Gurney Drive Review

Gurney Drive, otherwise known as Persiaran Gurney, is perhaps one of the most well-known places in Penang. Often referred to as ‘The New Esplanade’ (to differentiate it from the original Esplanade in George Town), Gurney Drive is a deluge of hawker delights and exciting restaurants that come alive at nighttime, giving the unique experience of dining by the sea. Gurney Drive was named after Sir Henry Gurney, a Malayan High Commissioner who was assassinated by the guerrillas of the Malayan Communist Party during the Emergency period in the early 1950s.

During the weekends, it is quite impossible to find a parking space as throngs of people head here for good food and a good time, as well as a soothing stroll by the sea afterwards. It has been said that the best place to catch Penang’s sunset is along Gurney Drive. On a good day, you can even see the peaks of Kedah’s mountains on the mainland.

Gurney Drive Attractions

Gurney Drive is most well known for its happening eating places at night. Perhaps then, not many people know that two of the most beautiful temples are located in the vicinity.

The two Burmese temples located opposite each other on Lorong Burmah, the Wat Chaiya Mangkalaram and the Dharmikarama, are deemed worthy of a visit if only to admire the striking beauty of its architecture. Read More...

Gurney Drive Restaurants

When it comes to food, Gurney Drive is most well-known for its food courts and hawker stalls that open well into the night, offering the best of Penang on a plate. But look closer and you will see that Gurney Drive is not just about bustling food stalls.

Also included in the mix are an upmarket kopitiam, a one-of-a-kind fresh seafood restaurant, a dim sum restaurant and a hip bistro. Read More...

Gurney Drive Nightlife

Even though nightlife in Gurney Drive is usually associated with food courts and hawker stalls that come to life only at night, there are still a number of bars that are popular after-dark hangouts.

They’re all lined along one side of the Esplanade, making bar hopping easier for patrons wishing to have a good time not just in one place.  Read More...

Gurney Drive Shopping

Gurney Plaza is perhaps Gurney Drive’s main landmark. Measuring 858,000sqft, this sprawling lifestyle mall caters to an upmarket customer base, offering everything you could think of under one roof from great dining options to the latest blockbusters on the silver screen.

Also in the plans for the immediate future is another lifestyle mall in this area, Gurney Paragon Mall, of which building is due to commence at the end of 2009. Read More...

Gurney Drive Activities

The stone pavement along Gurney Drive is a popular hub for a range of leisure activities, perfect for a relaxing stroll in the evenings or a spot of tai-chi. For movie buffs, there’s the 12-hall Cineplex in Gurney Plaza, where you can watch the latest blockbusters.

For those in desperate need of some TLC, the same mall also offers wellness services in the forms of foot reflexology, body massage and a unique fish spa therapy.