South Indian$little-indiaDaily 08:30-22:00
Woodlands Vegetarian Restaurant anchors Penang's Little India with North and South Indian meat-free cooking and a sweets counter facing the street.
Signature: Masala rava dosa, Vegetarian thali
Tip: The masala rava dosa outclasses the plain version; grab Indian sweets from the front counter on your way out.
Cantonese$george-townWed-Mon 06:00-15:00; closed Tue
Tho Yuen steams old-school dim sum on Campbell Street, the veteran Penang teahouse where the first baskets land not long after six in the morning.
Signature: Siu mai and har gow, Fish porridge
Tip: The best baskets go early; before 09:00 is the only way to see the full spread.
Austrian$$george-townMon-Thu 18:00-23:55; Fri-Sat 12:00-15:00, 18:00-23:55; closed Sun
Christoph's serves Wiener schnitzel and Austrian comfort plates in a Stewart Lane living-room of a restaurant, Penang's odd and excellent outlier.
Signature: Wiener schnitzel, Apple strudel
Tip: The schnitzel portion covers the plate; split one with a side and save room for the strudel with vanilla sauce.
Thai$george-townMon, Wed-Fri 12:00-15:30, 18:00-22:00; Sat-Sun 18:00-22:00; closed Tue
WhatSaeb Boat Noodles imports its kitchen team from Thailand and was Penang's first Thai SELECT awardee, ladling proper Bangkok-style bowls.
Signature: Pork boat noodles, Pad thai
Tip: Bowls come Thai-sized and cheap; order two rounds rather than one big bowl so the noodles stay springy.
South Indian$$little-indiaDaily 10:30-22:00
Bite N Eat has cooked Dindigul-style biriyani on Lebuh Penang since 2014, the Tamil Nadu specialist among Penang's Little India dining rooms.
Signature: Dindigul biriyani, Kongu nadu kozhi fry
Tip: Some specialities only leave the kitchen after 16:00; come for an early dinner if you want the full southern menu.
Chinese$tanjung-bungahDaily 09:30-17:00
Fatty Loh Chicken Rice is a third-generation Fettes Park shop whose poached birds and chilli sauce set the chicken-rice standard for north Penang.
Signature: Hainanese chicken rice, Roast chicken
Tip: Order chicken by the half or whole for a table; the springy-skinned poached version beats the roast for first-timers.