What if your morning began with the sound of waves, the scent of the Straits of Malacca, and a table set inside one of Penang’s most storied heritage mansions?
That’s exactly what 32 Mansion is now offering — and Ed has been a faithful supporter and slowly turning the venue into his private canteen!
Nestled along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah on the north coast of George Town, 32 Mansion is set in a breathtaking 1920s Italianate villa right by the sea, just steps from the legendary Eastern & Oriental Hotel.
Sitting on a sprawling 43,000 square feet of prime heritage land, the mansion exudes a colonial-era ambiance and offers breathtaking vistas stretching across to the mainland. It has long been Penang’s most iconic dining address — and now, it’s adding a spectacular new chapter to its story.
Introducing: Breakfast by the Sea
Imagine starting your day with the morning light shimmering off the water, a gentle sea breeze rolling in, and a menu that honours both heritage flavours and fresh coastal inspiration. That’s the promise of Breakfast by the Sea — 32 Mansion’s newest offering, served at their legendary Beach Blanket Babylon beachfront wing.
The beachfront BBB offers a unique breakfast experience in all of Penang. Whether you’re a visitor waking up in George Town or a local looking for a weekend treat, this is the morning ritual you didn’t know you needed.
Since December 2025, 32 Mansion has returned to its Peranakan (Nyonya) roots after 25 years, showcasing a rich array of heritage dishes featuring authentic flavours, traditional techniques, and well-loved family recipes.
Breakfast by the Sea weaves that same Nyonya soul into the morning hours — think fragrant, bold, and deeply satisfying, with options to suit every palate. Expect hawker-style favourites reimagined in an elegant seaside setting, alongside lighter Western bites to complement your morning coffee or teh tarik.
Why You Have to Try This
Penang is already legendary for its food culture — but breakfast with a sea view on the grounds of a 100-year-old mansion? That’s a once-in-a-lifetime kind of morning. 32 Mansion is set in a beautiful colonial space that houses a lounge, beachside bar, private dining rooms and a restaurant — and Breakfast by the Sea brings all of that grandeur to the most intimate meal of the day.
Tucked into the ever-evolving food scene of George Town, Moo Point Steaks offers a dining experience that feels both refined and refreshingly unpretentious.
Sizzling perfection at Moo Point — a beautifully seared steak with a tender, juicy center, finished with a touch of salt for pure, bold flavour
It’s the kind of place that doesn’t need to announce itself loudly—the quality speaks for itself from the very first bite.
Not just any beef burger
The steaks are the clear highlight. Thoughtfully sourced and expertly handled, each cut arrives cooked with precision, allowing the natural richness and character of the meat to shine through. There’s a quiet confidence in the way the food is presented—no excess, no distraction, just a clear focus on doing the fundamentals exceptionally well.
Precision slicing, premium cuts — Moo Point Steaks at its finest
Equally notable is the service. Warm, attentive, and understated, it strikes that rare balance of being present without ever intruding. It complements the overall experience perfectly, creating a space where you can settle in and simply enjoy the meal.
In a city known for its vibrant and diverse culinary landscape, Moo Point Steaks stands out not by being loud, but by being considered. It’s a welcome addition to George Town—one that gently elevates the local dining scene with its focus on quality, restraint, and quiet excellence.
From sizzle to slice to bite — Moo Point Steaks is where every moment meets perfection
(Moo Point Steaks is located at 170 Jalan Hutton in George Town. Call +6016 273 0321)
From first dates to quiet celebrations, Three Sixty wasn’t just a place — it was a feeling. And soon, it becomes a memory (courtesy photo Yeoh Kah Hock)
There are restaurants you visit for a meal, and then there are those you grow up with — places that quietly stitch themselves into the fabric of your life.
In Penang, food is not just sustenance; it is memory, identity, and ritual.
So when news broke that three beloved establishments — Ocean Green, The Ship (Jalan Sri Bahari), and 360 Revolving Restaurant — will be closing their doors by the end of this month (April), it feels less like business news and more like the turning of a page in Penang’s living history.
A restaurant/sky-bar with many views
For decades, Ocean Green stood quietly by the sea — not flashy, not trendy, but deeply beloved.
Generations of Penangites marked birthdays, reunions, and weekend dinners here, often accompanied by the sound of waves and the salty breeze.
It has not been just a seafood restaurant; it’s been a ritual.
The smoky aroma of satay, the comforting familiarity of steamed fish and ‘Choon Pneah’ (spring rolls), and the communal joy of sharing dishes under open skies have made Ocean Green a place where time seemed to slow down.
It represents a Penang that was unhurried — where meals stretched into conversations and laughter echoed into the night.
Now, as it prepares to close at the end of April 2026, many are mourning more than just a dining spot. They are saying goodbye to a place where childhoods were celebrated and family traditions quietly formed.
Ocean Green has stood out not because it reinvented dining, but because it never needed to. It has remained steadfast — a constant in a rapidly changing culinary landscape.
The late and fun-loving journalist Fauziah Varusay who had relocated to Australia, visited the beach fronting Ocean Green on her final trip to Penang
If Ocean Green was about the sea breeze, The Ship along Jalan Sri Bahari was about imagination grounded in the heart of George Town.
While many remember the Batu Ferringhi outlet, the Sri Bahari branch has carried its own quiet legacy — one rooted in decades of loyal patrons and timeless Western classics.
Walking in felt like stepping into a different era: dark wood interiors, maritime motifs, and the unmistakable sizzle of hot plates arriving at your table.
For many Penangites, this was where Western dining became accessible and memorable — where steaks, garlic bread, and mushroom soup defined special occasions.
It was where first dates happened, where families celebrated milestones, and where a sense of occasion was built into every visit.
More than just a themed restaurant, The Ship has represented a chapter in Penang’s evolution — when dining out meant dressing up, slowing down, and savouring the experience.
Its impending closure marks the fading of a time when restaurants told stories not just through food, but through atmosphere and ritual.
High above the city, 360 Revolving Restaurant at the top of City Bayview Hotel (now called Bayview Hotel Georgetown) has offered something few places could: perspective.
It wasn’t just about the buffet or the ambiance — it was about watching Penang move. Slowly rotating, the restaurant gave diners a panoramic view of George Town and beyond, transforming meals into moments of quiet reflection.
It became a symbol of a more modern Penang — one that embraced skyline views, elevated dining, and a touch of sophistication.
They came for the food, but stayed for the view … and are leaving with memories (courtesy image Yeoh Kah Hock)
From romantic dinners to celebratory nights, the experience of watching the city shift beneath you made every visit feel cinematic. It was where proposals happened, anniversaries were toasted, and visitors saw Penang from an entirely different angle.
Now, as it prepares for its “final spin,” one of the island’s most recognisable dining experiences will soon become a memory.
What makes these closures so poignant is not just their longevity, but what they represent collectively:
• Ocean Green — the soul of seaside, communal dining
• The Ship (Jalan Sri Bahari) — the nostalgia of classic Western dining in the city
• 360 Revolving Restaurant (City Bayview Hotel) — the modern, elevated view of Penang
Together, they tell the story of an island through food — from humble coastal feasts to nostalgic dining rooms and sky-high experiences.
Penang’s food scene will continue to thrive — it always does.
New cafés will emerge, new trends will take hold. But places like these cannot be replaced, because they were never just about food.
They were about time.
And as April draws to a close, Penang isn’t just losing three restaurants.
It is quietly saying goodbye to three chapters of itself.
Ends.
The (food) stories that Penang tellsPrecious memories and views of Penang from 360 Revolving Restaurant and Sky Bar
Welcome to my miniature take on Sin Kee Restaurant — a true old-school Hainanese kopitiam tucked away in Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur.
No frills, no fuss — just decades of honest cooking since 1968. Sin Kee has quietly built its reputation on comforting classics like Hainanese chicken chop, pork chop rice, and rich, gravy-soaked fried rice that hits every nostalgic note. It’s the kind of place where recipes haven’t changed, and neither has the charm.
In this little diorama, I imagined their iconic dishes as a bustling kopitiam scene — where tiny diners gather around larger-than-life plates, soaking in that familiar, comforting atmosphere we all know and love.
Because sometimes, the simplest places leave the biggest impressions.
In a world where trust is a rare gem, someone seems to have flipped the script!
Baking with honour
Welcome to SK Homemade Cakes’ self-serve kiosk at Island 88 (Island Plaza) where honesty is the best policy. Pick your treats (gluten-free,eggless, or indulgent buttery numbers), enter what you owe, and make cashless payment.
Sweet trust kiosk
Help yourself to their carrier bags and get your receipt straight to your email inbox.
Find them also at their 6, Jalan Merbau bricks & mortar bakery in Tanjong Tokong.
Psst… cake and cookie samples available! So go experience the power of trust and decency.
Star-topper Serabai or “Apom Bokwa/Berkuah” at 32 Mansion
Since the start of the year, it’s been a whirlwind of Peranakan delights for me.
Today’s Nyonya food promotion at 32Mansion, nestled along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, was yet another cherry on top 🍒, Kah Hock and his team have truly nailed it!
The flavours… oh, the flavours 😍! It’s like a warm hug from Nyonya mum Nora (for those who know) herself.
Each dish is a masterclass in balance, with the perfect blend of spices, herbs, and love ❤️. The stuffed asam fish with its tangy tamarind and fragrant lemongrass, transported me straight back to the kitchens of Peranakan grandmas.
The pie-tee game here was also upped with crisp top-hat shells and a refreshing filling with just the right amount of chilli kick 🌶️.
But the show-stopper was the “serabai” which Nora’s daughter and I opted for dessert.
Serabai, (also known as serabi in Indonesia), is a traditional Southeast Asian pancake or crumpet found in Penang made primarily from rice flour and coconut milk. It has a soft, spongy, and bubbly top with a slightly crispy base and is typically served as a sweet or savoury snack or dessert and enjoyed with a coconut and palm sugar syrup.
Today’s lunch with Lil Sis Jo wasnt just a meal; it was a homecoming.
A reunion of sorts, where the familiar flavours of Nyonya cooking bring back memories of loved ones and laughter shared around the dinner table. As we gather with family and friends for this Lunar New Year, there’s no better way to bond than over a feast of these comforting, soul-willing dishes.
Kudos to Kah Hock at the sea-fronting 32Mansion, for crafting a culinary experience that’s sure to leave you feeling like you’re back in the bosom of your (real or adopted) Peranakan family 💕.
In the heart of George Town’s heritage district, Bishop Street whispers stories of elegance, history, and reinvention.
Once home to the prestigious B.P. de Silva jewellers, this iconic row carried a reputation for luxury, refinement, and timeless craftsmanship — with a clientele that included royalty and dignitaries along with high society from across the region.
Today, in a delightful twist of heritage, that very space once filled with velvet-lined showcases now draws admirers of a different kind — food lovers.
Entrance to the former B.P De Silva which is today home to Aunty Gaik Lean’s Old School EateryAward-winning one star Michelin restaurant
Stepping into the four-times awarded one-star Michelin Aunty Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery, feels like walking into a lovingly preserved memory — with warm Peranakan hospitality, family recipes, and an unmistakable sense of home.
A Taste of Nostalgia, Reimagined
What sets Aunty Gaik Lean’s apart is not just its rich, authentic Nyonya flavours, but its Muslim-friendly menu that has not compromised on quality or taste. It’s a rare and respectful adaptation of traditional cuisine, made accessible to more diners without losing the heart of its heritage.
The nasi ulam is aromatic and vibrant, and the sambal belacan — bold as ever. Even vegetarian diners, including many from the Indian subcontinent, have found the dishes flavourful and deeply satisfying — a testament to the careful balance and generosity in the kitchen.
Where History Meets Heart
To dine here is to savour more than food. You sit where once patrons browsed fine gems under chandeliers, in a building that quietly cradles Penang’s evolving story — from colonial-era commerce to culinary celebration.
The echoes of B.P. de Silva’s prestige lend a quiet dignity to the eatery, while the cheerful clatter of cutlery and scent of shallots signal a more grounded kind of luxury: a meal made with love.
Whether you’re drawn by memories of kampung cooking or curiosity for the space’s storied past, Aunty Gaik Lean’s offers more than just lunch or dinner — it offers a taste of heritage, harmony, and hospitality.
So, pull up a chair. The past has never felt so warm.
Auntie Gaik Lean’s Old School Eatery is located at 1, Lebuh Bishop, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia.
More than just sugar and spice — these colourful treats are a celebration of light, love, and victory! 🪔
Deepavali (or Diwali) marks the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and hope over despair. As lamps glow in homes, so do hearts — and yes, so do dessert tables!
From ladoo to halwa to coconut candy, every sweet tells a story of heritage, joy, and togetherness.
So go for it — take another bite. This festival is meant to be savoured!
Last weekend, my friend turned to an unlikely helper – ChatGTP – when craving for something sweet, citrusy and homebaked.
With a quick prompt, ChatGPT provided her with a delightful recipe that promised a moist and light texture, perfect for sharing and when spilling-the-tea!
Based on a slice I sampled, it seems that she may have combined fresh orange zest, butter, and a touch of honey, resulting in a batter which I am sure smelled heavenly even before baking.
The outcome? A beautifully golden cake that’s incredibly moist and airy—everything you want in a perfect teatime treat. The orange’s tang balanced beautifully with the buttery richness, making it the ideal accompaniment for any session involving gossip and giggles.
Looks like a quick pivot to ChatGPT turned out to be a delicious success, proving that sometimes, the most unlikely helpers can lead to the sweetest surprises!
postcodegeorgetown 