Restaurants in Malaysia
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A
Viet Café
This clean and bright Vietnamese place serves decent pho (noodles in soup), good fresh fruit juices, and tasty fried spring rolls.
reviewed
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Little Roadhouse
Unlike much of Sibu's nightlife, which leans towards karaoke and underclad young ladies, this balcony restaurant and 'fun pub' is good for a quiet beer, wine or steak.
reviewed
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B
Donald & Lily’s
Back behind the Heeren Inn, with the staircase entrance hidden by a few hawker stalls selling cendol, this is Melaka locals’ favourite stop for the regional laksa (RM3) and Nonya cendol (RM1.20).
reviewed
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Hai Bing Seafood & Coffee Shop
Two outlets for the price of one: go cafe-style streetside or head indoors for Chinese air-con eating. The special mixed vegetables (RM2) come with added seafood and are served in a hefty doughy ‘nest’; it’s nearer a main than a side order.
reviewed
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C
Le Ark Café
Undoubtedly the trendiest spot in town, Le Ark sits along the waterfront like a beached boat, serving up a variety of cocktails to trendier types who laze on the comfy patio seating. A selection of local and international eats is available as well.
reviewed
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D
Hawaii Restaurant
There's nothing Hawaiian about this simple City View Hotel lobby restaurant except its enduring popularity. It packs in Western tourists for its value menu featuring huge Malay and Chinese dishes, while Asians gravitate towards its pricey steaks and chops.
reviewed
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E
Mythai Jim Thompson
As you’d expect for a Jim Thompson operation, the decor here is lovely, with silk cushions and other decorative items that can be purchased at the store on the gallery’s 3rd floor. The food is equally fab and includes dishes that you’d rarely find outside Thailand.
reviewed
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F
Lorong Selamat Food Stalls
This is the place to go for the city's best char kway teow, but you'll also find lip-smacking won ton mee and other Chinese Penang favourites. The setting, on a dingy lane off of one of Penang's busiest streets isn't spectacular but the locals' enthusiasm for the food here creates a lively ambiance.
reviewed
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Keng Heng Kopitiam
Keng Heng Kopitiam, a small Chinese cafe stuffed with old photos, serves locally famous nasi kandar (rice with small side curries).
reviewed
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G
Kuala Kangsar Market
Here you'll find vendors dexterously folding and stuffing slippery chee cheong fun (broad rice noodles filled with prawns or meat); watching the creation of the dish is much easier than wrestling the noodles into your mouth (good luck). Wander through the lush veggie-and-fish market to snack on fruit and Chinese baked goods.
reviewed
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H
Red Garden Food Paradise & Night Market
Groove to '80s hits in this red-themed courtyard - the chairs and tables are red and the walls are white and red. This place has yet to win over the locals, but it has an excellent location in the heart of Chinatown and has a wide selection of food including most local specialities, dim sum (for breakfast), pizza and even sushi.
Green Hut has an outlet here, selling its outrageous Australian desserts. It's not a bad choice for families looking for something low-key, and is one of the few hawker centres with plenty of parking.
reviewed
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I
Thirty Two
Some of the finest dining in the city occurs at this genteel restaurant located in an elegant seaside mansion. The menu is upscale haute French with a touch of Asian fusion (mainly in the form of local ingredients); it’s all very good stuff. It offers a cocktail bar and live jazz on Friday and Saturday evenings, but don’t forget to dress smart casual.
reviewed
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J
1885
The elegant main restaurant of the E&O Hotel serves excellent Western cuisine, such as sea bass with truffle sauce, and roast duck. Open for dinner only, with a smart-casual dress code (no T-shirts, shorts or sandals).
reviewed
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K
Ee Beng Vegetarian Food
A popular self-service place for cheap and mostly vegetarian food of the tofu and green vegetables variety. It also serves fish curry
reviewed
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L
English Tea House & Restaurant
Soak up the recherché colonial atmosphere and elegant food at this exquisitely restored restaurant on the grounds of the historic Agnes Keith House. The manicured gardens are a particular joy, with wicker furniture and a small croquet lawn overlooking the bay, perfect for afternoon tea (RM17.25), a round of sunset Pimms, or perhaps some snobbish guffawing.
reviewed
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M
Esplanade Food Centre
You can't beat the seaside setting of this food centre that's nestled right in the heart of Penang's colonial district. One side is called 'Islam' and serves halal Malay food and the other is called 'Cina' and serves Chinese and Malay specialities including delicious rojak (a fruit-and-vegetable salad) and fresh fruit-juices. If you're sitting on the heathen's side you can also enjoy some of the cheapest beer in town.
reviewed
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N
Green Hut
Any homesick Westerner should head straight here where the Australian expat owners do a great stand-in for mum and dad, as well as offering heaps of travel advice and comfort foods like shepherds pie. Coffees, pizzas, quiches and sandwiches are good but the desserts, such as the now Penang-renowned sticky date pudding, are what makes the place tick. The hut also has a small outlet selling only desserts at the Red Garden Food Paradise & Night Market.
reviewed
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O
Hammediyah
There’s lots of halal food available in the kitchen, but you, like all the locals in line, shouldn’t leave without trying the murtabak, a crepe-esque dish filled with beef and minced onions.
reviewed
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P
Hot Wok
Located in a grand Nonya mansion, this restaurant feels slightly upscale but is pretty reasonably priced. Try the otak-otak (fish wrapped in banana leaves) and sambal sotong (chilli squid).
reviewed
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Q
Hui Sin Vegetarian Restaurant
This excellent value buffet restaurant is the place to go for a filling meat-free lunch. Take what you want from the selection of vegetables, curries and different beancurds on offer, and you’ll be charged accordingly. Wash it down with a glass of Chinese tea.
reviewed
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R
Kirishima
Japanese living in or visiting Penang head straight here, and many foreigners cite it the best sushi they've ever had. The setting is dark Japanese chic, with saki bottles lining the walls. As well as sushi there is also excellent seafood. Reserve in advance for peak hours.
reviewed
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S
Madras New Woodlands Restaurant
One of the best bets for vegetarians offers tasty banana-leaf meals and North Indian specialities, including lots of traditional sweets.
reviewed
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T
Magnificent Fish & Chip Bar
The high quality of the fish (at least eight types, including barramundi) explains the relatively high price you’ll pay for the newspaper-wrapped fish and chips at this thoroughly English operation.
reviewed
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U
Rainforest Bakery
This darling little take-away bakery, run by twin brothers Jesse and Jerry Tan, produces European-style baked treats such as scones, cookies and bagels.
reviewed
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V
Sarkies Corner
Sarkies offers different themed dinner buffets every day of the week; the focus shifts from Asian to Western to fusion to the kitchen sink, and its uniformly good stuff (you’ll want to dress up). The lunch buffet is gorgeous – it plucks menu items from across the globe, and if you can’t find something you want, you’re a very picky eater. Finally, for the nascent colonialist deep in your soul, high tea (RM46) is served in the garden from noon to 3pm every Sunday.
reviewed