Laying claim to an incredible and diverse culinary spectacle that will have your tastebuds dancing for joy, Gurney Drive in George Town, Penang, Malaysia is where food lovers mix and mingle in large numbers. What makes calling by Gurney Drive all the more worthwhile is the fact that you can order from an assortment of dishes, share in the company of like-minded travellers & locals and take pleasure of awe-inspiring ocean vistas.

Gurney Drive in Penang - Image via Flickr

Simply said, Gurney Drive is a seaside esplanade packed to the rafters with dining options to avail of that suit varying budgets and palates. Also, considered a great destination to socialise, Gurney Drive although having been featured in guidebooks and food magazines is an area that is largely frequented by locals and that too on weekends. However, understand that the food sold is quite affordable when compared with other parts of George Town, Penang’s capital. Added to this, arranging transport from your mode of accommodation is a breeze given the numerous facilities on offer. Overflowing in street carts and shared tables which will be quite the sight to take in and get used to, Gurney Drive also provides ease of access to a slew of sit-down restaurants found opposite the esplanade which range from hotpot places, steakhouses and seafood eateries that will ensure your tummy is well taken care of.

Hawker food is at the core of Gurney Drive’s offerings and at times choosing what to get can be hard given the number of options and unfamiliar delicacies that you will come into contact with. While selecting a noodle-based dish or broth is one way of playing it safe, one must relish the chance to sample something a tad different when strolling along Gurney Drive. Mouthwatering satays are a huge part of eating out at Gurney Drive with these tasty and smoky treats coming off as being irresistible. Cooked over an open flame, these grilled specialties are a temptation and an obsession that will see to it that you rekindle your love for all things juicy and meaty. While the price you end up paying will depend on the choice of meat (chicken, beef or mutton), one thing can be assured of which is that for a brief moment you would forget that vegetables ever existed. If you wish to partake in healthy eating, then keep your eyes peeled for Lok-Lok which can be enjoyed as a starter or an accompaniment. What makes Lok-Lok a touch healthier than the rest of what you will encounter along Gurney Drive boils down (no pun intended) to the fact that it is boiled in water as opposed to oil. Take your pick of Lok-Lok that can feature seafood, meat, quail eggs, fresh veggies and even Chinese dumplings that are first skewered and then smeared with a generous sauce that can take on either a sweet, spicy or peanutty sensation. Subsequently, if you’re in the mood for something spicy and fiery, then turn your attention towards a Pasembur cart which sells the Pasembur; a dish of Malaysian Indian origin. Begin by selecting your favourite deep-fried meat which will then be chopped into fine pieces. Thereafter, the vendor will have your selection covered with a slaw salad before proceeding to drench the serving in a sweet and spicy peanut sauce that will certainly make your tastebuds sit up and take notice. Conclude your culinary journey on Gurney Drive by cooling things down with a household name when it comes to delectable desserts in this section of Malaysia. Imagine a dessert made up of mixed fruit, a chilli seasoning and finished off with a fishy taste. Well then, here is what Rojak offers curious visitors keen to sample quite the outrageous dessert during their time in Penang. First up, the fruits are well mixed and smothered with a distinct sweet and sticky tamarind sauce that is largely responsible for the fishy aftertaste that diners will experience. After this, a host of peanuts and crunchy objects are tossed into what would appear to be a salad to some as opposed to a dessert. In the event you’re a visitor keen on checking out Gurney Drive and requires a place to stay for the night, then consider booking with Ascott Gurney Penang which is a provider of accommodation in Gurney Drive George Town.