Many people consider George Town to be the street-food capital of Southeast Asia. Certainly, a visit to its hawker stalls, or open-air food courts, where dozens of different stands cook up local dishes such as oyster omelettes, fried crabs and spring rolls, is an essential experience for any visitor to Penang. Most are open only at night. If you’re feeling mildly adventurous, try the Red Garden food court at 20 Leith Street, which is open from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. Otherwise, here is a selection of my favorite George Town restaurants.
The elegant restaurant at the Seven Terraces hotel specializes in Peranakan cooking, including dishes such as minced chicken with herbs wrapped in lettuce, grilled snapper, and pandan-leaf crème brûlée. Excellent wine list and very good service. Dinner only. Reservations essential.
Stewart Lane. Tel. (60) 4-264-2333.
This stylish café is a good place for a fast, casual meal. Excellent breakfasts, afternoon high tea, and dishes such as homemade lamb sausage with couscous and warm feta-cheese dressing, and steamed apple-and-macadamia-nut pudding.
153-155 Beach Street. Tel. (60) 4-263-7299.
This busy restaurant is widely considered to have the best Chinese kitchen in George Town. Try dishes such as stir-fried shio bak (roasted pork belly), chicken with turmeric and chiles, and braised duck with oysters. Cash only.
18 Lebuh Carnarvon. Tel. (60) 12-981-5117.
Run by the owners of the Seven Terraces hotel, this casual all-day restaurant serves an eclectic menu that runs from ciabatta chicken to Asian dishes such as Malay rice salad with spiced fried chicken. Don’t miss the caramelized banana fritters.
Muntri Mews, 77 Muntri Street. Tel. (60) 4-263-5125.
This elegant colonial house was built on a pepper plantation that was once owned by Captain Francis Light, the founder of George Town. It’s a stylish and relaxing place for dinner, with a mostly Western menu that runs to dish such as truffled chicken terrine, and smoked salmon fillet with horseradish and tomato chutney.
250 Jalan Air Itam. Tel. (60) 4-228-3930.
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