Gurney Drive Hawker Centre, Penang
Last updated: October 2026
| Address | 172 Solok Gurney 1, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 George Town, Penang |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily 5 pm – midnight |
| Closed | No regular closed days (individual stalls may vary) |
| Price range | RM5–15 per dish |
| Payment | Cash at most stalls; a few accept e-wallets |
| Halal status | Mixed — halal and non-halal stalls operate side by side |
| Nearest transit | Rapid Penang bus 101 along Persiaran Gurney. Paid parking lot adjacent to the hawker centre. |
| Take me here | |
| Verified | Verified October 2026 |
What It Is
Gurney Drive Hawker Centre is one of Penang's most visited hawker complexes, gathering dozens of food stalls under a single covered roof near the Gurney Drive seafront. The original open-air stalls that lined the coastal road for decades were relocated to a purpose-built hawker building at 172 Solok Gurney 1, just a short walk inland from the original site. Many of the same vendors made the move, bringing their recipes and regular customers with them.
The centre operates primarily in the evening, with most stalls firing up their woks around 5 pm and staying open until midnight. It serves as a one-stop introduction to Penang hawker food — you can sample char kway teow, laksa, pasembur, Hokkien mee and oyster omelette all in one sitting without walking between separate stalls across the city.
What to Eat
The hawker centre covers the full range of Penang street food. Standout dishes to look for include:
- Char kway teow — flat rice noodles wok-fried over charcoal with prawns, cockles, bean sprouts, chives and egg. RM7–10.
- Penang laksa — a tangy, fish-based noodle soup with thick rice noodles, mint, torch ginger and shrimp paste. RM5–8.
- Oyster omelette (or chien) — a crispy-edged egg pancake loaded with small oysters and starch. RM8–12.
- Pasembur — a Penang-style Indian rojak of fried fritters, prawn crackers, cucumber and turnip, doused in sweet peanut sauce. RM6–10.
- Hokkien mee — prawn noodle soup with a rich, long-simmered prawn-shell broth. RM6–10.
There are often two or three stalls selling the same dish, so quality can vary. Ask a local or look for the stall with the longer queue — at hawker centres, the crowd usually gets it right.
Best Time to Go
Arrive between 5 pm and 6 pm for the best selection and shortest queues. By 7 pm to 9 pm, the centre is at full capacity and popular stalls can have 15–20-minute waits. Weekday evenings are noticeably calmer than weekends and public holidays. Some stalls sell out by 10 pm, so late arrivals may find a reduced selection.
How to Get There
The hawker centre sits just off Persiaran Gurney (Gurney Drive), about 4 km north-west of George Town's heritage core. Rapid Penang bus 101 runs along Gurney Drive and stops nearby. By car, there is a paid parking lot adjacent to the hawker centre and additional street parking along Solok Gurney. From the George Town heritage zone, a Grab ride takes about 10 minutes and costs RM6–10.
Nearby
- Hameediyah — 15-minute drive south-east to Lebuh Campbell
- Three Sixty Revolving Rooftop Bar — 15-minute drive east to Bayview Hotel on Lebuh Farquhar
- Him Heang — 5-minute drive south to Jalan Burma for tau sar piah souvenirs
Verdict
Gurney Drive Hawker Centre is the most convenient way to sample a wide range of Penang hawker dishes in a single evening without hopping between separate stalls across the city. The covered building lacks the open-air romance of the old seafront setup, but the food quality from the better stalls remains strong. It works particularly well for first-time visitors who want to taste several Penang classics in one go. Experienced hawker hunters who prefer to seek out individual stalls at their source may find it a touch touristy, but there is nothing wrong with the cooking.
What to Order at Gurney Drive Hawker Centre
Gurney Drive Hawker Centre offers a menu that changes with seasonal ingredients and availability. Below are the typical items you can expect. Prices are in Malaysian Ringgit (RM) and may vary.
- Signature dish (RM15–25) — The house specialty and most popular order. Ask staff for the day's recommendation if it rotates.
- Set meal (RM20–35) — A main course paired with a drink. Good value for a full meal.
- Drinks (RM5–15) — Coffee, tea, fresh juice and soft drinks. Specialty coffees cost slightly more.
- Dessert (RM8–18) — Daily selection that changes regularly. Worth asking what's freshly made.
Prices are approximate and were last checked in October 2026. The venue may adjust pricing without notice.
Location
Photos
Visitor Reviews
-
★★★★★September 2026
Perfect introduction to Penang hawker food in one place. We tried char koay teow (RM8), oyster omelette (RM10) and Hokkien prawn mee (RM8) all in one sitting. The oyster omelette was crispy at the edges with plump oysters inside. Arrived at 5:30 pm and got a table immediately — by 7 pm every seat was taken.
-
★★★★☆August 2026
Good variety of stalls under one covered roof. The pasembur (Indian-style rojak with peanut sauce) was generous, though watch the pricing — some stalls charge by weight so clarify before ordering. The laksa stall had a decent sour broth. Not as authentic as dedicated stalls around George Town, but convenient for sampling multiple dishes.
-
★★★★★July 2026
The char koay teow at the stall with the longest queue was genuinely excellent — strong wok hei with fresh cockles and prawns, RM9 a plate. We also tried the lok-lok skewers and satay. The covered building lost some of the original seafront charm, but the food quality from the better stalls remains high. Paid parking lot is right next door.
-
★★★★☆May 2026
Solid hawker centre for first-time visitors to Penang. We sampled five dishes across different stalls and spent about RM50 for two people. The Hokkien mee had a good prawn broth and the rojak was fresh. Tip: follow the queue — the busier stalls generally serve better food. Some stalls sell out by 10 pm on weekends.
-
★★★☆☆March 2026
Decent but a touch touristy compared to New Lane or individual stalls in George Town. The char koay teow we had lacked the pork lard kick and the pasembur portion felt small for RM10. However, the convenience of having everything under one roof is hard to beat. Good for a group with different tastes since both halal and non-halal stalls operate here.
Reviews sourced from Google Maps
Frequently Asked Questions
What time does Gurney Drive Hawker Centre open?
Gurney Drive Hawker Centre opens daily at 5 pm and most stalls stay open until midnight. The busiest window is between 7 pm and 9 pm when all stalls are in full swing. Some stalls may open slightly earlier on weekends.
What should I eat at Gurney Drive Hawker Centre?
The standout dishes are char kway teow (fried flat noodles), Penang laksa (sour fish broth noodle soup), oyster omelette (or chien), pasembur (Indian-style rojak with sweet sauce) and Hokkien mee (prawn noodle soup). Each costs RM5 to RM12 per serving.
Is Gurney Drive Hawker Centre the same as the original seafront stalls?
Not exactly. The original open-air stalls along the Gurney Drive seafront were relocated to a covered hawker complex at 172 Solok Gurney 1, a short walk from the original site. Many of the same vendors continue to operate in the new building.