Best Halal Food Penang Muslim Food Guide 2024

Many visitors love hunting for the best halal food Penang, the foodie haven in Malaysia, has to offer.

While Penang comprises the island and mainland, visitors head to the island side for its flavorful Nasi Kandar (a top wish list item), street food, and mouth-watering Penang Char Koay Teow.

Halal Food Penang Paradise

When choosing halal food, Penang has it all!

It can be challenging because many excellent suggestions are dispersed throughout the island.

But worry not!

We’ve done the legwork and compiled this comprehensive list of Penang’s top halal eateries you should check out while you’re here.

Prepare yourself for numerous breakfasts, snacks, brunches, lunches, teas, dinners, and suppers if you’re going on a one-day culinary adventure.

The best option for meal planning is to take a 3D2N trip.

We’ve categorized our list under Nasi Lemak, Roti Canai, Roti Bakar, Penang Char Koay Teow, Penang Assam Laksa, Nasi Padang, Nasi Campur, Mee Sotong, Mee Udang, Nasi Kandar, Pasembur Rojak, Malay and Western-Fusion, Tandoori Chicken, and Sup Tulang.

That’s a mouthful, and believe me, there’s more…

For Breakfast, everyone loves a good Roti Canai or Nasi Lemak, and Penang has it all – the best hangout places are the warungs, where you can order all types of Roti Canai and pair them with a foamy Teh Tarik.

But where to go?

The famous stalls are always chock full of people in queues, so if you don’t want a long wait, you can try the less famous places where the locals hang out.

Let’s start with rice for breakfast!

NASI LEMAK

If you drop by the local warung, you will see the pyramid-shaped dish wrapped in banana leaves, known as Nasi Lemak, which is Penang’s and Malaysia’s national breakfast.

Be it simple rice with a red, sweet, savory anchovy sauce, a wedge of hard-boiled egg, and a sliver of cucumber,

Nasi Lemak has many varieties. You can also get an amped-up version with a fried sunny-side-up egg and a chicken drumstick!

There are two stalls you can try.

One made it to the MICHELIN Guide, and the other is a local favorite along busy Jalan Dato Keramat.

Remember to go easy on the fiery sambal.

Ali Nasi Lemak Daun Pisang
Address: Sri Weld Food Court, 19 Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10300, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/cXj2TVo

Nasi Lemak Ciksue
Address: 195, Jalan Dato Keramat, 10150 George Town, Penan, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/k6skhdU

Roti Canai

Roti Canai, or Roti Prata (in Singapore), is an Indian flatbread dish served with dhal curry.

The best way to enjoy this crowd-pleasing dipping dough is straight from the griddle.

There will still be some crispy bits that give it additional crunch and texture.

There are many versions of this simple staple.

Nowadays, it’s prepared into a special version known as “roti canai sarang burung” (a version inspired by “bird’s nest”), or it’s served with beef and chicken curries.

Roti Canai Sarang Burung

The dough is rolled out and shaped like a ring in this variation.

It is then pan-grilled until cooked, and two eggs are broken into a circle.

When the sunny-side-up eggs are cooked to perfection, chopped spring onions are added, and a flavorful minced meat topping (either chicken or beef) is added.

A feast for the eyes, the presentation piques interest.

Roti Canai Transfer Road
Address: 110-114, Jalan Transfer, 10050 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/epsKhgY

Roti Canai Gemas Road
Address: 61, Jalan Gemas, Taman Kampar, 10460 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/6yjGFBp

Gerai Roti Canai Abah
Jalan Sungai Rusa, Kampung Sungai Rusa, 11000 Balik Pulau, Penang
Google: https://g.co/kgs/Hh9jfkA

Roti Bakar

While Penang has caught on with breakfast bagels, croissants, and French toast, the homey “Roti Bakar” still wins hands down.

Simple and comforting, this childhood breakfast of toast bread has endured through the ages despite flashy new combinations and the passage of time.

There are numerous Roti Bakar variants available.

The best thing is always a classic: a thick slice of bread with charred spots smeared with melted butter and rich kaya (coconut jam) spread, served with a cup of half-boiled eggs.

Penang has many delicious toasted options, whether you’re craving a classic morning snack, a quick snack, or a light dinner.

Abu Mamak If your go-to is an amp-up Roti Bakar at midnight, head to Abu Mamak for some cheese, sausages, runny eggs, sauces, and mayonnaise resting on top of freshly toasted bread that’s still hot.

Abu Mamak is a vibrant, late-night local culinary destination if you’re a night owl.

With a variety of toasted bread dishes that are affordable, the stage is set for your palate.

Abu Mamak
Address: Jalan Larut, George Town, 10050 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/exSm2eK

Roti Bakar Kacang Phool

A new take on the local favorite Roti Bakar.

A Malaysian adaptation of the well-known Egyptian foul medammas, or full medames / Ful Mudammas, called kacang phool, is made with broad beans like fava beans.

Nazzeeras’ Roti Bakar Kacang Phool has thick-cut toasts with butter, curry, a stew of beans, and sunnyside egg.

Breakfast portions are generous for two people, and prices in nearby hawker complexes are reasonable.

Nazzeeras’ Roti Bakar Kacang Phool Penang
Address: Jalan Desiran Tanjung 3, 1 & 2, Kompleks Desiran Tanjung, Seri Tanjung Pinang, 10470 Tanjung Tokong, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/hahiJQ9

Penang Char Koay Teow

Our top pick for halal Chinese food in Penang is Bee Hwa Cafe.

Halal Hainanese food has been served at this traditional kopitiam for several decades.

This is the place to fulfill your cravings for a delicious bowl of Curry Mee, Penang Hokkien Mee, or authentic Penang Char Koay Teow.

Bee Hwa Cafe
Address: 10, Lebuh Dickens, 10050 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/Y7bX8gi

Penang Assam Laksa

Take a short trip to a quaint town in the more serene southwest of Penang Island.

There, you’ll find Laksa Janggus, the best Malay laksa in town, and a charming town well worth seeing.

Established over 25 years ago, the stall has become a popular destination for halal food on the island.

With laksa noodles and chunks of fish, each bowl is a delicious treat.

We also recommend trying all the varieties of Laksa in Malaysia if you’re a visitor.

Laksa Janggus
Address: 338 MK, I, Kampung Perlis, 11000 Balik Pulau, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/DBbsnCc

Nasi Padang

Another hidden gem is Nasi Padang Minang Kedai Kopi International Hotel, Transfer Road.

The stall serves homemade Minang dishes and steamed Padang rice cooked in the Indonesian Minangkabau style.

Lunchtime can get busy, so we suggest arriving early to guarantee a spot at the main course!

Nasi Padang Internasional
Address: 92, Jalan Transfer, 10050 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/CvPahSu

Nasi Campur

The Nasi Melayu Masjid Terapung is another name for Nasi Melayu Lidiana, which is located across from Penang’s floating mosque.

Beyond your typical inexpensive rice stand, the stall offers a variety of dishes.

Anticipate a variety of dishes such as ulam, kerabu, curries, fried fish, and prawns!

Nasi Melayu Lidiana
Address: Medan Selera Tanjung Bungah, Pesiaran Tanjung Bunga, 11200 Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/qy4sAmd

One of the best places to start any meal in Bayan Lepas is Cargas Cafe, which makes fresh Nasi Campur every day in the Penang style.

Both are proven and tested. Because we are frequently overbooked throughout the day, we advise booking a seat before waiting to place an order.

Some highly recommended dishes are fried chicken, stingray gulag, fish curry, and sambal belacan.

Cargas Cafe
Address: 978, Main Road, 11900 Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/vWY1e5Q

Mee Sotong

Visit the Hameed Pata Mee Sotong stall in the Esplanade Park Food Court for the best mee sotong on the island.

You can get a plate of their famous fried noodles, made with freshly fried sambal squid, for just RM6.

Each bite is sweet and slightly spicy, and it’s even better with a glass of coconut shake from the stand next door.

Hameed Pata Mee Sotong
Address: 5, Esplanade Park, Lebuh Light, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/je8rTPH

Mee Udang

Tucked away on a corner in Teluk Kumbar, Pak Tam Mee Udang isn’t a well-known hangout. The serene greenery and sea breeze will greet you when you enter the area.

Their Mee Udang with sotong costs RM15, but don’t you think that’s reasonable for such a delicious dish?

Pak Tam Mee Udang
Address: Pantai Teluk Bayu, Jalan Sungai Batu, 11920 Bayan Lepas, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/cWtrZSK

Nasi Kandar

We promise that Deens Maju Nasi Kandar will be well worth the time you spend waiting in the sun!

The eatery is well-known for its nasi kandar, an eye-catching (and incredibly delicious) mess of meat, sambal, and curries that is a big favorite among locals and tourists.

In addition, the wait time is very short; you’ll have your rice plate in a matter of seconds, and the queue moves quickly.

Deens Maju Nasi Kandar
Address: 170, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/qeaK4PH

Hameediyah Restaurant is well-known to both residents and fans of Nasi Kandar.

It has been in the nasi kandar business for over a century, making it one of Penang’s oldest and best. Ayam Kapitan, Beef Rendang, Mutton Kurma, and Duck Curry are some of their specialty dishes.

Hameediyah Restaurant
Address: 164, Lebuh Campbell, 10100 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/GFMTE7C

Pasembur Rojak

To every fan of Pasembur that exists!

A streetside stand called Kareem Pasembur Rojak serves hearty, reasonably priced Pasembur.

With so many options to pick from, including fried prawn crackers, fish cakes, fish balls, tofu, squid, and more, you will be overwhelmed with choices.

Serve them with the thick, homemade, spicy sauce from the stall.

Kareem Pasembur Rojak
Address: 7, Lebuh Union, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/cZZWocj

Malay & Western Fusion

Savor the modern take on traditional Malay recipes at Lagenda House and Cafe.

The cafe honors Penang’s beloved actor and musician, P. Ramlee.

If you enjoy fusion and local cuisine while listening to the sentimental soundtrack of P. Ramlee’s life stories – we recommend the Banana Bakar, the Indonesian Gado-Gado, and their renowned rice sets with side dishes served on congkak game boards.

Lagenda House and Cafe
Address: 2, Campbell Street, Lebuh Carnarvon, 10100 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/NL5C92t

Tandoori Chicken & Claypot Briyani

Along Penang’s bustling Chulia Street, you should definitely check out the famous Restoran Kapitan if you love succulent and beautifully roasted Tandoori Chicken.

This halal Indian eatery also specializes in Clay Pot Chicken Biryani.

Restoran Kapitan (Chulia Street)
Address: 93, Chulia Street, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Google: https://g.co/kgs/2DmWaqo

Restoran Karaikudi
Address: 20, Lebuh Pasar, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/RHun3w1

Restoran Jaya AGD
Address: 25, Jalan Gottlieb, 10350 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/K4JCSv3

Sup Tulang

If you love hearty soups, Penang offers the best Sup Tulang.

These rich bone soups boast a heavenly aroma and an unmatched flavor profile, featuring choice meats such as chicken, mutton, beef, oxtail, and torpedo!

These tonic broths are local favorites that boost strength and offer various health benefits.

Packed with flavor, the soups are served with Roti Bangali. It’s time to awaken your taste buds and savor them all.

Sup Hameed
Address: 48, Jalan Penang, 10000 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
Google: https://g.co/kgs/g5fF73d

In conclusion, the state’s culinary landscape offers halal food. Penang restaurants and eateries are a rich tapestry of flavors and experiences that foodies will love.

Halal Food Penang Breakfast to Supper

From the aromatic Nasi Lemak to the fiery Penang Char Koay Teow, and from the comforting Roti Bakar to the tantalizing Tandoori Chicken, every local Penang dish tells a story of tradition, culture and innovation,  fusion in the realm of halal food Penang.

Whether indulging in a hearty bowl of Sup Tulang or savoring the modern twists at Lagenda House and Cafe, each bite celebrates Penang’s diverse culinary heritage.

Start your gastronomic adventure and explore the vibrant halal food Penang eating scene makes the state a true paradise for food lovers.