Rioh — Restaurant in George Town

Snuggled into what feels like a transformed alleyway, Rioh offers a distinctly hipster charm that’s both quaint and inviting. With its industrial-chic vibes and casual layout, the space immediately sets the tone for a unique dining experience that blends local flavours with modern flair.

The menu is a creative fusion of Western and Malay cuisine—an ambitious mix that shows both experimentation and homage. I opted for the Spaghetti Laksa, which surprised me with its presentation. Expecting a creamier pasta dish, I instead received a hearty bowl of laksa soup with spaghetti standing in for traditional noodles. While the switch in expectations was jarring at first (especially considering the misleading photo on the menu), the broth itself was outstanding—reminiscent of Johor or even Singapore-style laksa, rich and aromatic. The generous portion included four medium-sized prawns, offering good value.

Their Butter Beer, though a charming nod to pop culture, leaned heavily on sweetness with a noticeable hint of lime soda (likely Sprite). It’s not quite the rich, foamy brew from the wizarding world, but younger patrons or those with a sweet tooth may still enjoy it.

A surprising standout was the Cucur Udang. Perfectly balanced in flavor and texture, this classic Malaysian fritter shone with its excellent peanut sauce. Though typically served as a starter, it oddly arrived last—around 30 minutes after our initial orders. Still, the wait was almost forgivable given the dish’s quality.

Service at Rioh exceeds typical expectations in the local scene. A floor staff member promptly welcomed us and guided us to our table. Most dishes arrived within 15 minutes, which is commendable during busy hours, though the late arrival of one dish suggests some room for improvement in kitchen coordination.

Overall, Rioh is a promising spot for those looking to explore modern Malaysian cafe culture in a laid-back, Instagram-worthy setting. The food is flavourful and inventive, the atmosphere casual yet cool, and the service refreshingly attentive by local standards. With a few adjustment, particularly in menu clarity and serving order, this alley-turned-eatery could become a standout favorite in...

We recently visited RIOH at their new location on Jalan Victoria. They’ve moved from their previous spot, in case anyone’s wondering.

Their menu features Malay and Western cuisine, offering a variety of dishes—nasi, pasta, burgers, and grilled items. We were expecting a lamb grilled option, but unfortunately, they don’t have it.

Food & Drinks

🔹Grilled Chicken – A bit on the salty side. Taste-wise? Very average. 🔹Creamy Marinara Pasta – The flavor was decent, but they used canned mushrooms. Honestly, first time encountering a RM23 pasta with canned mushrooms. Not only that, but they sliced them thin and then halved them again—super cost-efficient, I guess? 👀 Since mushrooms usually add umami to pasta, this kinda took away from the dish. 🔹Butter Bee – Also just average. Maybe check out reviews first and try a different drink next time.

Ambience & Service

🔹Nice ambience—comfortable and pleasant for dining. 🔹Fast service, though that might be because it was early dinner and not many customers were around. 🔹Ample parking since we came outside of working hours (Jalan Victoria is usually packed).

Final Thoughts

Overall, RIOH delivers an okay dining experience. The food isn’t bad, but nothing really stands out either. If you’re planning to visit, maybe check reviews for recommended dishes and...

While in Penang, I stumbled upon this rare hipster café with a classic touch and beautiful, dim yet warm lighting at night. The cozy atmosphere makes it perfect for dinner or just enjoying a sip of hot or iced coffee, matcha, or other drinks.

Before coming here, I already had an early dinner, so my main intention was just to enjoy the vibes while having a good cup of matcha. To my eyes, this café is really cool. They have two air-conditioned areas, two open-air spaces, and a deck where you can enjoy views from both sides.

The menu offers a wide variety of food and drinks — everything looks delicious! I’m not sure how it feels during the day, but I absolutely fell in love with the night vibes.

Since I had eaten earlier, I only ordered some snacks, and they were all tasty. The matcha latte I had was incredible — rich matcha flavor with just the right balance of sweetness, leaning more towards low to medium sweet. I love that it doesn’t overpower the matcha taste.

I’d definitely love to come back again soon. Guys, if you’re around Penang, come check this place out and experience the vibes yourself — perfect for coffee and matcha lovers to chill with good food and drinks! Definitely a 5++ stars for me. Good job to the owner and...