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Refined Tasting Menus and Thoughtful Semi Fine-Dining in George Town

Curios-City Penang offers a polished semi fine-dining experience in George Town that feels both refined and comfortably approachable. The tasting menus are carefully paced and beautifully plated, taking diners through thoughtful progressions from delicate starters to richer mains and a memorable dessert finale. A seven-course meal here highlights the kitchen’s knack for balanced flavors, precise seasoning and elegant presentation.

Guests praise dishes like sourdough with truffle spread, scallop tartare, and seafood chowder for their freshness and depth, while mains such as cod with a herby broth and XO-accented preparations show restraint and technical skill. The 14-day aged duck is often noted for its tender texture and well-developed flavor, and the risotto with tiger prawn and cured egg yolk hits a comforting yet elevated note. Palate cleansers like lemon sorbet provide thoughtful transitions between courses, and desserts — including inventive combinations like black tea gelato with bird’s nest and cocoa nibs — leave a lasting impression.

The atmosphere is warm, with soft lighting and comfortable seating that make it ideal for date nights or intimate gatherings. Service is friendly and well-paced, and the team adapts smoothly to private events; one group specifically highlighted the staff’s ability to meet event requirements without fuss. Cocktails and beverage pairings are crafted to complement the menu, lending a cohesive flow to the overall dining journey.

Curios-City has become a dependable pick for those seeking semi fine-dining that’s refined without being stuffy — trusted by over 130 diners who appreciate creative tasting menus, polished service and a welcoming ambiance. If you enjoy thoughtful, well-executed multi-course meals in Penang, Curios-City is well worth a reservation.

✨ AI Review Highlights

Exceptional Culinary Experience

Great Value for Money

Inviting Atmosphere

Service Needs Improvement

Inconsistent Main Courses

Features

Location

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Google Reviews

4.3
158 reviews
  • winni yeo
    winni yeo
    in the last week

    🦪Mussel Pot: The broth is light and flavorful, not too heavy, and very smooth. 🥹 The mussels are fresh, plump, and delicious. 🍖Aged Duck Breast: The duck breast is perfectly cooked, with a slightly crispy skin and tender inside. The pumpkin puree has a natural sweetness, and tastes even better with jus (meat gravy). It's not too greasy. 🤩 🍝Hokkaido Scallop with Matcha Tagliatelle: This dish is so creative! 💕 The Hokkaido scallops are pan-fried to perfection, slightly charred on the outside and still sweet on the inside. The matcha pasta itself isn't bitter, and paired with pesto, it's a great choice. Highly recommended. 🍸 Drinks (Highlights) 🌿Garden – Guava Whisky: The guava aroma combined with the body of the whisky makes for a smooth drink with a touch of tropical flavor. ❤️ 👉 Perfect for beginners who don't drink much spirits. 🌬️ Breeze – Oolong Highball A perfect combination of oolong tea and a highball. The tea aroma is clean, and the alcohol is light and refreshing. 🧡 They have whiskey, red, and white wines here 🍷. Enjoy a drink here! The atmosphere is even more romantic in the evening! By the way, they have a limited-edition cocktail menu every month 🤩

  • Helena Åström
    Helena Åström
    a month ago

    Visited rhis Michelin-recommended spot in March 2026. We opted for the tasting menu. While the concept was promising, the morel consommé was unfortunately completely unsalted, which set a slightly disappointing tone early on. For the main course, you choose from several options at different price points—we went for the most expensive wagyu. It was undeniably well-prepared, with great technique and quality, but it felt a bit too safe for a restaurant positioning itself as innovative. The classic combination of purée, sauce, and meat didn’t quite push any boundaries. It almost felt like the reverence for wagyu held the kitchen back from doing something more creative with it. On a brighter note, the dessert was extraordinary—easily one of the standout dishes of the evening and genuinely memorable. The drinks were also phenomenal and a highlight throughout the meal. Service-wise, they handled an issue at our table professionally—our friend found a small piece of plastic in one of the dishes, and we were offered a complimentary oyster, which was appreciated. Overall, the experience was good but not mind-blowing, especially considering the price point. With a bit more boldness and attention to seasoning, this could be a much more compelling dining experience.

  • tan andy
    tan andy
    a month ago

    High ceiling. Old building. Good vibe Service a lot to improve

  • Hello Sunshine
    Hello Sunshine
    a month ago

    I agree with some of the other reviews I personally wouldn’t classify this as fine dining. The décor and atmosphere are lovely, and the overall ambience is pleasant. However, the washrooms really need attention. During our visit, all three were blocked, which unfortunately became a major drawback and significantly affected our overall dining experience. I hope the management takes this seriously, as improving the restroom facilities would greatly enhance the overall impression of the restaurant.

  • Layar Jaring
    Layar Jaring
    a month ago

    Because the Google describes it as fine dining, I can't give it 5 stars. Fine dining expectations are high. Call it anything else then I would probably consider 5 stars. First off, I did like the decor. Dark, quiet and calm, it makes for a relaxing enjoyable dinner. Price for the la carte menu to me is more than fair. It's definitely worth it. The menu itself isn't extensive but enough for a few times of dinner before you need to repeat it. I would assume they rotate their food at regular intervals. As far as the food goes, I enjoyed the simple sourdough with its spread, the grouper arrived scalding hot from the fryer and I found the corn deliciously grilled and flavoured. The prawn risotto was cooked well but it had a mild spicy aftertaste which may not be for everyone. The fish was fresh, the skin and meat deliciously cooked. The pea puree combined well and it had the best plating among the 3 dishes I ordered. The tagliatelle I found to be firm but adequately cooked, the matcha colour going well with the pesto sauce. I shouldn't complain about the stingy portion of the scallops for the price but I can't help noticing the imbalance when it came to the amount of scallop and the pasta. The waiters don't say much when they give you your food. This is where being called fine dining is totally strange. One would expect some reminder of the food and its preparation but it's just silence from the waiters. Another failing point for a fine dining is the plating. Anything other than fine dining, the plating is acceptable. Calling yourself fine dining, I think the plating is not up to mark. In summary, if you are looking for a comfortable place to eat with good food and no price gouging (a la carte menu), this is an excellent place to come. Hoping for fine dining? Then maybe not so.

Only guests who have booked can leave a review.

Now Closed

Opening Hours

  • MondayClosed
  • TuesdayClosed
  • Wednesday 06:00 PM - 12:00 AM
  • Thursday 06:00 PM - 12:00 AM
  • Friday 06:00 PM - 12:00 AM
  • Saturday 06:00 PM - 12:00 AM
  • Sunday 06:00 PM - 12:00 AM

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