Let’s get enlightened with ‘Saapadu’- embracing the rich and diverse customs and culture of India gave rise to the country’s diverse cuisine. Rice, legumes, and lentils are basic ingredients in Tamil cuisine, and a range of spices, particularly mustard, curry leaves, coriander, ginger, tamarind, garlic, chilli peppers, cinnamon, clove, cardamom, nutmeg, coconut, and rose water, are utilised to establish the cuisine’s unique aromas and tastes.
Among the finest cuisines that exist in Penang, Indian food is still being showcased and it is famous around the world. Here, we’ve compiled a list of Penang’s top 10 authentic Indian eateries that you simply must visit.
Why Indian Food is served on Banana Leaf?
Serving food on banana leaves is a long-standing custom among Indians. The banana leaves have a bunch of polyphenols that have the potential to slow or stop cell aging and the food can absorb them easily. Also, it assists in eliminating harmful free radicals from our body as antimicrobial properties in banana leaves can combat bacteria in meals.
Why Indian Food is popular in Penang?
Indian cuisine is particularly popular due to the excellent flavors that are utilized in the dishes, which make it taste delicious. There are so many options for Indian cuisine that you never have to eat the same thing twice. There are many delicious foods to taste, and each has its own unique flavor.
Top 10 Best Indian Restaurant in Penang 2025
1. Tea Kadai
In Little India, Penang, Tea Kadai Café is the best India-Style Tea Shop for distinctive food and specialty tea. The term “Tea Kadai” hails from India and is well-known throughout the country. By the side of the road, there are nearly always these little establishments known as Tea Kadais where you can get tea and snacks whenever you want. Tea Kadai sells traditional Indian tea, coffee with fresh cow milk, and other iced drinks, including sodas, here in Penang. There are some unusual Indian treats on the menu, including Pani Puri, Mukuli panayaram with chocolate and butterscotch dipping, and various kinds of bajji, including onion, egg, and Vallakai (raw banana). If the Indian munchies are too filling, you might choose western pastries like ginger biscuits and cakes as an option. It is an excellent place to hang out with friends and chat over with some tea and any of your favorite beverages.
Operating Hours: 3:00 pm – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 68, Lebuh Queen, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Phone No: 012-4968938
Google Reviews: Here
Google Map: Navigate Now
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeaKadaiCafe/
2. Passions of Kerala
At Passions of Kerala, a traditional banana leaf rice dish includes four different kinds of vegetables and three curries (dhal, chicken and fish) at a very reasonable price with a complementary sweet of the day. You can get the best lassi in town, traditionally a sweet yogurt smoothie prepared by thinning it with milk or water and then sweetening it to add flavor. The tantalizing cuisine provided in Kerala comprises the lamb stew, Malabar fried prawns, and fish Molie (curry), their highlight as prepared with coconut milk to execute a rich flavor. People who have visited this restaurant would look forward to another time as the flavors make this restaurant so unique.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 3:00, 6:30 pm – 10:00 pm (Daily)
Address: New World Park, 40, Jalan Burma, 10050 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Phone No: 04-2272550
Google Reviews: Here
Google Map: Navigate Now
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PassionsOfKeralaNWP/
3. Kanna’s Bamboo Briyani Restaurant
Kanna’s Bamboo Briyani, located in Little India, serves a big portion of briyani that gives an exquisite taste. Penang Bamboo biryani is traditionally served as rice that has been partially cooked and meat that has been seasoned in spices and placed into hollow bamboo tubes. For those who enjoy spices, biryani is like an adventure for their taste buds because the rice is cooked until it is firm and soft to eat. Their biryani has the advantage of having soft rice. Visit this family-friendly eatery to experience something unique.
Operating Hours: 9:00 am – 10:30 pm (Daily)
Address: 72, Lebuh China, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Phone No: 016-4756503
Google Reviews: Here
Google Map: Navigate Now
4. Curry & Co
Curry & Co. is a halal restaurant that serves a wide variety of North Indian meals that are served hot and fresh from the kitchen. Enjoy the popular Pottalam Briyani, where your preferred biryani is artfully wrapped inside a soft chapati and tied. To obtain the desired texture, the chapatis are cooked using a mixture of flours, such as wheat, rice, and chickpea. Not to mention that their Tandoori Masala Tea is a must-try and one of their top sellers! The crew uses a copper cup to deliver the hot tea with a smoky flavour. Fret not, they do serve classic banana leaf meals and many more refreshing drinks in both hot and cold.
Operating Hours:
12:30 pm – 10:00 pm
Closed on Monday
Address: 94, Lebuh Gereja, 10200 George Town, Penang
Phone No: 016-6636805
Google Reviews: Here
Google Map: Navigate Now
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/curryncopenang/
5. Masala Hut
The freshly opened Masala Hut Bayan Lepas is amazing with its romantic ambiance and outstanding menu selection. Customers have a huge variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food selections to pick from. It is strongly recommended to experience their famous Hot-bowl Creamy Chicken Masala, which is prepared with a hot granite stone that was once used to grind masala paste. They have a wonderful atmosphere, helpful staff, and freshly made cuisine that is definitely worth the price.
Operating Hours:
11:30 am – 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Closed on Monday
Address: 1-1-31 Elit Avenue, Jalan Mayang Pasir 3 11950 Bayan Lepas, Penang
Phone No: 012-5532497
Google Reviews: Here
Google Map: Navigate Now
6. The Garden Banana Leaf
This vegan-friendly restaurant is indeed not an exception to the general rule that the key ingredients in real Indian food are spices, herbs, and strong flavors. People are compelled to try it once and then come back for more. Eat on a banana leaf for a refreshing dining experience while surrounded by a green environment and there is plenty of parking, so worry less if you are coming with a group of friends. In relation to that, stop by today for a surprise since the vegetable sides change daily! It is essential to arrive early for their special Vegetarian Biryani rice on Fridays.
Operating Hours: 12:00 pm – 3:00 pm (Monday – Saturday)
Address: 50, Jalan Free School, Jelutong 11600 Georgetown, Penang
Phone No: 017- 8962331
Google Reviews: Here
Google Map: Navigate Now
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/thegardenbananaleafpenang/
7. Sappadhutha Mukkiyam
The restaurant Sappadhutha Mukkiyam, which also means “Food is Definitely Important” and is based in Little India, Penang, appears a little shabby and average from the outside. Contrary to appearances, they provide excellent homemade Indian food. Nothing extravagant or pretentious, just delicious and modestly priced food like different types of chicken masala, fish masala, basmati rice, and pappadum rice served in banana leaves. Another benefit is the courteous and prompt service they provide. Additionally, vegetarian dishes are available. Do stop by this Indian restaurant in Penang if you’re going to be in the town.
Operating Hours: 11:00 am – 11:00 pm (Daily)
Address: 51, Bishop St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang
Phone No: 019-4191414
Google Reviews: Here
Google Map: Navigate Now
View website8. Paradise Chili Kitchen
This delightful eatery serves authentic south Indian meals and their specialty is coconut biryani. The coconut water and basmati rice are cooked together in a coconut where the rice was flavourful and delicious with wet rice with a subtle note of sweetness. The raita was also to my taste because it wasn’t overly sour and was even slightly sweet, which offset some of the acidity in the yoghurt. The classic spiced buttermilk drink that comes in a clay pot – Morru is energising as well. The workers are polite and keep us updated, which contributes to the exceptional customer service. The costs are also affordable and highly recommendable.
Operating Hours:
11:00 am – 4.00 pm, 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Closed on Monday
Address: 23, King street, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Phone No: 011-58639193
Google Reviews: Here
Google Map: Navigate Now
9. Seni Sattisorru
Senivasagam Manikam, also known as Seni, took over 5 years to perfect the basic recipe and the technique required to make his clay pot rice and start a restaurant in Penang. His outlets, which are located throughout Malaysia, receive the masalas and spices from a central location. Onions, tomatoes, curry leaves, and masala are sautéed first in Seni’s version. Before adding the cooked rice, the desired protein is first added and fully cooked. The combination is cooked in the clay pot for a short while longer before being served. The end result is a dish where each grain of rice is well cooked and keeps heat as you continue to eat. It’s not at all mushy like when you eat curries with white rice, and you may request something different from the regular masala if you aren’t satisfied with it.
Operating Hours:
11:45 am – 9:30 pm (Daily)
Closed on Monday
Address: No 37, Jalan Sentral Jaya Pusat Perniagaan Sentral Jaya, Bukit Mertajam
Phone No: 011-27567255
Google Reviews: Here
Google Map: Navigate Now
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seni.sattisooru.penang/
10. Kulfi Kade
Malaysians are raving over Malaysia’s first Indian dessert shop, Kulfi Kade, which is in Penang Town. An Indian delicacy known as kulfi is produced by freezing milk that has been condensed by boiling some of the water out of it. It is later flavored with almonds and cardamom seeds. The choco badam and kacah kulfi are two of this shop’s best-selling flavors of kulfi, which are available in a variety of tastes and toppings. The attraction of this restaurant is its selection of Indian hippie wall art, and they also permit birthday parties. So why are you still waiting? To celebrate your friend’s birthday, go to Kulfi Kade.
Operating Hours:
10:00 am – 8:00 pm
Closed on Monday
Address: 38, Lebuh China, George Town, Pulau Pinang
Phone No: 04-2170357
Google Reviews: Here
Google Map: Navigate Now
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Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
