Penang Hawker Centre Floor Plans
Tap any stall to see the dish to order, price, and hours. Follow the numbered route for the best eating order.
What are the best hawker centres in Penang and where are the stalls?
Penang's top hawker centres are Gurney Drive (Pulau Tikus, evenings), New Lane / Lorong Baru (George Town, evenings), Red Garden Food Paradise (George Town, evenings with live music), and Cecil Street Market / Lebuh Kimberly (George Town, mornings + afternoon CKT stall). Each has 10–20 stalls clustered by position — tap a stall on the floor plan below to see exactly what to order.
How to Read These Floor Plans
Each floor plan below shows the approximate stall layout of a Penang hawker centre. Stalls are colour-coded by cuisine type. Numbered circles (1) mark the suggested eating order for a full, efficient visit. Gold stars () mark the absolute must-visit stalls.
Tap or click any stall to see the famous dish, current price range, opening hours, and local tips. Scroll horizontally on mobile if the grid is wider than your screen.
Gurney Drive Hawker Centre
Also known as: Gurney Drive
A large covered rectangular hall with three rows of stalls and wide seating corridors. Main entrance faces the carpark on the south side. A second entrance is on the north-east corner near the drinks section.
Suggested Walking Route — Gurney Drive
- 1Enter through the main entrance and turn left to the CKT stall — join the queue immediately (stall 1).
- 2While waiting for your CKT, order a Cendol from the dessert counter across the aisle (stall 2).
- 3Collect your CKT and find a seat. After eating, walk to Uncle Lim Hokkien Mee (stall 3).
- 4On the way back, grab fresh coconut water from the Drinks Hub (stall 4).
- 5Head to the top-right corner for Assam Laksa — a lighter dish before the big finishes (stall 5).
- 6Cross to the oyster omelette stall (Or Chien) — the crispy egg coating is unmissable (stall 7).
- 7Pick up some Lorbak from the fritter stall as a snack while moving (stall 8).
- 8End with Pasembur in the top-right corner for a palate-cleansing peanut sauce salad (stall 9).
- 9If still hungry, finish with Nasi Kandar on the far left (stall 10).
Insider Tips — Gurney Drive
- Arrive before 7pm on weekends to avoid 30-minute queues at the CKT stall.
- The hawker centre has ample parking behind the building — enter from Solok Gurney 1.
- Most stalls are non-halal; the Nasi Kandar and Mee Goreng stalls are Muslim-owned.
- Bring RM 50–80 per person for a full spread of 4–6 dishes with drinks.
- The Or Chien stall uses a charcoal wok — expect some smoke and a short wait.
New Lane Hawker Centre (Lorong Baru)
Also known as: New Lane
An open-air street hawker stretch. Stalls line both sides of Lorong Baru, with seating in the middle and on the kerbs. Think of it as two parallel columns of stalls with a wide dining corridor between them. The street runs roughly north–south with the main entry from Jalan Macalister at the south end.
Suggested Walking Route — New Lane
- 1Enter from Jalan Macalister (south end) and immediately head to the CKK stall on the left (stall 1) — this is the signature New Lane dish.
- 2While waiting for your CKK, order drinks from the south drinks stall (stall 2).
- 3Walk north on the left side to find the Aun Kow Duck Rice stall (stall 3) — arrive by 7:30pm before the good cuts sell out.
- 4Continue north and order Char Kway Teow at the central CKT stall (stall 4).
- 5Cross to the right side for the Fried Oyster stall (stall 5).
- 6Head back south on the right side — stop at Popiah (stall 6).
- 7Cross back to the right for Barbecue Chicken Wings near the middle (stall 7).
- 8Finish with Cendol at the north end of the left column (stall 8).
Insider Tips — New Lane
- New Lane is cash only at most stalls — bring RM 50 per person.
- Arrive by 7pm on weekends — the duck rice regularly sells out by 9pm.
- The whole street is non-halal; nearby alternatives are on Jalan Macalister.
- Seating fills up fast — claim your table and then queue for food.
- The chicken wings take 10–15 minutes — order them first when you arrive.
Red Garden Food Paradise
Also known as: Red Garden
A former colonial carpark converted into an open-air evening food court. Stalls are arranged in a U-shape around a central seating area with a small stage for live music. The open end of the U faces Leith Street. Three wings: West Wing (left), North Wing (top), and East Wing (right).
Suggested Walking Route — Red Garden
- 1Enter from Leith Street and walk to the West Wing left side — start with Pork Trotter Rice stall (stall 1).
- 2Order CKT from the stall directly below while your pork is being prepared (stall 2).
- 3Move to the North Wing for cold drinks at the bar — beer or coconut water (stall 3).
- 4While at the north side, order Satay from the grill stall (stall 4).
- 5Continue east along the North Wing for Or Chien at the corner stall (stall 5).
- 6Walk south on the East Wing for BBQ Corn — a quick snack while browsing (stall 6).
- 7Finish with Tang Yuan or Cendol from the dessert stall (stall 7).
- 8Claim a centre table by 7:30pm to enjoy the nightly live music performance.
Insider Tips — Red Garden
- Red Garden is the most tourist-friendly hawker centre — many stalls have English menus and photos.
- The live music starts at 7:30pm nightly — arrive by 7pm to get a good central table.
- Most stalls accept QR Pay (DuitNow) — ask before ordering if you're going cashless.
- Leith Street has limited parking; take a Grab from your hotel in George Town.
- This is a non-halal venue; the bar area serves alcohol openly.
Cecil Street Market & Lebuh Kimberly
Also known as: Kimberly Street
An L-shaped stretch anchored at the corner of Lebuh Kimberly and Lorong Kimberly. The main arm runs east–west along Kimberly Street; the secondary arm runs north–south along Lorong Kimberly. The covered morning market (Cecil Street Market) occupies the western end. Evening stalls set up on the street itself.
Suggested Walking Route — Kimberly Street
- 1Morning route: Start at Line Clear Nasi Kandar in the alley — it is open 24/7 so you can arrive as early as 6am (stall 1).
- 2Walk east to the Roti Canai stall for a RM 3 roti telur with dhal (stall 2).
- 3Cross over to Cecil Street for Dim Sum — order while tables are still free before 9am (stall 3).
- 4Sit at the kopitiam for kopi-o and kaya toast — the quintessential Penang breakfast (stall 4).
- 5Afternoon route: Return at 2:30pm for the Kimberly Street CKT stall — the queue starts before the stall even opens (stall 5).
- 6After CKT, stroll west for Sampan Porridge — a lighter counter to the rich noodles (stall 6).
- 7Finish with an iced Bandung or sugarcane juice from the cold drinks corner (stall 7).
Insider Tips — Kimberly Street
- The Kimberly Street CKT is afternoon only (2:30pm). For morning food, the market stalls and Line Clear are your targets.
- Line Clear Nasi Kandar on the alley is the most famous nasi kandar in Penang — open since 1945, 24 hours.
- The morning market is mostly non-halal; Line Clear and Roti Canai are the halal options.
- Parking on Lebuh Kimberly is limited — walk from KOMTAR (10 min) or take a Grab.
- The Kimberly CKT stall is a single elderly woman frying over charcoal — treat her with patience and respect.
Hawker Centre Etiquette in Penang
Chope your table first
Leave a tissue packet, umbrella, or bag on a chair before joining the food queue. This local practice (called "chope-ing") reserves your seat.
Order from multiple stalls
You are not expected to buy food and drinks from the same stall. Drinks stalls are usually separate — order independently.
Bring RM 5 and RM 10 notes
Most stalls prefer small change. ATMs are nearby but not always inside hawker centres. Budget RM 30–60 per person per visit.
Arrive before 9pm for the best variety
Popular stalls often sell out by 8–9pm on busy nights. Famous stalls like Aun Kow Duck Rice at New Lane can sell out by 8:30pm.
Check closing days before visiting
Many Chinese-operated stalls close one weekday (often Mon or Wed). Text "closed" searches on Google or call ahead for specific stalls.
Return the trays and bowls
At some centres, used bowls should be placed on a clearing trolley or left at the edge of the table for the cleaning staff. Follow the locals' lead.
Quick Reference
Gurney Drive
Gurney Drive
Daily 5pm–midnight (some lunch stalls from 11am)
New Lane
George Town
Daily 6pm–midnight
Red Garden
George Town
Daily 5pm–midnight
Kimberly Street
George Town
Morning: 6am–1pm | Evening stalls: 4pm–9pm
Explore More Penang Food Guides
Full Food Directory
Browse all 28+ restaurants, hawker centres, and kopitiams in Penang
Food Walking Routes
GPS-guided self-guided food walks from 0.8 km to 5 km
Food Price Guide 2026
Exact 2026 prices for char kway teow, laksa, nasi kandar, and 25+ dishes
Budget Food Crawl
What you can eat in Penang on RM20, RM50, or RM100
Halal Food Guide
JAKIM-certified and Muslim-friendly food spots across Penang
Michelin Guide Picks
Penang's Michelin Bib Gourmand and Michelin-starred restaurants
Hawker Centre FAQs
How do I use the hawker centre floor plans?
Each floor plan is a colour-coded CSS grid showing the approximate position of every major stall. Tap or click any stall to see details — the dish to order, current price range, and opening hours. Numbered badges (1, 2, 3…) show the suggested walking order so you can eat efficiently without doubling back. Star-badged stalls are the absolute must-visits at each centre.
What time should I arrive at Penang hawker centres?
Evening hawker centres like Gurney Drive and New Lane (Lorong Baru) open around 5pm–6pm and hit peak buzz at 7pm–9pm. Arrive by 6:30pm on weekends to avoid long queues at famous stalls. Cecil Street (Kimberly Street area) is primarily a morning market — arrive by 7am–8am. The legendary Kimberly Street CKT stall sets up at 2:30pm in the afternoon.
Is there seating at Penang hawker centres?
All four hawker centres have communal seating, but the style varies. Gurney Drive and Red Garden have fixed tables inside a covered building. New Lane is street-side seating along the pavement. Cecil Street has both covered market seats (morning) and plastic chairs set out on the road (evening). Seating is first-come-first-served — claim a table and then queue for food.
Are Penang hawker centres halal?
Most Penang hawker centres are mixed — some stalls are halal (Malay and Indian Muslim vendors), while others serve pork and alcohol. At Gurney Drive, the Nasi Kandar and Mee Goreng stalls are halal. Line Clear Nasi Kandar on Cecil Street is fully halal and open 24 hours. New Lane and Red Garden are largely non-halal. Always look for halal signs or ask the stall owner.
How much cash should I bring to a Penang hawker centre?
Budget RM 30–60 per person for a full hawker centre experience — that covers 3–5 dishes and drinks. Stalls at Gurney Drive and Red Garden are slightly pricier (RM 7–15 per dish) than New Lane and Cecil Street (RM 5–10 per dish). Most traditional stalls are cash-only; some at Red Garden accept DuitNow QR. Bring small notes — RM 5 and RM 10 bills.
What is the best hawker centre for first-time visitors to Penang?
Gurney Drive Hawker Centre is the best starting point for first-timers — it has the widest variety of Penang's greatest hits under one roof, a comfortable covered setting, clear stall signage, and English is widely spoken. Red Garden Food Paradise in George Town is similarly tourist-friendly with live music. For an authentic local experience, go to New Lane (Lorong Baru) on a weeknight.
What is hawker centre etiquette in Penang?
Seat first, then queue. Claim a table before joining the queue for food, and leave a plastic bag, umbrella, or tissue pack on your chair to indicate it is taken (this is called "chope-ing" a seat). Order from multiple stalls — there is no rule that you must buy from one vendor per table. Drinks stalls are often separate from food stalls; order drinks independently. Tip is not expected but appreciated.
Do hawker stalls close on certain days?
Yes — many Chinese-operated stalls close on one weekday for rest, often Monday or Wednesday. Stall closure is not always predictable, so visit with backup options in mind. Famous stalls like the Kimberly Street CKT lady also close if she is unwell or on holiday. Morning stalls at Cecil Street often sell out and close by noon. The safest nights are Thursday through Sunday when attendance is highest and most stalls are open.