Jawi House Cafe Gallery

Cafe · George Town ·

Jawi House Cafe Gallery

Cafe · George Town ·

Malaysian & Jawi Peranakan fare: briyani, fish curry, mango kerabu

Information

85, Lbh Armenian, George Town, 10200 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia Get directions

RM 20–40

@cntraveler

42,481 Postcards · 5,683 Cities

How to Eat Your Way Through Penang, Malaysia—Asia's Most Exciting Food Destination | Condé Nast Traveler

"A beloved, still-traditional yet slightly more formal dining room where Jawi Peranakan anthropologist Wazir Jahan Karim and her son Nurilkarim serve a Peranakan cuisine shaped by Malay-speaking Muslims. Expect dishes like Malay nasi biryani alongside comforting plates of chicken curry, roti surai, and milk tea that speak to Penang’s entwined histories." - Arati Menon

https://www.cntraveler.com/story/guide-to-penang-malaysia-asias-most-exciting-food-destination

Jawi House Cafe Gallery

@michelinguide

48,380 Postcards · 8,030 Cities

"Nestled in a neighbourhood rich in cultural heritage, Jawi House blends in seamlessly. The retro room sets the backdrop for the chef to experiment with recipes that combine Malay, Indian and Middle Eastern influences. On the menu, a good selection of biriyani with different ingredients are found alongside jawi laksa lemak (rice noodles with flaked tuna and mackerel in coconut milk broth) and papadum. Fish curry is always good; ask servers about the catch of the day." - Michelin Inspector

https://guide.michelin.com/en/pulau-pinang/my-george-town/restaurant/jawi-house

Jawi House Cafe Gallery

@atlasobscura

4,908 Postcards · 2,019 Cities

Jawi House - Atlas Obscura

"Jawi House is closed on Tuesday. Also, this is not the hotel—that is the Jawi Peranakan Mansion. " - Atlas Obscura

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/penang-jawi-house-peranakan-history

Jawi House Cafe Gallery

@michelinguide

48,380 Postcards · 8,030 Cities

Iconic Dishes: A Guide to Rice Dishes in Malaysia and Where to Find Them

"In Penang, MICHELIN-listed Jawi House serves Lemuni Rice, a northern Malaysian rice dish popular as a confinement food for mothers in the Malay community, made with daun lemuni, an herb that can help new mothers recover, balance hormones, boost blood flow, and aid in digestion. Like Nasi Lemak, this rice dish is usually accompanied by fried anchovies, peanuts, sambal, and cucumber, but at Jawi House it is served with three vegetarian side dishes instead. The restaurant is also listed as a place to get Nasi Briyani." - Theri Burhan

https://guide.michelin.com/en/article/dining-out/iconic-dishes-a-guide-to-rice-dishes-in-malaysia-michelin-guide

Jawi House Cafe Gallery

Chloe L.

Google

Stopped by Jawi House Cafe Gallery in the afternoon with a few friends and it turned out to be a really pleasant break while exploring Georgetown.The place has a charming heritage feel and the small gallery inside adds a nice cultural touch. We shared a few drinks and light bites while chatting, and everything was nicely prepared. The atmosphere is calm and cozy, which makes it a good spot to sit for a while and relax. Service was friendly and welcoming, and we never felt rushed. Overall a lovely place to spend a quiet afternoon with friends in Georgetown.

Daniela

Google

We had a very nice experience at Jawi House Cafe Gallery in Georgetown. The staff were extremely kind and friendly, and the service was excellent from start to finish. The food was outstanding – the salads were fresh and full of flavor, and the meat was very tender and literally falling apart. The prices were reasonable for the quality. Overall, a very good restaurant that we would definitely recommend.

mary L.

Google

We had a beautiful meal here. Food was very tasty. We had the beef rendang - very tender and delicious. Also different rices and mixed vegetables. We had the cheesecake and lemon tart for dessert. No complaints. The setting is like sitting in somebody’s home in their dining room, which is cool. Low music playing in the background so very easy to talk, good for someone who wants a quiet restaurant. Staff very friendly and gave us recommendations based on our requests. We came here because the restaurant was mentioned in our ‘Lonely Planet’ book on Asia, and very glad we did. We would highly recommend.

Layar J.

Google

If you are dining alone, I love that this place has a two portion choice for lots of their cooked dishes. Smaller single portion and larger one. The environment is a little dark from dim lighting but cool and quiet. Seating is a bit tight with space constraints, but ok. The menu has a good choice. Logically arranged and easy to make a decision. They have two menus, a wordy one for those familiar with their food and a supplementary one with mainly pictures of their best selling choices. I ordered the jackfruit biriyani. This being the first time I tried this dish, and I was a bit apprehensive. As far as the biriyani rice goes, by itself, its flavour is well balanced but light. It comes with a small portion of yogurt veggie and beans based curry. Since the rice portion is huge, the accompanying yogurt and curry is actually a little inadequate. Fortunately I ordered an additional raitha and mutton kurma (single portion). The jackfruit in the biriyani is well cooked. Soft and tender. Taste is a little bland so you will need the additional sauce and raitha. Mixing it with the additional raitha and sauce changes the taste complexity and makes it superbly delicious. I loved the additional raitha. Different from the accompanying yogurt, the raitha is more liquidy and the taste packs more punch. Meanwhile the mutton is well cooked. Tender, tasty and goes superbly well with the kurma, there's unnoticeable gamey smell and I think most diners will enjoy it.

Puva S.

Google

Had lunch. Cm around 1.30pm and able to get a table, I think a group of ppl just left the restaurant after their lunch. Attentive staff. The restaurant around tourist spot, might have problem to get a parking spot. Nasi lemuni and and nasi tomato was tasty, their chili sambal was a bomb, very nice. Jackfruit biryani was not up to the expectation. Grilled chicken sandwich tasted fresh and it's a reasonable portion. Fry chicken was normal. Chicken curry was nice but the taste of the chicken in it can be improved, Abit blunt for me. And the chicken curry can be shared by 2 persons. Nutmeg juice very tasty. Mango smoothie tasted very nice but too thick, hard to drink. Lemon soda was nice. Overall for the dishes I tried, I think the food is average. But I will come again to try their other dishes as well as their laksa lemak. They do have vegetarian options as well. “Just my taste buds talking—yours might gossip differently. Try it yourself!”

Josephine W

Google

Loved the rich and deeply satisfying food at Jawi House. The restaurant celebrates heritage cuisine with Malay, Indian, and Middle Eastern influences, each dish carrying a warm, earthy, and distinctive taste. The beef rendang was tender and bold, while the curries and vegetable sides offered gentle warmth without overwhelming heat. Overall, flavours were layered, not fiery — perfect for those with spice-sensitive stomachs!

Balqis B.

Google

definitely worth the hype. we ordered the beef brisket sandwich, smoked salmon sandwich, soda lime, lemon tea, and mango kerabu. the sandwiches were insanely good, highly recommended! prices are reasonable for a michelin-listed spot. it’s located on armenian street, surrounded by plenty of stores, cafes, and hotels. best to explore the area on foot since parking is limited and traffic can get pretty hectic during peak hours.

Pete K.

Google

In a city celebrated as one of the world’s most irresistible food capitals, it takes something truly extraordinary to stand out — and Jawi House Café Gallery does so with effortless grace. Not only does this beautiful spot serve the very best Traditional Malay meals we’ve ever tasted, it has earned the title of our favourite restaurant in all of Penang. Every dish is a masterpiece. The tastes, the flavours, the textures — each plate arrives infused with heritage, passion, and a level of care that you can feel from the very first bite. You sense the love woven into the recipes, the refinement in the preparation, and the pride in every ingredient chosen. And then there’s the service. Warm, attentive, and — dare we say — handsome in every sense of the word. It rounds out the experience with charm and professionalism, elevating a great meal into a truly perfect evening. In delicious Penang, where culinary brilliance is the norm, Jawi House Café Gallery still manages to rise above the rest. A must-visit gem, and without question, the best dining experience we’ve had on the island.