Halab Penang Arabic Restaurant
Halab Penang offers an authentic Middle Eastern culinary journey in a stunning heritage shophouse, blending exquisite food with a captivating ambiance...
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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Halab Penang Arabic Restaurant
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Halab Penang offers an authentic Middle Eastern culinary journey in a stunning heritage shophouse, blending exquisite food with a captivating ambiance.
"Halab Penang is truly one of the best Arabic restaurants I've ever been to."
Reserve for Groups
Book in advance, especially for large groups, to secure your table and ensure a smooth dining experience.
Consider Sharing Dishes
Portion sizes are generous; consider sharing main courses to sample more of the menu.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Middle Eastern
Price
$$$
Phone
+60 4-251 9550
Address
381, Chulia St, Georgetown, 10200 George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Website
halab.my/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Middle Eastern Flavors
Experience a rich tapestry of Middle Eastern cuisine with generous portions of traditional dishes. Savory, aromatic, and satisfying.
Elegant Ambiance & Decor
Dine in a beautifully designed space, a refurbished Chinese shophouse with opulent heritage interiors and a leafy outdoor patio.
Generous Portions & Value
Enjoy large serving sizes that are perfect for sharing, offering excellent value for money and ensuring a fulfilling dining experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Reserve for Groups
Book in advance, especially for large groups, to secure your table and ensure a smooth dining experience.
Consider Sharing Dishes
Portion sizes are generous; consider sharing main courses to sample more of the menu.
Check Item Availability
It's advisable to double-check if your desired menu items are available to avoid disappointment.
Ramadan Buffet
Experience a magnificent buffet during Ramadan, showcasing Middle Eastern and Malaysian culinary heritage.
Tips
from all over the internet
Reserve for Groups
Book in advance, especially for large groups, to secure your table and ensure a smooth dining experience.
Consider Sharing Dishes
Portion sizes are generous; consider sharing main courses to sample more of the menu.
Check Item Availability
It's advisable to double-check if your desired menu items are available to avoid disappointment.
Ramadan Buffet
Experience a magnificent buffet during Ramadan, showcasing Middle Eastern and Malaysian culinary heritage.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Halab Penang is praised for its authentic Middle Eastern cuisine, generous portions, and beautiful, opulent ambiance. Many diners highlight the friendly and attentive staff, making it a memorable dining experience. While most reviews are glowing, a few patrons mentioned that the food could sometimes lack expected authentic flavors or that service could be slow during peak times.
"Seldom have Middle East food. Found this one in Penang. Very happy that this is a good and authentic mid east (Yemenis/Syria) food. The staff is very helpful and friendly. The environment and atmosphere are very good too. The restaurant is big and suitable for all group sizes."
Frank Wan
"I had an average experience at Halab Restaurant. The food was okay, but the flavors didn’t quite meet my expectations for authentic Arabic cuisine. It could have definitely been better in terms of taste and seasoning.
There was also quite a long wait time for the food, which made the overall dining experience less enjoyable. The atmosphere was decent, but nothing particularly special.
It's not the worst place, but there's definitely room for improvement."
Prabodh Deshpande
"Visited Halab Arabic Restaurant for dinner — just about a 10-minute walk from Hotel Cititel. Overall, it was a great dining experience. The food was good by Arabian standards, with generous portions, but what really stood out was the atmosphere. The building is beautifully designed and feels quite special — definitely one of the main reasons to visit.
We even saw a birthday celebration while there, complete with staff singing and clapping, so if you're celebrating something, they’ll make it memorable. We tried a mix of dishes — the lamb meatballs were decent, though a bit dry. The fish was said to be a popular item, but I personally felt it was quite average. That said, the staff were friendly and attentive throughout.
The bill came up to RM400–RM500 for four people, so it’s definitely on the pricier side. Personally, I still prefer some Arabic spots in Klang Valley, but for a touristy area in Penang with such a classy setting, it’s worth trying at least once."
Gabriel Choy
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Halab Penang serves authentic Middle Eastern and Arabic cuisine, with influences from Syrian and Lebanese flavors.
Yes, Halab Penang is known to be suitable for large groups and events. Reservations are recommended for larger parties.
Popular dishes include Mandi, Shawarma, Kebab platters, and various hummus and appetizer selections.
Yes, Halab Penang offers a magnificent buffet during Ramadan, showcasing Middle Eastern and Malaysian culinary traditions.
The restaurant boasts an elegant and opulent ambiance, housed in a refurbished Chinese shophouse with beautiful interiors and an outdoor patio.
Yes, diners frequently mention that the portion sizes are very generous, making it good value for money and suitable for sharing.
Halab Penang is open daily from morning until the early hours of the morning, often until 3 AM.
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Some of the Middle Eastern delicacies on offer at Halab Restaurant in Penang (image courtesy of Halab’s Facebook). Tucked in a refurbished Chinese shophouse and boasting a leafy outdoor patio that’s great for evening dining, Halab represents the upper crust of middle-eastern cuisine in Penang. Whether you are craving silky hummus rich in texture and olive oil, or a kebab platter served with a side of fresh pita, tastes as exotic as Lebanon, Syria, Iran and the like are all available on Halab’s fine dining menu.If you got a sweet tooth, their selection of desserts, including ice cream and fresh fruit, such as the strawberry stick with melted chocolate, won’t certainly disappoint.
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Make this Ramadan unforgettable by dining at Halab Penang’s magnificent buffet. Their selection of hot and cold dishes, salads, and desserts reflects the rich culinary heritage of the Middle East and Malaysia. Halab Penang has exquisite interiors, and value creation in food quality, service, and ambience is at the heart of Halab brand recognition among families, business lunch professionals, and large touristic groups looking for authentic Middle Eastern gastronomy.
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One of the city’s most distinguished Middle Eastern restaurants, Halab’s lusty and stunning space is a welcome oasis amidst old-school kopitiams in the heart of George Town. Housed in an opulent heritage building, the restaurant’s ambience is a sumptuous one with honey-hued wood-panelled walls, high ceilings, and handsome velvet chairs that add to the feeling of grandeur. Image credit: @banalopypen via Instagram
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Restoran Timur Tengah di dalam bangunan kolonial lama di Penang, tentunya sesuatu yang menarik dan berbeza dari yang lain. Halab Penang di Chulia Street ini adalah sebuah restoran yang mesti dikunjungi bila sampai ke Penang. Dekorasi dan hiasan kedai yang unik dari luar hingga ke interior, anda pasti akan dapat menangkap gambar-gambar berkualiti untuk dimuat naik ke media sosial anda.
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Along the same row as Gravy Baby, you’ll find Halab Penang, a Middle-Eastern restaurant originating from Kuala Lumpur that is almost always fully booked. The restaurant serves a variety of mouthwatering Middle Eastern dishes with their shawarma platters being the most popular items on the menu. In addition, don’t miss the chance to try their authentic Lamb Mandi and Maklouba Chicken.
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With an exclusive setup that promises a comfortable dining experience, Halab specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine and it’s a spot that you need to try at least once in your lifetime. Here, you will be spoiled for choice as they offer a myriad of Middle Eastern cuisines like Lamb Mandi, Shawarma, Kebab, and more. Good ambiance, checked.
Middle Eastern offerings at Halab in Chulia Street
Halab, tucked in a bungalow along the bustling Chulia Street in the heart of George Town offers authentic Middle-eastern cuisine. It is no surprise that the Syrian and Arab communities in George Town frequent Halab, forming their base clientele alongside Penangites and tourists visiting the island.
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When you step into Halab Penang, you will appreciate the spacious, bright, clean, modern restaurant with Middle Eastern features. The restaurant has several areas for dining. There is a grilling station behind a glass partition that I always peek at, hoping that the meat will cook faster!
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Beautiful décor and value creation in the areas of food quality, service, and ambiance are the main reasons why Halab Penang is well-known among large tourist groups, business lunch professionals, and families seeking authentic Middle Eastern meals.
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Halab Penang Arabic Restaurant 381 Chulia St Georgetown 10200 Penang. Opening Hours: 10am-3am every day. Upmarket Arabic restaurant with an extensive menu featuring lots of ‘accidentally vegan’ food.
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Halab Penang is a Syrian restaurant that also does an excellent falafel platter. The big advantage of ordering from Halab is that they have vegetarian dolma (i.e. grape leaves).
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Dan hidangannya lebih kepada lauk berat macam nasi dan grill. Tapi kalau nak makan petang, hidangan ringan macam sup dan shawarma ada. Nak minum, sini tak popular dengan kopi.
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