Kebaya Dining Room, Penang

Dining at Kebaya is like stepping into a Peranakan palace. The crystal chandeliers, scarlet velvet drapes, and high ceilings inside Seven Terraces create an atmosphere unlike any other restaurant in George Town. The Nyonya dishes are refined using French techniques. The kerabu bee hoon and ayam buah keluak were outstanding. Staff explained every dish and even offered a brief tour of the hotel.

Booked the 6 pm seating at Kebaya for our anniversary. The heritage setting at 14A Stewart Lane is stunning. Christopher Ong's modern approach to classic Straits Chinese food really works. Portions were generous, and the service was attentive without being intrusive. Around RM100 per person with drinks. Book ahead as it fills up every evening.

Beautiful Peranakan fine dining at Seven Terraces. The otak-otak was silky and fragrant, and the itek tim duck soup was deeply flavoured. The room itself is a showpiece, with antique furniture and soft old Chinese music in the background. Slightly on the pricey side for Penang, but the combination of food, setting, and service makes it a special occasion destination.

We had the 8 pm seating and the staff were warm and knowledgeable. They explained the history of each dish and how traditional Nyonya recipes had been updated with French cooking methods. The prawn sambal was perfectly balanced and the kuih dessert was a lovely finish. The restored heritage architecture at Seven Terraces is reason enough to visit.

The Peranakan decor is extraordinary and the food is thoughtfully prepared, though a couple of dishes leaned more French than Nyonya for my taste. The nasi ulam and curry kapitan were highlights. Service was quick and friendly. Pricing ranges from RM60 to RM120 per person depending on what you order. Worth reserving a few days in advance.