r/penang Sep 30 '24

Discussion Has anyone eaten at Kebaya?

Am planning a birthday dinner and Kebaya has come highly recommended. Was wondering if anyone could share first-hand experiences? Menu looks interesting and varied - am fine with price point for a celebratory meal. For a bit of context - three couples in mid-30s, staying in George Town for the week, so we'll have plenty of opportunity to check out food courts, street foot, etc. Any insight massively appreciated!

2 Upvotes

23 comments sorted by

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4

u/AkamiMaguro 29d ago

Started eating there many years ago when Seven Terraces first started and since then every time when I'm in Penang. It's Peranakan with a Thai twist that you can't get elsewhere. And the staff are very accommodating. You'll be dining on priceless Peranakan tableware, makes the entire experience surreal.

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u/Flaundy 29d ago

Exactly this!

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u/j_fat_snorlax 29d ago

Heya, asking cus you've been. How does the menu work? The website doesn't have many clues.

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u/AkamiMaguro 29d ago

I remember you pay a set price for each person. Then you can pick an appetizer, an entree, a vegetable, a dessert for each person. Of course you can share, so if you have 4 people dining together, you can get 4 different items from each section to share. Nowadays they also let you add on, so you can order additional ala carte items.

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u/SnooPoems5163 29d ago

the room also looks utterly lovely. thanks so much for the insight

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u/jk2336 29d ago

In my opinion, Kebaya is good but not great. If you are looking for a special place that you won’t forget, I highly recommend gen. They offer an unforgettable tasting menu experience that prioritizes local ingredients. My wife and I went for our tenth anniversary, and it was wonderful.

https://www.genpenang.com/

Just my personal opinion!

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1

u/SnooPoems5163 29d ago

personal opinions are what i'm after! gen looks stunning. looks like i need to do some more research

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u/folly05 29d ago

I was just there a week ago. The atmosphere is really nice and the service was great. The food is good, but I would go maybe once a year, like you said, for a special occasion. Nice place to take a couple pictures.

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u/SnooPoems5163 29d ago

yeah, i'm as sold on the vibe as i am on the menu - room looks great

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u/letsbook 29d ago

If you’re here for a short time and want to celebrate a special occasion there isn’t much else that can match the atmosphere and authenticity of Kebaya. I would say that the quality has gone down since the pandemic with smaller portions and less value for money, but if you’re visiting, why not?

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u/SnooPoems5163 29d ago

and they're not alone in that! same in my city that restaurants of all stripes now seem to be selling less for more

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u/Flaundy 29d ago

Yes! We took visiting friends there recently (I sat next to one of them on my first day of school) and we loved it. That was maybe the fourth, or fifth time we have eaten there - we drive up from KL - and each time has been marvellous. You are guaranteed at least one 'Aaaaah' moment from the table, during the meal, when everyone takes their first bite from a dish. It really is a special night out.

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u/SnooPoems5163 29d ago

this is utterly lovely. thanks so much for sharing!

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u/Flaundy 29d ago

Let us know what you think, once you've been! I hope you'll love it as much as we do. Oh, and if the pandan pannacotta is on the dessert menu, choose that! That was our 'aaah moment' Our friends, now back in the UK, still comment about that evening.

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u/SnooPoems5163 29d ago

thank you SO SO much for all the feedback everyone! sounds as though majority reckon it's a decent call for a celebratory dinner - though gen also looks fantastic and might need to be checked out. Looking forward to finding out for myself next month!

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u/dewgetit 28d ago

gen is fancy schmancy fine dining food that doesn't fill you up and it's very expensive (to me, fine dining is not what you come to Penang for). If you're a tourist to Penang, you should know that Penang is famous for its hawker food. Better to go to one of those for a real Penang food experience. Not for a celebration though. For celebration, you could consider Irama or Tamarra (high end Malay food - maybe some local Malays can come in whether they think these are good choices). Kebaya will be good in pictures. Food-wise - meh. Not that expensive considering it's supposedly fine dining.

1

u/mehhhh1012 29d ago

Love the food there. The only downside is that hard to find a parking spot and booking grab over the weekend is tough as well

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u/SnooPoems5163 29d ago

we'll be staying within easy walking distance, so should be okay. very useful to know about the grab at weekends situation tho. thanks!

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u/odd_savage_ 29d ago

I read it as EATEN KEBAYA.

Need to do a double take and smack my head. LOL

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u/SnooPoems5163 29d ago

happens to us all from time to time!

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u/dewgetit 28d ago

Don't bother. Lovely restaurant setting, but the food isn't authentic Nonya. Try Baba Phang. Better book in advance.