Overview
Gurney Drive Hawker Centre is one of Penang's most famous food destinations, a purpose-built waterfront food court on Persiaran Gurney offering dozens of hawker stalls serving the island's signature dishes.
Highlights
- Char Kway Teow: Stir-fried flat rice noodles with prawns, cockles, and bean sprouts cooked over intense charcoal heat.
- Assam Laksa: Penang's signature sour-spicy fish noodle soup, voted the world's 7th best food by CNN Travel.
- Penang Rojak: A tangy fruit-and-vegetable salad tossed in shrimp paste dressing.
History
Gurney Drive stalls became legendary from the 1970s onward. The stalls were relocated to a purpose-built food court in 2013.
Visitor Tips
- Evening visit: Most stalls open from 17:00; the atmosphere peaks between 19:00 and 21:00.
- Queuing: The most popular stalls attract long queues; order at multiple stalls and share a table.
- Duration: 45–60 minutes.