20 Vegetarian Restaurants in Penang For the Best Vegetarian Food in Town!
One of the integral parts of travelling is getting to taste the cuisine that's famous in that part of the world. With that said, not every cuisine is made with all veggies and non-meat products. While the meat market dominates the food options in Penang, there are plenty of vegetarian options also available. While not all of them may be pure vegetarian, you are sure to go on a vegetarian culinary ride at these places. Here's a list of the best vegetarian restaurants in Penang:
1. Zen Xin
SourceWith a cosy and casual atmosphere, Zen Xin is a local-favourite vegetarian restaurant in Penang. The place is known for its delectable Chinese and Cantonese cuisine, with some of their famous dishes being kung pao aubergine and Nyonya Fish Curry - where the fish is made of tofu and seitan. The place also offers catering services. You can also enjoy outside seating here.
Address: 42 Jalan Nagor, George Town, Pulau Pinang, 10050 Recommended: Claypot Taiwanese-style monkey head mushrooms Timings: Tuesday - Sunday, 11:00 AM - 2:30 PM & 5:15 PM - 9:30 PM Closed on Mondays
2. Wholey Wonder
SourceLocated inside a yoga studio, Wholey Wonder is a vegan eatery, where you can eat vegetarian food in Penang that's super healthy. Their menu includes whole food pizzas, falafels, waffles, burgers, and smoothies. The ambience of the place is wholesome and peaceful, with swing seats at the bar counter. Both the healthiness of the food and the friendliness of the staff will leave you with a big smile on your face.
Address: 61, Jalan Gurdwara, George Town, Penang Recommended: Super smoothies bowl, Naked Burger, Penang Passion Timings: Tuesday - Sunday, 12:00 PM - 9:00 PM Closed on Mondays
3. The Leaf Healthy House
SourceThe Leafy Healthy House is one of the family-friendly vegetarian restaurants in Penang with a casual ambience. It is famous for its fresh organic dishes and impeccable service. Serving mainly Chinese and some delicacies from the Italian, Fusion, and Malayan cuisine, the menu has a wide variety of options with dishes that are simple yet flavourful.
Address: 5 Lebuh Penang, George Town George Town, Pulau Pinang, 10200 Recommended: Satay Mushroom and Rice, Cold-pressed Juices, Lao Shang, White Fungus Dessert, Mee Jawa Timings: Every day, 11:30 AM - 3:00 PM & 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
4. JanxDen Greenlife Cafe
SourceLocated on the quaint Chow Thye Road, JanxDen Greenlife Cafe offers a wide variety of vegetarian food in Penang that exclusively includes Asian and Western dishes including salads, sushi, pizzas, porridge, and soups. The dishes are served contemporary Western-style, made with vegan ingredients oils. The place has a quiet atmosphere with wooden round tables and stools.
Address: 50 Jalan Chow Thye, George Town George Town, Pulau Pinang, 10050 Recommended: Creamy Cheese Bake Rice, Mushroom Chop, Aglio-Olio, Hawaii Pizza Timings: Every day (except Wednesday), 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM
5. Evergreen Vegetarian House
SourceServing a wide variety of Asian, Malaysian, and Chinese cuisine in its buffet-style menu, Evergreen Vegetarian House is an ideal place for having different vegetarian food in Penang. They serve mock meats, noodle soups, dumplings, and fried noodles at the restaurant. They do not use any garlic or onion in the dishes. The atmosphere in the restaurant is usually lively and filled with both locals and tourists.
Address: 39-A Cantonment Road, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia, 10250 Recommended: ba kut teh, stir-fried kangkung Timings: Every day (except Wednesday), 7:30 AM - 8:00 PM
6. Woodlands Vegetarian Restaurant
SourceKnown for its spicy and delicious South Indian cuisine, Woodlands Vegetarian Restaurant is another of the pure vegetarian restaurants in Penang. The food at lunch is served on banana leaves, giving you an authentic experience of South India. You can also try some Indian sweets from a counter just outside the restaurant. The place is usually filled not just with Indian tourists, but people from other countries too.
Address: 60, Lebuh Penang, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang Recommended: Woodlands Special Thali, Thosai, Ghee paper dosa Timings: Every day, 8:30 AM - 10:00 PM
7. Mama Vege
SourceServing one of the tastiest vegetarian Chinese food, Mama Vege is among the affordable vegetarian restaurants in Penang. The place has several options when it comes to mock meat. The menu has ample Chinese choices, including tom yum, herbal, tomato, and vege soup, mama petai, pizzas, spaghetti, and satay.
Address: Gurney Plaza, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang Recommended: Vegetarian steamboat, Mongolian tofu, Eryngii mushroom Timings: Every day, 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM & 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
8. Pinxīn Vegan Cuisine
SourcePinxīn Vegan Cuisine is one of the top vegetarian restaurants in Penang serving different options of local vegetarian delicacies, prepared using natural and organic ingredients. You can taste Asian, Chinese, and Malaysian cuisine, with a twist of fusion cuisine. The restaurant also provides catering and delivery services.
Address: 38, Lebuh Tye Sin, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang Recommended: Asam Laksa, Hokkien Mee, Jawa mee, Loh Mee, Sweet & Sour Hericium Mushroom Rice, Avocado Smoothie Timings: Every day, 11:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Located in a double-storey corner building, Luk Yea Yan serves inexpensive vegetable Chinese and Western cuisine. The menu offers a wide variety of Chinese, vegetarian food in Penang including ba kut teh, nasi lemak, curries, mock meats, rice porridge, and even other cuisines including spaghetti and tomato sauce.
Address: 33, Lorong Madras, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang Recommended: Bee Hoon Soup, Satay, Vegan Laksa, Vegan Biscuits Timings: Every day (except Wednesday), 7:30 AM - 9:30 PM
10. Sushi Kitchen
SourceSushi Kitchen is a place doing sushi the vegetarian way, without raw fish, yet delicious. Their menu offers sushi rolls, tempura, and souped, fried, and tossed ramen. You can also get an authentic Japanese experience with their traditional tatami mat seating. They use organic ingredients while preparing food.
Address: Gurney Plaza, 03-82, 170, 10250 George Town, Penang Recommended: Mushroom tempura, Fried Udon noodles, Sushi sets, Chocolate cake with whipped soy cream and blueberry jam Timings: Every day, 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM
11. Fa-laugh-Ely
SourceA fully vegan stall selling Mediterranean and Middle-eastern cuisine including falafel and hummus in three ways - in a burger or wrap, and on a plate. The owner is a friendly Syrian native, who prepares his famous garlic sauce that's used in most of the recipes.
Address: 361 Chulia St, Georgetown (at Reggae Club Penang), Penang, 10200 Recommended: Falafel Wrap Timings: Every day, 6:00 PM - 3:00 AM
12. Blue
SourceServing Asian, Malaysian, and fusion cuisine, Blue is among the well-known vegetarian restaurants in Penang. Their menu includes noodles, ramen, soups, sandwiches, burgers, rice sets, and many more vegetarian delicacies. All dishes are not only prepared with the most premium natural ingredients but also maintain their nutritional value. A hygienic ambience and friendly is an add-on!
Address: 15, Lebuh Tye Sin, Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia Recommended: KFC Sandwich, Salted Tempeh, Black Magic Burger, Cheesecake, Assam Spicy Ramen Timings: Every day, 11:30 AM - 3:30 PM & 6:00 PM - 10:00 PM
13. Lily's Vegetarian Kitchen
SourceA highly recommended vegetarian restaurant in Penang serving tasty Chinese and Malaysian vegetarian recipes, Lily's Vegetarian Kitchen has a lot to offer in a cosy environment. The menu includes Vietnam rolls, red wine mee suah, spicy la mian, fried kuey teow, rojak, and juices. The place is chic, with a perfect combination of modern and traditional - be it their food or ambience.
Address: 98, Lorong Madras, 10400 George Town, Pulau Pinang Recommended: Tau Fu Fah, Kelantan Laksa, Mutton Rendang, Yam Ring, Lemongrass Sliced Fish Timings: Every day (except Monday), 8:30 AM - 8:30 PM
14. Brown Poodle
SourceServing delicious vegetarian food in Penang since 2015, Brown Poodle has gained popularity among locals and tourists both, for being one of the top vegetarian eateries in town. Nestled in a beautiful location, the place serves everything on the menu in its vegan version. The staff is friendly, and the service is efficient.
Address: 80, Persiaran Midlands, Pulau Tikus, 10250 George Town, Pulau Pinang Recommended: Fat Poodle Double Cheeseburger Platter, Hazelnut Cheesecake, Vegetarian Chicken Rice, Pizza Timings: Every day, 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
15. Ee Beng
SourceLocated in Georgetown UNESCO Historic Site, Ee Beng is one of the much-adored vegetarian restaurants in Penang serving authentic Chinese cuisine. While the place serves buffet, you can also choose a la carte from the menu, including a wide choice of steam buns, fried mee, fried rice, and banana leaf curry.
Address: 20, Lebuh Dickens, George Town, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang Recommended: Curry soups, juices, Bao bun, clear noodles, rice dishes Timings: Monday - Saturday, 7:00 AM - 8:00 PM Closed on Sundays
16. Tofu Village
SourceTofu village is one of the must-visit vegetarian restaurants in Penang, serving authentic vegetarian Malaysian cuisine. While the place also serves non-vegetarian food, they offer vegan alternatives as well. They specialize in Hakka delicacies, which are prepared from natural vegetarian ingredients.
Address: 88, Church St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang Recommended: Mango Frozie, Tom Yum Soup, Homemade Tofu Timings: Tuesday - Sunday, 11:30 AM - 9:30 PM Closed on Monday
17. Zhu Yuan
SourceOffering a casual environment with reasonably priced food, Zhu Yuan is one of the best vegetarian restaurants in Penang serving authentic vegetarian Chinese and American dishes. Their menu includes steamboats, spring rolls, noodles, and chicken rice, among other delectable dishes, served by friendly staff.
Address: 90, Jalan Dr Lim Chwee Leong, George Town, 10100 George Town, Pulau Pinang Recommended: Bento Box, Chicken Satay Skewers, Hokkein Mee Timings: Every day (except Tuesday), 9:00 AM - 2:30 PM & 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM
18. Veggielicious Cafe
SourceVeggielicious Cafe is a chic outlet serving Western and Northern Indian vegetarian food in Penang in a hygienic and cosy setting. Their menu includes spaghetti, burgers, and sandwiches, and Indian bread, street food, and curries served in decent portions.
Address: 51 Bishop St, Penang, Malaysia, 10200 Recommended: Samosa Chaat, Pani Puri, Carbonara Spaghetti Timings: Monday - Saturday, 11:00 AM - 9:00 PM Closed on Sundays
19. Thali NR Sweets Cafe
SourceServing Indian, and a few options of Malaysian and Chinese cuisine, Thali NR Sweets Cafe has been open since 2012. Their menu includes Tosai, Indian curries, Indian bread, and Thalis. They can even prepare the recipes without onion and garlic if requested.
Address: 75, Lebuh Penang, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang Recommended: Tofu Tikka Masala, Paneer Manchurian, Veg Biryani Timings: Every day, 7:30 AM - 10:00 PM
20. Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay
SourceLocated in the Georgetown UNESCO Historic Site, Moh Teng Pheow Nyonya Koay is a traditional Chinese canteen famous for its vegan sweets or Kuih. The place has a retro vibe and a warm and welcoming ambience.
Address: Chulia St, Jalan Masjid, 10200 George Town, Penang Recommended: Nyonya Kuih, Kuih Lapis , Kuih Talam Timings: Tuesday - Thursday, 10:30 AM - 5:00 PM Friday - Sunday, 10:30 AM - 8:00 PM Closed on Mondays
With so many options on the list, I am sure it will take you more than a day to satisfy your hunger for vegetarian and vegan food! Even if you are a non-vegetarian, you can pop in at one of the places mentioned here and be surprised with a mouthful of flavour and taste. So, the next time you are roaming on the streets of Penang and get a hunger pang for vegetarian food, you are sorted!
