Sek Kai Hainan Chicken Rice @ Batu Kawan, Penang.

For an affordable and tummy-satisfying meal in Batu Kawan, consider stopping by Sek Kai Hainan Chicken Rice. Located within the Bandar Cassia commercial area, this air-conditioned eatery serves a variety of rice and noodle dishes paired with favourites such as Char Siew, Siew Yoke, Roasted Duck and Chicken, offering plenty of options for a straightforward meal. Prices remain wallet-friendly, making it an easy choice when you're looking for something filling without spending too much. While the setting is simple and fuss-free, it works well as a convenient spot for a quick fix in the area. 

Shao Lak Restaurant 烧腊皇 @ Batu Kawan, Penang.

Shao Lak Restaurant 烧腊皇 in Batu Kawan is a solid go-to for Chinese roasted meats and comfort dishes in an area where good Chinese options can be limited. Known for its char siew, siu yuk and roast duck, the restaurant draws steady crowds during peak hours, especially for quick family meals or casual gatherings. Prices aren’t exactly cheap, but for Batu Kawan standards, it’s still considered reasonable for the quality and convenience. While not a destination dining spot, it’s a reliable choice when you’re craving classic烧腊 in the neighbourhood. 

Kim Han Coffee House 金汉餐室 @ Simpang Ampat, Penang.

Kim Han Coffee House 金汉餐室 — A nostalgic local café lands in Simpang Ampat With over six decades of history rooted in Jawi, Kim Han Coffee House finally brings its neighbourhood charm to Simpang Ampat. Known as a quick-fix go-to for locals, the new café effortlessly blends tradition with convenience—expect familiar kopitiam staples, quick bites, and comforting drinks in a no-fuss, welcoming space. It’s a slice of old-school Penang that both long-time fans and new visitors can appreciate. 

Safa Matcha @ Vervea Batu Kawan, Batu Kawan, Penang.

Safa Matcha is one of the latest additions to Vervea at Batu Kawan and a place not to be missed by Japanese Matcha lovers. Matcha is directly imported from Kyoto and the cafe churns out not only Matcha-focused desserts but a handful of Japanese-inspired main dishes as well.... at unbeatable prices. Imagine a serving of Tendon at RM13.90 and a Matcha-misu (Matcha-infused Tiramisu) at RM9. They have a range of good Matcha drinks for Matcha lovers to explore too. Though the options are limited, this place is highly recommended for Matcha lovers. 

Thong Ne Thae Restaurant @ Batu Kawan, Penang.

Strategically located right next to the Pulau Aman Jetty, Thong Ne Thae Restauran is a Halal Thai restaurant that has been trending on social media platforms. The place is known for its breath-taking sea view, particularly in the evening for the sunset view. The restaurant has plenty of tables and able to accommodate large groups... making it ideal for company eat-outs or casual family dining. The menu is somewhat limited though- with a few Thai-style signature dishes. It has a self-service system where diners will need to order through the order-counter and self-collect the orders from the pick up counter. It is crucial to understand Malay language as they will call the name and inform in Malay language (not so friendly to foreigners). The place is not air-conditioned and can be quite warm during late afternoons. On top of the restaurant menu, there is also a corner dedicated to Thai-imported snacks where you can find chilled Thai products (like CP Burgers) or snacks. To reach this place, follow the same path as how you would travel to the Pulau Aman Jetty, you will need to pay RM5 for the parking fee (and it does not warrant you a place to park).

Temp @ Batu Kawan, Penang.

Probably the only Halal cafe at Batu Kawan- Temp has been around for quite some time and has been the go-to place for the folks working in the Batu Kawan Industrial Park. The cafe offers a Western menu with a focus on their handmade Pasta. Great environment- sort of like minimalist kind of chic interior decor. The servers are well-trained and super friendly, Temp offers a small dessert options too. 

Shorty Cafe @ Bandar Tasek Mutiara, Simpang Ampat, Penang.

A popular cafe in the Tasek Mutiara neighborhood- Shorty Cafe has been around for quite some time, the food menu features a wide variety of food choices, from light meals to mains (like Pasta) and even desserts. Seats are comfortably spaced and the cafe is well equipped with air-conditioners, so it is generally a comfortable space to enjoy a quick meal or have casual meet ups over desserts and coffee. Items are reasonably priced, worth checking out if you are in the vicinity.

Makan at Sundown @ Design Village Outlet Mall, Batu Kawan, Penang.

Foodies residing near Batu Kawan area or shoppers at Design Village Outlet Mall can look forward to the food event happening this weekend (from 28 Apr 2023 to 1 May 2023)- Makan at Sundown.  The 4-day food festival sees a gathering of some of Penang's best food street food, restaurants, cafes and other emerging food joints. The Makan at Sundown event features over 100 food stalls, with highlights including Penang's proud creation- Char Koay Teow, Nasi Kerabu and a myriad of international delights from Lebanon, Turkey, Italy etc. Not only that, visitors can also expect to find some stalls selling plants, crafts, fresh flowers or even partake in an art class! The event runs from 28 Apr 2023 to 1 May 2023, from 5PM to 10PM at Design Village Outlet Mall Outdoor Car Park. 

Meetcha Cafe @ Vervea Batu Kawan, Batu Kawan, Penang.

One of the early tenants at Vervea Batu Kawan (the commercial shop lots next to Penang Design Village and IKEA Batu Kawan) is Meetcha Cafe. Opened in late 2022, the place has quickly become one of the favorite dining spots for the folks working/ staying in the new township. The cafe has a Matcha-focused menu with some Muslim-friendly mains. The cafe runs on the first floor of the building and offers a great, cozy space for caffeine fix; while the space on upper floor is open for dine-in, guests looking to fill up their tummies may proceed to the upper floor where they serve a Western-Oriental menu with grills, Pasta and Rice dishes. Budget watchers would be glad to learn that all items are affordably priced at Meetcha Cafe. For those who are interested, it is possible to host private events at Meetcha premises for up to 20 pax; it is also possible to arrange for private catering and pre-packed meals for corporate events (please reach out to them directly for any arrangements). 

Many Thanks to Meetcha Cafe for hosting us.

Yen Batu Kawan Seafood Restaurant @ Batu Kawan, Penang.

Wondering what to eat at Batu Kawan? Check out Yen Batu Kawan Seafood Restaurant, a short 5-min drive away from the Penang Design Village Outlet; the Chinese restaurant has been around for a while, serving those staying in the neighborhood. But the seafood restaurant is not short of diners, the place is often packed on weekends, with regular patrons bringing in family members to dine-in. The menu is quite big, from fresh seafood to affordable Chinese stir-fry options... a place for diners of all age range. You will probably need a navigation system to reach this place, it's a little hidden from the main roads. 

Kejap Food @ Klippa Shopping Centre, IKEA Batu Kawan, Penang.

A relatively new Malaysian brand that aims to revolutionize how typical Malaysian food is served- Kejap Food has finally expanded its business operations in the northern region, opening a dine-in place at the new Klippa Shopping Centre (inside the IKEA Batu Kawan building). The Malaysian brand dishes out Malaysians' all time favorites with 100% Halal ingredients sourced within the country. The brand operates quite a number of drive-through outlets in the nation, the branch up north at Batu Kawan Penang is the first branch in Penang and also one of the 2 branches in the entire nation that offers dine-in facilities. Some of their best sellers include Karipap Panas, Popper Udang, Lekor, Kebab Ayam Buttermilk and Nasi Ayam Sambal Pedas; best of all, all food items are affordably priced. 

Many Thanks to Kejap Food Penang for hosting us.

Fu Qi 大马煮炒 @ Bandar Tasek Mutiara, Simpang Ampat, Penang.

One of the best kept secrets by the folks nearby Simpang Ampat is Fu Qi Restaurant… a popular family dining place known to churn out fresh but inexpensive Seafood-Stir Fry (Chu Char) dishes. Many regular patrons would secure their tables by making reservation so either you do so or make your way there earlier; expect a long wait otherwise. The restaurant does not have a fixed menu but the server would recommend verbally; it’s always wise to ask for the freshest catch of the day. It’s a very simple, casual dining space without air-conditioners. A great choice if you are looking for good quality of Seafood without putting a dent on the wallet.

Elephant In The Room @ Design Village, Batu Kawan, Penang.

Ever since its opening in 2016, Design Village welcome a spate of brands and shops to the mall but they are still falling behind when it comes to restaurants and food outlets. Elephant In The Room, a new Thai restaurant is one of the latest additions to the mall. It has a sleek, clean interior decor sans the unnecessary frills but the menu is relatively small... offering a few Thai appetizers, Rice and Noodle dishes only. Though air-conditioned, we were upset to see plenty of flies flying around; adding salt to the wound, the food lacked the bold Thai flavors.....

The Morning After @ Design Village, Batu Kawan, Penang.

With presence in Penang International Airport, The Morning After should not be new to coffee lovers. The cafe at Penang International Airport is relatively small and does not offer a big menu (as far as mains are concerned). The brand has recently extended its business operation, opening a branch at Design Village... with full-fledged menu. It has quite substantial items on offer, from some familiar dishes like Big Breakfast, Pasta, Pizza to some uncommonly seen dishes (like savory Crepes etc). Prices are on the higher side (imagine Pasta priced at Rm 40 per serving) but the air-conditioned cafe can be decent place to stretch your shopping legs. The Morning After can be found at the Food Street, right next to KFC and opposite to Dave's Deli at Design Village Penang.

Mee Udang Bukit Tambun (蜜屋浪) @ Bukit Tambun, Penang.

Visitors visiting Design Village Penang but intend to have something special for lunch (except those fast food chains in the mall) can opt to reroute to Bukit Tambun, a small township famous for Seafood and home to many Seafood restaurants. Bukit Tambun is approximately 10 minutes drive away from Design Village Penang; it was once the de-facto place to visit when Penangites wanted fresh Seafood. Though it is still popular right now but the hype has reduced drastically as there are many other options available for now. But Mee Udang (Prawn Noodles) Bukit Tambun offers something out of the norm, instead of the usual Seafood Zhu Char dishes; it dishes out home-made Mee Udang, a proud Malaysian dish. Mee Udang is not the only option here, fresh Seafood catch is easy to source and thus, expect some simple, no frills Seafood dishes to be found here as well. The fully air-conditioned Mee Udang specialist can be found at one of the colorful heritage houses under the restoration project on the main road of Bukit Tambun (towards the now defunct Jetty).

Design Village Premium Brand Outlet Mall @ Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan, Penang.

The largest Premium Outlet Mall- Design Village Penang has opened its doors today (23 November 2016) at Bandar Cassia, Batu Kawan, Penang. Batu Kawan is one of the heaviest development zones by the Penang State Government at present, the island expects to receive great spotlight from the media over its vast development in the next few years and Design Village Penang is one of the huge projects. The mall that spans across 24 acre-land houses as much as 97 international brands; the location is strategic... only 5 minutes drive away from the Penang second link bridge (Sultan Abdul Halim Muadzam Shah Bridge). At present, only 50% of the shops are opened and the mall is expecting to run at 70% capacity in by end of December 2016.