Leong Keat Restaurant 亮吉小食店 @ Fortune Court, Farlim, Penang.

Tucked in the quieter setting of the Farlim Business Centre (a short walk from Sunshine Farlim), Leong Keat Restaurant is a hidden gem that has gained loyal support from the neighbourhood’s residents. The restaurant offers no-fuss Chinese fare with generous portions and reasonable prices. Unlike many small eateries, it is fully air-conditioned and spacious enough to accommodate larger groups — making it a comfortable pick for family dinners or gatherings. If you’re in the Farlim area and want a reliable, casual spot with good value, Leong Keat is worth checking out. 

Lau Ee Home Kitchen @ Hye Keat Estate, Air Hitam, Penang.

Hidden at one end of Hye Keat Estate, Lau Ee Home Kitchen is a humble family-run private kitchen with over 30 years of history. The place feels like dining at a relative’s home — warm, intimate, and exclusive — but with restaurant-calibre execution. It serves Teo Chew dishes with a touch of Thai influence, and many of the recipes are made completely from scratch. It’s best known for its signature Shark’s Fin dishes and has even attracted quite a number of celebrity diners over the years. The setup is simple but comfortable, with about 9–10 tables that can fit up to 80 guests. The menu is small, focusing on long-time classics that regulars keep coming back for. 1-day advance reservation is recommended, especially for larger groups. 

Many Thanks to Lau Ee Home Kitchen for hosting us. 

Yang Yang Cuisine 洋洋. 味之料理 @ Sunshine Central Mall, Penang.

Yang Yang Cuisine has recently expanded its presence to Sunshine Central Mall Penang, bringing along its familiar array of Nyonya, Hainan, and Oriental delights. This latest branch continues the brand’s culinary tradition, offering a wide selection of comforting classics in a casual, family-friendly setting. Whether you're in the mood for fragrant Nasi Hainan, rich Peranakan curries, or simple stir-fries, the menu covers a good variety to cater to different palates. 

Fu Lai Pu Hotpot 福來舖 @ All Seasons Place, Penang.

Fu Lai Pu Hotpot brings its Taiwanese-style individual hotpot concept to Penang, where each diner gets their own bubbling pot. There are five soup bases to choose from, with Ma La being a popular pick. Set meals include free-flow drinks and complimentary dessert. The air-conditioned restaurant offers a comfortable dining experience with reasonable prices. Expect big crowd on weekends though.

Sour Little 7 酸小七酸菜鱼 @ Sunshine Central Mall, Penang.

Little Sour 7 酸小七酸菜鱼 has recently made its debut in Penang with a new outlet at the freshly launched Sunshine Central Mall in Ayer Itam. Hailing from China, the brand is known for its signature sour and spicy hotpot- an unusual and punchy flavor combination that’s still relatively uncommon locally. The space is casual and modern, suitable for small or large groups. Being located in a mall makes it a convenient stop for a meal after shopping or errands. 

Talk Talk Kopi @ Sunshine Central, Farlim, Penang.

Talk Talk Kopi is one of the many Halal options in Sunshine Central Mall Penang, it is also one of the earliest tenants to join the mall during its opening end of last year. The Kopitiam-style eatery offers Malaysian delights like Nasi Lemak, Kaya Butter Toast, Curry Chicken... and some uncommon ones include Ramen Udang (a different version of the Malaysian Mee Udang), Koay Teow Basah etc. Dishes are reasonably priced, not a bad choice if you are looking for some Malaysian dishes. 

Oneul Korean Restaurant @ All Seasons Place, Farlim, Penang.

Fans of Korean food will be excited to learn that there is a new Korean restaurant opened in All Seasons Place Penang- Oneul Korean Restaurant. The new addition can be found on the 1st floor (above Starbucks), previously occupied by Coffee Elements. The Korean menu features an array of familiar Korean dishes, both Noodles and Rice... as well as some popular Korean street food like Toppokki, Fried Chicken, Mandu etc. Dishes are reasonably priced and the place is manned by a super friendly Korean-speaking lady. If you do enjoy Korean food, do give this place a try. 

Claypot Foodie 煲仔家庭煲仔饭 @ All Seasons Place, Air Hitam, Penang.

A new addition that joined All Seasons Place (Air Hitam) in January 2025- Claypot Foodie 煲仔家庭煲仔饭, specializes in Cantonese-style Claypot Rice. On top of the rice options, there are some noodle choices as well as some additional sides. Dishes are reasonably priced and the restaurant is air-conditioned. Pretty decent and worth a try if you are in the vicinity- go for their signature Claypot Rice series and you will not be disappointed. 

Baan Khun Thai @ Farlim Square, Farlim, Penang.

Thai food lovers will be glad to know that there is a new Thai restaurant opened in Farlim Square. Though the name Baan Khun Thai does sound familiar and may coincide with other establishment- we were made understood that this is a new Thai restaurant. The owner runs a Thai Wellness Centre a couple shops away from the restaurant. Menu-wise, it offers quite a good selection of Southern Thai delights. The restaurant is air-conditioned but might be less-accommodating for larger groups due to limited tables. Do make early reservation if you intend to visit in a large group. 

Flame @ De View Hotel, Air Hitam, Penang.

Perched high on a rooftop of a building at Air Hitam, Flame is a rooftop restaurant that redefines barbecue dining with a view. Specializing in flame-grilled creations, the menu is a celebration of smoky aromas and charred perfections; with a mix of local delights. Those who seek for a better view should look out for the igloo at the al-fresco dining area; each igloo is equipped with a cooler to ensure comfort. You will be rewarded with a scenic view overlooking the Air Hitam town and Kek Lok Si at the back. The restaurant itself on the other hand, offers a more proper sit-down dining experience. Definitely a unique dining spot for any occasions without putting a dent on the wallet.

Many Thanks to Flame for extending the invitation.

Light Stone Restaurant 轻石代 @ Sunshine Central, Penang.

Light Stone Restaurant 轻石代's second branch opens at Sunshine Central, occupying a prominent spot at the main atrium (level 4). They first started in Iconic Point, Simpang Ampat; offering healthy food options to the public. According to their statement on social media, they use minimal amount of salt, sugar and oil in their cooking. At first glance, the menu does look like Mama Kim's signature Sauna Noodles but with slightly more options. The menu also includes Nasi Lemak, Brown Rice Set Meals and some Western dishes; suitable for diners of all age range and a good choice for family eat-outs. 

Yum Saap Thai Food @ Air Hitam, Penang.

Right opposite to Chung Ling Private High School along Jalan Air Hitam, Yum Saap is a neighborhood Thai restaurant that serves classic southern Thai stir fry dishes. The menu is pretty extensive- from the timeless Thai appetizers to mains like Tom Yum, they even have Thai raw marinated Seafood. Prices are reasonable, expect around Rm 20- Rm 30 per pax for a meal here. The facade may not seem too appealing but there is an indoor, air-conditioned dining area. Regular patrons start to flood in after 6:30 pm, so be there early if you need to secure a table in the air-conditioned dining area. 

Chooi Lim Koo 醉林居 @ Air Hitam, Penang.

Tucked away from the bustling Jalan Air Hitam, Chooi Lim Koo 醉林居 is hidden at the small alley next to Kek Lok Si Hospital. The place can be found on a slope with a few parking spaces available. Chooi Lim Koo offers a small menu offering only 2 types of mains- Penang Hokkien Mee and Char Koay Teow, with some local beverages and Toasts. Save for the al-fresco area, the restaurant is air-conditioned and offers a comfortable space for a quick meal. 

Kim Koe Restaurant 金口煮炒 @ Farlim, Penang.

A place for a quick fix over Chu Char, Kim Koe Restaurant 金口煮炒 at Farlim is a popular neighborhood Chu Char spot known for its inexpensive homecooked-style dishes. The place is partially air-conditioned, with simple setup like any other Chu Char places. But it does not have a printed menu- relying on the server to communicate and place orders. The server would advise on the freshest produce available and recommend dishes according to the number of diners. Be prepared for long waiting time though, the place is also infamous for its service- it takes a while for them to serve the dishes. Do not visit the place if you are in a rush. 

Senyuman Daun Cafe @ Ayer Itam, Penang.

For a healthy-organic vegetarian quick fix, make your way to Senyuman Daun Cafe at Ayer Itam. On the ground floor, Senyuman Daun Cafe carries various organic, healthy products as well as some Microgreens for sale. The cafe is on the upper floor of the shop; it offers a small vegetarian menu in which some dishes will have their home-grown microgreens included. After orders are being placed, the server will pluck, wash and prepare the microgreens to serve; freshness is guaranteed. Comfortable space with inexpensive, healthy options; do check it out if you are into vegetarian food. 

Chen Ji 晨记 @ Air Hitam, Penang.

Found near the small neighborhood of Happy Valley at Air Hitam (near Paya Terubong), the recently opened Chen Ji 晨记 specializes in home-made Yong Tofu and Noodles. The menu is small, offering only their signature dishes. Do not expect the place to have heavy decorative or any special in terms of ambiance... but just a simple space for a quick fix. 

TOLK Cafe @ De View Hotel, Air Itam, Penang.

** This place is permanently closed.**

Taking over the prominent lot previously occupied by Modern Asia Kitchen at De View Hotel (Air Itam) is TOLK Cafe, a cafe that offers a standard cafe menu with a a couple of special dishes of theirs. Wan Ton Mee (known as Tolk Tolk Mee here) is one of the unusual items. Apart from the Wan Ton Mee, the offering is pretty much nothing out of the ordinary (the usual cafe fare). Price range wise, pretty much the standard cafe-charges, not exactly too pricey. Also, not much changes on the interior decor though. 

Tian Yun Vegan Restaurant 天雲蔬食 @ Farlim, Penang.

Tian Yun Vegan Restaurant 天雲蔬食 might not be new for those on regular vegetarian diet or those living in the neighborhood but many have not even noticed its existence. The place is quite hidden on the upper floor of a shop lot at Farlim, the signage is not easily noticeable either. But don't mind the entrance, the restaurant has an interesting vegan menu... featuring many Japanese-inspired vegan dishes yet, without too grueling to the wallet. The dining area is quite spacious and comfortable, with a few Japanese short-legged table for those who prefer to be seated on zabuton. The serving speed however, can be better improved (we waited for more than 40 minutes for our food to be served). Tian Yun Vegan Restaurant's menu can be found here.

Akino Cottage @ Air Itam, Penang.

Found right next to De View Hotel, a stone's throw distance away from Kek Lok Si Temple is Akino Cottage, a new restaurant that offers a Japanese menu. The air-conditioned indoor seating is limited so if you are running out of luck, you might end up at the outdoor seating area (be prepared for a sweat-inducing experience if you are dining under a sultry hot weather). The list of choices is not as comprehensive as some established Japanese restaurants in town. While the dishes are affordably priced, the quality is less-satisfying and has rooms for improvements.

Modern Asia Kitchen 壹丰庭 @ De View Hotel, Air Itam, Penang.

A stone's throw distance away from the famous tourist attraction- Kek Lok Si is a new hotel- De View Hotel and Modern Asia Kitchen 壹丰庭 is a tenant that occupies a prominent spot of the hotel. The Chinese restaurant dishes out a Dim Sum menu in the mornings and usual Chinese menu in the evenings. While the Dim Sum menu is not very big, diners can also order some stir fry dishes from the Chinese menu. The prices are slightly on the higher side but they offer great quality in return... as well as comfortable dining atmosphere (spacious and fully air-conditioned). This place is definitely one of the better places to go to in Air Itam... for Dim Sum.