The Top Penang, Indoor Family Theme Park, Komtar

The Top Penang

Monica Tindall

I love a good view and one of the best in Georgetown can be found at The Top Penang. The island’s indoor theme park is home to views, views, views, a fine dining restaurant and a host of attractions.

Views, Views, Views – The Top Penang

From the highest three floors of the tallest tower in Penang, Komtar, visitors can take in 360-degree views of the island. The Observatory Deck offers an enclosed space visitable in any type of weather, while the rooftop is open-air and great for later in the afternoon. Not for those with acrophobia, the Rainbow Skywalk is on the 68th floor. The glass walkway juts out in an arc from the rooftop giving thrill-seekers the feeling of walking on air 816 feet above sea level!

Top View Restaurant and Lounge

If you’d like to stay a little longer, you can enjoy a meal at The Top View Restaurant & Lounge. Set and ala carte meals are available with local food on the menu during the day and a European-inspired finer dining experience at night. I recommend visiting at sunset to take in both daytime and evening vistas.

Seraphina, a new writer at The Yum List, describes her experience at the Top View Restaurant & Lounge.

On a clear sunny day, the 360-degree view of The Top View’s sky dining restaurant is stunning, so hold your breath if the 68th floor gets your adrenaline rushing. From the unique bird’s eye perspective, you can gaze at the orange rooftops of the local shophouses, scan Penang’s changing coastline and look across to the mainland. Access to the wrap-around deck is absolutely free to dine-in guests (there is a reduced charge for the Rainbow Skywalk – if you dare!).

The evening tasting menu at Top View contains everything on the à la carte menu. The experience starts with the chef’s amuse bouche. These bite-size pieces of art exist to tantalize your eyes, palette and imagination before the main course.

Clearly, a great deal of thought has been put into the flavours and presentation. Starters include, among others, pan-seared maguro (tuna) coated in toasted black and white sesame seeds with pickled ginger and shoyu, and a delicate ceviche of Hokkaido scallops. Ceviche (pronounced sur-vee-chee), the Central and South American version of tartare, is usually served with a zesty lemon or lime marinade and a welcome way of tasting seafood au naturel.

The soup course, Forest Mushroom Soup was presented with a truffle ‘emulsion’ (foam) and a dash of truffle oil. Its deep, earthy tones were particularly noteworthy.

For main courses, there is a choice of beef (grain-fed tenderloin with mashed potatoes, and asparagus), lamb (two cutlets with summer vegetables), or chicken cooked paysanne-style with herbs and an apple purée. For lighter eaters, the Atlantic cod might appeal. It is served vegetables and a light saffron velouté.

Thank you, Seraphina!

The Ultimate in Relaxation

In addition to satisfying the desires of foodies and thrill-seekers, The Top provides the ultimate luxury in relaxation with the Tower Spa on the 67th floor. Of course, the panoramas from here are fabulous but the facilities are top-notch and the therapists highly skilled too. Read more here and get a generous 30% discount on couple’s packages and buy-one-free-one on the à la carte menu.

Entertainment – The Top Penang

On the sixth floor, there is a bundle of entertainment options for children and families, of which the Jurassic Research Centre is surely a highlight. Over 200 dinosaurs have been brought back to life with the help of the latest animatronics technology. This interactive centre gives insight into how these giants lived millions of years ago in a fun and educative experience.

Furthermore, there are a wealth of other attractions. From a 7D Discovery Motion Theatre to an Ocean Explorer, Magic Mirror Maze and even a good old-fashioned Carousel. Various passes allow access from a single visit to a year-long unlimited entry pass.

Visit thetop.com.my for more information, pricing, tickets and opening hours for each attraction at The Top Penang.

The Top Penang
6th floor and 66th, 67th and 68th floors Komtar Tower
Jalan Penang, 10000 Georgetown
Penang, Malaysia
+604 375 9800 (General Line) or +6 017 289 0877 (Top View Restaurant & Lounge)
thetop.com.my
* While there are major roadworks on Penang Walk, the main access to Komtar is closed but there is a sign opposite the Maybank under the Komtar building for The Top Attractions. Enter here and head to the 6th floor for the theme park and also to find the next set of elevators for the 68th floor.

The Top Opening Hours
Tuesday – Sunday: 11 am – 8 pm
Closed Mondays

Find out more about travel to Penang here and stay up to date with the latest gourmet happenings around Malaysia here and here.