Review: The Habitat, Penang
Some experiences earn their place on a bucket list simply by existing. The Habitat Penang Hill, perched 821 metres above George Town inside a 130-million-year-old primary rainforest, is one of them, and for vegan and eco-conscious travellers, it delivers on every level.
To get their you take the historic funicular railway from Air Itam — one of Penang's most iconic rides, climbing steeply through the jungle canopy since 1923. When you get to the top there are lots of restaurants and it was really busy when we got there. The Habitat is just a five-minute walk from this upper station and it was quiet and calm, a stark contrast to the rest of the top of the hill. As we entered The Habitat we were greeted by a bunch of monkeys frolicking in the trees!
We continued on the path. The 1.6km nature trail winds through the UNESCO Penang Hill Biosphere Reserve, past the Butterfly Bank, Fern Garden and Palm Grove. The highlight is the Langur Way Canopy Walk, a 230-metre walkway suspended 40 metres above the forest floor. The Curtis Crest Tree Top Walk crowns everything with a breathtaking 360° panoramic view of Penang, the Straits of Malacca and three surrounding seas.
After the trail, we visited The Habitat Café. It is one of the most beautiful places completely immersed in nature.. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows make the surrounding jungle canopy the main event, with cool highland air and birdsong setting a pace of complete calm. The menu keeps things fresh and honest — great coffee, cold-pressed juices, kombucha, deep fried spring rolls, fresh sandwiches and more. For vegan visitors, the focus on fresh, nature-inspired fare feels entirely in keeping with The Habitat's conservation philosophy. The gift shop flowing seamlessly from the café is equally worth lingering in — thoughtfully curated nature-inspired goods that feel meaningful rather than generic. While browsing through the gift shop I saw a series of books called The Penang Chronicles which I immediately ordered when I got home!
Up here, surrounded by some of the oldest rainforest on earth, choosing plants feels like the most natural thing in the world.
