Food guide · updated 26 Oct 2026
Hawker capital: char koay teow, Nyonya, hidden bars. We did the research so you don't have to. Here are 3 of our 100 picks, with what to order at each.
Plan my Penang days
How to eat it. Dishes are pre-cooked, so spice cannot be adjusted; ask for less gravy if you are wary.
A roadside nasi kandar on Jalan Hutton with a late-night queue of locals.
Tip. Small air-conditioned room upstairs. Closed Wednesdays.
How to eat it. Order the claypot lo shi fun; it has proper wok hei.
A retro-styled, air-conditioned kopitiam on Beach Street, handy in the midday heat.
Tip. Queue at lunch; closed Thursdays.
How to eat it. Ask for kuah campur, a mix of curries poured over the rice. Point at each dish you want.
Many Penang locals call this the best nasi kandar on the island. The queue says the same.
Tip. Expect a 30 to 40-minute queue at lunch. Paid parking across the road. Closed Fri.
97 more spots in Penang, planned into your days by meal, with walk and Grab times between them.
See them in the appTimes are typical estimates between town centres.
Get your Penang days planned meal by meal.