Best Food Courts and Hawker Centres in Penang

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Discover how Penang’s hawker centres and food courts work, what to expect when you visit, and our favourite spots for cheap local food.

Eating at food courts and hawker centres is a big part of the food scene in Malaysia. You’ll find them throughout the country, as well as in Singapore, but the format is quite different from the night markets and street-food setups you’ll find in neighbouring Thailand and Indonesia.

Food is very cheap, and it’s a great way to try lots of different dishes in one sitting (check our guide on best food in Penang to try). And it’s not just Malaysian food: depending on the food court, you’ll find plenty of Chinese and sometimes Indian dishes alongside Malay specialities.

This guide focuses on our favourite food courts in the tourist and expat areas of Penang Island, between George Town and Batu Ferringhi. Though, in all honesty, the differences between the food courts are more about location than one being dramatically better than another.

What is a food court or hawker centre?

So, is a food court the same thing as a hawker centre? Not exactly, but in Penang the terms are often used interchangeably.

A hawker centre is essentially a collection of small, independent food stalls gathered together in one place. Each stall specialises in particular dishes, and the food is cooked to order rather than prepared in a central kitchen. Technically, a food court also includes the same kind of individual food stalls, but is also found in a more formal indoor setting, often within a mall with air conditioning. Here we focus more on the traditional hawker centres.

These tend to be open-air, but with a roof and ceiling fans to keep the air moving. Plastic tables and chairs fill the space between the stalls. Most get going around 5pm and continue into the late evening.

How do Penang food courts work?

It can seem a little chaotic the first time you visit, but the system is actually very simple.

First, find a table. Most food courts have plastic tables and chairs, and you’ll usually see a number on the table. This becomes your base.

For drinks, a waiter will normally come around and take your order. You don’t need to go looking for a drinks stall. Beer is also available at many food courts, usually served as large bottles in an ice bucket.

For food, however, you go directly to the individual stalls. Have a look around first, decide what you fancy and then place your order at the stall. Give them your table number and, usually, they’ll bring the food over when it is ready. At some of the busier food courts, you’ll instead be given a buzzer. When it goes off, head back to the stall to collect your food.

You can order from as many different stalls as you like, and everyone can eat at the same table. This makes food courts a great option for groups who all fancy something different.

Payment is by cash or Touch ‘n Go eWallet. Very few stalls will accept a bank card, so bring cash if you don’t have TnG.

How much does it cost?

One of the biggest advantages of eating at a Penang food court is how affordable it is. Most individual dishes cost around RM6–10, although prices vary depending on the dish and venue. Drinks are also inexpensive, making it easy to put together a filling meal without spending much.

Our recommended hawker centres and food courts in Penang

The below map shows the locations of our recommended hawker centres and food courts in Penang. Read on for more information on each place.

1. The Jetty Food Court

George Town (near the Clan Jetties)
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Right by the Clan Jetties, The Jetty Food Court is particularly popular with tourists thanks to its convenient location. It’s easy to combine with an evening of sightseeing, and there’s a lively atmosphere later on, with a bar and stage for live entertainment. Drinks are ordered from a separate counter, which is unusual for Penang hawker centres. The entrance to Chew Jetty is directly across the road.

2. Red Garden Food Paradise

George Town
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Sitting right next door to The Blue Mansion in the heart of George Town, this is the most tourist-friendly of the bunch. Later in the evening there’s live entertainment on a central stage (everything from acrobats to full-on karaoke), which makes for a lively, sociable night out.

3. Gurney Drive Hawker Centre

Pulau Tikus / Gurney Drive
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Great after a sunset stroll along Gurney Bay, or as a breather if you’ve been shopping in one of the nearby malls. There’s something satisfying about swapping the air-conditioned, commercialised mall for the noisy, unpretentious energy of the hawker stalls. It’s a proper contrast, and an easy way to save on dinner if you’ve had a bit of a shopping spree.

4. Goodall

George Town
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We only discovered this one on a motorbike street food tour with Street Bite, and honestly might never have found it otherwise. A properly local food court where you’re unlikely to spot another Western face. Well worth seeking out if you want something a bit more off the tourist trail.

5. 33 Best Food Hub

Tanjung Tokong
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Leans more Chinese in its influence than most of the others on this list. Handy if you’re staying in Tanjung Tokong, though it’s not really within reach of any of the main tourist sights; one for locals and nearby residents more than day-trippers.

6. Viva Local Food Haven

Tanjung Tokong
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We like an early dinner here, then a walk down to the beach. After dinner, head out the back, turn right, take the first left and follow the steps down. From there it’s a lovely stroll along the sand to Oceano Symphony for a sundowner with your feet in the sand. Oceano Symphony features as one of our recommended best bars in Penang.

7. Long Beach Food Court

Batu Ferringhi
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A handy dinner stop in Batu Ferringhi between a beach sundowner and watching the fire shows on the beach afterwards. It sits right next to the night markets, so allow some time for a browse. It’s popular with visitors staying at the beach hotels, as it sits between Parkroyal and Shangri-La Golden Sands.