Hola by Javu is one of the best Spanish restaurants in Penang.
The tapas bistro at Tanjung Point started serving Spanish fares in November 2021.
Surprisingly, it is one of those hidden bistros you might miss while driving to Batu Ferringhi.
If you want excellent Spanish cuisine in Penang, Hola by Javu’s renowned diverse menu will not disappoint.
Can’t think beyond tapas?
There are pintxos, seafood, steak, and more.
This restaurant is perfect for special occasions or casual outings with friends or family.
Hola, ¿cómo estás?
Welcome to our Humble Bistro!
We are Hola by Javu! Here at Hola, we offer a selection of homemade Spanish/Mediterranean cuisine with our twist of Javu flare added to it.
Hola’s Ambiance
The restaurant in Tanjung Point, Tanjung Tokong, offers a fantastic ambiance.
They have two dining areas – one outside with a nice breeze and another inside with air conditioning, so you can choose where to sit.
It’s spacious with a high ceiling and overlooks the tranquil, breezy beachfront.
One section of the restaurant overlooks the sea, making it a lovely place to eat with family and friends.
The great sea view makes the restaurant perfect for tasty Spanish food.
The team there is friendly and welcoming, which makes the whole experience even better.
If you’re wondering where Tanjung Point is, it’s the building next to Mercure Penang Beach.
Parking
There’s convenient covered parking available.
Wheelchair Accessibility
Accessing the lift is easy; you can easily reach the restaurant.
Hola by Javu Tapas Variety
Hola by Javu Tapas specializes in tapas, those delightful small plates of appetizers akin to Chinese Dim Sum, which are ideal for sharing.
We happily attended a Tapas party hosted by Hola by Javu, and as seen in the photos, we enjoyed ourselves tremendously with a host of tapas dishes.
We were blown away as Chef Thommas whipped up about 28 tapas on the menu, plus a few mains!
With so many varieties of tapas, where does one start?
Simple, he said; you start with a glass of Sangria.
As a teetotaler who doesn’t handle alcohol well, we also asked about the twenty-four questions, including the alcohol percentage in the red wine.
What is Sangria made of?
There’s no one way to make Sangria, but it typically consists of wine, fresh fruit, liquor, and sometimes a sweetener.
The restaurant used a fruity Spanish red wine, probably Tempranillo or Garnacha.
However, the wine was heated to burn off the alcohol, resulting in a fruity, fragrant, sweet drink that tasted wonderful.
And yes, we enjoyed that very much.
Aunty Suaku Loves Tapas
To savor authentic and enjoyable tapas, combine dishes such as simple yet delicious Cowboy Corn with familiar favorites like Gambas al Ajillo.
Other dishes offer more intricate and bold flavors, such as
- Pera Con Jamon Serrano
- Deslizadores de Gambas
- Iberico Rib Fingers
- Patatas Bravas
- Albondigas
- Champiñones Chorizo con Ajo
- Pulpo a la Gallega
- Almejas Con Leche
- Chorizo Al Vino Tinto
- Many more dishes
It was absolutely delicious!
We explored the tapas options and were captivated by all of them.
The variety of delicious tapas was a visual feast for the eyes. Some truly stole the spotlight and beckoned me with irresistible allure.
I found myself eagerly pointing my finger and saying, ‘I’m going to eat this, this, and this!’
Three things happened when I told my friends (fans) that I’d found my new favorite restaurant.
- One wanted to go the very next day.
- Met another on a business lunch.
- The third was not feeling 100% but brightened up with promises of a set lunch next week.
With 28 tapas on display, what do you recommend we order? They inquired.
Let me run down the list of what stood out visually – it was like going to a buffet and picking the items you want to try first.
I began with the most familiar dishes: Gambas al Ajillo, Seafood Paella, and the highly recommended risotto.
Gambas al Ajillo
If you want to sample the seafood at Hola by Javu, the Gambas al Ajillo did not disappoint.
Gambas al Ajillo, or Spanish garlic shrimp, are popular for a good reason!
It has only three ingredients: big, juicy shrimp, garlic, and tasty olive oil. Sprinkle with sea salt and smoked sweet paprika.
The dish is bright, garlicky, not spicy, and rich in the best way possible, drowned in good olive oil.
The big, juicy shrimp (with my name written) were exceptionally flavorful and fresh.
This dish is ideal for strong, garlicky flavors and seafood.
The only thought running through my head was, “I got to eat this, Chef!”
We definitely recommend Gambas Al Ajillo – it’s bursting with flavors.
While I am not much of a rice person, the two outstanding loaded rice dishes at Hola by Javu are the Seafood Paella and Mushroom Risotto.
Chorizo Al Vino Tinto is chorizo cooked with red wine and garlic. It’s served with jamón serrano and Pulpo A la Gallega, a Galician-style octopus with smoky paprika and tender potatoes.
Seafood Paella
For the paella, we opted for the seafood version using short-grain Arborio rice.
This traditional Spanish classic came fully loaded with baby octopuses, clams, mussels, and prawns.
The saffron-infused rice was aromatic, well-cooked, and full of rich umami flavor.
The generously sized, perfectly cooked seafood added to the dish’s appeal.
We appreciated the slightly burnt crust, which enhanced the overall flavor, making this dish a recommended choice.
Mushroom Risotto
I fell in love with the Mushroom Risotto when I caught a whiff of it.
I enjoyed it so much that I returned the next day to order it again.
On both occasions, I tried it, and when sharing it with friends, I always wished I had the entire pot to myself.
For me, it was THAT good.
While some might look at the photo and think it resembles porridge, the proof is in the taste test.
Pan-fried salmon with Corn Succotash and Homemade Passion Fruit Sauce
This dish showcases a succulent, thick-cut pan-fried salmon with perfectly crisp skin.
It’s paired with a vibrant sweet and tangy passion fruit sauce, offering a tropical burst of flavor.
Deslizadores de gambas and Salmon with corn Succotash and a homemade passion fruit sauce.
Cowboy Corn
One of the simplest and most intriguing Tapas is something called Cowboy Corn.
Pulpo a la Gallega
This famous tapas dish from northwestern Spain features rounds of tender octopus topped with olive oil, salt, and pimentón.
Patatas bravas
Potatoes are a staple Spanish tapas dish.
Albondigas
Braised meatballs in homemade marinara.
Champions Chorizo con ajo
Mushroom with chorizo and garlic.
Pulpo A la gallega
Galician Octopus with potatoes, sweet, smoky paprika, and potatoes.
Almejas Con Leche
Clams with tomato salsa and milk.
Chorizo al vino tinto
Chorizo with red wine and garlic.
Hola by Javu Tapas Set Lunch
Not content with my first Spanish food experience, I returned for the Tapas Set Lunch the next day.
Yes, it’s one of those things I sometimes do—eat through the menu.
However, this time, it was specifically to order the Mushroom Risotto again.
I convinced MH, who was in town, to join me for lunch.
She enthusiastically accompanied me and enjoyed a variety of cuisines.
We secured a table by the window, relishing the sea view.
Hola by Javu Tapas has a great sea view!
The best surprise was when Justin called me from the next table.
He saw the photos on my IG story and decided to bring his client to Hola for a business lunch!
Nice! We arrived before the lunch crowds and quickly ordered our Tapas Set Lunch.
Tapas Set Lunch Menu at Hola by Javu
The set lunch included a choice of tapas (from the tapas lunch menu), paella (seafood or pork), and an appetizer (soup of the day or house salad).
Opting for a lighter option, we chose the house salad.
The light dressing, topped with grated cheese, allows the flavors of the fresh and crisp greens to shine through. The generous portion is perfect for sharing.
MH selected a set of three tapas and a starter: a house salad, Spanish Tortilla, salmon rojo, and pintrox de gambas.
We love Spanish tapas with warm baguette slices drizzled with olive oil.
The crusty exterior and chewy insides make these perfect bite-sized snacks for savoring sauces.
Meanwhile, I was focused on ordering my beloved Mushroom Risotto to share.
With its earthy, warm, and filling qualities, the risotto sits well on my stomach.
It was so delicious!
MH was also sold on it, and observing her scrape the bottom of the plate clearly indicated that she enjoyed the food as much as I did.
Our Tapas Set Lunch, you get a great selection to choose. All are delicious!
Justin joked about pointing at the menu to order his meal.
He loved the Spanish pork chops, herb-crusted halibut with almond butter, and creamy seafood broth (caldo cremoso de mariscos).
His food looked so yummy, too.
Spanish pork chops, Halibut herb crusted with almond butter and Caldo cremeso de mariscos (Cream with seafood broth)
If you enjoy Spanish cuisine, head to Hola by Javu.
The Tapas Set Lunch, made with premium ingredients, is incredibly affordable and equally tempting even with the smaller selection.
For RM69, you can choose any three tapas, which are ideal for sharing!
If you’re dining in a group, you can select any six tapas and two starters for RM129!
The extensive à la carte menu offers additional options for adelicious meal.
Think Sangria, desserts, and coffee.
Hola by Javu
508-1-1, Tanjung Point, Jalan Tanjung Tokong, 10470, Tanjung Tokong, Penang.
T +6012-362 4652
Open 11 am – 10 pm except Mondays (last call 9 pm)
Facebook: Halo by Javu
IG: Hola by Javu
Google: https://g.co/kgs/Pi2DVkt
Blog Disclosure: This is a sponsored blog post, but all opinions are mine. Thank you, Hola by Javu, for the food-tasting invitation. On other visits, the writer and friends paid for their meals.
