3BR Condo at Gelugor by Hana Suite

Open for half days, this small store draws long queues – mostly tourists and young customers. They serve just one dish: stir-fried koay teow. The wok-fried flat rice noodles emit a charcoal aroma, are well seasoned and come with quality ingredients that can be spiced to taste.

This casual, relaxing place sports an open kitchen, a long counter table and floor-to-ceiling windows. At dinner, it serves a small à la carte menu of modern dishes made with local ingredients, melding Peranakan and Malaysian cuisines. The signature aged duck breast in a steamed bun appeals to the palate with its crispy skin and a secret sauce. Homemade gelato sees some interesting local twists, with flavours like nutmeg harumanis; and hor ka sai.

This shop in a market serves Penang-style curry mee at friendly prices. The mee is cooked over charcoal, in a well-balanced soup with spices, chilli paste and coconut milk; tofu puffs and spring squid add contrasting textures.

There are many shops in Penang selling roasted duck, but this stall's tender braised duck is packed with flavour, including soy sauce, anise and cinnamon. They also serve braised pork belly, pork intestines, egg and bean curd.

For 30 years, this small outlet has been serving Hokkien-style noodles in prawn soup. The soup has a beautiful rich red colour and sweet umami flavour. Add a little textural variety to your bowl with tasty options such as braised pork ribs or roasted pork – both highly recommended.

This fine dining restaurant in an 18C castle-turned heritage boutique hotel boasts graceful architecture and a stunning dining room done up in a colonial style with royal blue walls, white window shutters and a giant faux white tree in the centre. The 8-course tasting menu cannot be faulted and á la carte options are also plentiful. Each dish incorporates a variety of Asian ingredients and is intelligently devised and balanced. Make sure you save room for the desserts that are too good to miss!

Pizza