Gurney Drive Penang (Guide) – What To Eat, Hotels Nearby & Malls

A popular spot for both locals and tourists, Gurney Drive Penang brings forth shopping malls and delicious street food. Truly coming to life during the night!

However, that only scratches the surface of what this place has to offer!

So, stay at any of the hotels and homestays nearby, and read on as well tell you what the hottest places in Gurney Drive!

Table Of Contents:

• Gurney Drive Food
• Gurney Drive Malls
• Hotels Near Gurney Drive
• Getting To Gurney Drive

Gurney Drive Food

Try everything from street food and food courts to high-end restaurants in Penang!

Gurney Drive Restaurant

First up, let’s start with the various restaurants in the area.

1. Orinea By Farquhar Mansion

A luxurious twist on contemporary cuisine, this high-rise venue also offers fabulous sea views!

The owners of Orinea have notable experience in the fine-dining scene:

Chef Tan DR is an expert in French cuisine, having run Farquhar Mansion (French fine-dining) at Mission Place, Farquhar Street.

And no worries if you are vegan or vegetarian, as the chef will accommodate your request!

Need more fine dining options? Check out our article on the best fine dining places Penang has on offer to satiate your tastes!

2. Crepe Cottage Gurney Drive

As the name suggests, the specialty at this 14-year-old establishment is crepes, particularly of the dessert variety!

With homemade ice cream of tropical fruit flavors (mango is popular)!

Aside from the dessert crepes, they also do savory crepes, such as their drunken chicken crepe which is wholly unique!

3. 77 Restaurant (Fish Head Curry)

Look twice for this one! As the shabby exterior might make it appear like it’s not open!

Having been in operation for almost 3 decades, 77 Restaurant offers quality food at an affordable price.

Fresh fish makes their flavorful assam fish head curry stand out, and if the fish doesn’t strike your fancy, there are other meat dishes including venison.

4. Bali Hai Seafood Market

On the same note, fresh seafood awaits at Bali Hai Seafood Market (And restaurant).

Choose what you want to eat from the tanks with lobsters, crabs, prawns and more! It can get pricey fast!

They have some species you can’t find in most places – Alaskan spider crabs and Canadian geoduck. In fact, their amusing motto is “If it swims, we have it”.

Although do be aware that the prices can  rack up fast!

For a laidback vibe, have your meal in a warm and casual setting under the canopy with fans to keep you cool!

5. Coco Island (椰子岛)

Still new to Gurney Drive, Coco Island is already a hit with anyone who likes Southeast Asian cuisine from satay to dim sum. You can also order iced cold beers at reasonable prices!

Seafood dishes like sambal crab and spring rolls with crab meat are available too!

Despite being away from the beach, the potted plants and palm trees add to the island vibe, making your experience as tropical as it gets.

And if you’re lucky, you might find yourself in the presence of a live band playing at this open-air food court!

6. Golden Gate Steamboat

For more seafood delights, Golden Gate Steamboat is the way, with their unique traditional steamboat pots differing from the competition!

2 soup bases are available – clear or fish head soup. And the dipping sauce is homemade! Pick your ingredients from their selection of meats and vegetables!

With affordable prices, it’s no wonder that the air-conditioned restaurant with a colonial building facade has been in business for over 20 years!

7. Zealand Bak Kut Teh And Seafood Restaurant

ThAs befitting its reputation, many patrons flock to this restaurant to try out the fragrant ­bak kut with herbal pork ribs soup, especially on the weekend!

There are other Chinese dishes (like vinegar pork trotters or belacan kangkung) and noodles that you can order to go with your bak kut teh and white rice (or yam rice) too!

Seating is shaded in the open air with some fans overhead, giving you an authentic local experience.

Gurney Drive Penang Food Court

1. Gurney Drive Hawker Centre

No doubt the main attraction at Gurney Drive; if you miss that it’s brightly lit, you certainly can’t miss the crowd there!

Gurney Drive Hawker Centre holds on to its reputation as an undisputed foodie paradise for Malaysia food!

Pasembur among other local dishes like char koay teow, fried oyster omelets, satay, rojak and Hokkien mee is a must-try!

2. Song River Café

Founded in 1948, the Song River Café was a pre-war residential bungalow before being turned into a food court.

Locals may insist that this seaside kopitiam is only for tourists and is overrated! But there are 1 or 2 notable stalls here that you can try!

Firstly, there is a lighter version (i.e. less herbal taste) of bak kut teh here. Secondly, look out for the stall selling BBQ chicken wings!

Or you can order Chinese-style dishes like steamed fish, fried bittergourd with eggs and tofu topped with eggplant (i.e. brinjal)!

Read more: 17 Best Cafe In Penang With Great Coffee (Includes New Cafes)

Gurney Drive Malls

There are 2 reputable Penang shopping malls in Gurney Drive – both of which happen to be within walking distance from each other!

1. Gurney Paragon Mall

A luxurious mall at Gurney drive seafront, the Paragon Mall is hard to miss:

It has a fairly interesting layout, consisting of a large open courtyard with a heritage building and restaurants like TGI Fridays around it.

There’s a supermarket on the ground floor (Jaya Grocer), alongside a double-story bookstore (BookXcess) and a top-floor cinema (TGV)!

A huge range of international fashion brands like Tory Burch, Monki, Kade Spade New York and more are present too!

So if you intend to splurge, or simply need some air-conditioning on a hot day, this is the place to be.

2. Gurney Plaza

Unlike its neighbor, Gurney Plaza does not have many restaurants to choose from although they have a food court with plenty of variety!

And what Gurney Plaza lacks in food options, it makes up for in premier brands like Marks & Spencer, MAC, Chanel, and Rolex!

They have a supermarket (Cold Storage) and cinema (GSC) as well.

Read more: 13 Best Breakfast In Penang – With Local, Western Cafe & Halal Options

Hotels Near Gurney Drive

Moving on to where to stay at Gurney Drive:

If you’re driving your car, you’ll want a place that has parking for guests!

1. Dubin Art House

Across from a food court, Dubin Art House has basic modern accommodation as well as boutique rooms with rustic details like hand-woven furniture!

What you’ll like:

• Helpful staff
• Clean rooms
• Walking distance from Gurney Plaza
• Value for money
• Easy to get a Grab

Good to know:

• 24h laundry service nearby
• For some of the rooms, the toilets facilities are shared
• Limited parking (8 cars max)
• Common kitchen to share
• Reception open for 24 hours

2. G Hotel Gurney

Between 2 malls (Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon), G Hotel Gurney is an urban oasis for both business and pleasure.

What you’ll like:

• Minibar contents are complimentary (restocked daily)
• Welcome ice cream upon check-in
• Secured car parks
• Vast breakfast spread
• Nice views from the rooms
• Huge gym and pool

Good to know:

• Not many vegetarian options at breakfast
• Handicap room for easy access and mobility
• Busy area with constant traffic

3. G Hotel Kelawai

Hidden from the main road, G Hotel Kelawai is an alternative if you want to be close to the shopping malls but away from the traffic!

What you’ll like:

• Brilliant service
• Good facilities
• Stylish and clean rooms

Good to know:

• Request for a higher floor for better views!
• 10 minute drive to George Town

4. Evergreen Laurel Hotel Penang

Evergreen Laurel Hotel Penang has families in mind with thoughtful amenities, an outdoor pool and airport shuttle service!

What you’ll like:

• Classic and elegant interiors
• All-You-Can-Eat unlimited A la Carte menu
• Free parking for guests
• Polite staff

Good to know:

• UNESCO Heritage Site
• 10 minutes’ walk to Gurney Plaza
• Not too convenient to get a Grab here

5. Havara Place

4 different themed eclectic rooms are available at this private homestay in a bungalow, with a hospitable host family running the place!

What you’ll like:

• Clean, comfortable and spacious rooms
• Parking within the property
• Value for money
• Reliable WiFi
• It’s a quiet retreat away from the buzz of the city
• Ample car parking opportunities

Good to know:

• Walking distance to Gurney Paragon
• There is a cold and hot water dispenser for guests
• Late check-in/ check out is possible with early notice to the owner
• Nonsmoking policy

6. Ibook Gurney Suites

Further north of George Town and Gurney Drive, this location is suitable for those making a circuit around Penang Island in their Penang itinerary!

What you’ll like:

• Suites come with a dining and living space
• Parking on site
• Quiet location
• Spacious and tidy rooms
• Friendly host

Good to know:

• There are 7 suites in total, each with their own theme
• 15 minutes’ walking distance to Gurney Drive Hawker Centre

7. Sunrise Gurney Seaview Luxury Duplex

If you need a space for up to 9 people or are travelling in Penang with kids, consider Sunrise Gurney Seaview Luxury Duplex.

It’s an apartment homestay with access to an indoor swimming pool!

What you’ll like:

• Easy check in/ check out process
• Sea views
• Comfortable
• Free parking
• 2 bathrooms!
• Equipped kitchen, dining and living space

Good to know:

• There is a fitness centre on site
• The apartment comes with a washing machine and ironing facilities

Further reading:

• 15 Best Hotels In Penang For An Unforgettable Stay (From Budget To Luxury)
• 5 Star Hotels In Penang – Top 11 Luxury Resorts
• 11 Top-Tier Budget Hotels in Penang
• 11 Best New Hotels In Penang
• 11 Exceptional Airbnb In Penang

Getting To Gurney Drive In Penang

What if you’re not planning to drive a car in Penang?

1. By Bus

There are a couple of routes by Rapid Penang that pass by Gurney Drive and go up to Batu Ferringhi and Teluk Bahang.

Rapid Penang Bus 101

The go-to bus route for tourists! It starts from Weld Quay and continues all the way to the Penang National Park in Teluk Bahang!

101 Bus Route:

Jetty (Pengkalan Weld) – Masjid Kapitan Keling – Love Lane – Komtar Terminal – Gurney Paragon & Plaza – Batu Ferringhi – Teluk Bahang

Rapid Penang Bus 102

This is another east-coast bound bus you can take from Penang Airport to Georgetown and Gurney Drive!

102 Bus Route:

Penang International Airport – Snake Temple – Sungai Nibong Bus Terminal – Penang Times Square – Komtar Terminal – Gurney Paragon & Plaza – Batu Ferringhi – Teluk Bahang

Read more: 11 Best Massage In Penang – For Full Body & Foot Massage

2. Include Gurney Drive Into A Penang Tour

There’s a lot of convenience in taking a private tour service other than not having to worry about finding parking!

With RayTheTour, you get the following:

• Knowledgeable guides from Penang/ Ipoh
• You can choose an English speaking or Chinese speaking guide
• A fuss-free and changeable day-to-evening itinerary with no fixed stops
• We can pick you up from your Penang hotel and drop you off after the tour!
• Airport transport is possible
• Check out our tours in Ipoh and Cameron Highlands too!
• The vehicles we use: MPVs (like Toyota Innova) or vans

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Further reading:

• 4 Best Ways For Getting Around Penang
• How To Get To Penang Island From Kuala Lumpur (KL)
• Best Way To Travel From Langkawi To Penang (All Methods + Cheap Option)

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Conclusion

Gurney Drive Penang is a lively area in Penang that you can visit after a whole day of exploring George Town!

It’s the place to stay if you like being close to various malls and eateries, with plenty of mouthwatering Penang food that you can try in the evening and at night!