Timeline
09:30
Start with a quiet breakfast at Red Garden Cafe. The food court is open early, and going at 9:30 AM ensures you get a seat before the lunch rush. Try the satay or the roasted chicken to start the day with local flavors.
10:15
Walk to the Jewish Cemetery. This is one of the few remaining reminders of the once-thriving colonial Jewish community. The atmosphere is still and reflective, with the last member of the community having passed away in 2011. It is a place to pause and consider the layers of history in George Town.
11:15
Head to Ng Kee Cake Shop. Open from 9:00 AM, this is the place to buy traditional Cantonese biscuits. Look for the pepper biscuits (Ham Chit Soo), a local specialty that has been produced here for generations. It is a small stop, but the taste is distinctive.
11:45
End the outing at Ban Heang. This bakery outlet is linked to a cheap and cheerful restaurant next door. It is the perfect spot for a late lunch. Order the fish, chips and coleslaw or explore the wider variety of dishes available. The organic ice creams and sorbets are also worth a mention if you have room for dessert.
Local tip
The Jewish Cemetery is not always easy to find. Check the route from your starting point. The area around Beach Street can be busy; the cemetery offers a quieter contrast. Ban Heang’s restaurant is linked next door to the bakery, so you can buy biscuits and eat lunch in the same vicinity.
Check before you go
- Ng Kee Cake Shop is open We-Mo 09:00-18:00. If you visit on a Sunday, it will be closed.
- Ban Heang is open Mo-Su 07:00-22:00.
- Red Garden Cafe is open early morning till late.
Worth knowing
- Ng Kee Cake Shop is open at 11:15 only on Mo, We, Th, Fr, Sa, Su
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to George Town (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).