Restaurant au Jardin

For this restaurant, all I can say is that every dish was amazing! Although the prices aren't cheap, it was all worth it after eating there. I have immense respect for their chefs for taking food to the extreme. 👍🏻

Excellent Chef, creative menus for vegetarian as well! 5 stars! Will be back soon!

Background Au Jardin is one of Penang’s most acclaimed dining destinations. Located within the creative precinct of Hin Bus Depot, the restaurant feels entirely at home among galleries, studios, and contemporary art spaces. Ambience It has a minimalist dining room bathed in soft, dim lighting and lush greenery that lives up to its French name, meaning “in the garden.” Securing a spot at the chef’s counter, where the kitchen team works with quiet, practiced synchronicity, offers a front-row seat to the culinary action. Service Service was excellent throughout. Staff demonstrated a deep familiarity with the menu and explained each course with clarity and enthusiasm. Timing was precise and unobtrusive. Food/drink The bread arrived warm and inviting, accompanied by 2 selections of spreads. One carried a chutney-like flavour that immediately evoked familiar local tastes while remaining refined. It was an excellent opening act. The wild abalone paired with red rice was a delightful surprise. The abalone possessed a richness and texture reminiscent of unagi. The red coral fish was beautifully cooked. The kedondong sorbet with pop rocks was one of the most memorable courses. Refreshing, playful, and nostalgic, it transported me back to childhood in a way few desserts manage to achieve. The mango dessert, however, did not resonate as strongly. The meal concluded with a creative selection of petit fours that provided a fitting finale. Thoughtful, imaginative, and just whimsical enough to leave a lasting impression. Overall The restaurant takes familiar Malaysian flavours and memories and presents them through a contemporary lens without losing their soul.

Even as a Penang native, I am so impressed by the fantastic dishes, excellent service, and how creatively the chef incorporates Malaysian ingredients into French cuisine. Some of the desserts even brought back fond childhood memories! Cheers to all of the staff and the kitchen team for making our family day perfect, and I am happy to visit again when I back to Penang!

Au Jardin is simply one of the finest dining experiences I have had in Southeast Asia – and I say this as someone who has dined in Michelin-starred restaurants across Europe and Asia. The degustation menu for May 2026 was a masterclass in thoughtful, terroir-driven cuisine. 85% locally sourced ingredients, 65% within a 20km radius – and you taste every bit of that commitment in each dish. From the Salted Celtuce and Whelk Tartare to the A5 Wagyu Chiba Prefecture and the stunning Harum Manis Mango dessert, every course was beautifully executed, perfectly balanced and told a story. The wine pairings were equally impressive – from the Gaspard Brochet Champagne to the Bodegas Roda Reserva Rioja and the Thomas Barton Sauternes to close – each selection elevated the dish it accompanied. Chef Kim was outstanding – not only in the kitchen but as a host. He took the time to connect with us personally, shared his passion for the food and the philosophy behind it, and even joined us for a photo. That kind of warmth and accessibility from a Michelin-starred chef is rare and truly memorable. And Francine – you are the heart of this place. Her attentiveness, genuine passion and warmth made the entire evening feel personal and special. If you are visiting Penang and have one special evening to spend, spend it here. Au Jardin is everything a one-star Michelin restaurant should be – and more.