{"id":369,"date":"2026-04-11T00:01:41","date_gmt":"2026-04-11T00:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/?p=369"},"modified":"2026-03-25T10:13:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T10:13:40","slug":"auction-rooms-georgetown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/auction-rooms-georgetown\/","title":{"rendered":"Auction Rooms Georgetown"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>If you are navigating the fragrant chaos of Kimberley Street and find yourself in desperate need of a sophisticated &#8220;reset button,&#8221; there is a heavy glass door just around the corner that leads to another world.<\/p>\n<p>Welcome to\u00a0<strong>Auction Rooms Georgetown<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Tucked inside the Kimberley Hotel, this is one of George Town\u2019s most criminally underrated &#8220;hidden gems.&#8221; In a city where every cafe competes to be the loudest or trendiest, Auction Rooms Georgetown wins by being the most atmospheric. It is a moody, air-conditioned sanctuary that feels like a high-end Melbourne eatery met a 1920s English auction house\u2014and decided to serve some of the best fusion comfort food in the heritage zone.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>\ud83d\udd6f\ufe0f The Vibes: Industrial Vintage Glamour<\/h2>\n<p>The transition from the humid street to the interior is instant bliss. You\u2019re greeted by a &#8220;shabby-chic&#8221; palette of exposed brick, warm hanging Edison bulbs, and plush velvet sofas that practically beg you to stay for a second latte.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Atmosphere:<\/strong>\u00a0It is quiet, sophisticated, and intentionally paced. Because it\u2019s slightly tucked away from the main tourist drag, it has become a preferred &#8220;secret office&#8221; for digital nomads and a romantic, queue-free sanctuary for couples.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Service:<\/strong>\u00a0In the busy 2026 dining scene, the hospitality here\u2014often led by the legendary Mr. Jamal\u2014is a standout. The service is personalized, warm, and carries a &#8220;hotel-standard&#8221; polish that you rarely find in casual heritage cafes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>\ud83d\udd25 The Hit List: Fusion with an Umami Punch<\/h2>\n<p>The menu is a clever blend of Western classics and bold local twists.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Stuffed Chicken:<\/strong>\u00a0This is the creative heavyweight. We\u2019re talking succulent smoked chicken stuffed with duck breast, cream cheese, and spinach. It\u2019s rich, savory, and plated like a work of art.<\/li>\n<li><strong>XO Pasta:<\/strong>\u00a0A fusion masterpiece. Angel hair pasta tossed in a fiery, house-made XO sauce with deep-fried silver fish and anchovies. It\u2019s an absolute umami bomb.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Chicken Parmigiana:<\/strong>\u00a0For the purists, this is hearty and traditional\u2014crispy breaded chicken smothered in tangy tomato sauce and molten cheese.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Kunyit Fried Chicken Rice:<\/strong>\u00a0A local soul-food favorite. Turmeric-stained chicken served with a side of satay and peanut sauce that bridges the gap between East and West.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Sago Gula Melaka:<\/strong>\u00a0Chilled, creamy, and drenched in high-quality palm sugar. It\u2019s the ultimate &#8220;fire extinguisher&#8221; after a spicy pasta.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>\ud83d\udc45 The Tasty Truth: Affordable Luxury<\/h2>\n<p>Despite the &#8220;hotel dining&#8221; aesthetic and the premium service, Auction Rooms Georgetown is surprisingly gentle on the wallet. You get a &#8220;private club&#8221; environment without the eye-watering George Town price tag.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Portion Power:<\/strong>\u00a0They don&#8217;t skimp on size. The portions are notably generous, especially if you opt for one of their famous set meals.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>\ud83c\udfc6 The Auction Rooms Cheat Sheet<\/h2>\n<table>\n<thead>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Category<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>The Details<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Location<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>38A, Jalan Sungai Ujong (Attached to Kimberley Hotel).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Price Point<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Mid-range<\/strong>\u00a0(RM 30 \u2013 RM 50 avg. per person).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Status<\/strong><\/td>\n<td><strong>Pork-Free<\/strong>\u00a0(Great for corporate and diverse groups).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Best Feature<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>Early Breakfast (7:30 AM) &amp; &#8220;Digital Nomad&#8221; friendly.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><strong>Opening Hours<\/strong><\/td>\n<td>7:30 AM \u2013 10:00 PM Daily.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>\ud83d\udeb6 How to Get There &amp; Pro-Tips<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Set Meal Hack:<\/strong>\u00a0Their\u00a0<strong>Set Lunch (11:00 AM \u2013 3:00 PM)<\/strong>\u00a0is one of the best deals in the city. Usually ranging from\u00a0<strong>RM 18\u2013RM 25<\/strong>, it typically includes a main, a starter (like crispy spring rolls), and ice cream.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Window Seat:<\/strong>\u00a0If you\u2019re a people-watcher, grab the seats by the floor-to-ceiling windows. You get a front-row seat to the colorful, cinematic street life of Jalan Sungai Ujong while staying perfectly cool.<\/li>\n<li><strong>The Parking Strategy:<\/strong>\u00a0Street parking is a gamble. Look for the narrow lane between the restaurant and the hotel\u2014it leads to a\u00a0<strong>small private parking area<\/strong>\u00a0at the back. If that\u2019s full, park at\u00a0<strong>Prangin Mall<\/strong>\u00a0and enjoy the 3-minute walk.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Celebration Ready:<\/strong>\u00a0If you have an anniversary or birthday coming up, call ahead (<strong>04-263 6688<\/strong>). The staff are known for going the extra mile with special table arrangements and surprise touches.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>And since you are already at <strong>Auction Rooms Georgetown<\/strong>\u00a0(Kimberley Hotel), you are perfectly positioned to skip the mainstream malls and dive into some high-quality &#8220;Hidden Heritage&#8221; boutiques nearby.<\/p>\n<p>Here are three distinct spots\u2014ranging from minimalist fashion to traditional crafts\u2014all within a 5-to-10 minute walk:<\/p>\n<h3>\ud83e\uddf5 1. Maha House (The Linen Sanctuary)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Distance:<\/strong>\u00a06-minute walk (66 Lebuh Campbell)<\/p>\n<p>If you love the &#8220;aesthetic traveler&#8221; look, this is your spot. Located in a beautifully restored shophouse on Campbell Street, Maha House specializes in high-quality\u00a0<strong>linen apparel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Vibe:<\/strong>\u00a0Airy, colonial-chic, and very calm.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What to buy:<\/strong>\u00a0Breathable linen dresses, relaxed trousers, and unique accessories that feel right at home in the Penang heat. It\u2019s the &#8220;refined&#8221; version of heritage shopping.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>\u2712\ufe0f 2. P. 66 (The Stationery &amp; Lifestyle Loft)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Distance:<\/strong>\u00a06-minute walk (66 Lebuh Campbell\u2014right next to Maha House)<\/p>\n<p>This is a &#8220;concept store&#8221; that feels like a hidden gallery. It\u2019s tucked behind an unassuming entrance and opens into a stunning, high-ceilinged space.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Vibe:<\/strong>\u00a0Minimalist, wood-toned, and Zen.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What to buy:<\/strong>\u00a0Exquisite Japanese stationery (Midori, Traveler&#8217;s Company), artisanal homeware, and locally designed lifestyle goods. Even if you aren&#8217;t a &#8220;stationery person,&#8221; the architecture of the shop alone is worth the visit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>\ud83c\udffa 3. Tian Hua Arts &amp; Antique (The Calligraphy Master)<\/h3>\n<p><strong>Distance:<\/strong>\u00a04-minute walk (85 Lebuh Carnarvon)<\/p>\n<p>For a truly &#8220;Hidden Heritage&#8221; experience that isn&#8217;t just a modern boutique, visit\u00a0<strong>Mr. Ng Chai Tiam<\/strong>. He is a master seal cutter and calligrapher.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>The Vibe:<\/strong>\u00a0Old-school, dusty in a charming way, and authentic.<\/li>\n<li><strong>What to buy:<\/strong>\u00a0A custom-carved\u00a0<strong>Chinese stone seal<\/strong> (chop) with your name or a piece of hand-painted calligraphy. It\u2019s a one-of-a-kind souvenir that supports a dying traditional trade.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>\ud83d\uddfa\ufe0f The &#8220;Post-Lunch&#8221; Shopping Loop<\/h3>\n<ol>\n<li><strong>Exit Auction Rooms Georgetown<\/strong>\u00a0and walk toward\u00a0<strong>Lebuh Carnarvon<\/strong>\u00a0(4 mins) to see the calligrapher.<\/li>\n<li>Head up to\u00a0<strong>Lebuh Campbell<\/strong>\u00a0(another 4 mins) to browse\u00a0<strong>Maha House<\/strong>\u00a0and\u00a0<strong>P. 66<\/strong>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Finish:<\/strong>\u00a0You\u2019ll be right near\u00a0<strong>Toh Shun Cafe<\/strong>\u00a0if you need a quick &#8220;charcoal toast&#8221; snack, or you can loop back to your hotel in under 10 minutes.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<hr \/>\n<h2>The Verdict<\/h2>\n<p>Auction Rooms Georgetown is a masterclass in &#8220;Atmospheric Dining.&#8221; It doesn\u2019t need to shout to be heard; it simply offers consistently excellent food and impeccable service in one of the most beautiful rooms in George Town. It is officially the best &#8220;bang-for-your-buck&#8221; comfort food experience in the heart of the city.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p>#AuctionRoomsPenang<br \/>\n#KimberleyHotel<br \/>\n#GeorgeTownEats<br \/>\n#PenangFoodie<br \/>\nHiddenGemPenang<br \/>\n#PorkFreeDining<br \/>\n#FusionFood<br \/>\n|#HeritageCafe<br \/>\n#VisitPenang2026<br \/>\n#XOPasta<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Step out of the George Town heat and into a 1920s-inspired industrial sanctuary. Auction Rooms Georgetown serves up high-end fusion\u2014like their signature XO Pasta and Stuffed Chicken\u2014with hotel-standard service at surprisingly local prices.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":372,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[420,152,131,270],"tags":[426,421,423,422,427,429,431,424,425,428,430],"class_list":["post-369","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-jalan-sungai-ujong","category-george-town-food","category-penang","category-penang-cafe","tag-affordable-fine-dining-george-town","tag-auction-rooms-georgetown","tag-auction-rooms-menu-prices","tag-best-quiet-cafes-george-town","tag-digital-nomad-spots-penang","tag-george-town-lunch-sets","tag-jalan-sungai-ujong-food","tag-kimberley-hotel-restaurant-review","tag-pork-free-dinner-penang","tag-stuffed-chicken-breast-recipe-penang","tag-vintage-restaurants-malaysia"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/369","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=369"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/369\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":371,"href":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/369\/revisions\/371"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/372"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=369"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=369"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/penangtime.com\/review\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=369"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}