfaction to the next higher level, I have two suggestions:
(1). Please consider increasing the spaces between tables especially since we are still living with Covid-19, Influenza, etc. The tables are just too near and many cafes or restaurants have sufficient spacing.
(2). Please consider having customers dine outside when they bring their beloved pets along. There are 1 or 2 tables just right outside.
Disclaimer: I am a pet lover and I used to have many. My wife is allergic to animal furs. I saw the customer’s dog sitting on the sofa. Operating as a restaurant, need to cater for general practice.” —Derrick Yeoh, Google Reviews
A good place to enjoy French dining
“This is one of the few places in Penang where you can enjoy good French dining. I came here with my missus recently to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and here is my two cents’ worth for this restaurant:
Food: Great – It has most of the usual stuff that is associated with French cuisine (e.g. Fois Gras and Escargots) and more.
Ambience: Slightly on the noisy side. Was expecting a more romantic setup with jazz music in the background, but the music turned out to be louder than I expected. Tables are also placed close to one another (presumably due to its relatively small space), therefore one can easily overhear the next table’s conversations.
Verdict: Worth checking out (at least for the food), esp. if you love French cuisine. But overall, the setup seems to be more suitable for group gatherings as compared to a couple’s date night.”—ekeat79, Tripadvisor
5. Holy Guacamole – Love Lane
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Value for money | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Serving size | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Hygiene | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Washroom | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Overall cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Interior decor | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Another gem located in Love Lane is this Mexican place called Holy Guacamole. This place offers a wide variety of beloved Mexican dishes from tacos to burritos and more.
Right off the bat, we already knew that we were in for a party right as we entered the restaurant, and we were right!
We found out that aside from being a restaurant, Holy Guacamole is also a great bar. It’s perfect for a night out with friends.
Going back to its offerings, we can say with confidence that this is the best Mexican joint in George Town. Our team’s order consisted of nachos, tacos, quesadillas and chicken fajitas, and all of them tasted amazing.
Ambience-wise, the best word we could use to describe the place is festive. The walls were filled with vibrant paintings, the live music was upbeat and the seats themselves were even colourful!
If we were to nitpick the bad thing about this place, it would be the crowdedness. Although this is good for their business, it can be a bit too rowdy, especially at night.
This can be frustrating for those who are just trying to enjoy a taste of some authentic Mexican dishes. So, keep this in mind when you’re planning to visit Holy Guacamole!
Pros
- Wide variety of authentic Mexican food
- Affordable prices
- Festive interior decor
- Live music
Cons
- Crowd can be a bit too rowdy at night
Customer Reviews
Outstanding customer service
“Stop searching for Mexican and just come here already! We’re from Texas and New Mexico and can say this is the best Mexican food we’ve had in SE Asia. We had fajitas and margaritas and both were delightful.
Additionally, the customer service is outstanding, our table wobbled and we lost some of our drinks, they immediately came out and topped off our Margs!” —Jed I, Google Reviews
Dinner for two
“Really great experience, great cocktails and food, would defo go back for more, good music and good atmosphere, got a beer bucket to start and then enchiladas and tacos, while my partner got enchiladas and fries, could fault it. Finished with caramel churros and was defo worth it. All came under 300rm with a cocktail each as well and service and tax included. Will defo go back)” —newshyboy, Tripadvisor
6. Kebaya Dining Room
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Value for money | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Serving size | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Hygiene | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Washroom | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Overall cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior decor | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Nestled inside the Seven Terraces Hotel in Penang is a nice restaurant called Kebaya Dining Room. It serves a fusion of various Asian cuisines such as Chinese and Indonesian, and we had the pleasure of trying them for ourselves.
From the get-go, we immediately saw how classy and exclusive this restaurant felt. From mosaic tiles to huge draping curtains and antique furniture, this place screams tasteful style, and we were all for it!
Their menu was filled with tantalising dishes so we asked their friendly staff which one they recommend the most. We trusted them with our order so we eventually got the tamarind-glazed beef.
Fortunately, the waiter didn’t disappoint us, as this dish was indeed splendid. It was made with the most tender Australian grass-fed beef that was flavoured by this special tamarind sauce, and we couldn’t get enough of it.
One of the things we didn’t like about the place, however, was that some dishes had small portions. This was something that we always notice with most fancy restaurants, as they sometimes prioritise presentation over serving size.
Regardless, we had a nice and pleasant time dining here at Kebaya Dining Room. We loved their dishes and the overall experience of eating in a place like this.
Pros
- Wide variety of Asian fusion dishes
- Classy interior decor
- Friendly staff
- Clean premises
Cons
- Inconsistent serving sizes
- Some items are pricey
Customer Reviews
Really fine Straits Chinese dinner
“We were lucky enough to get a table. The ambience, the service the subtle live Chinese classical music, and most of all the food made it a remarkable meal. Go, go, go if you can afford about 350 ringgit for a three-course special meal for two.
If you can’t try the two-course meal but you will be missing something special. If that’s still above your limit then try Kesum Art Restaurant nearby. Malaysian home cooking.”—Really fine Straits Chinese dinner, Tripadvisor
Dinner for 2 in Penang
“Ate here last evening & felt compelled to leave a review as we had a truly excellent meal. My husband ordered the fragrant prawn curry which I thought would be a bit dull but it was delicious and scored 11 out of 10! I had the beef with tamarind which was also good and the starters and desserts we chose were beautifully cooked and presented as well but the prawn curry was the outright winner – you need to try it!” —516tsn, Tripadvisor
7. Laksalicious
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Value for money | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Serving size | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Hygiene | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Washroom | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Overall cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Interior decor | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
Laksa is another dish that’s considered a specialty in Penang, and for us, the best place to try it is in Laksalicious in George Town. This establishment is a local favourite because it’s believed to offer the best version of this local dish.
When we first heard of this claim, we immediately visited the restaurant to check and see what the fuss was all about. Now years later, we still believe that all the hype and claims were real.
First of all, they offered a variety of this dish, all of which smelled and looked appetising. We ended up ordering the asam laksa, which had the perfect balance between sweet, sour and spicy.
Secondly, it’s worth noting that the prices here are highly affordable! You’d think that a dish of this quality would cost more but here, it’s made more accessible thanks to its cheap price.
Also, we wanted to highlight the customer service not only of the staff but the owner itself as well. They were all friendly and patient with all our questions, which led us to have a more comfortable and satisfying dining experience.
As for its downsides, the only thing that caught our attention was the slightly slow service, which can be attributed to the crowdedness of the place. This can be frustrating for some, especially when you consider that the place is a local attraction that’s almost always packed.
Pros
- Variety of delicious laksa
- Friendly owner and staff
- Affordable prices
Cons
- Almost always crowded leading to slightly slower service
Customer Reviews
Dine in | Lunch | RM 20–40
“For those who are looking for a comfortable restaurant with air conditioning, this is the right place.
The overall food quality is delicious and good presentation!! The price is reasonable ( slightly above average). Service is friendly and honest with their suggestions. Highly recommended!”—Bobo, Google Reviews
Best Laksa, great attention
“We enjoyed some wonderfully tasty Laksa dishes surrounded by peaceful music. The owner was extremely caring, offering my niece, who was not feeling well, a healing ginger tea that certainly helped her recover. Good memories from a place I would strongly recommend to visit!”—jccpantojo, Tripadvisor
8. Teksen Restaurant
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Value for money | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Serving size | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Hygiene | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Washroom | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Overall cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★☆☆ (3/5) |
| Interior decor | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
If you’re looking for a more affordable kind of restaurant but don’t cut corners on its quality, look no further than Teksen Restaurant. This establishment serves Malay and Chinese dishes at an affordable price, and we’re big fans of this combination!
One of the things that we immediately noticed was how aromatic the place was. This led our mouths to start watering before we even got to sit down at one of their simple red chairs.
The menu was quite varied and we eventually ended up with two dishes: the signature tofu and sweet and sour pork. Both were quite tasty and flavourful, which surprised us, knowing how little they cost compared to what other restaurants charge.
As for its interior, it doesn’t offer anything fancy. Instead, it keeps everything simple, from the tables to the chairs, wall decors and more.
Depending on your preference, this can either be a good or a bad thing. Personally, we’re fans of this type of eateries, as long as comfort isn’t compromised.
Instead of air conditioning, the restaurant features numerous fans and an open layout to keep the place well-ventilated. Even then, we do want to give a heads-up that you may break a sweat during your time here, but it’s all part of the experience!
Another thing we want to give you a heads up on is the establishment’s slightly slow service. This could be attributed to the place’s crowdedness during our visit but we felt that it was worth mentioning.
Pros
- Cheap menu
- Fairly varied menu consisting of Malay and Chinese dishes
Cons
- Lack of air conditioning
- Slightly slow service
Customer Reviews
A very popular ‘must’ for great Chinese food. Worth the wait.
“A favourite of ours in Georgetown. Fantastic Chinese food, at very affordable prices, with dishes that we don’t see in restaurants here (Australia). The menu has a lot of options, with much to explore. The restaurant is full of local diners as well as visitors who are prepared to queue up for up to an hour to get seated. Service is super-efficient and the restaurant buzzes with happy customers.
A tip – get there by at least 5.15 to be towards the head of the queue. Menus are available at the entrance to the restaurant which gives time to narrow down the choices of what to order on your first visit, and what to try out the next time…… and the next time.” —ehles, Tripadvisor
We keep on coming back here!
“The first night we’re in Penang we walked by and saw the full house, plus ppl are lined up waiting to get in. So we decided to try it the next day. And we did for the next 3 days! The food is tasty and delicious. Many locals, as well as people from all over the world, were eating here. Very impressed.” —cd0880, Tripadvisor
9. Cafe Lagenda
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Value for money | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Serving size | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Hygiene | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Washroom | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Overall cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Interior decor | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
Another cafe-slash-restaurant in George Town that we highly recommend is Cafe Lagenda. At first glance, it may look like your typical coffee shop, but upon entering, you’ll immediately realise that it’s more of a fully-fledged restaurant.
To start, we had the great decision to order their calamari. We say that it’s a great decision because it was delicious, and we felt that the squid used in making this finger food was fresh from the sea.
For our mains, we ordered the beef rendang since we were hearing a lot of good words about it prior to our visit here. Fortunately, we gave in to the hype as this is the most highlight-worthy dish from their menu, in our opinion.
This dish gave off a strong flavour, and we mean that in a good way. It came with this gravy-like sauce that had the perfect blend between sweet and spicy and was the perfect accompaniment to the tender beef chunks of the rendang.
As for its downsides, we didn’t like how the tables were laid out, as we felt that they were too close to one another. Furthermore, the place is packed during peak times which makes the premises feel more cramped.
Pros
- Affordable local dishes
- Delicious and authentic Malay cuisine
- Reasonable prices
Cons
- Tables are placed a bit too close to each other
- Crowded during peak times
Customer Reviews
Prices are affordable
“Great ambience! cozy atmosphere entertaining legend songs from albums/movies of belated legendary artist P Ramlee. Foods are tasty and unique as their legendary menu name too! Prices are affordable and reasonable. Good service. Highly recommended” —Vaneeda V, Google Reviews
Nice surprise!
“We used to ignore this restaurant because normally we rely on the food stalls of Carnarvon Street. But it was Monday and the stalls were closed. So we ended up in front of Lagenda.
We started with an extremely refreshing Lime & Soursack Juice. As for our main courses, we had a very nice beef rendang and fish & chips, both excellent. We returned twice and it was always a very satisfying experience.” —schaudernagert, Tripadvisor
10. Il Bacaro
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Value for money | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Serving size | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Hygiene | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Washroom | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Overall cleanliness | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Interior decor | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
There’s this great Italian place we absolutely loved that’s called Il Bacaro – and it’s right at the heart of Penang. It’s located in the Campbell House, and it’s one that you shouldn’t miss out on if you’re in the area!
Going in, we didn’t expect much as we always think that restaurants outside of Italy couldn’t really capture that cuisine’s authenticity. However, as soon as we got a whiff of what they were preparing in the kitchen, our tummies as well as our appetites got excited.
Il Bacaro features a wide variety of Italian dishes from pizza to pasta and more. Honestly, it was a bit overwhelming but we had to go with the classic Margherita pizza.
There are a few things that we want to highlight from this specific pizza, and one of those is its texture. We thought that it featured the perfect burnt texture that we’re looking for in our pizza, especially for thin crust variations.
Secondly, we immediately tasted the freshness of their ingredients, from the tomato sauce to the mozzarella cheese and basil leaves.
Aside from the pizza, we also treated ourselves to their Il Bacaro Antipasto, which was a platter of cold cuts and different kinds of cheese. We enjoyed this dish, as it was pretty easy to munch on.
The only downside we could think of is the pricey menu. However, this was to be expected since it’s located in the Campbell House, a well-known hotel in George Town.
Pros
- Authentic Italian cuisine
- Aromatic premises
- Friendly staff
Cons
- Pricey menu
Customer Reviews
Best Pizza We Have Ever Had
“By far the best Pizza we ever had. I never thought that by going to Penang Malaysia we would find good pizza but they far exceeded our expectations. We got the Inferno Nero Pizza, the flavours were incredible and the crust was cooked perfectly. We highly recommend going to Il Bacaro. You will not be disappointed. Also, be sure to try the Mango Tango Mocktail!”—shannonxaaron, Tripadvisor
Again Il Bacaro, Again the High Standard
“We most strongly recommend everyone to look at the daily specials; these dishes are special because the particular ingredients are in season or immediately available (like burrata), or because the chef takes a fancy to a flavour combination worth sharing.
You will not be disappointed to move above and beyond the common expectation of Italian food. The two of us shared an appetizer of small, stewed calamari with peas, followed by burrata with tempura vegetables, and pumpkin risotto with bacon, duck and – gorgonzola. These flavour combinations satisfy the tastebuds and will leave you quite full.
Il Bacaro has a great wine selection (in the company of four persons or more do begin with their proseccos), and their house wines by the glass are first rate.
The last year and more have worn down everyone and with a return to normal life so do we return to Il Bacaro as weekly regulars to leave plates empty, bellies full.” —ScottLoar, Tripadvisor
11. Junk Cafe
| Criteria | Ratings |
| Menu | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Value for money | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Serving size | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Taste | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Hygiene | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Washroom | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Overall cleanliness | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Ambience | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Comfortability | ★★★★☆ (4/5) |
| Interior decor | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
| Customer service | ★★★★★ (5/5) |
A famous hangout place situated in George Town is this cafe-cum-bar called Junk Cafe. Contrary to its name, we think this place is a gem because of its delicious offerings and lively vibe.
One of our favourite items from their menu is the “Full of Junk” burger. This thick and juicy burger consisted of a grass-fed Australian beef patty, melted cheddar cheese, some grilled onions and sauteed mushrooms.
We also liked how the prices of their offerings weren’t too high. They were above average but everything was reasonable based on the quality and quantity of what eventually arrived at our table.
As for the place itself, it’s kind of a mixed bag. We loved the vibe and the overall lively ambience of the place, but at the same time, we didn’t like how limited the seating options were.
It is worth noting, however, that it featured a charming interior design that played along modern and vintage. For us, this definitely amped up the dining experience at Junk Cafe.
All in all, we enjoyed our experience here, as it treated us to the best burgers in town. And with its friendly atmosphere, it also led us to meet some new friends along the way!
Pros
- Amazing burger
- Reasonable prices
- Cool vibes
Cons
- Limited seating options
- Slightly cramped spaces
Customer Reviews
Juicy burger
“Great burgers and drinks! The decor inside and out is very unique and fun! We had the beef burger and fish burger. Both were delicious. We were a bit disappointed because we wanted to order one of the extra sauces to put on top of one of our burgers and we were going to pay extra for it and the chef wouldn’t give us the sauce because it was extra labour!
We were so confused because we were willing to pay extra for the sauce for him to make it and he wouldn’t. So then we got another sauce that he was willing to give us but he wouldn’t put it on the burger for us! I don’t understand, why are you paying extra if the chef doesn’t want to do the labour.
Anyways, it’s still a great restaurant if you are looking for a juicy burger.” —Sasha Ludavicius, Google Reviews
Cool atmosphere
“We enjoyed the lighting, decorations and layout of the bar. The drinks were good and served in fun containers, too. The bartender was friendly and attentive and we liked his flourishes when making the drinks. Great music playlist to get our feet tapping as we chatted and waited for the food. Food was nice, especially the sweet potato fries!” —N5076AHisabels, Tripadvisor