We are going to Penang in February. Can anyone recommend any " not to miss " restaurants in Georgetown or Penang ? Also, how good is the food at the E & O Hotel ?

Make sure you contact the E and O before travelling to the hotel. Their main restaurant is often closed for private functions.

I would not recommend Sarkies Corner at the E and O - it is a casual restaurant and nothing special.

We have reservations for 4 nights at the E & O. Need suggestions for good seafood restaurants or anywhere special to eat in Penang.

Eden Seafood at Batu Ferringhi Beach has good seafood a lively atmosphere, don't know if they still have the live entertainment but it was always enjoyable.

For a good "cheapy" I'd recommend the stalls along Gurney Drive on the outskirts of Georgetown.

We hear a lot about the food stalls. Are they generally safe to eat at ?

I've never had any problem on Gurney Drive.

if you are going to gurney drive, don't forget to try the famous penage hokkien mee, and laksa..yummy.

hokkien mee, and laksa ???

both of these are noodle in soup dishes, and famous to penang. if you go to gurney drive, you will see signs advertising these dishes at the various hawker stands.

ttt

Thanks for this post galiano. It is of interest to me also.
CM

Dear galiano
As you will be going to Penang before us and will probably be back before we go We would appreciate some feedback as to how you got on,places not to miss (and definately to miss!) and look forward to your trip report.And if you pass the Copthorne Orchid resort on your travels perhaps youd give it once over for us!
Hope you have a great time
Regards
CM

galiano,

In Malaysia, Penang is famous for its hawker food; this is the local street food which can be found in stalls in Gurney Drive or other coffee shops around the island. Dishes famous in Penang are:

1. Prawn mee (aka Hokkien mee)
2. Char Koay Teow
3. Assam laksa
4. Fried oyster omelette
5. Nasi kandar
6. Cendol (a sweet dessert)
7. Lobak

If you want to try the local flavours, the above are recommended. Ask around where the good stalls are. Regarding hygiene, I think many stalls are safe to eat at.

As for dining at proper restaurants, check these sites (most listings are for KL):

http://www.foodvenue.com/
http://www.friedchillies.com/reviews.php

I was in Penang less than a year ago. Went to Ocean-Green Restaurant & Seafood. Not far from E&O, just take a taxi (8-10MYR). It is the best! So fresh! I only like fresh seafood and I would highly recommend this restaurant. The oysters we ordered were fresh from that morning. They were so good I wanted more but they had no more left! I kept their business card. Opens from 9am till 11pm. Don't go too late though or the seafood will be sold out! I also had lunch at E&O. The food is not bad but pricy. Just go to any Kopitiam (outdoor food courts) and try dfferent things. Don't be afraid to try. They are very cheap so you can try till you find something you like! I had the best Seafood Kweitaw at one of the Kopitiams along Adams Road. Most stalls stay open past midnight. Penang Laksa (rice noodles in curry soup) is also good with a little minty flavor. Different from Singaporean Laksa. Try them near Chinatown.

Countrymouse : We are back by early March so I'll post an update. Penang sounds like a great spot. Where else in Malaysia are you visiting ?

Thanks to all of you for the restaurant tips so far - keep them coming

Dear
jchong : read your message on the other posting first so I see youve given galiano the info I needed too. thanks
travelmug : I will certainly try your suggestions.
galiano : thanks again for starting this thread. I look forward to your trip report.
CM

We were in Penang 2 years ago and tried a lot of the restaurants in Batu Ferrenghi. If you happen to be down that way there is a little restaurant called The Happy Garden which is just awesome. Lovely sizzling seafood platters and in a beautiful setting with flowers hanging over you. One to miss that way is the Big wave which was pretty foul. Can't recommend the Happy Garden enough -outstanding.

Thanks Ceris. Thats just the sort of info we need.
You can waste a lot of time and money going to awful restaurants. Anything else you can recommend will be greatly appreciated.
CM

I'll be catching up with a friend from Penang later this week. Will ask him for more info. Give me a few days.