Official name: Lebuh Campbell
English name: Campbell Street
Hokkien name: 新街 Sin-ke, 新大門樓 Sin-tuā-muî-lâu
Story of the Street
In the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage city of George Town lies one of Penang’s oldest commercial streets — Campbell Street, or locally known as Lebuh Campbell.
While many visitors flock towards Armenian Street or Chulia Street, Campbell Street quietly preserves a different side of old George Town. Here, traditional textile shops stand beside old kopitiams, hardware stores continue operating from pre-war shophouses, and generations-old businesses still serve local communities every day.
Lebuh Campbell is more than just a heritage street. It is a living commercial district that reflects Penang’s trading history, multicultural influences, and old-school urban character. Whether you are exploring George Town on foot, hunting for local food, photographing heritage architecture, or discovering hidden traditional businesses, Campbell Street offers an authentic glimpse into daily life in Penang.
Where is Campbell Street?
Lebuh Campbell is located within the UNESCO World Heritage core zone of George Town, Penang. The street stretches between Penang Road and Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, placing it right in the middle of the city’s historic district.
It sits close to several famous streets and landmarks including:
- Komtar
- Chowrasta Market
- Kapitan Keling Mosque
- Armenian Street
- Campbell Street Market
Because of its central location, Campbell Street is often explored together with nearby heritage streets such as Carnarvon Street, Kimberley Street, and Beach Street.
The Story Behind Campbell Street
Campbell Street is one of the oldest roads established during the colonial era of Penang. The street was named after Sir George William Campbell, who served as the Lieutenant-Governor of Penang in the 19th century.
Historically, the street developed as a bustling commercial corridor filled with traders, textile merchants, sundry shops, medicine halls, goldsmiths, and family-run businesses. Its strategic location near the harbour and trading district made it an important economic centre within George Town.
Over time, different communities settled and operated businesses along the street, including Chinese, Indian, and Muslim traders. This multicultural commercial influence can still be seen today through the architecture, temples, food culture, and traditional shops that remain active.
One of the defining moments in Campbell Street’s history was the devastating Campbell Street Fire of 1909, which destroyed a large portion of the area. Following the fire, many buildings were rebuilt using brick and masonry, contributing to the architectural style seen along the street today.
Despite rapid modernisation in other parts of Penang, Campbell Street continues to preserve much of its traditional urban atmosphere. Many businesses here are still operated by second- or third-generation owners, making it one of the more authentic heritage streets in George Town.
What Makes Campbell Street Special?
Unlike heavily touristed heritage streets, Campbell Street still feels deeply local and functional.
What makes the area unique includes:
- Traditional businesses still operating daily
- Authentic old-school George Town atmosphere
- Historic pre-war architecture
- Strong multicultural influences
- Local food culture and kopitiams
- Textile and household goods shops
- Walkable location within the heritage core zone
The street offers a balance between heritage tourism and real everyday city life.
Things to Do on Campbell Street
Explore the Heritage Shophouses
One of the biggest highlights of Campbell Street is simply walking through the street and admiring its rows of pre-war shophouses.
Many of these buildings feature:
- Straits Eclectic architecture
- Timber shutters
- Decorative ceramic tiles
- Covered five-foot ways
- Colonial-era facades
- Traditional signage
Unlike restored tourist-oriented streets, Campbell Street still maintains a slightly rougher and more authentic charm that reflects old George Town.
Visit Chowrasta Market
Located just nearby, Chowrasta Market is one of Penang’s oldest markets.
The market is famous for:
- Local snacks and preserved food
- Nutmeg products
- Traditional biscuits
- Pickled fruits
- Fresh produce
- Local breakfast stalls
The upper floor also houses second-hand bookstores and old magazine sellers, creating a nostalgic atmosphere that many locals grew up with.
Highlights
- Traditional Penang products
- Local market experience
- Old-school atmosphere
- Great place for food souvenirs
Discover Traditional Textile Shops
Campbell Street has long been associated with textile and fabric businesses.
Several traditional shops still operate here selling:
- Fabrics and textiles
- Traditional clothing materials
- Curtains and tailoring supplies
- Wedding-related fabrics
- Household linens
These businesses represent an important part of George Town’s commercial history.
Try Local Food and Kopitiam Culture
Campbell Street and its surrounding roads are filled with classic Penang eateries and kopi tiam culture.
Visitors can find:
- Wantan mee
- Nasi kandar
- Traditional toast and coffee
- Cantonese-style restaurants
Photograph Everyday Heritage Life
Campbell Street is excellent for street photography because it combines:
- Heritage buildings
- Local businesses
- Urban textures
- Traditional signboards
- Daily life scenes
Rather than staged tourism, the street offers genuine moments of George Town life.
Street Art: “Retail Paradise” Sculpture
The “Marking of George Town” is an art challenge organised by the Penang State Government to mark George Town’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2009. The company, Sculpture At Work won the design idea by relating the history and/ or characteristic of selected streets in George Town with metal rod caricatures of local cartoonists.
The “Retail Paradise” Sculpture was installed in 2013. This sculpture at Campbell Street by cartoonist Reggie Lee portrays a guard arresting a burglar, who claims he has simply misplaced his keys. The sculpture celebrates a period in the history of Campbell Street when it was the main shopping area in George Town. “Campbell Street is Penang’s Fifth Avenue, a retail paradise where shoppers can stroll along the row of shophouses and feast their eyes on an array of goods.”
Significant Buildings and Landmarks Around Campbell Street
Campbell Street Market
Campbell Street Market is one of the long-standing community landmarks along Lebuh Campbell and reflects the everyday commercial life that has shaped George Town for generations. Although smaller compared to some of Penang’s larger public markets, the market remains an important neighbourhood hub where locals continue to shop for fresh ingredients, household goods, and daily necessities.
The market area also captures the atmosphere of old George Town, where traditional traders and small family-run businesses still operate much like they did decades ago. Walking around the area gives visitors a glimpse into Penang’s daily routines beyond the tourist attractions.
Chowrasta Market
Chowrasta Market is one of the oldest and most famous markets in Penang, located just a short walk from Campbell Street. Established during the colonial era, the market has long served as an important commercial and social gathering point for locals in George Town.
Today, Chowrasta Market remains popular for its traditional food products, local delicacies, preserved fruits, spices, nutmeg items, and old-school snacks that many Penangites grew up eating. The upper floor is also known for its second-hand book stalls and vintage magazine sellers, adding to the nostalgic atmosphere of the market.
Unlike modern shopping malls, Chowrasta still preserves the energy and character of a traditional Malaysian public market.
Boon Wah Co. Textile
Boon Wah Co. Textile represents the long history of textile trading along Campbell Street. Traditional textile and fabric businesses once played a major role in George Town’s commercial economy, supplying materials for clothing, tailoring, weddings, and household use across Penang.
The presence of textile stores along the street also reflects the multicultural trading history of George Town, where merchants from different communities contributed to the city’s economic growth.
It is located at the corner area along Campbell Street and Rope Walk Street. In fact, this turquoise-coloured building has been an Instagram-worthy spot to check in for the locals and tourists.
Traditional Businesses
One of the most fascinating aspects of Lebuh Campbell is the survival of many traditional businesses that continue operating despite rapid urban modernisation. Walking through the street, visitors can still encounter old restaurants, medicine halls, hardware stores, textile shops, jewellery shops and long-running family-owned establishments.
Many of these shops have been operating for decades and are often passed down through multiple generations. Their original signboards, vintage interiors, timber shelves, and traditional business styles contribute greatly to the living heritage atmosphere of the area.
Unlike heritage streets that have become heavily commercialised for tourism, Campbell Street still functions as a genuine working street for locals. This balance between heritage preservation and daily urban life is what makes the area particularly special.
What to Eat
Campbell Street and its surrounding roads form part of one of the most food-rich areas in George Town. From traditional kopitiams and long-running local eateries to modern cafés and contemporary restaurants, the neighbourhood reflects the multicultural food culture that Penang is famous for.
Walking around Lebuh Campbell, visitors can easily move between old-school breakfast spots, heritage coffee shops, dim sum eateries, noodle stalls, dessert cafés, and hidden bars tucked inside restored shophouses.
Whether you are looking for classic Penang street food or modern dining experiences inside heritage buildings, Campbell Street offers a strong mix of both old and new George Town food culture.
Toh Soon Cafe 多春茶室
Hidden within a narrow alley off Campbell Street, Toh Soon Cafe is famous for its charcoal-toasted bread, soft-boiled eggs, and traditional kopi served in a nostalgic old-school setting.
Highlights
- Charcoal toasted bread
- Traditional kopi and tea
- Soft-boiled eggs
Toh Soon Cafe’s Website | Instagram
Hameediyah Restaurant
One of Penang’s oldest nasi kandar restaurants, Hameediyah is known for rich curries, flavourful beef dishes, and generations of Indian Muslim culinary heritage in George Town.
Highlights
- Historic nasi kandar restaurant
- Signature beef dishes
- Indian Muslim cuisine
- Long-standing Penang institution
Kim Haus
Kim Haus combines a café, bakery, restaurant, and boutique accommodation inside a beautifully restored heritage building with industrial-inspired interiors and creative local food offerings.
Highlights
- Heritage café concept
- Stylish restored shophouse
- Coffee and pastries
- Boutique hotel atmosphere
Tho Yuen Restaurant 桃園茶樓
Tho Yuen is a long-running traditional Chinese coffee shop popular for dim sum, noodles, and old-school breakfast culture that has remained largely unchanged for decades.
Highlights
- Traditional dim sum
- Cantonese-style noodle and dishes
- Classic Chinese restaurant atmosphere
- Generational local favourite
Hema Hema Ice Cream
Known for creative flavours and local-inspired ingredients, Hema Hema Ice Cream offers handcrafted desserts inside a charming heritage setting near the Campbell Street area.
Highlights
- Artisan ice cream
- Local-inspired flavours
- Modern dessert café
- Great afternoon stop
Gou Lou Hong Kee Chao Sar Hor Fun & Noodles
This local favourite is known for smoky wok-fried char hor fun and comforting noodle dishes that reflect Penang’s rich street food and hawker culture.
Highlights
- Char hor fun
- Wok hei flavours
- Traditional noodle dishes
- Local hawker-style dining
Cheng Zheng Dim Sum 丞蒸点心
Cheng Zheng Dim Sum is popular among locals for its wide variety of steamed and fried dim sum served fresh throughout the morning and lunchtime crowd.
Highlights
- Fresh dim sum selection
- Traditional Chinese breakfast
- Popular local eatery
- Casual dining atmosphere
The Ais & Hani
The Ais & Hani offers modern Malaysian-inspired desserts and refreshing treats inside a cosy café space that blends contemporary creativity with nostalgic local flavours.
Highlights
- Local-inspired desserts
- Refreshing beverages
- Modern café concept
- Creative menu offerings
Khaosan Tapas Bar
Located inside a heritage shophouse, Khaosan Tapas Bar combines cocktails, tapas, and a relaxed nightlife atmosphere with chill vibes.
Highlights
- Tapas and cocktails
- Nightlife atmosphere
- Popular evening hangout
Le Litchi
Le Litchi brings together elegant café aesthetics, pastries, desserts, and contemporary brunch offerings within a stylish heritage-inspired environment in George Town.
Highlights
- Brunch café
- Pastries and desserts
- Stylish interior
- Modern dining experience
Tok Tok Mee Bamboo Noodle 騳騳廣式竹昇麵
Tok Tok Mee Bamboo Noodle is known for its springy bamboo-pressed noodles served with flavourful toppings and comforting broth inspired by traditional noodle-making techniques.
Highlights
- Bamboo-style noodles
- Handmade noodle texture
- Comfort food experience
- Traditional-inspired preparation
Where to Stay at Campbell Street
Campbell House Penang
Campbell House is an Award-Winning Luxury Boutique Hotel in George Town. The owners are a husband and wife team, one of them is from Italy and another one is a mix of Malay and English. The boutique hotel occupies a unique three-storey Straits Chinese corner plot. The building was built in 1903 and underwent a major renovation when the owners bought it in 2008. It offers a total of 11 themed rooms incorporating Colonial charm and Asian heritage with an authentic but modern Italian restaurant.
Kim Haus Loft
Kim Haus was a goldsmith jewellery shop turned into a cafe and residence lofts. This four-storey building offers a total of 40 guest rooms with something more basic and homey. In fact, it is not just a boutique hotel. There is a goldsmith museum, an event and performance space, and a cafe. Besides, it uses black as the theme colour with an industrial influence in the decor and stays true to its history as a jewellery and goldsmith shop. There is an array of vintage jewellery and goldsmith tools displaying at the cafe area.
Elephant House Boutique Hotel
Elephant House Boutique Hotel is a three-storey building comprising 12 rooms. Each room is decorated with its own theme and features decor with cartoon characters or superheroes. For instance, Leisure Bali Deluxe Queen, Sunlight Santorini Deluxe, Classic Marvel, Luxurious Mickey and more.
ATTIC Hotel
An attic is similar to a loft. It is a space or room inside or partly inside the roof of a building. Attic Hotel features a total of 17 rooms, including double rooms, triple rooms, and family rooms. Besides, the hotel also provides guests with a sun terrace.
Nearby Attractions
Campbell Street is close to many attractions including:
- Armenian Street
- Khoo Kongsi
- Kimberley Street
- Masjid Kapitan Keling
Tips for Visiting Campbell Street
- Wear light clothing because George Town can be hot and humid
- Bring comfortable walking shoes
- Visit in the morning for the best atmosphere
- Carry cash for smaller shops and food stalls
- Respect local businesses and residents
- Explore the smaller side lanes nearby
- Combine the visit with nearby heritage streets
FAQ About Campbell Street
Is Campbell Street worth visiting in Penang?
Yes. Campbell Street offers a more authentic and less commercialised heritage experience compared to some of George Town’s more tourist-heavy streets.
What is Campbell Street famous for?
The street is known for:
- Traditional businesses
- Heritage shophouses
- Textile shops
- Local food
- Historic atmosphere
How long should I spend at Campbell Street?
Most visitors spend between 1–3 hours exploring Campbell Street including the surrounding heritage district.
Is Campbell Street part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Yes. Campbell Street is located within the UNESCO World Heritage core zone of George Town.
Can you walk around Campbell Street?
Yes. The area is highly walkable and is best explored on foot.
Are there cafes around Campbell Street?
Yes. There are traditional kopitiams, modern cafes, and local eateries throughout the surrounding heritage area.
Lebuh Campbell may not always appear on the typical tourist checklist, but that is exactly what makes it special. The street still feels alive with everyday commerce, local communities, and old-world character.
For travellers looking to experience the real atmosphere of historic George Town beyond curated tourism, Campbell Street remains one of the most rewarding streets to explore in Penang.
