George Town, Penang: What to do, see and eat on a short getaway

Afterwards, walk five minutes over to Belachan Tapas Bar, which offers modern Malaysian fare with a fusion twist: think otak-otak penne, a deconstructed beef rendang and for a serious (and delicious) curveball, pickle fries. Don’t skip on the cocktails either, which incorporate local flavours and spirits, such as pandan, chilli, lime and Sarawak wine.

Belachan Tapas Bar
473, Chulia Street, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

If you’ve got energy for one more spot, end the night at Kool Kongsi Listening Bar, located another five-minute walk away in the Hotel Mokozoya. With a great menu of classic cocktails—think negroni and old-fashioned—as well as a tasty selection of bar snacks, this is a cosy and cool spot to unwind with DJs spinning great vinyl tracks in the background.

Kool Kongsi Listening Bar
Level L, 61, Jalan Argyll, George Town, 10050 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

If you’re still feeling inspired by the beauty of the Blue Mansion from the previous night, it’s worth visiting the Pinang Perankan Mansion—a museum and time capsule on Church Street dedicated to the city’s Peranakan heritage—which is decked out with vintage furniture and Victorian-era furnishings that you can experience up close.

Pinang Peranakan Mansion
29, Church Street, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

If you’d prefer an outdoorsy activity, take a walk around Fort Cornwallis (note: go before or after midday as there isn’t much shade) and wander over to the Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower to check out some British colonial history and architecture. Stop by the Sri Weld Food Court for a classic nasi lemak for lunch—go before 2pm as most stalls will have closed by then.

Fort Cornwallis
Jalan Tun Syed Sheh Barakbah, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Queen Victoria Memorial Clock Tower
Lebuh Light, George Town, 10450 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Sri Weld Food Court
Beach Street, George Town, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Those who fancy an afternoon coffee and sweet treat shouldn’t miss a trip to Slow Coffee Person Coffee Bar, which is small in size but mighty in its brews and snacks. The menu includes excellent classic coffees such as flat whites and cold brews, but it’s the desserts that take the cake with canelés, madeleines, carrot cake and sumptuous chocolate ganache tarts on offer. Spend the rest of the afternoon walking around the surrounding area, nicknamed Little India, and admire the scenes of Church Street, Bishop Street, King Street and Queen Street with its unique blend of culture and design. 

Slow Coffee Person Coffee Bar
37, Church Street, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Head over to Irama Dining for dinner, a halal restaurant that serves the best of Malaysian cuisine with dishes including various spicy sambals served with fresh vegetables to dip with, chicken grilled in pandan leaves, lamb shank curry and many other flavoursome offerings. Note that they do not serve alcohol, but offer a creative selection of mocktails incorporating tropical fruits and colourful teas. The restaurant is inside an old building, with a verandah overlooking trees and parks. 

Irama Dining
2nd Floor, 2, Penang Street, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

End the day with a refreshing nightcap at the elegant Eastern & Oriental Hotel—a luxury hotel established in 1885. The martini is ice cold, the views of the ocean (even at night) are soothing and the chic atmosphere of this heritage site makes for a relaxing evening.

Eastern & Oriental Hotel
10, Lebuh Farquhar, George Town, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

The Penang Botanic Gardens are vast and sprawling, showcasing local flora (and fauna—keep in mind that monkeys roam the gardens freely) with towering trees, lotus ponds and even waterfalls. You can do a loop of the entire park or wander around the greenhouses and pagodas as you please.

Penang Botanic Gardens
Kompleks Pentadbiran, Bangunan Pavilion, Jalan Kebun Bunga, 10350 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Head into town to grab lunch from one of the stalls at the Hin Bus Depot which transforms into a market over the weekend. Eat local fare from independent eateries, and shop from small businesses offering handmade cookware, jewellery and more.

Hin Bus Depot
31A, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

For a standout dining experience that will make for a memorable final meal in Penang, make a reservation at Communal Table by gēn 根. The long dining table looks right into the kitchen, so you can watch the skilled chefs prepare modern Malaysian dishes such as prawn toast, winged bean salad with whipped tofu, century egg fried rice and Bidor duck (a style of cooking inspired by a Malaysian region) served two ways. The service, the attention to detail, the complementing beverages and the overall experience are worth coming back to Penang for. 

Communal Table by gēn 根
68, Lebuh Presgrave, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia

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