One of my favorite things to do when traveling is to try local food in every place I visit. I’m sure you do too. We all are. We travel for places, cultural experiences, food, etc. I visited Kota Kinabalu for 7 days, and this is my second time visiting this city island in Sabah. With that, I was able to try some of the best local restaurants and cafes in the city. I’ve been to Malaysia countless times, and I must say that one of my favorite Southeast Asian cuisines is definitely Malaysian food!
Thus, if you’re visiting Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia, soon, here are some of the best restaurants and cafes that you must try!
Table of Contents
Where to Eat in Kota Kinabalu: Best Cafes & Restaurants
Tamaha Cafe – Toojou
Tamaha Cafe is located inside the Toojou Hostel, and it offers different variations of good food and good coffee.
Location: 12, Jalan Masjid Lama, Bandaran Berjaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Tamu Rooftop Bar
Tamu Bar is also located at Toojou Hostel, a rooftop bar that’s a perfect place to chill out, especially in the evening. They do have live bands and also offer good food and drinks! One thing about this is you don’t need to go out or go any further just to visit a rooftop bar, especially if you’re staying at Toojou in Kota Kinabalu.
Location: 12, Jalan Masjid Lama, Bandaran Berjaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Nook Cafe
This is a very cute café that offers great local food and drinks! You’d definitely love the interiors of this place.
Location: 19, Lorong Dewan, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
October Coffee House
October Coffee House is one of the very first cafes that I visited when I came to Kota Kinabalu for the first time! They offer great Korean coffee and pastries. Also, the place is super chill, and I can study for some hours. The interiors are also nice; that’s ideal for taking photos!
Location: 13, Lorong Dewan, Pusat Bandar, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Ampersand Specialty Coffee & Co-workplace
This is not just a cafe, but also a co-working space that’s perfectly ideal for remote workers like me! Not to mention the fact that they have good drinks that I even came back for the second time!
Location: Lot 23, 1st Floor, Jalan Berjaya 3, Bandaran Berjaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Serendipity Bar & Restaurant
Serendipity Bar and Restaurant is located at the KK Waterfront and is one of the restaurants that offers great views of the ocean, most especially during the sunset.
Location: 5, Jln Tun Fuad Stephens, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Jumbo Palace Seafood Restaurant
A must-try local restaurant when in Kota Kinabalu. It offers a great selection of seafood and other local cuisines.
Location: Lot G1, Ground Floor Kompleks, Asia City, 88200 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Little Italy
If you’re tired of having local food in Kota Kinabalu, then you can try this Italian restaurant that offers authentic Italian cuisine! I got to try their pizza and pasta, which were so good!
Location: Ground Floor, Hotel Capital, Jln Haji Saman, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
KK Garden Seafood Restaurant
This has been one of the best local restaurants I’ve ever visited in Kota Kinabalu! I was able to try their seafood and some local veggies that they offer. The restaurant is huge and offers and features an impressive selection of seafood dishes. Best thing? Everything is affordable, and they have huge servings even if you only order a small plate! A restaurant that I’d definitely visit again.
Location: Jln Tugu, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
Chubs
Chubs, or The Chubs Grill, is also one of my favorite restaurants in Kota Kinabalu! This restaurant offers a lot of variations of local and foreign cuisines! This is where I dined the night before my birthday, and it’s indeed one of the best decisions I’ve made! Their steak is a must-try!!! Ahhhh!!!
Location: Plaza Shell, Jln Tunku Abdul Rahman, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
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Hey, my name is Ara Patria—a solo female traveler who is in her quest of traveling the world. I write and learn about life through the lenses of my camera, personal experiences, and adventures. Join me as I unravel the mystery of life through exploring the wanders of the world.