Driving to town to eat? What is the first thing that comes to mind? Is there a space or parking lot to park my car? As a town/city grows, there are more and more cars on the road but are there more parking spaces created? The car parking spaces should grow on par with the growing number of cars on the road! According to statistics, Malaysia recorded 32.3 million motor vehicles and 15.8 million drivers as of December 2020. So there are about 48.7% of Malaysian drivers compared to the 32.6 million total population of Malaysia.
As the population grows, so does the number of cars on the road. But does the number of car parking spaces grow accordingly? Maybe, but usually it is a big NO, especially for an old township, like Georgetown on Penang Island. Here, it is very difficult to find parking spaces in Georgetown, Penang Island. Georgetown was founded about 234 years ago, the roads are mostly very narrow and houses are built very near the roads. Therefore, I am one driver who is scared of driving on Georgetown roads and have a problem looking for car parking lots. So whenever we want to go out for food at Penang Island, the first thing that comes to my mind is "Are there any car parking facilities?'
Penang Island is world famous for hawker food and eating haven. Therefore, I would like to list 4 famous hawker food centers that also have ample car park spaces for your convenience. Another important factor I like about food courts is that there are toilet facilities as compared to some street or roadside hawker stalls where you have to stand to eat and no toilets to use. The latest famous food center is Fisherman's Wharf, then the older ones which are equally famous are New Town Food Center, Northern Road Food Court, and the SuperTanker Food Court.
1. Fisherman's Wharf, 槟城渔人码头美食中心
This is a new food court that is famous among locals and tourists. There are lots of hawker food here, such as Char Koay Teow, Pasembur, Siu Long Pau, Tai Chow (can order chicken, fish, or vegetable dishes that are cooked on the spot), and also many different cuisines such as Korean and Japanese. There is a big empty lot in front of this food court for cars to park. So driving here to eat is a breeze as there are lots of car parking spaces. Yes, BREEZE, you can feel the actual breeze too, as the Fisherman's Wharf is situated next to the seaside. You can also take a nice leisurely stroll along Kapral Singh Drive nearby to enjoy the seaside and listen to the waves.
(Parking is free here.)
Address: Fisherman's Wharf, No. 92A, Lebuh Sungai Pinang 1, 11600, George Town, Penang
Tel: 012-404 0265
Opening Hours: 12 pm - 12 am
2. New World Park Food Court
This food court is known locally as "Sin Sei Kai", and has over 80 eighty years old of history. There is a lot of authentic local food sold here. It is right in the middle of Georgetown, situated between Lorong Hutton, Swatow Lane, and Jalan Burma. There are car parking lots surrounding it, depending on which side you enter this New World Park Foos court. I am comfortable with this food court, as firstly, I can park my car easily and secondly, there is a lot of local hawker food sold here. But it is also a little bit touristy and the prices are tourist prices. My usual comfort food here is the Otak-Otak, Chee Cheong Fun, Bangkok Lane Mee Goreng, Muai Chee, and Ice Kacang. To buy beverages, you have to queue up and pay and then carry your drinks to your own table. This food court is huge, airy with a high roof and clean environment. There are toilet facilities too.
(Parking is not free here, take a ticket at the entrance and pay at the payment booth before exit, or if it is street parking then have to pay the Penang Municipal Council through the app.)
3. Northam Beach Cafe
Situated along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, this Northam Beach cafe faces the beach. As such, we can eat and enjoy the sea view and breeze. When we enter, there is a big car parking lot in front of this Northam Beach Cafe, so it is not a problem to drive a car there. How does this food court get its name? Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah is formerly known as Northam Road, a colonial name from the early days of British rule. So as this cafe is situated along Northam Road, thus it is called Northam Beach Cafe. To me, this Northam Beach Cafe is suitable for family gatherings and it is even wheelchair handicap friendly. But prices here are a bit higher, as this food court is located in a more affluent area.
Address: Northam Beach Cafe58, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, 10050 Georgetown, Penang.
Opening hours: 5.30 pm - 12.30 am (daily)
4. Super Tanker Food Court
This food court is near the morning wet market, so, it is more suitable for breakfast or lunch. Prices here are cheaper and the food is more local type. My usual nom-noms here are Char Koay Teow, Penang Curry mee (local curry mee is white color broth), Hokkien Mee (note: at Kuala Lumpur, it is called Har Mee or Prawn Mee), and of course the Pancake. There are parking lots next to the food court near the Chinese Primary school. Pay for parking at the entrance before driving. (may change according to the management of the car park)
Note: Food costs and types of food available at the food courts may differ from time to time.
Address: Super Tanker Food Court, Lengkok Nipah 2, Off Jalan Sungai Dua Bayan Lepas, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia.
"There is no love sincerer than the love of food." - George Bernard Shaw
Happy Eating!
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