EZTrip.com International Destination Guide and Hotel Listings

A local favourite is Penang laksa, noodles in thick fish soup, garnished with vegetables, pineapple and belacan (shrimp paste). The main travellers' hang-outs around Lebuh Chulia serve Western breakfasts, banana pancakes and milkshakes, for less than a couple of dollars each; they usually open from 9am to 5pm. There are also hawker stalls on Lebuh Kimberley and Lebuh Cintra.

Bamboo Hut , Lebuh Chulia. Good for all-day breakfasts and Indian dishes. Also has great milkshakes in bamboo cups.

Green Planet , 63 Lebuh Cintra. This café serves international veggie food, with some ingredients organically grown, and wonderful baguettes and wholemeal bread. Also has a book exchange. Open 9.30am-3pm & 6pm-midnight.

Hameediyah , 164 Lebuh Campbell. Great Indian food at reasonable prices; around RM4 a head for a full meal.

Hard Life Café , 363 Lebuh Chulia. Bob Marley and co plastered across the walls and the sound system make this a laid-back spot for drinks, snacks and beers.

Hong Kong , 29 Lebuh Cintra. Although this looks like any number of kedai kopis in the area, the food is of much better quality than usual, something reflected in the prices; portions are huge.

Kashmir , basement of Oriental Hotel, 105 Jl Penang. Very popular high-class north Indian restaurant; you'll need to book at weekends. Expensive but chic.

Kriss Dinners Corner , Lebuh Chulia. Tasty and surprisingly well-priced buffet of Chinese and Malay food. Shows films and football in the evenings.

May Garden , 70 Jl Penang. Plush, but affordable Cantonese restaurant with excellent food.

Rainforest Café , 294a Lebuh Chulia. Run by the friendly Mr Tan who also owns the Green Planet. Similar set-up, with good food and drinks, a book exchange system and Internet terminal.

Revolving Restaurant On the fourteenth floor of the City Bayview Hotel, serving Western and Oriental dishes, with a colourful all-you-can-eat lunchtime buffet for around RM30.

Soho Free House , Jl Penang. A pub that might have been transported straight from England, with authentic fish and chips, pies and draught Guinness.

Taj Mahal , Jl Penang. Near the junction with Lebuh Chulia, this busy and very inexpensive north Indian eatery is popular with the locals and open well into the night.