Atas Signature Dapur 天甲私房菜 @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

天甲招牌菜 Atas Signature Dapur in Pulau Tikus offers a relatively extensive menu built around familiar Chinese chu char-style dishes, alongside stone pot noodles and a handful of local-inspired creations, making it an approachable option for casual family meals. Prices are generally reasonable, though portions tend to come smaller than expected, especially when dining in groups, and the layout feels slightly less accommodating for larger gatherings. Food quality overall is decent and fairly average—nothing particularly outstanding, but consistent enough for a straightforward, fuss-free meal.

Tokyo Tonkatsu Aokiya @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Located in Pulau Tikus, Tokyo Tonkatsu Aokiya is a newly opened tonkatsu specialist that exudes a homey, understated Japanese vibe. The menu focuses on tonkatsu with some variation across different proteins such as chicken and prawn, offering a bit more range beyond the usual pork options. Prices lean towards the higher side, though this is balanced by consistent quality and the freshness of ingredients. Service can be on the slower end, especially during peak hours, but overall it remains a modest and reliable spot for a comforting tonkatsu experience. 

Wok and Whisk @ Moulmein Road, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Tucked away in Pulau Tikus, Wok & Whisk is a fresh new Thai eatery offering a thoughtfully curated, pork‑free menu in a charmingly cozy setting. With a streamlined yet satisfying selection—think classic favourites like Som Tum, Tom Yum, Green Curry, and Pad Kra Pow—you’ll find just enough variety without feeling overwhelmed. The warm interior vibe, paired with approachable prices, makes this a great spot for relaxed weekday meals or casual get‑togethers with friends. 

Flour and Oil Cafe @ Codrington Avenue, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Tucked away in one of the bungalows along Codrington Avenue (Pulau Tikus)- Flour and Oil Cafe is relatively new in the Penang cafe scene. It can be found slightly before Rose Charity along the same street, with free parking right in front of the bungalow (or behind). On the food menu- it has a mix of local delights as well as Western dishes; with a home-cooked, healthy and heart-warming touch. Seats are pretty limited at Flour and Oil Cafe, so if you are visiting in larger groups- do make early reservations. It is note-worthy that Flour and Oil Cafe is also child-friendly, pet-friendly and serves no Pork/ Lard. 

Wanori Handroll Bar @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Tucked in the heart of Penang- Wanori is probably the first and only Japanese handroll bar in Penang (open since 20 Nov 2024) that takes Japanese culinary finesse to a new level. With its sleek open kitchen and bar setting, diners to treated to an engaging experience as skilled Chefs craft delicate handrolls and Japanese delights before your eyes. The handroll-focused menu celebrates fresh ingredients and modern Japanese culinary techniques. On top of the handroll menu, it extends to offer other Japanese delights and seasonal surprises that keep the excitement. It is note-worthy that Wanori serves a good alcohol list, featuring an array of Japanese Rice Wines (Sake). 

For the benefit of this review- all dishes served were in tasting portion. Actual serving portion varies. 

Many Thanks to Wanori Handroll Bar for hosting us that evening.

Lee Jia Koay Teow Th'ng 李蔗芭粿条汤 @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Another branch to the famous Sungai Lokan Koay Teow Th'ng, Lee Jia at Pulau Tikus carries the same food offering, specializing in Koay Teow Th'ng as well as extra add-ons like fresh Seafood (Octopus, Prawns, Grouper Fish etc). The new space is comfortable, air-conditioned and well-spaced. The Koay Teow Th'ng is affordably priced from RM9 but the add-ons would cost more with Grouper Fish starting from RM15 for a small portion. 

Middle House @ Burmah Road, Georgetown, Penang.

Found right next to the bustling Burmah Road, Middle House is a charming restaurant run by a lovely couple, offers a taste of a home with its hearty and soul-warming home-cooked Western dishes. Step in the place and you will instantly feel the homey-welcoming vibe, with a mix of both Western and local elements/ knick-knacks. The menu offers an array of home-cooked Western-European delights- Soups, Salads, Mains (including their signature Pork Chop), Pasta as well as their best-selling dessert... Rum and Kahlua-infused Tiramisu. Not a place with fancy setup or eye-catchy decor but more for solid, home-cooked food.

Many Thanks to Middle House for hosting us.

Ruo Tea 若水植物茶間 @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Far from sad mock meats and unnecessary carbs, Ruo Tea 若水植物茶間 at Pulau Tikus is a meatless restaurant that churns out wholesome plant-based dishes with amazing flavors. Found in one of the houses along Persiaran Midlands, Ruo Tea has no fancy signage or exterior. But the interior decor exudes a calm, meditative vibe; the restaurant is covered in wood shades with a corner dedicated for Chinese calligraphy. Seats are limited in the restaurant and may be less accommodating for larger groups, reservations are highly recommended. The restaurant churns out a Chinese menu, with a Taiwanese-twist. Interestingly, the restaurant has a few rules that diners need to follow (refer to the below photos) and the restaurateur expects the diners to understand before dining in the restaurant (not necessary a bad thing as it gives the necessary space to other diners). We were super happy and satisfied with the food quality (despite the long wait/ do not visit if you are in a rush); Ruo Tea could be one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Penang (in our opinion) that deserves a Michelin-award. Do give it a try if you are up for a meatless meal.

Christmas Promotion 2023 by JT Pâtisserie by Jeffrey Tan @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Nestled in the heart of Pulau Tikus area, JT Pâtisserie by Jeffrey Tan stands as an enchanting oasis for dessert enthusiasts seeking a symphony of flavors and artistic finesse. Owned and managed by renowned Pastry Chef- Jeffrey Tan, the place offers premium quality desserts that elevate your experience in sweet indulgence to new heights. Flavor-combos are carefully thought-through and curated; as a result of that, the desserts are multi-dimensional with a great depth of flavors. The quality and experience do come with a price tag and if you are looking to savor the essence of decadence, the Christmas Promotion 2023 is just in time for you. 

Diners who spend a minimum RM100 in a single receipt at JT Pâtisserie by Jeffrey Tan shall entitle for a draw for blind box and win amazing prizes like branded lipsticks, Dior Addict, Dior Le 30 Montaigne Advent Calendar Gift Set etc. The JT Xmas Blind Box Promotion started from 9 December 2023 and shall end on 25 December 2023 (valid for Dine-in and Takeaway).

Many Thanks to JT Pâtisserie for hosting us.

ChinChin Gastropub Penang Rolls Out New Menu- Nov 2023

Popular Izakaya-style restaurant- ChinChin Gastropub at Pulau Tikus rolls out new menu starting November 2023. The new contemporary menu incorporates some Asian elements while retaining some of their regulars' favorite items; some playful factors are also considered to spice things up. Also worth mentioning will be their 3-course Lunch menu- for RM50+, diners will be treated to an Appetizer, a Main and a dessert; making it an ideal option for business lunch. 

Many Thanks to ChinChin Gastropub for hosting us.

Jeng Kitchen 津·味 @ Cantonment Road, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Right next to the Pulau Tikus Wet Market, Jeng Kitchen 津·味 is a new spot where you will find some classic Chinese stir fry dishes. The menu is simple and the food offering is suitable for all age-range, making it popular to both family diners or those seeking for a quick, casual meal. Both rice and noodle options are available- whether you wish to have a plate of stir fried noodles or to have rice served with various dishes. The place is quite comfortable as it is air-conditioned but it is less accommodating for larger groups due to the restaurant size. Decent food but do watch out for some prices, their Iced Chinese Tea is priced at Rm 1.80 (before the 6% service charge). 

Paradiso Backyard Cafe @ Codrington Avenue, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

A new spot in town for you and your canine friends to hang out- Paradiso Backyard Cafe is a newly opened, pet-friendly cafe in the Pulau Tikus neighborhood. It is housed in a spacious bungalow at Codrington Avenue, the backyard is turned into a cozy, welcoming space. Though there is an alfresco dining space, the remaining of the cafe area is air-conditioned. Food offering wise, the kitchen churns out a Western menu with many Western dishes familiar to Penangites- ie: All Day Breakfast, Pasta, grills etc. Expect to pay slightly more than usual here though.

No 11 Cafe By Selected Concept @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Hailed from Kluang (Johor), No 11 Cafe is the first branch outside of Johor by the Selected Concept. The cafe is found at Jalan Yeoh Guan Seok, a stone's throw distance away from Pulau Tikus market (park your car at Moulmein Rise and walk over via the back entrance). It does not carry a big signage so it's easy to miss the place. The menu can be confusing- a mix of both Asian and Western delights, from the usual cafe fare to Japanese-inspired Donburi or even Pizzas. The ambiance is good and suitable for casual meet ups but the price points are higher than usual (imagine paying for a big breakfast at more than RM50 after service charge). Not too shabby for novelty experience.

ChinChin Gastropub @ Lintang Burma, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

ChinChin Gastropub needs no further introduction, the Gastropub has been dishing out some creative, quality Fusion dishes since its opening in Pulau Tikus, Penang. It serves up fusion fare food with a clear direction in mind- to use as much local produce as possible. The long-standing restaurant is known for using premium and fresh ingredients in its cooking; it is constantly on the look out to revamp its menu, adding more exciting and new elements to it. The focus remains unchanged- to highlight on the natural flavors of the fine ingredients as well as to offer creative way of enjoying the food. The Chef hopes to break free from the mundane and let the diners to enjoy his dishes in a more inventive way. ChinChin Gastropub now changes its menu on a monthly basis, check out their Facebook Page for more updates.

Many Thanks to ChinChin Gastropub for hosting us. 

Ookane Mochi @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

Fancy both Ramen and Waffle? You can now have both at the newly opened Ookane Mochi, a stone's throw distance away from Pulau Tikus morning market. The cafe uses Muji-style minimalist design and offers a cozy-comfortable space for visitors. During its soft-launch period, the menu is a little small... only offering a few Waffle choices, some Ramen and Japanese-inspired Rice Bowls as well as some Cakes. Price points are definitely on the higher side, a good spot for casual meet ups nevertheless.

Lhong Tou Dim Sum 龍頭點心 @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

A stone's throw distance away from the Pulau Tikus morning market, the newly opened Dim Sum joint Lhong Tou Dim Sum 龍頭點心 is suitable for those who seek for quality Dim Sum dishes yet willing to pay a little more for the premium quality. What differentiates this place from its competitors is the made-to-order Dim Sum dishes, the menu features pretty much the standard Malaysian Dim Sum fare with a few Noodle/Rice dishes. The place is comfortable (air-conditioned) and the service is attentive; despite the above-average price points, the place is still a good option for a weekend family meal. 

Unagiya Shin @ Burmah Road, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

One of the very few restaurants that offers an Unagi-focused menu is Unagiya Shin, a newly opened Japanese restaurant at Pulau Tikus that specializes in serving Japanese-styled Unagi. The name speaks for itself, "Unagiya"... a direct translation would be House of Unagi. The menu here revolves around Unagi- be it grilled Unagi or Unagi bowl; along with a mix of popular Japanese grills and delicacies. Items are reasonably priced here- those with deeper pockets can go for the imported Eels; else, the fresh and expertly cooked local Eels work fine. This is a place especially suitable for Unagi lovers.  

Kakuriyo Ramen @ Pulau Tikus, Penang.

There is no shortage of good Japanese Ramen in Penang but here's another one to add to you list- Kakuriyo Ramen at Pulau Tikus. Kakuriyo just started their business operations few months ago (somewhere in April 2022) and has garnered an appreciate following; the place is often crowded with fans waiting eagerly outside the restaurant during peak hours. The menu is pretty simple and straight-forward, only offering its best- Japanese Ramen... though it comes with different toppings and variations (mainly addition of Garlic Oil, Chili Oil or Miso etc). There are some other Japanese delights on the menu too; items are reasonably priced as compared to some established chain Japanese Ramen joints. But be mindful on the limited tables, this place can be less accommodating for bigger groups so do plan your visit ahead. Kakuriyo Ramen can be found right opposite to the back entrance of Moulmein Rise near Pulau Tikus Market.  

Ms. Nocino @ Burmah Road, Pulau Tikus, Penang.

A new face after the rebranding of Gala House, the same team is now running the newly opened Ms. Nocino at Burmah Road. It's hard to miss the place- the cafe can be found at one of the busiest junctions at the neighborhood. There is not much to describe on the interior but just a comfortable, fully air-conditioned space to enjoy a meal. The soft-launch menu has got limited items but more will be added as they progress into later stages. Bagel lovers would be glad to know that the place dishes out freshly baked Bagels, Brioche and some other fresh bakes. 

Le Brunch @ Chow Thye Road, Georgetown, Penang.

If you are one supporter of the booming Brunch trend, watch out Le Brunch... a new Brunch-specialist  that took over Monkeycup Cafe at Chow Thye Road. As its name would suggest, Le Brunch offers a Brunch-focused menu; it started off only focusing in Brunch items but it has since, slowly expanded to offer more items and extended their business hours to late evenings as well. The Western menu is quite extensive- from appetizers to light/ heavy Brunch items, Mains (like roasted goods/ Pasta) or even desserts. Nothing much has changed for its interior decor- the cozy charm remains unchanged. The prices vary for dishes but generally fall within the affordable range. Hit up the place if you are seeking for a fuss-free brunch place with plenty of Halal options. 

Many Thanks to Le Brunch for hosting us.