Gurney Plaza is not only one of Penang’s most established shopping malls—it is also one of the easiest places around Gurney Drive to find several cuisines under one roof.
The mall’s dining directory ranges from Malaysian kopitiam favourites and Chinese restaurants to Japanese ramen, Korean barbecue, Thai food, Vietnamese dishes, hotpot, bakeries and speciality cafés. Budget-conscious visitors can head to Gurney Food Hall, while families and larger groups have numerous full-service restaurants to choose from.
If you are deciding what to eat at Gurney Plaza, this guide highlights some of its most notable restaurants, cafés and dessert shops, along with suggestions for different budgets and dining occasions.
For opening hours, parking rates, public transport and other practical information, read our complete Gurney Plaza Penang guide.
Editor’s note: Mall tenants and operating hours may change. Check the official Gurney Plaza directory or contact the restaurant before making a special trip.
What to Eat at Gurney Plaza
1. Oriental Kopi
Oriental Kopi brings the atmosphere of a contemporary Malaysian kopitiam into Gurney Plaza. Its extensive menu covers familiar local breakfasts, rice and noodle dishes, toast, pastries and traditional drinks.
Popular choices include its thick egg tarts, nasi lemak, mee siam, polo buns, kaya toast and Oriental coffee. Portions tend to be generous, making it suitable for breakfast, lunch or a casual meal before shopping.
Unlike most of the mall, Oriental Kopi opens from 8:00am, allowing visitors to have breakfast before the other shops begin operating.
Cuisine: Malaysian kopitiam
Location: Basement 1
Good for: Breakfast, local food and families
Operating hours: 8:00am–10:00pm
2. Din Tai Fung
Din Tai Fung is a familiar option for Taiwanese and Chinese comfort food. The restaurant is best known for its carefully folded dumplings, but its menu also includes noodles, fried rice, soups, appetisers and vegetable dishes.
It is a reliable choice when dining with a family or group because most dishes can be shared. Besides dumplings, consider ordering its shrimp fried rice, braised beef noodles, hot-and-sour soup and cucumber appetiser.
The restaurant can become busy during lunch, dinner and weekends, so allow additional waiting time during peak periods.
Cuisine: Taiwanese and Chinese
Location: Basement 1
Good for: Dumplings, family meals and shared dishes
3. Madam Kwan’s
Madam Kwan’s serves polished versions of Malaysian favourites in a comfortable restaurant setting.
Its menu is best known for nasi lemak, curry laksa, beef rendang, char koay teow and other dishes inspired by Malaysia’s multicultural food traditions. This makes it particularly convenient for travellers who want to sample recognisable Malaysian dishes without leaving the mall.
The restaurant is also suitable for mixed groups because its menu includes rice, noodles, meat, seafood and vegetable options.
Cuisine: Malaysian
Location: Ground Floor
Good for: Malaysian favourites and visitors to Penang
4. Canton-i
Canton-i specialises in Cantonese and Hong Kong-style cuisine, with a menu built around roast meats, congee, noodles, dim sum and sharing dishes.
The restaurant’s roast duck, char siu and crispy pork can be ordered with rice or noodles, while its congee is useful when you prefer something lighter. Larger groups can add vegetable, tofu and seafood dishes for a more complete meal.
It is a practical choice for families with older members because the menu includes familiar flavours and several less-spicy options.
Cuisine: Cantonese and Hong Kong-style
Location: Basement 1
Good for: Roast meats, congee and family dining
5. Dragon-i
Dragon-i is known for Shanghainese and regional Chinese dishes, particularly its xiao long bao, hand-pulled noodles and sharing plates.
Its soup dumplings are one of the main reasons to visit, but the broader menu makes it possible to build a full meal. Diners can choose from noodles, fried rice, vegetables, tofu, meat and seafood dishes.
Compared with grabbing a quick meal from the food hall, Dragon-i is better suited to a relaxed sit-down lunch or dinner with family and friends.
Cuisine: Shanghainese and Chinese
Location: Level 2
Good for: Xiao long bao, noodles and group meals
6. Longjing
Longjing expands Gurney Plaza’s growing selection of regional Chinese restaurants.
The restaurant is suitable for diners looking for a sit-down Chinese meal with dishes designed for sharing. It works particularly well for families and larger groups that want to order a combination of meat, seafood, vegetables and rice.
As the restaurant’s menu and signature dishes may evolve, check the latest menu displayed at the entrance before deciding.
Cuisine: Chinese
Location: Level 3
Good for: Shared meals and larger groups
7. Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine
Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine is an option for diners who enjoy bold, aromatic and spicy Chinese food.
Hunan cooking is known for its liberal use of fresh chillies, garlic, preserved ingredients and smoked flavours. The dishes are generally intended to be shared with rice, making the restaurant better for two or more diners than for someone seeking a single quick meal.
If your group has different tolerances for heat, ask the staff which dishes can be prepared with less chilli.
Cuisine: Hunan Chinese
Location: Level 6
Good for: Spicy food and shared dishes
8. XIYU Sichuan Cuisine
XIYU brings Sichuan flavours to Gurney Plaza, with dishes built around chillies, fragrant spices and the distinctive numbing quality of Sichuan peppercorns.
It is a good option for groups who enjoy intense flavours and want several dishes to share. A combination of spicy fish or meat, vegetables and rice usually creates a more balanced meal than ordering only heavily seasoned dishes.
Ask the staff about spice levels if you are unfamiliar with Sichuan cuisine, as some dishes may be considerably hotter than expected.
Cuisine: Sichuan Chinese
Location: Level 6
Good for: Spicy dishes and group dining
9. One Dish One Taste Chongqing Hotpot
One Dish One Taste specialises in Chongqing-style hotpot, known for its rich, spicy and aromatic broth.
Diners cook their choice of sliced meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu and noodles at the table. This makes it a more social meal and particularly suitable for groups who want to spend time eating rather than rushing through lunch.
The restaurant is best enjoyed with several people, allowing everyone to order a wider variety of ingredients. Ask about alternative or divided broths when dining with someone who does not eat spicy food.
Cuisine: Chongqing hotpot
Location: Level 3
Good for: Groups, hotpot and spicy food
10. Hakata Ippudo
Hakata Ippudo is one of the mall’s main destinations for Japanese ramen.
The brand is associated with Hakata-style ramen, which commonly features thin noodles served in a rich, creamy broth. Diners can usually customise the firmness of their noodles and add side dishes such as gyoza or fried chicken.
A bowl of ramen is substantial enough for a complete individual meal, making Ippudo convenient for solo diners as well as small groups.
Cuisine: Japanese ramen
Location: Ground Floor
Good for: Ramen and solo dining
11. Sushi Tei
Sushi Tei offers an extensive Japanese menu covering sushi, sashimi, noodles, rice bowls, grilled dishes, tempura and set meals.
Its wide selection is useful for groups who want Japanese food but cannot agree on one particular type of dish. One diner can order sashimi while another chooses udon, donburi or a cooked set meal.
The restaurant occupies a more comfortable sit-down setting than takeaway sushi counters, making it suitable for a longer lunch or dinner.
Cuisine: Japanese
Location: Level 3
Good for: Sushi, sashimi and family dining
12. Aburi Sushi
Aburi Sushi focuses on Japanese food, particularly sushi finished using the flame-searing technique associated with the word aburi.
Lightly searing the top of the fish or topping introduces a smoky aroma while retaining part of its soft texture. This can appeal to diners who enjoy sushi but prefer something slightly warmer and more savoury than fully raw preparations.
Check its current menu for platters, rice dishes and other cooked Japanese options.
Cuisine: Japanese
Good for: Seared sushi and casual meals
13. Mr. Dakgalbi
Mr. Dakgalbi is known for Korean stir-fried chicken cooked together with cabbage, rice cakes and a spicy sauce.
The dish is generally prepared in a large pan and shared at the table. Cheese, noodles, rice and other additions can be included, with fried rice commonly prepared using the remaining sauce towards the end of the meal.
Because of the sharing format, Mr. Dakgalbi works best for couples, families and groups rather than solo diners.
Cuisine: Korean
Location: Level 4
Good for: Shared meals and Korean spicy chicken
14. Park’s Kitchen
Park’s Kitchen offers Korean dishes in a casual restaurant setting.
Its menu provides an alternative for diners who want Korean food without committing to a large barbecue or shared dakgalbi meal. Depending on the current selection, visitors can expect rice, noodles, soups, meat dishes and familiar Korean side dishes.
It is a convenient lunch or dinner option while exploring the upper levels of the mall.
Cuisine: Korean
Location: Level 4
Good for: Korean comfort food and casual dining
15. Bar B Q Plaza
Bar B Q Plaza combines tabletop grilling with elements of hotpot dining.
Customers order sliced meat, seafood, vegetables and other ingredients, then cook them on the restaurant’s distinctive grill. Juices from the meat flow into the surrounding broth, gradually adding flavour as the meal progresses.
The interactive format makes it a popular choice for couples and small groups. Combination sets are useful for first-time visitors who are unsure how much food to order.
Cuisine: Thai-style barbecue
Location: Basement 1
Good for: Tabletop grilling and groups
16. ParaThai
ParaThai serves familiar Thai dishes in a comfortable sit-down setting.
The menu generally covers tom yum, curries, salads, stir-fries, rice and noodle dishes. Groups can order several dishes to share, balancing something spicy and sour with milder vegetables, meat and rice.
It is a useful choice when your group wants Thai flavours but also needs the convenience and comfort of dining inside the mall.
Cuisine: Thai
Location: Basement 1
Good for: Thai dishes and family meals
17. Ăn Viet
Ăn Viet offers Vietnamese comfort food built around noodles, rice, herbs and fresh flavours.
Pho is an obvious choice, particularly when you prefer a lighter meal than hotpot or grilled meat. The menu also includes Vietnamese rice dishes, small plates and other noodle-based meals.
Its selection makes it suitable for individual diners, couples and anyone who wants something warming without the heavier sauces found in some other mall restaurants.
Cuisine: Vietnamese
Location: Basement 1
Good for: Pho, noodles and lighter meals
18. The Little Nyonya Cuisine
The Little Nyonya Cuisine serves dishes influenced by Peranakan cooking, one of the culinary traditions closely associated with Penang and Melaka.
Nyonya food combines Chinese ingredients and cooking methods with Malay spices and Southeast Asian flavours. Depending on the menu, diners may encounter curries, sambal-based dishes, vegetables, meat and traditional desserts.
Travellers interested in the cuisine can also explore our guide to Nyonya and Peranakan restaurants in Penang for more places beyond the mall.
Cuisine: Nyonya and Peranakan
Location: Basement 1
Good for: Local heritage flavours and shared meals
19. Nando’s
Nando’s is centred around flame-grilled chicken seasoned with its familiar PERi-PERi sauces.
Customers can select their preferred spice level and add sides such as rice, chips, vegetables or coleslaw. The ability to choose the heat level makes it easier for groups with different preferences to dine together.
It is straightforward, filling and suitable for both individual meals and sharing platters.
Cuisine: Flame-grilled chicken
Location: Ground Floor
Good for: Casual dining, chicken and groups
20. Kim Gary Restaurant
Kim Gary serves Hong Kong-style café food with an extensive menu of rice, noodles, baked dishes, snacks and drinks.
Typical choices include baked rice, cheese-baked spaghetti, instant noodles with assorted toppings, fried rice and Hong Kong-style milk tea. Its broad menu and combination sets make it convenient when diners want an affordable and relatively quick meal.
The restaurant is also suitable for groups with different preferences because the menu covers numerous cooking styles.
Cuisine: Hong Kong-style café
Location: Level 6
Good for: Set meals, noodles and casual dining
Affordable Food at Gurney Food Hall
Gurney Food Hall is the mall’s main food court and one of the most practical options for visitors on a smaller budget.
Located on Level 4, the food hall contains multiple stalls serving Malaysian, Asian and Western meals. Its shared seating arrangement is useful when each person in a group wants something different.
Current choices include:
- Hokkien mee
- Hainanese chicken rice
- Nasi lemak and nasi Padang
- Chilli pan mee
- Indian food
- Thai food and tom yum
- Shawarma
- Hotplate meals
- Claypot and sizzling noodles
- Western food
- Portuguese-style grilled dishes
- Desserts and drinks
The food hall is particularly convenient for families, solo diners and shoppers who want a complete meal without paying sit-down restaurant prices.
However, travellers should still explore Penang beyond the mall. Our Penang street food guide introduces the hawker dishes and traditional food environments that form a much larger part of the island’s culinary identity.
Cafés, Bakeries and Desserts at Gurney Plaza
Baked by Kenny Hills
Baked by Kenny Hills brings cakes, pastries and café-style dishes into a comfortable ground-floor space.
It is a good meeting point for coffee, a light meal or dessert after shopping. The brand is particularly known for its baked goods, making the display counter worth checking before deciding what to order.
Location: Ground Floor
Good for: Cakes, pastries and café meals
Paris Baguette
Despite its French-inspired name, Paris Baguette is a South Korean bakery-café chain offering breads, pastries, cakes, sandwiches and coffee.
Its counter-service format makes it suitable for a quick breakfast, afternoon snack or takeaway purchase. It is also convenient when members of a group want something light rather than a full restaurant meal.
Location: Ground Floor
Good for: Pastries, cakes and light meals
Starbucks Reserve
Starbucks Reserve provides a more elevated variation of the familiar Starbucks experience, with a focus on selected coffees and different brewing methods.
Its ground-floor location makes it a convenient meeting point, although seating can fill quickly on weekends. It is best suited to coffee, casual discussions or a break between shopping.
Location: Ground Floor
Good for: Coffee and meetings
Lavender
Lavender is a bakery offering breads, buns, cakes, pastries and takeaway snacks.
Its Basement 1 location makes it convenient for picking up breakfast for the next morning or something to eat later. The selection generally mixes Western-style baking with flavours familiar to Malaysian customers.
Location: Basement 1
Good for: Bread, pastries and takeaway
Cinnabon
Cinnabon is centred around its signature cinnamon rolls, known for their soft dough, cinnamon filling and sweet cream-cheese frosting.
The rolls are rich and best approached as a dessert or shared snack rather than a light pastry. Its aroma makes the kiosk rather difficult to walk past without noticing.
Location: Basement 1
Good for: Cinnamon rolls and desserts
Krispy Kreme
Krispy Kreme serves glazed and filled doughnuts alongside coffee and other drinks.
The original glazed doughnut remains the classic choice, while seasonal flavours provide something different during festive periods. Boxes are available for sharing or takeaway.
Location: Basement 1
Good for: Doughnuts and takeaway treats
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul offers a mall-based version of the classic Penang dessert.
Its chendul combines shaved ice, coconut milk, palm-sugar syrup, pandan jelly and red beans. It provides a convenient introduction for visitors who have not tried the dessert, although eating it from a traditional street stall offers a different atmosphere.
Location: Level 4
Good for: Chendul and local desserts
Shantea Dessert
Shantea Dessert is another option for diners who prefer Asian-style sweets and drinks.
It is useful for a post-meal dessert or afternoon break, particularly if you want something other than cakes or ice cream. Check the current menu for its available dessert combinations and seasonal items.
Location: Basement 1
Good for: Asian desserts and drinks
Bubble Tea, Coffee and Quick Drinks
Gurney Plaza has an especially large collection of beverage brands. Current options include:
- CHAGEE
- HEYTEA
- KOI Thé
- Gong Cha
- GIGI Coffee
- HWC Coffee
- ZUS Coffee
- Boost Juice
- Mixue
- Auntea Jenny
- Legend of Tea
- Tan Ngan Lo Herbal Tea
Most are designed for takeaway, although selected outlets provide limited seating.
HEYTEA and CHAGEE are useful for premium tea drinks, while KOI Thé and Gong Cha offer familiar bubble-tea selections. GIGI Coffee, HWC Coffee and ZUS Coffee provide quicker and generally more affordable alternatives to full café service.
Where Should You Eat at Gurney Plaza?
Best for Malaysian Food
- Oriental Kopi
- Madam Kwan’s
- The Little Nyonya Cuisine
- Gurney Food Hall
- Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
Best for Chinese Food
- Din Tai Fung
- Canton-i
- Dragon-i
- Longjing
- XIYU Sichuan Cuisine
- Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine
Best for Japanese Food
- Hakata Ippudo
- Sushi Tei
- Aburi Sushi
- Sushi King
- Empire Sushi
Best for Korean Food
- Mr. Dakgalbi
- Park’s Kitchen
Best for Group Dining
- One Dish One Taste Chongqing Hotpot
- Bar B Q Plaza
- Dragon-i
- Din Tai Fung
- ParaThai
- Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine
Best for a Quick Meal
- Oriental Kopi
- Kim Gary Restaurant
- Gurney Food Hall
- Nando’s
- Ăn Viet
Best for Coffee and Dessert
- Baked by Kenny Hills
- Starbucks Reserve
- Paris Baguette
- Cinnabon
- Krispy Kreme
- Penang Road Famous Teochew Chendul
Halal and Muslim-Friendly Dining
Halal status can differ between brands and individual outlets. A restaurant serving no pork does not automatically mean it holds Malaysian halal certification.
Muslim diners should:
- Look for a valid halal certificate displayed at the outlet
- Check the Malaysian halal directory
- Ask restaurant staff about ingredients and kitchen practices
- Avoid assuming that every branch of a chain has the same certification
Gurney Food Hall provides several choices, but certification and operator details should still be checked at the individual stall.
How Much Does It Cost to Eat at Gurney Plaza?
Prices depend heavily on the type of restaurant.
| Dining type | Approximate cost per person |
|---|---|
| Food-hall meal | RM10–RM20 |
| Quick-service meal | RM15–RM30 |
| Casual restaurant | RM25–RM50 |
| Hotpot or barbecue | RM40–RM80+ |
| Coffee and pastry | RM15–RM30 |
| Drink or dessert | RM8–RM20 |
These figures are general estimates rather than fixed menu prices. Premium ingredients, seafood, sharing dishes and service charges can increase the final bill.
What to Eat Near Gurney Plaza
You do not have to remain inside the mall for every meal. Gurney Drive, Jalan Kelawai and Pulau Tikus contain independent restaurants, coffee shops and hawker food within a relatively short distance.
Nearby dining possibilities include:
- Pulau Tikus Market and surrounding coffee shops
- Restaurants along Jalan Burma
- Cafés and restaurants at Gurney Paragon
- Gurney Drive hawker food
- Restaurants around Tanjung Tokong
- Dining outlets near Gurney Bay
Combining the mall with Gurney Bay works particularly well. Shop or dine during the hotter afternoon hours, then head towards the waterfront when the temperature becomes more comfortable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best food at Gurney Plaza?
The best choice depends on what you want. Oriental Kopi and Madam Kwan’s offer Malaysian favourites; Din Tai Fung and Dragon-i are suitable for Chinese food; Hakata Ippudo specialises in ramen; and Gurney Food Hall offers affordable variety.
Does Gurney Plaza have a food court?
Yes. Gurney Food Hall is located on Level 4 and contains stalls serving Malaysian, Asian, Middle Eastern and Western food.
What time do restaurants at Gurney Plaza open?
Most restaurants operate approximately from 10:00am to 10:00pm. Oriental Kopi opens at 8:00am, while individual operating hours may vary.
Is there halal food at Gurney Plaza?
There are halal and Muslim-friendly choices within the mall, but certification varies by outlet. Check for a displayed certificate or verify the restaurant through Malaysia’s official halal directory.
Are there vegetarian choices?
Several Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Indian food operators offer vegetable-based dishes. However, diners following a strict vegetarian diet should ask whether sauces, broths or cooking oils contain meat, seafood or animal-derived ingredients.
Is eating at Gurney Plaza expensive?
Not necessarily. Food-hall meals and quick-service outlets provide more affordable choices, while hotpot, premium restaurants and large shared meals cost more.
Where can I get breakfast at Gurney Plaza?
Oriental Kopi opens from 8:00am and serves local breakfast dishes, toast, pastries and coffee. Most of the mall’s other restaurants begin operating around 10:00am.
Where should a large group eat?
Hotpot, barbecue and Chinese restaurants are usually the most practical choices. Consider One Dish One Taste, Bar B Q Plaza, Dragon-i, Din Tai Fung, ParaThai or Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine.
From Local Kopitiam Food to International Restaurants
Gurney Plaza has one of the broadest mall-dining selections in Penang. You can begin the day with kaya toast and coffee, have ramen or pho for lunch, share Chinese dishes or hotpot at dinner and finish with chendul, cake or a freshly baked cinnamon roll.
Its strength lies in convenience and variety. Families and groups can find something for different ages, budgets and dietary preferences without travelling to multiple locations.
Nevertheless, Gurney Plaza should be only one part of a wider Penang food experience. After exploring the mall, venture into Pulau Tikus, George Town and the island’s traditional markets to discover the coffee shops, hawker stalls and family-run restaurants that make Penang an exceptional food destination.
