Deluxcious · Our Story
A Mansion Restored
From a forgotten colonial estate to one of George Town's most celebrated heritage destinations — the story of Deluxcious spans more than 140 years.
Deluxcious · Our Story
From a forgotten colonial estate to one of George Town's most celebrated heritage destinations — the story of Deluxcious spans more than 140 years.
The Building
The building at 15-17A Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah was originally constructed in the late 1880s as a private residence for a prominent Straits Chinese merchant family. Its Straits Eclectic architecture — a fusion of European neoclassical design with Chinese decorative motifs — was characteristic of the wealthy merchant class of late-19th century Penang.
The property changed hands several times through the 20th century, serving variously as a boarding house, private offices, and most recently, as a partially tenanted residential building. By the early 2000s, much of the structure had fallen into disrepair — though the essential bones of the building remained intact.
In 2014, the property was acquired with the sole intention of a faithful restoration. Penang Heritage Trust consultants were engaged alongside master craftsmen from within the George Town conservation community. Every original element — the hand-laid Peranakan mosaic floors, the carved timber balustrades, the cast-iron ventilation grilles — was assessed, repaired where possible, and replaced only where structural integrity required it.
History
From a Straits Chinese merchant's home to a UNESCO heritage landmark — 140 years of history within these walls.
Built for a Straits Chinese merchant family. Straits Eclectic architecture, hand-laid mosaic floors, carved timber throughout.
The building served as temporary wartime accommodation during the Japanese occupation, then as a boarding house in the years that followed.
George Town inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The building falls within the heritage core zone, increasing both its protection and significance.
Five-year restoration project commissioned. Penang Heritage Trust consultants and master craftsmen engaged. Original structural survey identifies 94% of original fabric salvageable.
Deluxcious Restaurant & Bar opens its doors. The building has found its purpose — one it was perhaps always suited for.
The Chef
Executive Chef & Culinary Director
Born and raised in Penang, Keith Khoo spent his formative years cooking alongside his grandmother — a Nyonya cook whose recipes drew from three generations of Peranakan tradition. That foundation never left him.
After formal training at Le Cordon Bleu in Sydney, Keith spent a decade in Michelin-starred kitchens across London and Singapore — most notably as sous chef at the Ritz-Carlton Singapore's fine dining programme. He returned to Penang in 2016 to begin work on Deluxcious, spending three years developing a menu that could honour the building's heritage while standing firmly in its own right.
His cooking resists simple categorisation. European precision, Southeast Asian instinct, and a deep sensitivity to local produce — each dish is a considered conversation between tradition and craft.
What We Believe
Four principles guide everything we do — from how we design an evening to how we plate a dish.
Every decision begins with the building. We do not renovate — we restore. The past is the foundation, not the obstacle.
Hours to prepare a bisque. We take time over every detail — whether it is a slow-cooked rempah or the ambience of a room set for service.
We source from Penang market suppliers, Camerons Highland farms, and local producers wherever possible. The region feeds us.
We consider the experience before the service interaction. What does a guest feel when they walk through the door? That question shapes every detail.
Recognition
Recognised for outstanding contribution to heritage tourism through culinary excellence in a restored colonial setting.
Awarded for the exceptional standard of heritage restoration, particularly the preservation of original Peranakan mosaic tilework and carved timber elements.
Consecutively listed among Malaysia's most distinguished dining destinations, with particular praise for the seasonal tasting menu.
Recognised for exceptional cocktail craftsmanship and bar ambience in a heritage setting in the heart of George Town.
Experience It
A photograph cannot render the light on the mosaic floor at 8pm, or the smell of a 140-year-old timber staircase in the morning. Come see it yourself.