1. Kebaya Dining Room

If you’re going to go all out at least one night in Penang, do it at Kebaya Dining Room. Housed in the beautiful Seven Terraces heritage hotel, Kebaya Dining Room promises a special evening from the moment you step in. While many Nyonya restaurants go for a cosy, home-style look, Kebaya is all about elegance, from the heavy velvet curtains to the gleaming marble tables. And, of course, the food – you’ll find all the Nyonya favourites here, but each with a modern, exciting twist. Fragrant, spicy otak-otak, but encased in a crispy layer of puff pastry. Seabass cooked in the style of ikan bakar, topped with sambal chilli paste. Popiah reimagined as a taco, with all your favourite ingredients spilling out of a crisp rice flour wafer.

14A Stewart Lane, George Town, Penang. kebaya.com.my

2. Jawi House

Jawi House offers a perfect representation of Penang’s trading post past, as exemplified by its unique blend of flavours. The Jawi House chefs draw on recipes and dishes from Arabic, Northern Indian, Pakistani, Levant and Malay culinary traditions, resulting in a menu full of familiar favourites and exciting new flavours. Try their aromatic prawn biryani, topped with prawns grilled in butter; or the jawi bamieh, fork-tender lamb cooked in Peranakan herbs and served with okra and Benggali bread.

85 Lebuh Armenian, George Town, Penang. www.jawihouse.com

3. CEKI Nyonya Restaurant

Ceki is a relative newcomer to the Penang Nyonya scene, but has won fans for its fresh but authentic take on recipes passed down from the owner’s grandmother. Their menu features a mix of staple Nyonya favourites like tau ewe bak – a deeply caramelised braised pork – and lesser seen dishes like tetae lemak, a rich,creamy vegetable curry with sweet potatoes. Be sure to try the classic perut ikan, a rich, flavourful stew of fish maw and vegetables.

11-A, Jalan Sri Bahari, George Town, Penang. CEKI Nyonya Restaurant Facebook

4. Bibik’s Kitchen Nyonya Cuisine

For a no-nonsense Nyonya meal in a serene setting (if you beat the crowds), look no further than Bibik’s Kitchen. You’ll find all the family favourites here: assam prawns, a fragrant babi pongteh, salted fish curry (kiam hu kut). If you’re really lucky, or have the foresight to pre-order, you’ll be able to try the restaurant’s popular Lemak Laksa, packed with fresh herbs and spices.

73, Jalan Sri Bahari, George Town, Penang. Bibik Kitchen Facebook

5. Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery

Auntie Gaik Lean boasts an army of loyal fans in Penang and abroad, who swear by the authenticity and deliciousness of her Nyonya cooking. The restaurant itself is a simple set-up that has welcomed large parties, famous guests and scores of Nyonya food-lovers. They go to Auntie Gaik Lean’s for the Nyonya classics: curry Kapitan, sambal brinjal Nyonya beef rendang and inche kabin.

1 Bishop St, George Town, George Town, Penang. Auntie Gaik Lean’s Facebook

The post 5 great Peranakan and Nyonya restaurants in Penang appeared first on Going Places by Malaysia Airlines.