London’s Famous Burger & Lobster Arrives In Penang As Its First Northern Malaysia Outpost

This is not a place to practice cutlery etiquette or for hushed conversations; it’s where you get your hands dirty as you work on extracting every morsel of flesh from the crustaceans.

Burger & Lobster has arrived in Penang as the first outlet in northern Malaysia, and only the third in the country after opening in Suria KLCC and Resorts World Genting. The restaurant is located right in the heart of George Town, in a heritage building more than a century old, making it the world’s first Burger & Lobster in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The business is helmed by Dato’ Simon Foong, who first brought Apple to Malaysia in the early ’80s and represents the ownership behind Angsana Teluk Bahang and Aquaria KLCC.

The space pairs exposed brick, deep burgundy leather banquettes, and terrazzo flooring with glowing globe chandeliers and a striking open bar, creating an intimate setting that transitions seamlessly from day to night as the lights dim. But Burger & Lobster is an elegant space that doesn’t take itself too seriously. Prints on the walls cheekily reimagine The Lobster Roll as a handbag, while lobster plushies dangle from the waiters’ uniforms and playful batik motifs bring the crustacean into the décor.

For parties or a little more privacy, book the private room, which seats up to 16—ideal for cracking, peeling and feasting to your heart’s content, without the audience.

The menu is kept simple and, as the establishment’s name suggests, allows you to choose between burgers or lobsters for your main dish. One of the house specialities is the Beast Burger, pairing a juicy beef patty with lobster meat, Brie, truffle and tarragon mayonnaise, fennel, and Chinese cabbage slaw.

Each Malaysian establishment has a location-specific speciality, and here, it’s the Lobster Laksa: laksa noodles, tofu puffs, and ginger flowers bathed in an incredibly rich, spicy coconut laksa broth, then crowned with generous chunks of lobster meat, of course. The outlet also serves lobster laksa, but with a fusion take on laksa Johor, while the Penang outpost puts its own spin on the island’s beloved curry laksa.

 The star of the menu is, naturally, the lobster, which we recommend ordering steamed or grilled, served with lemon and garlic butter.

My favourite was The Lobster Roll, generously packed with chilled lobster meat and lemon mayonnaise, with the option (essential, in my opinion) of adding a luxurious drizzle of lemon garlic butter. I happily indulged, comforted by the fact that a 145g portion of lobster delivers 27g of protein, just 1.2g of fat, no carbohydrates, and only 128 calories.

Burger & Lobster prides itself on the fact that its lobsters are sustainably sourced and air-flown from Nova Scotia, Canada. They are considered superior because the freezing, nutrient-rich waters of the North Atlantic help form hard shells, which results in higher meat yield and less water weight compared to soft-shell varieties, creating exceptionally dense, firm, and naturally sweet meat. The average lobster weighs around 550g to 650g, while those looking for a feast can order the jumbo lobsters from the special menu—during our visit, a 2.4kg whopper was available for RM1,320. If you can’t decide, you don’t have to—opt for one of the combos, which combines several mains so you can sample a little of everything.

Wash down your meal with one of the signature mocktails, such as the Vanilla Sunset, presented in an elevated ikat tepi style (the traditional Malaysian way of packing takeaway drinks in a plastic bag with a straw) for those who want to sip on the go while exploring the city’s sights.

Ultimately, Burger & Lobster is a reminder that some of the best meals are meant to be enjoyed with abandon—preferably with a lobster in one hand and a generous helping of garlic butter within reach.

Burger & Lobster, Penang