Cover The multi-use space of Hin Bus Depot, housing Tatler Dining favourites such as Restaurant au Jardin, Backdoor Bodega, and Good Friends Club (Image: Hin Bus Depot)
The multi-use space of Hin Bus Depot, housing Tatler Dining favourites such as Restaurant au Jardin, Backdoor Bodega, and Good Friends Club (Image: Hin Bus Depot)
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Whether you’re a local looking to explore, or you’re trying to make use of a long weekend, here’s some suggestions on what to eat, drink, and do in Penang
The fierce nature of Penang’s strong heritage makes it always lovely to come back to, and refreshing to see. Known for its bold flavours and iconic food scene, a trip to Penang is incomplete without hitting your favourite spots for char kuey teow, nasi kandar, and assam laksa, just to name a few.
The evolving dining scene of Penang has resulted in many must-try spots that are outside of your usual hawker stalls, along with an incredible string of cocktail bars. On a recent trip, we managed to squeeze in a few of our past favourites and try out some new ones.
In between looking for your next meal, and trying to walk off your previous one, Penang is also filled with many spots to have a fun excursion, with this list barely scratching the surface. Brimming with incredible history between its walls, Penang offers something for every type of traveller, whether it’s for your palate, your mind, or your eyes.
Explore more: Penang holds a unique position within Malaysia’s dining landscape
Mojo Jojo
The entrance of Mojo Jojo, a sneak peek into their eclectic yet minimalistic vibe, from day to night
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An incredibly beautiful interior that transforms from a bright daytime brunch and coffee bar spot to a cosy wine bar and romantic dinner spot in the evening is the tip of the iceberg for Mojo Jojo’s offerings.
The culinary gem tucked within Lyf Hotel is helmed by chef Wagyu Tan, formerly of another Tatler Dining favourite of Communal Table by Gen, and Villains on the Andaman.
Local flavours take precedence on the menu here, with a couple highlights, including a Smoked Fish Congee with Nasi Lemak Condiments, a risotto-like take on the nasi lemak, with morsels of smoked fish, and scattered atop with some chives, roasted peanuts, and fried baby anchovies. The rice, cooked with coconut milk, brings a creamy and sweet flavour to the base, and the toppings give the hit of nostalgic flavour that you can’t seem to get enough of. Other favourites include their Duck Frites, and Smoked Fish Rilette with Baguette Chips.
If a full meal is not what you’re looking for, try out their incredible range of house blends and single-origin options, complementing a wide range of pastries.
Mojo Jojo, 2A-01, Jln Penang, George Town, 10000 George Town, @mojojojo.pg
Hin Bus Depot
Above The multi-use space of Hin Bus Depot
Above The multi-use space of Hin Bus Depot
The multi-use space of Hin Bus Depot
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Built in 1947 with a distinct art deco style, Hin Bus Depot packs a punch in its offerings. Housing our recent Tatler Best awardees like Restaurant au Jardin (which bagged Restaurant of the Year), Backdoor Bodega, and Good Friends Club, you’re not going to miss out on excellent gastronomy in this eclectic corner of town.
Housing not only incredible food, it is also an art space where you can find live performances, art exhibitions, and many local businesses showing off their handmade products.
Hin Bus Depot, 31A, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, @hinbusdepot
Find out more: 5 places to dine in Penang, according to Koh Yung Shen of Backdoor Bodega
Straits and Oriental Museum
A small entrance fee is worth the price, with delicate ornamental pieces all around the museum
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An incredible array of porcelain and ceramics that tell the story of time, the Straits and Oriental Museum showcases valuable artefacts mainly recovered from shipwrecks.
A cultural centre, this museum not only houses their permanent collections of porcelains and ceramics, but also an ever changing collection of artwork on the second floor of the building. Beautifully aerated and bright, find rooms that brim with nostalgia and history, and another with ingenious art work.
Intricately painted pieces line the walls of the heritage building, and if you come at the right time, make sure you don’t miss the educational tour by Gerald, who guides you through the museum with invaluable anecdotes about each piece. His contagious enthusiasm easily creates one of the more special ways to spend an afternoon in Penang.
Straits Oriental Museum, 20, Stewart Ln, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, +6012 208 0566
Ome by Spacebar Coffee
A lush and verdant space tucked inside an assuming alley sits Ome by Spacebar Coffee, with the entrance covered in beautiful greenery to welcome you into their fairytale coffee shop.
With a narrow entry, guests are delighted with scents of coffee beans roasted across Malaysia. An extensive pourover menu awaits, with a great selection of pastries to pair. Lining the walls are books available to read whilst you enjoy your coffee, including favourite culinary magazines such as Noble Rot, amongst others.
Ome by Spacebar Coffee, 1, Lorong Toh Aka, George Town, 10100 George Town, +6019 690 8259
NEP!
Grab a seat by the window to catch a breeze and people watch
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Small but mighty, NEP! is a hole-in-the-wall wine bar that boasts a great wine list and small plates. An eclectic yet intimate space, this narrow wine bar allows for engaging interactions with the team, and makes for a memorable dining experience.
NEP! is helmed by Goh Chia Yee and Koh Yee Ming, from Kedah and Taiping respectively after working in Singaporea’s Artichoke previously. The duo wanted to bring the ubiquitous wine bar-small plates combo into Penang, enhanced within a local context.
NEP!, 157, Lebuh Campbell, George Town, 10200 George Town, +6017 520 1573
Find out more: Wine bar Nep boasts punchy sharing plates in the heart of Penang
ae coffee
A strong player within the coffee scene in Penang, ae coffee is the bright, airy kid on the block that you want to be seen at. Occasionally hosting coffee omakase sessions with international pals, turning into a groovy wine bar in the evening, or just a chill spot to pass time during your weekends, quality is at the heart of everything they do.
Not only does the smell of great coffee lines the airways here, their pastry selection is hard to beat. Supplied by Rustique Bakehouse, a small microbakery with a great array of breads and viennoisserie, you’re sure to find something to munch alongside your coffee or tea.
ae coffee, 11, Lebuh Clarke, George Town, 10050 George Town, @aecoffeepg
Carnarvon Street
Soft, fluffy apom
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We tend to stray away from Penang’s touristy areas when it comes to eateries, but Carnarvon is home to some undeniably delicious munch. Just a little further up from the notoriously long queue of Tek Sen restaurant sits a long array of street food vendors.
Known mostly for their wantan mee at the start of the street, there are a few other gems here to give a chance. Their lobak is juicy and perfectly crisp, certainly packing in flavour, and another favourite is the apom, handmade one by one, and to order, with fluidity in movement that signifies years of experience, much like rings on a tree.
Lebuh Carnarvon, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Tanjong Town Books
Tanjong Town Bookstore
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Off a busy street, find Tanjong Town Bookstore, the charming vintage haven for all the bookworms and nostalgia seekers alike. The shelves exhale the scent of old paper and a curated collection of rare finds in various genres. From classic literature to forgotten local gems, all of the books in this store tell a story beyond its pages.
Tanjong Town Books, 33, Lebuh Clarke, George Town, 10050 George Town, +6016 743 0316
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Keandra's expertise lies within writing deep dives into the culture and anthropology of food, sometimes with a philosophical twist. With a background in London's F&B consultancy scene, she's excited to be back in Kuala Lumpur to champion the local dining scene.
Reach her at keandra.hing@tatlerasia.com, @keandruh
