Rubin Mardini Penang Review 2026: Authentic Turkish & Arabic Cuisine in Batu Ferringhi

Batu Ferringhi's Premier Turkish Eatery

RUBIN MARDINI

Hello, fellow travelers!

I'm Nomad Salmi, your FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) travel blogger.😊

Penang is renowned for its affordable food scene, which makes it the perfect place to explore diverse international cuisines that might be quite pricey back home.

Today, I'm excited to introduce a hidden gem we discovered near Batu Ferringhi Beach in Penang.

Rubin Mardini offers authentic Turkish and Arabic dishes, and it's not just popular among the local Muslim community but also a favorite among many Penang residents.

Rubin Mardini Location & Opening Hours

Location

Rubin Mardini is situated in a residential area close to Batu Ferringhi Beach.

From George Town, a Grab ride will take about 40 minutes,

while a bus journey typically takes around an hour.

If you're coming by bus, take routes 101 or 102 and disembark at the By The Sea stop; you'll see the restaurant right in front of you.

Opening Hours

Mon-Sun: 12:00 PM - 11:00 PM

While Google lists these hours, when we visited, they opened at 1:00 PM. It's always a good idea to double-check before you go.

They are closed on Wednesdays.

A Look Around the Restaurant

Upon entering, it might seem like a typical restaurant, but the traditional patterned plates and exotic lighting adorning the walls create a distinct, foreign ambiance.

Most tables are set for four, and there's also outdoor seating available. We noticed that in the evenings, guests preferred to dine al fresco.

Like most Turkish & Arabic restaurants, shisha (hookah) is available.

Many patrons enjoy shisha at the outdoor tables in the evening, so we recommend visiting during lunchtime if you prefer a smoke-free environment.

Menu & Food Review

The menu features prominent Turkish and Arabic dishes. From lamb kebabs and Mandy Chicken to hummus and falafel, you can savor a wide array of Middle Eastern flavors.

All dishes are prepared with halal-certified ingredients.

Since the dish names weren't familiar to us, we carefully checked Google reviews before deciding on two dishes.

We ordered Lamb Kebab and Mandy Chicken.

Lamb Kebab (40 MYR, approximately ~$8)

The Lamb Kebab features lamb marinated in traditional Turkish spices, skewered, and grilled to perfection.

It comes with a side of salad, jasmine rice, french fries, and the pita bread was incredibly chewy and delicious.

A curry-like sauce was also served, but it wasn't quite to my taste.

There was absolutely no gamey lamb odor, and the moderately spicy marinade made the meat incredibly tender and flavorful.

If you're usually hesitant about lamb due to its distinctive smell, you can enjoy it here without any worries.

We also ordered Arabic Tea (3 MYR, approximately ~$1).

It's a rich black tea, and you can add sugar if you prefer.

While it was a warm tea, the Penang heat meant I didn't reach for it much.

Mandy Chicken (32 MYR, approximately ~$7)

This is Mandy Chicken, a traditional Yemeni dish.

The chicken is marinated in special spices and slow-cooked at a low temperature for a remarkably tender texture.

The beautifully roasted chicken was moist and subtly spicy, and the spiced rice underneath, infused with the chicken's juices, was even more delicious.

The chicken portion is incredibly generous, and it's astonishingly tender and meaty.

The rice portion was also huge, so we ended up leaving some behind.

Mandy Rice is prepared with various spices, and I personally found it incredibly tasty. However, if you're sensitive to strong spices, it might be a hit or miss for you.

Our Takeaway

Rubin Mardini is on the pricier side compared to some other restaurants in Penang.

However, considering Batu Ferringhi is a tourist hotspot, higher prices are generally expected, so factor that into your visit.

Above all, the food is delicious, portions are generous, and it's a cuisine you don't often encounter back home. So, if you're in Batu Ferringhi, I highly recommend giving it a try.

The staff were also friendly, checking in periodically to ensure we enjoyed our meal, and communication in English was smooth, which made the experience even more pleasant.

If you're planning a trip to Batu Ferringhi, while the street food at the night market is great,

I highly recommend experiencing authentic Middle Eastern cuisine at Rubin Mardini.

I hope my post helps you have a wonderful trip!❤️