Our Muslim Friendly Rating: 4/5
Georgetown on Penang Island is known for its street food, but it was surprisingly hard to find Halal street food. Every travel guide and blog I read before going to Malaysia listed Georgetown street food as a must, but we were a bit disappointed when we got there. We couldn't properly enjoy the food culture because every hawker market (street food area) and clan pier we visited was not halal. If you're okay skipping the street food, Georgetown has some amazing Michelin Star and Michelin Guide cafes and restaurants that serve delicious halal food.
Since our trip to Georgetown was so short, I'm sure we missed things and can hopefully visit again to get a full experience. Make sure to check out my full guide on traveling in Malaysia for tips on what to pack.
Food
When in Penang, make sure to plan meals ahead of time. We assumed everything would be halal like Kuala Lumpur, but ended up in some not-so-fun moods when we were wandering around the city hungry and looking for food in the heat
This might seem like a small hole-in-the-wall cafe, but once inside you'll find a very large cafe with plenty of seating for large groups. The menu is fully halal and the menu gives you a beautiful fusion of western dishes with a Malaysian twist. The bakery is a must and we were finally able to safely have tiramisu made without alcohol.
While this restaurant doesn't have halal food, they have excellent seafood options and were great about making sure there was no pork or alcohol in any of our dishes.
If you take a trip to the west side of the island to visit, be sure to drop by this excellent cafe located right next to Coffee Bean. I hadn't decided to start this blog yet so I didn't take any pictures, but I had a divine and refreshing salad with a properly made, alcohol-free mango margarita. It was a great place to cool down and hang out. The service was top notch and they have a full halal menu of fusion western food.
Places to Stay
There are plenty of hotels, ranging from large international chains to local boutique hotels, all around Georgetown and the island. I would check TripAdvisor for reviews of hotels. Stick to hotels as Airbnb's have some notorious stories.
Transportation
Georgetown and Penang have amazing public transportation that enhances
your experience of the island. In Georgetown, utilize the free CAT bus system to get around to all the main attractions and sites around the city. You can get a detailed map of the bus route from your hotel concierge. There is also a very cheap bus that goes from Georgetown all the way to the National Park if you want to stop at a few places on the way. If you're on a time crunch, Grab is the way to go.
Sights to See
#1 The Floating Mosque
The Floating is a beautiful stop on the way to either side of the island and both the men's and women's sections were well-made and well-maintained. After praying Asr, we walked around to the back of the masjid where there was seating on the water for some beautiful, peaceful, and quiet views. We greatly enjoyed sitting quietly for a few minutes and listening to the Quran while some crows stopped what they were doing and came close to listen Subhanallah.
#2 The Tropical Spice Garden
The Tropical Spice Garden on the northern side of the island is a great place for all ages and is a fulfilling experience for families. This gorgeous and educational spot is a great way to experience the jungle-like nature of the island, without actually going into the jungle. It is a great middle-ground for the full-hike adventurers and those who aren't so nature-bound. The National Park was a bit too much for us and this was the perfect nature excursion where we easily spent 2.5-3 hours walking through the lush paths of the garden.
*Be sure to bring comfortable closed-toe walking shoes and wear comfy clothes. There's plenty of uphill walking!
Seeing so many of Allah swt's beautiful creations so well preserved was wonderous. From the serene water garden buzzing with dragonflies to the spice terraces filled with vanilla to the fascinating poison garden, the Tropical Spice Garden was an amazing hidden gem. And don't forget to drop by the fish foot pond, where tiny fishes give you an all-natural pedicure.!
There was plenty of shade and the staff was extremely friendly and helpful. The great thing about the garden is that there is not usually much rush, so it's easy to find peace and quiet as you walk through it.
I highly recommend visiting their website to plan for fun events like cooking classes and children's nature activities. There is Wi-Fi at the visitor entrance and I highly recommend downloading their free audio tour app to listen to while you walk through the park.
#3 Penang Hill
Penang Hill is a must-see when you visit Georgetown. Taking the famous cable car up the mountain is an experience, and once at the top, there is plenty to do and see for everyone. There are separate tickets/fees for entrance to Penang Hill and the attractions once you reach Penang Hill, so plan your budget accordingly.
The vistas from the summit of the hill are stunning, allowing us to serenely take in the entire island.
Make sure to check out The Habit at Penang Hill, a unique nature preserve at the top of the mountain with a sky bridge walkthrough. Don't forget to arrive at least 2 hours before closing. Although the park timing stated closure as 7 pm, the last entry to The Habitat was at 5:30 pm. There is also a mosque at the very top of the hill where you can hike up to pray (it is next to an active temple).
As indicated by its name, the location is situated in the hills, which means there will be plenty of walking up and down slopes, some of which are quite steep. Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes
#4 Clan Jetties
One of the most iconic location to visit while in Georgetown are the Clan Jetties located at the northeast end of the island. These wooden villages are each owned by specific Chinese clans that migrated starting in the 1880s. The largest and most famous one is the Chew Jetty. Parking is difficult so I recommend taking a Grab or Bus.
As you walk along the jetty, you will come across a variety of quaint shops and stalls filled with unique souvenirs and gifts, as well as fun and unique sweet treats. However, I recommend eating before visiting and just having drinks or dessert on the jetty as we couldn't find any halal food on the jetty or in the nearby food court.
Some notable spots we were not able to visit:
The National Park
The Tropical Fruit Farm
Snake Temple
Botanical Garden
Butterfly Farm