Penang, Malaysia: 5 most romantic restaurants

If your significant other loves Thai food, then this is the perfect restaurant to woo them. Bambu Small Plates is hailed as the first and only Thai fine dining restaurant in all of Penang. Located in the Upper House hotel, the restaurant is equipped with the perfect romantic ambience, replete with earthy vibes and bamboo-inspired décor.

For a more lovey-dovey affair, choose to dine in the alfresco area overlooking the city. You can also end the night with some cocktails, as there’s a bar serving guests all night. Take note that the menu comes in sets of tapas (small plates)—consult the staff for more information on the dishes and how many you should order.

Bambu Small Plates, Aspen Vision City, 22A Jalan Vervea 10, Vervea, 14110, Lebuhraya Bandar Cassia, Simpang Ampat, Penang | (+60) 19 302 0551

Feringgi Grill, an award-winning restaurant at the Shangri-La Rasa Sayang Resort and Spa, is where you want to go if you want to be treated like royalty for a night, indulged with great service and impeccable food. Serving mostly fusion and European dishes, we highly recommend the fresh grouper fillet (RM98) that’s accompanied by a rich Béarnaise sauce and served with roasted garlic mashed potatoes. If you are more into red meat as your entrée, you’ll love the tender and juicy steak Diane (RM165) that is flambéed to perfection with Cognac. When you are done with dinner, take your loved one for a stroll outside to enjoy the majestic view of Batu Ferringhi.

Feringgi Grill, M/F, Rasa Wing Lobby, Batu Ferringhi Beach, Kampung Tanjung Huma, Penang | (+60) 3 2119 2622

If your significant other loves nature, take them to the Ferringhi Garden Restaurant. This award-winning establishment at Batu Ferringhi is surrounded by lush greenery, creating an unbeatable ambience. Serving Western, Mediterranean, and Asian cuisine, its price range runs a wide gamut, from an affordable RM20 to an exclusive RM850 per dish. For a romantic night with great photos to remember it by, we suggest alfresco dining on the patio, where you will be surrounded by blooming flowers and plants, as well as the soothing sounds of the waterfall and koi pond.

Ferringhi Garden Restaurant, 34, Jalan Batu Ferringhi, Kampung Batu Feringgi, 11100 Batu Ferringhi, Penang | (+60) 16 415 8835

Orinea by Farquhar Mansion is one of the most luxurious restaurants in Penang. It was originally constructed back in the 1870s and has withstood the test of time for at least 150 years. Although it is pricey, the unique experience you get is anything but ordinary. Orinea’s award-winning chefs are known for creating exquisite dishes, from delicate canapés to unique main courses that will be as memorable as the occasion itself. Equipped with its own wine cellar, Orinea’s wine selection is something you’ll want to explore as well. One thing to bear in mind is that the menu gets updated seasonally, so it’s best to check with the restaurant for its latest options.

Orinea by Farquhar Mansion, 68-18-1 Sunrise Gurney, Gurney Drive, 10250 George Town, Penang | (+60) 19 528 8933

Nothing can be more romantic (and fun) than dining in a revolving restaurant, “spinning” 360 degrees every evening between 7 pm to 10 pm. Imagine enjoying a candlelit dinner in full view of Penang’s skyline from all angles without having to move an inch! Located within the Bayview Hotel, this novelty restaurant is perched high above the city, with its back to the waterfront. The food is unexpectedly affordable—the buffet option is only RM180 per person. If you’re willing to splurge to make the occasion even more special, book the RM288 package, where you’ll get an unlimited buffet dinner and cocktails or mocktails for two, a mini cake, as well as a table set up with balloons and flowers.

Three Sixty Revolving Restaurant and Rooftop Bar, 25-A Lebuh Farquhar, 10200 George Town, Penang | (+60) 4 261 3540