Penang is famous for char kway teow and assam laksa, but the island has quietly built one of the best Western food scenes in the country. Tucked between the heritage shophouses of George Town and the breezy coast of Batu Ferringhi, you will find Michelin-recognised French kitchens, charcoal steakhouses, colonial mansion dining rooms, and laid-back garden grills. Whether you are planning a special-occasion dinner, a weekend brunch, or just a proper steak to break up a week of hawker food, there is a Western spot here with your name on it.
We did the legwork for you. Every restaurant on this list holds a Google rating above 4.0, drawn from real diner reviews, and we have left out the places that have closed down or slipped in quality. From a tasting-menu fine diner inside an old bus depot to a beachside grillhouse and a no-frills steak-frites shophouse, here are the 10 best Western food restaurants in Penang to build your next weekend around.
What Counts as the Best Western Food in Penang?
Western food in Penang spans a wide range, and the right pick depends on the occasion. At the top end you have French and modern European fine dining like Restaurant au Jardin and the grillhouse at Shangri-La, where the focus is premium cuts, seasonal produce, and a proper sit-down experience. In the middle sit the steakhouses and Italian trattorias such as Emily’s and Il Bacaro, perfect for a date or a celebratory meal. And for casual days there are brunch cafes and garden restaurants serving bagels, burgers, pasta, and grills without the formality. We have flagged which is which so you can match the place to the mood.
George Town or the Coast: Where Should You Go?
Most of Penang’s Western dining is split between two zones. George Town packs in the heritage shophouse bistros, steakhouses, and cafes, so it is the easy choice if you want to walk between spots or pair dinner with a stroll through the old town. Out along the coast at Batu Ferringhi and Tanjung Bungah, the mood shifts to garden settings and sea views, which suits a slower, resort-style evening. If you are staying near the beach, Ferringhi Garden and the Hillside are a short drive away. If you are based in town, you are spoilt for choice on foot.
Table of Contents
- 1. Restaurant au Jardin
- 2. Two Frenchies Café Bistro
- 3. The Mugshot Café
- 4. Suffolk House Restaurant
- 5. Emily’s Steakhouse Penang
- 6. Feringgi Grill
- 7. Ferringhi Garden Restaurant
- 8. Il Bacaro
- 9. Steak Frites @23
- 10. The Hillside Café Bar & Restaurant
1. Restaurant au Jardin
If you want to understand how far Penang’s Western dining has come, book a table at au Jardin. Set inside a converted warehouse at the Hin Bus Depot arts compound, this Michelin-recognised kitchen runs a modern European tasting menu built around seasonal produce and a quiet sense of place. The tasting menu changes through the year, so you are trusting the chef rather than ordering off a list, and that is exactly the appeal. It is a special-occasion spot, reservation-only and priced to match, so save it for an anniversary or a proper celebration. Book well ahead, as the small dining room fills fast on the days it opens.
Operating Hours: Thu–Sun 11:30 am – 2:00 pm & 5:15 pm – 10:00 pm; closed Mon–Wed
Address: The Warehouse @ Hin Bus Depot, 125 Jalan Timah, 10150 George Town, Penang
Tel: 012-428 9594
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
2. Two Frenchies Café Bistro
Two Frenchies is the spot to send anyone craving honest French bistro cooking without the fine-dining price tag. Run with real Gallic heart on Bishop Street, it turns out the classics done properly: rich duck confit, slow-cooked beef bourguignon, and a creme brulee worth saving room for. The shophouse setting is warm and unfussy, which makes it as good for a relaxed weekend brunch as it is for a date-night dinner. Weekends bring an earlier breakfast service, so you can come in for coffee and pastries too. It is consistently one of George Town’s most loved Western kitchens, so book ahead for dinner.
Operating Hours: Tue–Fri 11:30 am – 10:30 pm; Sat–Sun 9:00 am – 10:30 pm; closed Mon
Address: 36 Lebuh Bishop, 10200 George Town, Penang
Tel: 04-261 2000
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
3. The Mugshot Café
For a laid-back Western breakfast or brunch, few George Town spots are as beloved as The Mugshot. The draw is the bagels, baked fresh and stacked with fillings like smoked salmon and cream cheese or bacon and egg, alongside a homemade yogurt that regulars order with gula Melaka or fresh fruit. It is a small, photogenic shophouse on Chulia Street, so expect a queue at peak hours, but the turnover is quick and the coffee is good. This is the easy, no-fuss pick for a slow weekend morning before you head out to explore the old town. Come early to beat the crowd.
Operating Hours: Sun–Thu 8:00 am – 10:00 pm; Fri–Sat 8:00 am – 12:00 am
Address: 302 Lebuh Chulia, 10200 George Town, Penang
Tel: 012-405 6276
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
4. Suffolk House Restaurant
Dining at Suffolk House feels like stepping into another century. Set in a beautifully restored Georgian mansion, it is one of the most atmospheric Western restaurants in Penang, all high ceilings, period furniture, and garden views. The menu leans British and colonial, with a famous beef pie, well-aged steaks, and seafood done with old-world care. There is a proper afternoon tea service in between lunch and dinner if you want the full heritage experience. It is dressed-up dining rather than casual, so it suits anniversaries, family celebrations, and anyone who enjoys eating somewhere with a real sense of history. Reservations are strongly recommended.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm, 2:30 pm – 6:00 pm & 7:00 pm – 10:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 250 Jalan Air Itam, 10460 George Town, Penang
Tel: 04-228 3930
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
5. Emily’s Steakhouse Penang
When the craving is for a proper slab of beef, Emily’s is George Town’s answer. This British-style steakhouse on Muntri Street chargrills its cuts over woodfire, with rib eyes aged for weeks to build flavour and a deep crust. The room is intimate and a little old-school, which makes it a strong pick for a date or a treat dinner rather than a big group blowout. Beyond the steaks, the fish and chips is a reliable order, and the staff know their meat and are happy to guide you on doneness. Come hungry, order medium-rare, and let the charcoal do the work.
Operating Hours: 11:30 am – 2:30 pm & 5:30 pm – 10:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 89 Muntri Street, 10200 George Town, Penang
Tel: 019-839 6630
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
6. Feringgi Grill
For Western dining with a touch of resort polish, Feringgi Grill at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang is hard to beat. This long-running grillhouse sits on the mezzanine of the Batu Ferringhi resort, looking out over majestic rain trees, and it serves a refined modern European menu. Aussie wagyu beef and fresh seafood are the things to order, cooked with the precision you would expect from a hotel kitchen of this calibre. The mood is warm, cosy, and dressed-up, which makes it a natural choice for an anniversary or a quiet, indulgent night out. Dinner only, so plan an evening around it and dress smart.
Operating Hours: 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm (Daily, dinner only)
Address: Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang Resort, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang
Tel: 04-888 8888
Google Review: View on Google
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7. Ferringhi Garden Restaurant
Ferringhi Garden has been a Batu Ferringhi institution for years, and the setting is half the reason why. You dine surrounded by lush tropical greenery and water features, which gives the whole meal a relaxed, holiday feel even if you are a local on a weekend escape. The kitchen does Western grills and seafood well, with the lamb shank and the steaks pulling the biggest crowds. It is a popular stop for tourists staying along the beach strip, so it can get busy in the evenings, but the garden is large and the service keeps moving. A solid, scenic choice for a casual but memorable dinner by the coast.
Operating Hours: 5:00 pm – 12:00 am (Daily)
Address: 34 A, B & C Jalan Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang
Tel: 04-881 1193
Google Review: View on Google
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8. Il Bacaro
Il Bacaro brings a slice of Venice to George Town, tucked inside the heritage boutique hotel Campbell House. It is styled as a bacaro, the cosy back-street taverns where Venetians gather over wine and small plates, so the vibe is intimate and convivial rather than stuffy. Order the wood-fired pizzas and the fresh handmade pasta, and pair them with cicchetti and a glass from the Italian wine list. The Michelin-listed kitchen takes its ingredients seriously, and the warm shophouse room makes it a lovely spot for a date or a long, unhurried dinner with friends. Booking ahead is wise on weekends.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 3:30 pm & 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm (Daily)
Address: Campbell House, 106 Lebuh Campbell, 10100 George Town, Penang
Tel: 04-261 8290
Google Review: View on Google
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9. Steak Frites @23
Steak Frites @23 keeps things refreshingly simple, and that is the whole point. Set in a charming pre-war shophouse on Love Lane, it builds its menu around the French classic of a good steak and a pile of crisp fries. The Australian beef tenderloin is the order to beat, cooked to your liking and served with that signature mountain of golden frites. The space is small and intimate, so it feels personal, and the focus on doing one thing well means the quality is consistent. It is a great low-key choice when you want a satisfying Western meal without the ceremony of a full fine-dining night.
Operating Hours: 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm; closed Mon & Thu
Address: 23 Love Lane, 10200 George Town, Penang
Tel: —
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
10. The Hillside Café Bar & Restaurant
Rounding out the list, The Hillside in Tanjung Bungah is a relaxed all-rounder that does Western comfort food properly. The menu runs from British staples and a full English breakfast to wood-fired pizzas and gourmet burgers, which makes it an easy choice when the table cannot agree on one cuisine. The cafe-bar setting is friendly and unpretentious, good for a casual lunch, a weekend brunch, or a few drinks in the evening. Its location on the coast road between George Town and Batu Ferringhi makes it a handy stop if you are exploring the north of the island. Come for the breakfast, stay for the burgers.
Operating Hours: 9:00 am – 11:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 3 Jalan Sungai Kelian, Tanjung Bungah, 11200 George Town, Penang
Tel: —
Google Review: View on Google
Google Map: Navigate Now
Penang’s Western food scene has more range than most people expect, and the right pick comes down to the occasion. For a once-in-a-while celebration, the tasting menu at Restaurant au Jardin or the grillhouse at Feringgi Grill will not disappoint. For a heartfelt date, Two Frenchies, Emily’s, and Il Bacaro each bring something special. And when you just want a relaxed weekend feed, the Mugshot, Ferringhi Garden, and the Hillside have you covered. Every spot here clears a 4.0 Google rating, so you can book any of them with confidence.
Operating hours and menus do change, so it is always worth a quick call or a check on Google before you head out, especially for the reservation-only fine diners. Now round up your crew, pick a table, and make a proper weekend of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the best Western fine dining in Penang?
For special occasions, Restaurant au Jardin at Hin Bus Depot offers a Michelin-recognised modern European tasting menu, while Feringgi Grill at Shangri-La’s Rasa Sayang serves refined grill dishes and wagyu beef in a resort setting. Both are reservation-led, so book ahead.
Which Western restaurant in Penang is best for a date night?
Two Frenchies for French bistro classics, Emily’s Steakhouse for charcoal-grilled steaks, and Il Bacaro for cosy Italian small plates are all intimate, well-loved choices in George Town that suit a romantic dinner without going full fine dining.
Where can I get good Western brunch in Penang?
The Mugshot Café on Chulia Street is a George Town favourite for bagels, homemade yogurt, and brunch, while The Hillside in Tanjung Bungah does a full English breakfast and weekend brunch with a more coastal, laid-back feel.
Do I need to make a reservation for Western restaurants in Penang?
For the fine-dining spots like au Jardin, Suffolk House, and Feringgi Grill, yes, booking ahead is essential, especially on weekends. Popular bistros such as Two Frenchies and Il Bacaro also fill up fast at dinner, so a quick call ahead saves you a wait.
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.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
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