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What to do in Penang: Places & Food Guide
Penang is in the north of Peninsular Malaysia. The state is made up of a mainland section and an island, and it’s the second smallest state after Perlis. It isn’t as popular as Kuala Lumpur, but it still gets plenty of local and international visitors.
I’d heard a lot about the food, culture and heritage here, so I went on a short trip to Georgetown, where most of the tourist attractions are.
In this guide, I’ll cover some of the mainstream places of interest, plus the underrated activities and food spots I tried myself.
In this Guide…
Overview of Trip
Best Time to Visit
- Aim for June or July (durian season)
- Avoid September and October (heavy rainy season)
Getting Around
Recommended to take a Grab taxi around; costs about RM 6 (~S$2) for a 5-10 minute ride. Most places in Georgetown are also walkable.
Recommended Duration of Stay
4 days and 3 nights hits the sweet spot for most people. If you’d rather take things slower, 5 days gives you more breathing room without feeling like you’re stretching the trip unnecessarily.
Where to Stay
I’d recommend staying near the Penang street art area and Peranakan Mansion. It’s walkable to night markets and shopping malls, so you end up saving on transport costs.
What to Do in Penang
Watch the Sunset at Batu Ferringhi Beach
This is one of the more touristy spots in Penang, with resorts, rows of restaurants and a night market all around it. It’s also a good place to catch the sunset. Do note that it gets crowded even before the sun goes down, so arrive early to find a good photo spot.
If you get here well before sunset, there are water activities to fill the time, including parasailing, jet skiing and banana boat rides. Prices for these activities typically range from RM35 to RM400 (S$11 to S$125).
For dinner, there are plenty of restaurants nearby. It costs more than the casual restaurants in the city centre, but the sea breeze and soft music make it a pleasant place to linger over dinner. Most of the restaurants here serve Middle Eastern or Western food.
Shopping at Batu Ferringhi Night Market
After dinner, you can walk along the walkway, which is lined with street stalls selling souvenirs, bags, street food and more. Do note that there are more retail stalls than food stalls, so I’d recommend having a proper meal at a restaurant first and saving the night market for light snacks.
Opening Hours: 7PM – 12AM, daily
Kek Lok Si Temple
Kek Lok Si Temple is the largest Buddhist temple in Malaysia. I spent about 1.5 to 2 hours touring around. There are plenty of photo spots along the way, including the pagoda, the turtle pond, the garden and the Kuan Yin statue.
If you’re interested in learning about Buddhism, there are a few information signs around the grounds. Do note that it’s a self-guided experience, so it helps to read up online as you go. You can also ask the staff to teach you how to pray or write a wish for a small donation.
Opening Hours: 8.30AM – 5.30PM, daily
Hike at Penang Hill
Most people take the monorail up the hill, but hiking lets you take in the views at a slower pace and see more of the surrounding nature. It’s one of the more underrated things you can do in Penang.
The hike up takes about 3 hours. The trail is mostly stairs, with some steep slopes that run through the trees. It was tiring, but reaching the top made it rewarding.
Apart from the views, there are some food stalls at the top where you can refuel after the hike, and you can also walk around the temple and mosque. If you’re feeling tired, you can choose to buy a ticket down via the monorail or cable car. Both cost RM15 (~S$5) each for one way.
Peranakan Mansion
Like Malacca, Penang used to be a trading port. Chinese traders who settled here married local Malay women, creating a blend of both cultures known as Peranakan.
At this museum, you can join a guided tour where the guide explains the customs and lifestyle of the Baba-Nyonya community. The rooms are filled with antique furniture, which helps you picture how the community lived back then.
Tickets cost RM30 (~S$9) for adults, and the guided tour is free.
Opening Hours: 9.30AM – 5.30PM, daily
Penang Malay Gallery
This is one of the underrated museums that I think deserves more attention. It covers the part of Penang’s history that most tourists never hear about: the Malay community and the role they played in shaping the island.
The collection focuses on the period before British colonial rule and how they adapted and thrived after. The displays cover everything from early settlements and trading to traditional customs and religion. In the exhibition, you’ll see traditional Malay costumes, historical artefacts and the everyday items people actually used at home.
Admission is free, so it’s an easy way to learn something about the island’s history at no cost, even if you only have 30 minutes to spare.
Opening Hours: 9AM – 4.30PM, daily
Armenian Street Shopping & Cafe Hopping
Armenian Street is a stretch of boutique shops and cafés selling souvenirs, clothing and food. Prices aren’t cheap, and there’s definitely a markup for tourists, so I wouldn’t come here expecting bargains. That said, if you like modern, aesthetic shops, it’s a pleasant street to wander through.
Take Photos at Penang Street Art
Along the same street, you’ll find wall art that’s meant to be photographed. There are plenty of different themes, so it’s easy to take a few shots with your friends and family without them all having the same background.
Walk at Clan Jetties
The Clan Jetties are about 5 minutes away from Armenian Street. You can walk along the jetties and look out at the sea facing the mainland. Each jetty is named after a Chinese surname, such as Chew, Lim and Tan. They were built by Chinese immigrants of the same surname, who worked as dockworkers, coal hauliers and fishermen.
There are shops and cafés along the jetties. My personal favourite was the café (Syarikat Hin Claypot Coffee) that served claypot coffee, which had a strong roasted aroma and a bold taste.
Opening Hours: 9AM – 9PM, daily
Where to Eat in Penang
Tai Tong Restaurant
Dim sum restaurants are everywhere in Malaysia, but what I like about this one is its fried taro balls. They have a thin, crispy crust and are loaded with taro paste.
There are 66 dim sum items on the menu, and they also serve some Zi Char (cook and fry) dishes, so you’ll be spoilt for choice.
Opening Hours: 9.30AM – 1.30PM & 6PM – 9PM, Tuesday to Sunday; closed on Mondays
Transfer Road Roti Canai
This roadside stall has an unusual layout: the tables and benches are arranged in a row facing the road, so you eat with the street traffic in front of you.
It’s famous for its roti canai, which is thin and crispy and comes with curry poured over the top. If you’d rather keep it crisp, you can ask for the curry to be served separately.
Apart from roti canai, they also serve toast topped with soft-boiled eggs. If you’d rather avoid something oily in the morning, it makes a good light, hearty breakfast.
Opening Hours: 7AM – 12PM, daily
Chulia Street Night Market
Chulia Street turns into a night food street after sunset, lined with hawker stalls and restaurants on both sides. It gets crowded, so expect to queue for a table.
I had the Penang laksa here. The broth was a little sour, with flakes of sardine throughout. I’m not a fan, to be honest. The sourness and the sardine together taste like a strange combination to me. That said, it’s a Penang speciality, so if you’re here, it’s still the dish to try if you want to see what the hype is about. Just a heads up: if you don’t like fishy or tangy flavours, you may feel the same way I did.
Opening Hours: 4PM – 12AM, daily
Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay
This place is best known for its Nyonya kuih, but it also serves full meals like nasi lemak, laksa, curry and roti sets. It’s listed in the Michelin Guide, and after eating here I can see why.
I ordered two kuih: the Kuih Koci (glutinous rice flour with shredded coconut) and the Kueh Bengka (tapioca cakes). The kueh koci was my favourite. The pandan and coconut milk were very fragrant, and the gula melaka mixed with the shredded coconut bursts in your mouth as you bite in. It was so good that I ordered a second serving. If you only have room for one thing, make it this one. It’s a good stop if you want to try Nyonya desserts.
Opening Hours: 10AM – 5PM, daily
Cecil Street Food Court
Cecil Street Food Court is a breakfast and lunch spot, so don’t plan on coming here at night. There are plenty of stalls to choose from.
I went in wanting the duck egg char kway teow, which is a Penang speciality that’s hard to find anywhere else. The stall was closed when I got there, so do note that some stalls may not be open every day. I ended up with the white curry noodles instead. The spice level was not too strong, just the enjoyable kind that warms you up without overwhelming the bowl. It comes with pig blood cubes and tofu puffs. The pig blood cubes are not commonly seen in Singapore, so this was my first time having them in a noodle dish.
After that, I shared a plate of Pasembur (Rojak) with my friend. Our Grab driver recommended it, and when a local tells you what to eat, we figured we should try it for ourselves. I liked the prawn crackers in it, but the sauce was a little underwhelming as it was too diluted for my taste. Overall, I had a great experience here.
Opening Hours: 7.30AM – 3.30PM, daily
Penang Road Famous Cendol
Cendol is part of Nyonya food culture, so it made sense to have a bowl while I was in Penang. It was light and not too sweet.
If you’ve had the Malacca version, Penang’s cendol is different. It’s more watery and lighter in flavour. That makes it a better pick if you usually find cendol too sweet. If you like a richer, heavier bowl, you may find this one a little thin.
Opening Hours: 9AM – 6.30PM, daily
Final Thoughts
Four days was enough to cover the main sights in Georgetown. There’s no shortage of things to do, and you’ll never be stuck on what to have for your next meal. Penang suits anyone who is into food and culture, and since it’s only about an hour’s flight from Singapore, it works well as a short getaway.
If you’re into Peranakan culture, you may consider going to Malacca. Find out more about Malacca here.
FAQ
What’s so special about Penang?
Penang is known for its food. Local specialities include duck egg char kway teow, Penang laksa and Peranakan dishes, many of which are hard to find elsewhere. The island is also home to a distinct Peranakan culture, which grew out of Chinese immigrants marrying local Malay women. Much of this heritage is still preserved today through its museums and food.
Is penang a worthwhile destination to visit?
Yes, if you are into food and heritage.
What is a must buy in Penang?
Traditional mung bean biscuits (Tau Sar Piah/Tambun biscuits), Penang white coffee, local art & souvenirs
What food is Penang famous for?
Penang Laksa, white curry noodles, duck egg Char Kway Teow, Hokkien Mee (Prawn noodles), Peranakan food
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