Peninsula House — Restaurant in George Town

4.8/5 Stars: A Hidden Gem - Peninsular House (Georgetown, Penang)

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Georgetown, Penang, lies a hidden restaurant that's easy to miss - but trust me, it's worth searching for! With no sign or name outside, Peninsular House is a secret haven that only reveals its charm once you step inside.

I had the pleasure of dining here, and it was truly an unforgettable experience! The exceptional service from the waiters and waitresses was top-notch, making us feel welcome and well-taken care of throughout the evening.

The food was outstanding, with each dish expertly prepared and presented. We started with the homemade focaccia, which was warm, fluffy, and perfectly seasoned. The grilled octopus was tender, charred to perfection, and bursting with flavor.

For mains, we ordered three dishes that showcased the chef's versatility and skill:

Peruvian Chicken: The chicken was marinated to perfection, with a delightful balance of spices and herbs. The grilled chicken was juicy, flavorful, and paired beautifully with the accompanying sauces. Lamb: The lamb dish was cooked to our liking, with a nice char on the outside and tender, pink meat on the inside. The flavors were rich and savory, with a hint of herbs and spices. Crayfish Prawn Tagliatelle: This dish was a seafood lover's dream come true! The tagliatelle was cooked al dente, tossed with succulent crayfish and prawns, and finished with a light, creamy sauce that brought everything together.

What truly impressed me was the exceptional service from our waiter, who took the time to explain each dish on the menu in detail. The attention to detail and genuine enthusiasm for the food were truly appreciated.

Even the restroom facilities were impressive! The toilet was spotless, and the luxurious touches didn't go unnoticed - top-notch branded soap and amenities added a touch of elegance to the experience.

Overall, I highly recommend Peninsular House for a fantastic dining experience in Georgetown, Penang. Just remember to keep an eye out for the unmarked entrance!

Rating Breakdown:

Food Quality: 5/5 Service: 5/5 Ambiance: 4.5/5 Cleanliness (including restrooms): 5/5 Overall...

Dined at Peninsula House and absolutely loved the food and ambiance. Everything from the plating to the flavors hit the right notes. A sweet touch: they even surprised us with a complimentary dessert, which we really appreciated.

🩵 Raw Snapper Crudo – Delicate slices of snapper are paired with a burnt orange and tamarind-ponzu sauce, creating a bright and refreshing start to the meal. 🩵 Peruvian Grilled Chicken – chicken is succulent, but the real surprise is the pan-seared pear, which adds a subtle sweetness that complements the dish beautifully. 🩵 Grilled Sole Fish – Cooked to perfection, the tender fish is paired with a house-made salsa that enhances its flavors without overpowering them. 🩵 Lamb Navarin – i don’t really adore lamb, but I do feel the lamb stew is def a great comfort food 🩵 Grilled Wild-Caught King Prawns – Prawns are juicy, flavorful, and cooked just right.

🤎 Peninsula Chocolate Tart – A decadent choice for chocolate lovers. 🤎 Tropical Eton Mess – A playful take on the classic British dessert, the seasonal fruits add a bright, tangy twist. The combination of crisp meringue, airy whipped cream, and juicy fruit creates a wonderful contrast of textures and flavors. 🤎 Butterscotch Madeleines – i can’t get enough of these buttery rich, spongey madeleines! Light and slightly crisp on the outside with a soft, fluffy interior, they make for a comforting and elegant finish to the meal. And when the madeleines soaked up the espresso, I’m utterly impressed by how good it is.

That said, service could be more attentive. We waited a good 15–20 minutes before getting the menu, it would’ve been thoughtful if they had just handed it to us when we were seated. Throughout the meal, whenever we raised our hands to get service, it often took around 10 minutes before anyone attended to us. A little more responsiveness would’ve really elevated the...

Leaning towards 3.5 stars than 4. I was really looking forward to our meal, especially when seeing how crowded the restaurant was when we entered. Unfortunately the experience we had was below our expectations. Most disappointing was the food - the menu seemed exciting, but the food itself was anything but that. The two starters we had were very forgettable with lacking flavors/textures. Everything looks beautifully plated but it's hard to justify dining here only for pretty food that tastes unremarkable. For the main course, it was actually the roasted pumpkin (accompaniment served with the roasted chicken main course) that was the one standout delicious item for the whole meal. Service was spotty but all the service staff were very nice. Our cocktails took way too long to be served, we had almost finished our starters before our drinks appeared - a pity as being so slow on drinks directly translates to loss of sales for the restaurant on the second round of drinks that guests don't get the chance to order before the meal ends. Cocktails themselves were pleasant enough.

The nicest part of our meal was being able to enjoy the environment and architecture within such a beautiful heritage space. The price would have been fine if the food was enjoyable, but since it was not, I felt it was overpriced for what we got. With so many competitive options within Georgetown itself, Peninsula House would not be top of my list to return to. But I do feel there's so much potential for this place to be better and would love to see some changes that would elevate this restaurant - and hopefully come back in future to an enhanced dining experience.

Signage to the restaurant is non-existent. Take the stairs next to the money changer on the ground floor, and walk up to the...