Things to do in Peninsular Malaysia – West Coast
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Capitol Satay
Famous for its satay celup (a Melaka adaptation of satay steamboat), this place is usually packed to the gills and is one of the cheapest outfits in town. Stainless-steel tables have bubbling vats of soup in the middle where you dunk skewers of okra stuffed with tofu, sausages, chicken, prawns and bok choy.
reviewed
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Ecco Cafe
We’d normally be wary of a place selling pizza in the heart of backpacker land, but Ecco shows up our prejudice for the small-mindedness it is. Equally popular with hip locals and travellers, there is some damn fine thin-crust European-style pizza on offer in a cosy space that’s as contemporary as it is intimate.
reviewed
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Khoo Kongsi
The kongsi, or clanhouse, is a major node of overseas Chinese communities. Clanhouses and assembly halls are both the civic and religious backbone for many overseas Chinese, and the most impressive one in Penang is the Khoo clanhouse, or Khoo Kongsi, also known as Dragon Mountain Hall.
reviewed
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Kantan
Supposedly the country’s largest restaurant built in traditional Malay style, Kantan looks like a kampung house on steroids. Inside, the menu focuses on upscale executions of traditional Malay food like rendang, fish cooked in coconut milk and such, but the spice is very much toned down for foreigners.
reviewed
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Ping Anchorage
Ping Anchorage runs several tours, including the four-hour Hill and Temple tour, which visits Penang Hill and the Kek Lok Si Temple, round-island tours and trips to Penang National Park. Tours cost between RM88 and RM129 (cheaper for groups of three or more), including pick-up from your hotel.
reviewed
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Kaliammans
Smart, air-con restaurant serving North and South Indian cuisine, as well as Western food such as pizza. It's regarded as one of the better Indian budget places in town. The best value is the tasty banana-leaf set meals, but the garlic naan with palak paneer (spinach and cottage cheese) is to die for.
reviewed
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Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple
Right next to the Penang Bird Park is Arulmigu Karumariamman Temple, a South Indian Hindu temple with the largest and tallest (22m) rajagopuram (main temple tower) in Malaysia. The entrance to the rajagopuram is also the largest in the country at nearly 6.5m. The temple was completed in 1997.
reviewed
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Opera
Cool jazz murmuring in the background, Oriental artworks and crisp linen tablecloths provide a chic atmosphere for some interesting Western and Asian dishes, including ‘hazelnut fish and chips’ and stir-fried ostrich. The space also doubles as a lifestyle/design store, in case the ostrich wasn’t posh enough.
reviewed
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St Peter’s Church
The oldest functioning Catholic church in Malaysia, St Peter’s Church was built in 1710 by descendants of early Portuguese settlers. On Good Friday the church comes alive when the Melakans flock here, many of them making it the occasion for a trip home from far-flung parts of the country.
reviewed
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Alpha Utara Gallery
Housed in an attractively renovated traditional townhouse, Alpha Utara Gallery is an exhibition space for paintings by contemporary local artists, based around the works of Penang-born artist Khoo Sui Hoe. There are temporary exhibitions spread over two floors, and a bookshop downstairs.
reviewed
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Limau-Limau Café
Decorated with dark coloured ceramics and an arty twist, this quiet café extends through several rooms and a pleasant interior courtyard. Take a seat for salads, sandwiches, fruit juices, milk shakes or internet access. Its second location on Jln Hang Jebat has similar décor and the same menu.
reviewed
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Restoran Sup Hameed
With sprawling tables well beyond the actual restaurant like a trail of busy, dining ants down the sidewalk this ultrapopular smorgasbord at the north end of Jln Penang has everything from spicy sup (soup!) and nasi kandar to roti canai. Curried squid is the house speciality.
reviewed
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Langkawi Crocodile Farm
On the way to Teluk Datai is Langkawi Crocodile Farm. If you’re not a kid or sympathetic to reptiles you may enjoy the twice-daily ‘stunt’ shows and hourly feedings, but the small, dirty pools and the fact that many of the farm’s residents are turned into meat is a turn-off for many.
reviewed
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Bagan Lounge
A restaurant, as well as a bar, this cosy, secluded place is popular with hip under-thirties and expats. There's a sultry jazz diva who enhances the décor of cooshy couches, giant mirrors, fairy lights and ceiling fans. This is also a great place for a romantic dinner. Gay and lesbian friendly.
reviewed
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Nattukotai Chettiar Temple
The Nattukotai Chettiar Temple is the largest Hindu temple in Penang and is dedicated to Bala Subramaniam. Nearby, further along Waterfall Rd, on the left side, is a gate leading up to the Waterfall Hilltop Temple, the destination of the Thaipusam procession from Little India's Sri Mariamman Temple.
reviewed
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Kompleks Kraf Langkawi
The Kompleks Kraf Langkawi is an enormous handicrafts centre where you can watch demonstrations of traditional crafts and buy any traditional Malaysian product or craft you can imagine. There are also a couple of on-site exhibitions devoted to local legends and wedding ceremonies.
reviewed
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FMS Bar
This Ipoh institution was closed for renovation during our visit. Hopefully open by the time you read this, the Federated Malay States bar has been going since 1906, and was the favoured haunt of colonial planters and miners. It still attracts a gaggle of colourful local characters and expats.
reviewed
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Pulau Payar Marine Park Snorkeling Tour from Penang
8 hours (Departs Penang, Malaysia)
by Viator
lt;pgt;Explore the colorful underwater world of the Pulau Payar Marine Park on this great day trip from Penang.lt;/pgt;lt;pgt;Travel by ferry to Pulau Payar,…Not LP reviewed
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Xin Quan Fang
You better come early (seriously, like 7:15am) for the curry noodles and the pork and bean sprouts. Those two dishes, by the way, are pretty much all Xin Quan Fang churns out, but ohmygod are they good, as testified to by the lines that stretch around the block for this family-run favourite.
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Hoe Kee Chicken Rice
Serving the local speciality of chicken rice ball and Assam fish head (fish heads in a spicy tamarind gravy), you’ll need to arrive outside of peak time or expect to wait for a table. The restaurant’s setting, with wood floors and ceiling fans, seems to further bring out the exotic flavours.
reviewed
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Bukit Jambul Country Club
The island’s premier golf course is located at Bukit Jambul Country Club near the airport. Golf Malaysia magazine rated it the second most beautiful course in Malaysia; the stunning and very challenging 18 holes were carved straight out of the rocky jungle terrain.
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Funny Mountain Soya Bean
Besides having one of the best business names in Malaysia, Funny Mountain is immensely popular for its one dish: soya bean and bean curd pudding. This is a millennia-old Chinese recipe brought to Ipoh direct from the Middle Kingdom; the curd is both delicious and a piece of Asian history.
reviewed
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Teochew Temple
The Teochew Temple is a peaceful refuge. Browse the diorama explaining the impressive restoration of this 1870 building that was built by Penang's Teochew (Chaozhou) community, which orginated from southern China. Ask the attendant if any Teochew opera or music performances are scheduled.
reviewed
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Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve
As you descend towards the north coast you’ll pass the new dam and come upon the Teluk Bahang Forest Reserve. Several kilometres south of Teluk Bahang, it has gentle trails through the jungle, a few waterfall pools and a small, specialist Forestry Museum.
reviewed
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Club Momo
This place has a Middle Eastern and Mediterranean theme going, complete with a Harem Club with sofas and Moroccan tents. There's a special dance floor and alcoves for VIPs, live music and theme-music nights. On Wednesday women get in free. Alfresco Asian-fusion dining is on a leafy patio.
reviewed