A popular spot for tourists, Gurney Drive has both shopping malls and everything from street food and food courts to high-end restaurants in this part of Penang. There’s a reason there are so many hotels and homestays in this area!
Read more to find out what we recommend you try when you’re here!
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 has a reputation as an undisputed foodie paradise for local food! Pasembur among other local dishes like char koay teow, fried oyster omelets, satay, rojak and Hokkien mee is a must-try!
Personally, we feel that the food here is not as good as it used to be. Our last visit here was disappointing – we ordered char koay teow and it was only average at best. The one over at Presgrave Corner is a lot tastier!
Our suggestion is that if you’re still keen to come here for dinner, try to avoid peak times (especially after 7pm) to avoid a drop in quality of the food as vendors rush to fill their orders!
Other popular eateries we have yet to try:
- Orinea Restaurant –Offering contemporary cuisine, this high-rise venue also offers fabulous sea views! Chef Tan DR is an expert in French cuisine. And no worries if you are vegan or vegetarian!
- Crepe Cottage Gurney Drive – The specialty at this 14-year-old establishment is dessert crepes with homemade ice cream of tropical fruit flavors (mango is popular)! They also do savory crepes – their drunken chicken crepe which is wholly unique!
- 77 Restaurant (Fish Head Curry) – In spite of the shabby exterior, this eatery has been in operation for almost 3 decades. 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.
- Coco Island Street Food – This spot is a hit with anyone who likes Southeast Asian cuisine. There’s everything from satay to dim sum. You can also order iced cold beers at reasonable prices (cheapest before 8pm)!
- Golden Gate Steamboat – This air-conditioned restaurant has been in business for over 20 years. They still use traditional steamboat pots, and they have 2 soup bases available – clear or fish head soup. The dipping sauce is homemade! Just pick your ingredients from their selection of meats and vegetables!
- Kopitiam Song River -Founded in 1948, the Song River Café was a pre-war residential bungalow before being turned into a food court. There is a milder version (i.e. less herbal taste) of bak kut teh here. And a stall known for their BBQ chicken wings!
Shopping
There are 2 reputable 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 and it has an 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!
But 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.
Hotels Nearby
If you’re driving your car, you’ll want a place that has parking for guests!
- Dubin Art House – Across from a food court and walking distance from Gurney Plaza, Dubin Art House has basic modern accommodation as well as boutique rooms with rustic details like hand-woven furniture! Check price now on: Booking.com | Agoda
- G Hotel Gurney – Between 2 malls (Gurney Plaza and Gurney Paragon), G Hotel Gurney is an urban oasis for both business and pleasure. Check price now on: Booking.com | Agoda
- 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! Check price now on: Booking.com | Agoda
- Evergreen Laurel Hotel – This elegant hotel has classic room interiors and it has families in mind with thoughtful amenities, an outdoor pool and airport shuttle service! Check price now on: Booking.com | Agoda
- Sunrise Gurney Seaview Luxury Duplex – If you need a space for up to 9 people or are travelling with kids, consider Sunrise Gurney Seaview Luxury Duplex. It’s an apartment homestay with access to an indoor swimming pool! Check price now on: Booking.com
- Havara Place – 4 different themed eclectic rooms are available at this private homestay in a bungalow, with a hospitable host family running the place! The homestay is walking distance from Gurney Paragon and has guest parking within the property. Check price now on: Booking.com
Getting Here
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
This 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
- Operating Hours: 5:30am – 11:20pm
- Frequency: Every 10 minutes
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
- Operating Hours: 6:00am – 11:15pm
- Frequency: Every 60 minutes
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 food options that you can try in the evening and at night!
Things To Do In Penang At Night
If you like shopping, Gurney Drive is a good place to be after dinner. But there are other places and things to do in Penang at night that you might be interested to know about!
Penang Botanical Garden
Staying at Gurney Drive? If you want to go for a jog in the morning or evening, Penang Botanical Garden is 10 minutes’ drive (the new Gurney Bay doesn’t have any mature trees or hiking trails but it closer).
