Nyonya food, also known as Peranakan cuisine, comes from the early Chinese descendants called Peranakans. They then inter-married with local Malays after immigrating to Penang, Melaka, Singapura, and Indonesia. In Malay Baba-Nyonya culture, Nyonya is a synonym for a female Peranakan, while Baba is for males. Nyonya cooking is based on the combination of Chinese, Malay, and Indonesian cuisines, which exudes the food’s strong herbal, spicy, and tangy tastes.
Laksa Nyonya is the pillar of Nyonya cuisine, and the ingredients used in making it may vary depending on the region it is cooked. In Malaysia, Penang is especially famous for its Baba Nyonya cultural heritage. From food to antiques, you will be able to find it all in Penang Peranakan Museum and Nyonya food restaurants. Hence, let us go through this list of the Top 10 Best Nyonya Restaurants in Penang.
What Are The Most Well-Known Baba Nyonya Dish In Penang?
Sambal Brinjal at Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery is a famous dish that customers sought for, you can try this dish if you prefer something spicy. If you want a dish that fills you up, Grilled Chicken Kapitan is a must try as it is aromatic and the chicken is incredibly tender and flavourful. You can get this dish at Kebaya Dining Room. Other must-order dish include Gula Melaka Sago which you can get at Winn’s cafe for the perfect dessert to end your day.
What Are the Popular Places in Penang?
Penang, a vibrant Malaysian state, is renowned for its diverse attractions. The list of attractive and famous places is as follows:
- Discover Temple
Kek Lok Si Temple is Southeast Asia’s largest Buddhist temple, featuring impressive architecture, statues, and ornate decorations. You can come here if you are an architecture enthusiast, It is a great place to take pictures because of the impressive building. Be sure to come here before lunch so the place is not packed with people, and you can stroll and marvel at the beauty of Kek Lok Si Temple.
- Walk at the Park
You can visit Penang National Park to enjoy the nature reserve featuring lush forests, hiking trails, beautiful beaches, and diverse wildlife. You can enjoy the place alone or with your friends and family. It is a perfect place to enjoy fresh air and be one with nature.
- Explore Penang’s Streets
For art enthusiasts and those who like to take pictures, Penang Street Art offers various murals and street art scattered around George Town, contributing to the city’s vibrant artistic landscape. You can always explore the beautiful murals and take instagramable pictures here. You can enjoy the beautiful streets with your family and friends after you have indulged in delicious Nyonya dishes.
Discover other fascinating activities and food that you can get in Penang:
- Best Paintball Places in Penang
- Best Omakase Restaurants in Penang
- Best Wagyu Yakiniku Restaurants in Penang
10 Best Nyonya Restaurants in Penang 2024
1. Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay
You can find a wide array of delightful Nyonya kuih in Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay, as they are a Nyonya kuih factory. You need to keep looking out for the faded signboard in George Town as it is the oldest Nyonya food in Penang but is still actively operating. You can choose 20 kinds of kuih, together with traditional delights like Nasi Ulam and Laksa. Their Laksa Penang is a must-try food; you will not regret choosing it because of the firm veal of the Laksa soup. It is offered at affordable prices, which makes it ideal for those who wish to sample kuih any time of the month.
Operating Hours: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm (Daily)
Address: Lebuh Chulia, Jalan Masjid, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Phone No: 012-415 2677
Google Maps: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/penangnyonyakuih/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtpnyonyakoay/
2. Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery
Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery radiates an absolute Chinese environment with all the Chinese-pattern lanterns hung on the ceiling outside of the restaurant. It surely can give you Instagram-worthy pictures to upload, and the interior decoration is not so bad.
You would be impressed by the spiciness of their Sambal Brinjal combined with ‘nasi ulam’ and chicken fried. If you are there for a hi-tea, it would be such a perfect-timing for their Cucur Udang, which is well-fried by the chef and served in significant portions.
Operating Hours:
12:00 – 2:30 pm, 6:00 – 9:30 pm (Wednessday – Sunday)
Closed on Monday and Tuesday
Address: 1, Bishop St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Phone No: 017-434 4398
Google Maps: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Auntie-Gaik-Leans-Old-School-Eatery-100063562363254/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/auntiegaiklean/
3. Winn’s Cafe
Winn’s Cafe is a must to visit in George Town, Penang. This restaurant is especially good at making authentic Nyonya foods like ‘Otak-Otak’, Salted Fish Bone Curry, and ‘Inch Kabin.’ Winn’s Cafe also has a steamed fish menu cooked in Nyonya style that adds a bit of spice, ginger, onions, fresh turmeric, and chilli. It has a light spiciness and sourish-sweet taste. As for Nyonya dessert, you can go for Gula Melaka Sago. The sweet and creamy flavours come from the mixture of Gula Melaka and coconut cream; once you take a spoon of it, the desert will slowly permeate your mouth.
Operating Hours:
11:00 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 – 10:00 pm (Monday – Thursday, Saturday)
11:00 am – 3:30 pm, 6:00 – 10:00 pm (Friday)
Closed on Sunday
Address: 2, Jalan Irrawaddi, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Phone No: 019-451 1631
Google Maps: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Winns-Cafe-1674469709543830/
4. Ivy’s Nyonya Cuisine
This home-like decoration of Nyonya restaurant is called Ivy’s Nyonya Cuisine and is located in Jalan Chow Thye. The classic dish is made from squid, yam beans, and Joo Hoo Ban Kuang Char. Besides, they also have the handmade Nyonya Otak that is moderately spicy and delicious to be eaten after you have devoured their main dish. Just so you know, the Ivy’s Nyonya Cuisine’s building is converted from a pre-war house, and that is how this restaurant has acquired its basic home features.
Operating Hours:
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Tuesday)
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm (Wednesday – Sunday)
Closed on Monday
Address: 58, Jalan Chow Thye, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Phone No: 013-433 7878
Google Maps: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ivysnyonyacuisine
5. Kebaya Dining Room
Everything about Kebaya Dining Room is Kebaya-oriented and indigenous Baba Nyonya culture. They have featured all the Nyonya cuisines, Nyonya dresses, and Nyonya decorating schemes in their restaurant. You can even dress Kebaya Nyonya while having the delectable Nyonya dishes like Grilled Chicken Kapitan and Otak-otak Pie.
The aromatic paste used in Grilled Chicken Kapitan, consisting of garlic, shallot, chilli, and candlenut, made it even hard to resist the dish. Wait until you get the taste of their super crispy Otak-otak Pie, and you will be utterly speechless.
Operating Hours:
6:00 am – 10:30 pm (Monday, Wednesday – Sunday)
Closed on Tuesday
Address: 14A, Stewart Ln, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
Phone No: 04-264 2333
Google Maps: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KebayaDiningRoom/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kebaya_dining_room/
6. Hainantown @ Yeng Keng Nyonya Restaurant
There are three cuisines served in Hainantown at Yeng Keng Nyonya Restaurant: Peranakan Nyonya, Western, and Hainanese cuisine. This eatery has an undeniably pretty and upscale interior with a spacious outdoor sitting area. It gets even more glamorous at night when the bright fairy lights light up the space. The vintage cushy furniture provides comfort when eating the classic Penang Nyonya dish like Nasi Lemak Bunga Telang. The Nasi Lemak Beef / Mutton Rendang with generous portions is enough to make you feel full. For a private function, you can book a private room with a conference table which allows you to sit facing each other.
Operating Hours:
11:30 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Tuesday – Sunday)
Closed on Monday
Address: 366, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10450 George Town, Penang
Phone No: 04-263 3177
Google Maps: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hainantownpg/
7. Mum’s Nyonya Cuisine
Let us indulge ourselves with Nyonya delicacies in Mum’s Nyonya Cuisine. Madam Lucy Lim, the inspiration behind the restaurant’s name, will be the master chef of the house to cook your homemade Nyonya foods. They have standard but unique Nyonya menus ready to be served like Jiu Hu Char, Loh Bak, Curry Kapitan, Inchi Kabin, and Otak-otak. Do not miss out on this opportunity to be in the restaurant’s family-friendly and cozy ambiance.
Operating Hours:
11:00 am – 2:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 8:30 pm (Tuesday – Saturday)
11:30 am – 2:00 pm, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Sunday)
Closed on Monday
Address: 31-D, Lorong Abu Siti, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Phone No: 012-669 1318
Google Maps: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mumsnyonyacuisine
8. Richard Rivalee Nyonya Cuisine Restaurant
Richard Rivalee Nyonya Cuisine Restaurant is especially suitable for meat eaters because they offer a wide range of porky Nyonya dishes. You can look forward to their Turmeric Rice, Lemongrass Chicken, and Perut Ikan. As desserts, try out their sweet and savory Sago Pudding with Gula Melaka because it is 100% recommendable to those with a sweet tooth. The sweetness of the gula Melaka syrup will quickly spike your blood sugar level so remember to snack on them moderately.
Operating Hours:
11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm (Monday, Wednesday – Sunday)
Closed on Tuesday
Address: 62 & 64, Lorong Macalister, George Town, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Phone No: 04-227 4888
Google Maps: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/richardrivaleedesignerandchef/
9. Jason’s Nyonya House
Let appreciate the authenticity of this Jason’s Nyonya House’s home-style Nyonya food. We can guarantee you will come back after your first dining experience here. We recommend the flavorful aromatic Cincalok Stir Fry Chicken mixed with fermented shrimps, a few onions, and pieces of bell pepper. Other notable dishes you should try are the Tau Yu Bak and Tu Ka Chor.
Operating Hours: 11:00 am – 2:30 pm, 6:00 pm – 9:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 10b, Lebuh King, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Phone No: 018-356 0515
Google Maps: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JasonNyonyaHousePenang/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jasonnyonyahouse/
10. Nyonya Breeze Desire
In Nyonya Breeze Desire, you will be greeted by a friendly woman who will welcome you into the restaurant. She is the creator of Nyonya Breeze. The dining environment is large and surrounded by a cozy ambiance. You must try their Ayam Pongteh or Too Kah Char Sui with white light sweet sauces to balance the oiliness. It is delectable indeed! If you have an intense palate, perhaps you can order their Sambal Goreng and Masak Titik Lemak.
Operating Hours:
11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm – 9:30 pm (Monday – Wednesday, Friday – Sunday)
11:30 am – 2:30 pm, 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm (Thursday)
Address: 3A-1-7, Straits Quay, Jalan Seri Tg Pinang, 10470 Tanjung Tokong, Pulau Pinang
Phone No: 04-899 9058
Google Maps: Navigate Now
Google Reviews: Here
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Nyonya-Breeze-Restaurant-at-Straits-Quay-100063753241633/
Grab Your Complimentary Lazada Voucher 【Here】
Tons of Shopee Cashback Deals 【Here】
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.asia. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
