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Jawi House Cafe Gallery
Review
About
MICHELIN
View more on MICHELIN Guide
Authentic Jawi Peranakan Heritage Cuisine prepared by Chef Nurilkarim Razha, sixth generation Jawi Peranakan of Pakistani origin. Discover Jawi Bamieh, Jawi Laksa, Jawi Biryani and Nasi Lemuni among other dishes available. Quench your thirst with Jawi House Arabian Sherbet or Penang Nutmeg Juice and conclude your dining experience with our in-house local dessert like Kuih Sarang Semut or Bubur Pulut Hitam. Explore our premise; traditional Straits Chinese facade with an eclectic Jawi Peranakan-Straits Chinese interior maintained and conserved under the UNESCO Heritage Guidelines. Thank you and hope to see you soon!
MICHELIN Guide: Good cooking
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.
Read more on MICHELIN Guide
Features
CUISINES
Malaysian, Arabic
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Halal, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Accepts Credit Cards
Free Wifi
Highchairs Available
Mastercard
Reservations
Seating
Table Service
Visa
Is this a Malaysian restaurant?
Reserve a table
Save this restaurant
Hours
Open until 9:30 PM
Sunday
11:00 am - 9:30 pm
Monday
11:00 am - 9:30 pm
Tuesday
Closed
Wednesday
11:00 am - 9:30 pm
Thursday
11:00 am - 9:30 pm
Friday
11:00 am - 9:30 pm
Saturday
11:00 am - 9:30 pm
Contribute
4.5
694 reviews
Excellent
436
Good
194
Average
43
Poor
11
Terrible
10
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Gloria G
101 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
The first time we went it was full and we couldn't eat, so I recommend going early or making a reservation. We returned in the evening and were able to taste some exquisite dishes. Highly recommended.
The staff, although very attentive, could show a little more joy
Written 8 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Cathy H
Newry79 contributions
Jul 2024 • family
Pretty restaurant with a homely feel specialising in Malay traditional feasting dishes.
The platter starter was lovely especially the Armenian salad and the Mango salad was beautifully fresh and balanced.
Service was initially very slow (although I think this might be a cultural thing as it’s been our experience thus far) and the portions were small however the food itself was tasty (especially the traditional mutton stew) and nicely presented.
Total spend was 210 including lots of soft drinks
Written 14 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Emily P
73 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
Top-notch dishes cooked in a unique homestyle and served in a delicate way. The combination of ingredients is very smart, it results into a truly impressive dining experience. The combination of tofu with peanut sauce in the “Cucur udang” dish deserves a special mention! The place feels authentic and genuinely hospitable. It’s exquisite but without any posh details. The prices are surprisingly moderate, especially if you take into account the unique style of cooking and that the dishes simply delicious.
Written 13 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
capsicum0620
Thailand1050 contributions
May 2024 • couples
Delicate cuisine offered through an interesting and well balanced menu. The Lebanese touch in the appetizers section is much appreciated.
The prices are a bit high, but the presentation and taste of the dish -if not seasoned enough to for our taste- were good.
Excellent service.
Note: no alcohol is served
Written 14 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jhansel
169 contributions
Dec 2023 • couples
We enjoyed lunch here and were lucky to have a table available. We had an appetizer including an Armenian salad, hummus and baba ganoush with soft pita that was tasty. We had the mutton biryani and the meat was tender and complemented the rice. Dessert was burnt sugar kiuh, a local cake. Everything was fantastic. I’d highly recommend this restaurant.
Written 7 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sim L
Glen Waverley37 contributions
Jan 2023 • none
What can I say about Jawi House Cafe Gallery?
What an absolutely amazing dinner our family had in the restaurant! Exquisite subtle flavours that delighted my tastebuds. From the beautiful mango salad to the Jawi Biryani, the well braised Mutton that melted in your mouth, to the Three Vegetarian Dishes and so on.
Every dish was a delight to behold ( & eat!). The ambience of dining in the well-renovated "Coffee Shop" brings back nostalgic memories of the old Penang I love and grew up in.
Congrats to Chef Nuri and his wife Julie for bringing good Peranakan food to the table. A very bright and promising future for Jawi House. Thank you.
Written 24 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leo Ang
14 contributions
Jun 2022 • family
I read all of the 1 star reviews and I think it's odd that they would find it bad! My family and I came here for dinner (reservations were made in advance, like how everyone should do as there is limited seating) and we could not be more satisfied.
The food was spectacularly flavourful, service was great, ambience was calming and decor was a nice addition to learn about the history.
We had the chicken biryani(meat literally falls off the bone and it was so tender), the Levant Platter which consists of Baba ganoush, Hummus, raw salad with feta cheese(I think) and it comes with warm fluffy pita bread which goes together really well, & for drinks, we had nutmeg with lime juice and loved every single thing!
We were new to Jawi House as well and did not know it existed until we were recommended by one of our friends and we have been coming here ever since!
Truly no regrets at all and it is a must visit place in Penang.
The 1 star reviews are completely baseless and I get that everyone has their own preferences but don't accuse a place for being bad just because you claim it is when you haven't actually tried their food or experienced their service.
All in all, Jawi House definitely did not deserve the bad reviews.
Ps. My mum has an addiction to your chicken biryani. She just ordered it yesterday and went to pick it up.
The fact that she doesn't even eat much meat, says it all.
Written 19 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ellen vd F
5 contributions
Sept 2024 • couples
Great food and great service. Very tasty dishes. Very special cuisine. Pleasant decor. We had nasi lemuni with fish curry and fried checken. Dessert pisang porridge and coffee with beans that they roast themselves and special herbal tea that includes pandang. Very tasteful all of them.
Automatically translated
Written 26 September 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Susan E
Perth132 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
We attended yesterday for a quick lunch & we’re very impressed, a charming little restaurant with great service. We ordered babaganoush (I was not wanting spicy as I was getting over “travellers tummy”) & a traditional fish curry & a delicious rice. Surprisingly the 2 cuisines actually complimented each other! (I couldn’t resist tasting the curry too) it was the highlight, so delicate & delicious! We will be back. Thankyou 😊
Written 5 July 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sanne V
10 contributions
Jul 2023 • couples
Just WOW! We were there on monday night (make sure to have a reservation, otherwise there will be no tables left). We tried something we never had before (vegetarian and beef pendang), and it was all so flavourful! Defenitely worth that it's (a little bit) more expensive. Very friendly staff and the chef came out to eloborate on the food. Loved it!
Written 31 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Arackhaen
Turku68 contributions
Nov 2023 • friends
Awesome food! You can immediately see the quality of The restaurant from the first bite.
Salad was sweet and tasty. Mutton was well cooked. Muscot drink was so good.
I know this sounds overwhelming, but with this price level and quality, this is now one of my favorite restaurants in the world.
Written 22 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
andersoncollier
Haywards Heath3 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
Food was OK but given price point we had better meals in Penang for a lot less money.
Rendang appeared to be beef brisket in a rendang sauce.
Staff were nice when interacting.
Would not return the next time we are in Penang though given other reviews we may have picked a bad day.
Written 3 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Catherine
20 contributions
Aug 2023 • friends
I've eaten here on a number of occasions because the food is delicious - local Jawi Peranakan dishes. It's set in a lovely relaxed atmosphere, in a beautifully renovated Georgetown house. Staff are extremely polite, friendly and helpful. I've taken family and friends here for lunch and dinner. If you like good quality local dishes, you won't be disappointed. Good to note however, they do not serve alcohol.
Written 6 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TJ S
60 contributions
Sept 2020 • couples
Jawi Peranakan cuisine at its best! Absolutely love everything about this place. The cosy ambience, beautiful wooden dining furniture and a historic display of photos through time gives it a nostalgic feel. My husband and I ordered a kerabu mangga, mutton briyani, colonial lemon tart for lunch, all washed down with a mighty refreshing glass of nutmeg juice. Divine fusion of flavours and textures, a true gastronomic journey with every mouthful. It was definitely one of our best lunches in Penang - great service, reasonably priced too!
Written 27 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Krista F
Chicago112 contributions
May 2023 • none
The food here was delicious and in a lovely setting. The Jawi mix of Arab/Indian Muslim/Malay creates a cuisine that is different from the Nyona restaurants- very complex and tasty. We did not have enough time but wanted to go back to try all the menu items we did not get to the first time. The staff was nice and accommodating. No alcohol but a great kombucha menu. Highly recommend!
Written 16 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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