Food destinations within easy reach of Penang. worth the train, the rental car or the early start.

Worth the trip

Balik Pulau ★ 4.5

45 minutes by car across the islandDrive or Rapid Penang bus 401/502 from George Town over the central hills

Famous for: Durian orchards, Balik Pulau laksa and Malay kuih

Balik Pulau is Penang's orchard side: Musang King durian farms in season from June to August, nutmeg plantations and a laksa the town guards fiercely.

Balik Pulau

Teluk Bahang ★ 4.0

40 minutes by car or bus from George TownRapid Penang bus 101 or 102 along the north coast

Famous for: Fishing-village seafood and the spice garden

Teluk Bahang ends Penang's north coast road with fishing-village seafood, the relocated End of the World restaurant and the Tropical Spice Garden.

Teluk Bahang

Butterworth (Seberang Perai) ★ 4.0

15 minutes by ferry across the channelPassenger ferry from Swettenham Pier or the Penang Bridge by car

Famous for: Mainland hawker food without the queues

Butterworth, a short ferry hop from George Town, feeds Penang's mainland: Bee See Heong's wok dishes since 1966 and the Raja Uda hawker strips.

Butterworth (Seberang Perai)

Bukit Mertajam ★ 3.8

45 minutes by car or bus from George TownRapid Penang bus 701, 702 or 802 via the bridge

Famous for: Teochew and Hakka kopitiam food, wholesale fish market

Bukit Mertajam grew from a Teochew and Hakka farming town into Seberang Perai's food hub, its kopitiams and food courts still priced for locals.

Bukit Mertajam

Pulau Aman ★ 3.8

About 40 minutes: drive to Bukit Tambun, then a 30-minute boatFerry from Bukit Tambun Jetty at 10:00, 13:00, 16:00 and 19:00; back from the island at 08:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 18:00

Famous for: Island seafood at the floating restaurant

Pulau Aman is a fishing islet off Seberang Perai where the floating seafood restaurant and jetty stalls reward the short boat ride from Bukit Tambun.

Pulau Aman
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