Penang Coffee House has been around for a long time. They still serve Malaysian hawker favourites. Food is good but the place is quite quiet for lunchtime and the staff are not very friendly. But if you're just after the food, that's ok.

This place I took a friend because it's their favorite place to dine and they like the flavors.

Penang Coffee House is a simply presented cafe with basic tables and chairs that you would find in a hawker center and plain monotone colored walls.

The emphasis is on the food and taste, rather than the dining room decor and lighting.

I was a little frustrated because the waitress did come over three times to ask if we would be ready to order else despite the fact that we had only arrived 10 minutes before and had very little time to glance at the menu. We were trying to catch up on some news and as it was their birthday I wanted to give them a present and let them know that the others who couldn't make it gave their best wishes.

When our order was taken, the food unfortunately had not been co-ordinated well. My friend's dish arrived first and my dish arrived some 20 minutes later. We couldn't understand why mine arrived so late given that their dish was char kuay teow noodles that needed to be fried and mixed/wok tossed wheras my dish - chicken rice really only needed to come out of the rice cooker and the chicken which is normally pre prepared cut and put on a plate with the soup that accompanies it coming from a pot.

I think it was then our turn to ask the waitress constantly where was my dish??!!

The style of hawker cooking is very distinct and not like other places. They claim that their taste is the true Penang style of cooking, but some will find the taste more acquired than being authentic.

I found my friend's Char kuay teow a bit spicier and stronger than other places and the Chicken rice that I had was okay, but very subtle in flavor and the chicken flavor did not shine through in the rice which is normally cooked with a chicken stock so that the flavor melds into the rice. That said, the taste and flavors are acceptable but nothing to write home about.

We also ordered Lobak which has sausage style meat wrapped in tofu skin with spices and tofu accompanying and it was again good but not exciting.

Price wise the dishes are marginally higher than you would find elsewhere.

Overall, the place has a good selection and is average value for money. There are better places now to enjoy hawker style foods and you don't need to pay a premium to enjoy them elsewhere.

Approximate cost: $13

This place has very quick and friendly service. The curry puffs for entree were probably the best I have ever had. Unfortunately the main course of noodles (mee goreng vegetarian) were not as good but still very acceptable.

Would recommend restaurant particularly if you are looking for hawker style food of Malaysia.

Approximate cost: $15

Cheap eat and service is okay. typical malaysian hawker food. Nothing that i can fault about the food. Have been there twice and food tasted okay each time.

I'd had friends tell me this place is great, and it's right near where I live so I decided to try it out. Service is great, they're very friendly and attentive, and our meals arrived within 10 minutes. It's also quite cheap, from $12-16 for a noodle or main dish. My Singapore noodles weren't great however, quite bland and oily. Maybe would try it again and have something different, but can emphasise that they're very accommodating, my friend is allergic to chili and they were more than happy to make her Mee Goreng for her without it

Approximate cost: $13

There is some great hawker food here. They serve the BEST char kway teoh in Melbourne! Lovely vegetarian fried rice. Really good value, too. Desserts are only so-so, as they concentrate on the rest of the menu, but you end up so full, who cares?

I first went there for a high expectations to try their penang food as I missed them. I ordered Mee goreng but to my disappointment the taste was not tasty and the cooking style was soo different from the authentic penang food.

good malaysian food. nice for students wanting a taste of home. for others, a worthy trial of malaysian cuisine. slightly pricier these days, but still good value in terms of a meal. reasonable variety.

Approximate cost: $15

Great malaysian food, but on the expensive side for a bowl of soup noodles. Went there the other day, the Har Mee was not the same as it used to be, unless it was just on that particular visit it was different. Otherwise, the food here is usually beyond reproach.

This is an iconic restuarant - which has lost nothing in its new location. It is still hassle free, relaxed, intimate (although not as intimate as the last venue) and the service is oustanding. The quaility of food is excellent, i am yet to have a meal which has been below par.

With there success the prices have slowly risen over the years which doesnt make it as good value as some other restaurants in the area. However no other restuarant is as good.

I have been coming here for years and think it is a great way to introduce friends to Malaysian (Hawker) cuisine.

Approximate cost: $15-20