The Waterfront Shoppes in Penang
Those who grew up in Penang will understand how much we rely on just a handful of neighbourhood shopping malls on the island to fulfil our retail needs and convenient dining desires. But real soon, we’ll have another spot to frequent beyond the familiar Gurney Plaza, Gurney Paragon, Queensbay Mall, and Straits Quay.
With its soft opening on 29th October 2026, The Waterfront Shoppes is a newly-opened coastal shopping landmark where shoppers can enjoy a diverse slew of retail outlets, flagship stores, and eateries.
Read on to discover what the new mall has to offer:
What is The Waterfront Shoppes?
The Light City in Penang has a new – and gigantic – addition.
Described as Phase 2 of the elaborate The Light ecosystem masterplan, the seafront project announced the debut of The Waterfront Shoppes, a whopping 1.5 million sqft shopping mall perched on Penang’s horizon. The mall officially opens on 29th October 2026, with its retail and lifestyle offerings rolling out in phases.
Stretching along a stunning 750-metre coastal promenade, the retail hub is designed as a lifestyle landmark with over 300 retail outlets throughout four levels – think curated fashion boutiques, artisanal cafes, flagship concept stores, and a waterfront promenade, all set against the backdrop of the scenic sea.
What to expect at The Waterfront Shoppes
Distinct retail zones
The Waterfront Shoppes is organised into several themed zones, each drawing inspiration from different places and aspects of Penang’s character.
Union Square takes inspiration from Penang’s familiar streetscapes and is envisioned as a social and dining hub, with cafes and restaurants within the area. Drawing its name and character from Campbell Street and Penang’s historic Chinatown, Campbell Court brings together beauty and lifestyle outlets.
Victoria Square draws from the colonial-era architecture along Victoria Street with gorgeous duplex shopfronts and façades, while Rodeo Drive – inspired by its namesake in Los Angeles – brings together signature brands, flagship stores and outdoor cafés.
Shopping & dining
Shoppers exploring the mall can discover a nice mix of lifestyle retailers and dining spaces, with several familiar names to look out for.
To fuel up on some energy before exploring the mall, there are dining options such as ParaThai, Xiang Xiang Hunan Cuisine, Tai Ho Jiak, Mr. Wu Taiwanese Cuisine, and Da Seo.
For a caffeine fix, patrons can swing by ZUS Signature Coffee, where you can also enjoy a stunning view of the vast sea with your warm cup of a drink. There are also popular beverage and dessert spots, including Inside Scoop, 65C Ondo Bakery, Mixue, and Bakestone, that are perfect for a quick refreshment or sweet treat break.
For fashion and footwear, look out for Leather Avenue, Crocs, Skechers and Cosas United, alongside Parkson and Decathlon for a wider range of shopping options.
From checking out smartphones and accessories to browsing consumer electronics, you can also keep an eye out for Samsung, Vivo and TMT, with an Apple store marked as coming soon.
For the everyday essentials, there are our usual stores such as Watsons, Guardian and Caring Pharmacy which offer convenient stops for personal care, beauty and pharmacy-related shopping, as well as CU Mart for picking up drinks, snacks and quick necessities.
Entertainment
If walking around the shops isn’t quite enough to fill your day, The Waterfront Shoppes also has entertainment experiences to add a little more excitement to your visit.
There’s the Xventure indoor adventure park that makes for an adventure-filled session with family or friends. For something more immersive, ELEMEN offers an interactive light and digital art experience, with visually engaging installations and spaces designed around different elements.
Movie buffs will also have another reason to visit, with CMC Theatre, which features nine halls, headlined by Southeast Asia’s first CINITY LED cinema, exclusive VIP Suite, family-friendly FunLand cinema concept, premium large-format MEGA hall and private SkyLux viewing rooms.
K-pop fans can also make a stop at The Rare Select, a store dedicated to K-pop everything, from collections of photocards of your favourite idols and plushy merch to shelves of K-pop albums.
Mercato
Mercato, located on the Lower Ground floor, serves as the stop for grocery shopping and everyday essentials.
The supermarket brings together over 3,500 imported products from 21 countries, alongside fresh produce, frozen treats, and a curated range of international items.
The new addition of MY CHEMIST Hub, an integrated pharmacy and wellness store within the supermarket, complements the mall’s everyday offerings.
Beyond grocery shopping, the supermarket also has a selection of convenient meal options for when you’re feeling peckish. Stop by Mercato Café for freshly baked goods and handcrafted coffee, or head to Uncle Jack for fried chicken and burgers when you’re craving something more filling. There’s also a range of local favourites to choose from, including nasi campur and yong tau fu.
Waterfront promenade
Stretching 750 metres, the waterfront promenade is designed to be an open-air extension of the mall, with dolphin sculptures to take a picture with, and a clear view of the Penang Bridge.
The promenade is intended to support a range of activities, from casual strolls to community gatherings and recreation. Complementing this is an expansive selection of alfresco waterfront restaurants, allowing diners to enjoy delicious meals alongside the refreshing sea breeze and picturesque waterfront views.
Image credit: Perennial Holdings Private Limited via website
What is nearby The Waterfront Shoppes?
Image credit: IJM Land via website
Adding to the seafront project as well is the recently opened Penang Waterfront Convention Centre (PWCC), a sprawling 76,000 square feet exhibition hall that will function to host everything from international conventions and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions) events to grand banquets and high-profile launches.
Where to park at The Waterfront Shoppes
Shoppers can park at two levels of basement parking, with a capacity of approximately 2,500 parking bays. For The Waterfront Shoppes’ opening period, shoppers can enjoy free parking that runs until 30th November 2026, with up to five hours free per entry.
Coastal shopping in Penang at The Waterfront Shoppes
You’ll want to explore a new shopping mall that’s beyond our usual haunts in Penang, especially when it’s as grand as The Waterfront Shoppes. Looking ahead, accessibility of this destination will be further enhanced through the future integration with the Penang Mutiara LRT Line, making The Waterfront Shoppes even more convenient for visitors to reach.
Also read: New & Upcoming Hotels In 2026 In Penang For Your Next Stylish Island Stay
Cover image adapted from: The Smart Local Malaysia
Photography by Jia-Ju.
This article was first published on 19th August 2025, and updated on 29th October 2026.