West Malaysians Are Missing Out On These Restaurants In Kota Kinabalu

Conversations on eating and drinking in Malaysia often surround West Malaysia. KL, Penang, Melaka… the usual suspects. But just a flight away are food destinations that rival their counterparts across the pond, and the East Malaysia food trail should start at none other than Kota Kinabalu, the state capital of Sabah. The city’s diverse gastronomic options offer many opportunities for both the casual traveller and ravishing foodie to have their fill. From fresh out-of-the-water seafood to exquisite Western fare, the best restaurants in Kota Kinabalu will satisfy every appetite.  

The Best Restaurants In Kota Kinabalu

As a coastal city, KK has a steady supply of fresh seafood at affordable prices. But there’s also a vibrant F&B culture that spans different cuisines.

Welcome Seafood Restaurant 

best restaurant in kota kinabalu welcome seafood
Credit: @ben_young1992 and @lovestainmy via Instagram

A well-known haunt among locals and tourists (likely to the annoyance of aforementioned locals), Welcome Seafood Restaurant is packed with crowded tables and hungry patrons ready to pounce on empty seats. As one of the best restaurants in Kota Kinabalu, you can expect a full house as early as 5pm. Its popularity speaks volumes about the quality of seafood here, which you can pick and choose from clear glass fish tanks. Try the Steamed Prawn to taste the crustacean in its purest form or Kam Hiong Crab to perk up the taste buds.

Address: Lot G18, Komplek Jalan Asia City Phase 2A, Asia City, 88300 Kota Kinabalu

Opening Hours: Daily, 12pm – 11pm

Contact: 088-447 866

Website | Facebook 

Kedai Kopi Fatt Kee

best restaurant in kota kinabalu fatt kee
Credit: @verom.j and @vk_bas via Instagram 

A beloved Cantonese restaurant below a dilapidated hotel, Fatt Kee’s fare is hearty, unpretentious, and refreshingly reasonable. Dinner favourites like succulent sweet and sour shrimp and tangy sambal kangkung are on the menu, but its signature oyster sauce chicken wings are a must-order. If you’re looking for the best food in Kota Kinabalu that even locals don’t mind lining up for, Fatt Kee is a reliable choice. 

Address: Jln Haji Saman, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu

Opening Hours:

Mon – Sat: 5pm – 11pm

Contact: 016-712 8268

New WK Restaurant Luyang

new wk luyang dim sum
Credit: @newwkrestaurantofficial via Instagram

As the best and foremost dim sum restaurant in Kota Kinabalu, New WK Restaurant Luyang serves over 60 varieties of handmade delicacies, ranging from perfectly bite-sized siew mai to sticky loh mai kai. The egg tarts here are popular too, often selling out in a matter of hours. Besides, you can’t go wrong with the woo kok, which is a popular Cantonese fried snack stuffed with mashed taro, meat, and vegetables.

Address: Lot 4, 5, 6 Wisma HCS, Jalan Kolam, Taman Luyang Phase 1, 88300 Kota Kinabalu

Opening Hours: Daily, 6.30am – 8.30pm

Contact: 088-217 278

Facebook | Instagram

Kedai Kopi Yee Fung 

best restaurant in kota kinabalu yee fung
Credit: @coeyteoteo and @blue_sarahguan via Instagram

For most tourists, the best food in Kota Kinabalu is a bowl of authentic laksa courtesy of Kedai Kopi Yee Fung. Arguably the most drool-worthy laksa in all of KK is found at this unassuming coffee shop. Slurp on a bowl of tantalising broth topped with shredded chicken, boiled shrimp, sambal, and lime. Then wash it all down with a Teh Maderas, a decadent frothy concoction of milk tea and evaporated milk. Be quick to make way though. The place is always packed during peak hours.

Address: 127, Jalan Gaya, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu

Opening Hours: Daily, 6.30am – 5pm

Contact: 088-312 042

Facebook

Chilli Vanilla 

chilli vanilla kota kinabalu
Credit: @garygeorge8 and @millyjpg via Instagram 

Nestled within a row of shop lots in downtown KK is Chilli Vanilla, a cosy restaurant for authentic Hungarian food. Don’t skip the Beef Goulash, Meat Stew, and Chicken Paprikash, all of which are traditional Hungarian dishes. There’s also a good selection of cakes and drinks to complete your meal. We heard that the chocolate brownies are fudgy, rich, and downright sinful. Sounds like a very, very good brownie.

Address: 33, Jln Haji Saman, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu

Opening Hours: 

Tues – Sun: 11.30am – 9.30pm

Contact: 088-238 098

Facebook

Sri Latha Curry House

sri latha curry house
Credit: @foodiotkk and @sabaheats via Instagram

If you find yourself craving banana leaf rice in the heart of KK, make your way to Sri Latha Curry House. Often bustling with commotion during lunch, it’s one of the best Indian restaurants in Kota Kinabalu and the spread here is generous. You’ll get three to four servings of vegetables, a scoop of rice, crunchy papadam, and your protein of choice (lamb, fish or chicken). Finally, complete your set with splashes of fragrant dhal and curry. 

Address: G/F, No. 28, Jalan Berjaya, Bandat Berjaya, 88000 Kota Kinabalu

Opening Hours: Daily, 7am – 5pm

Contact: 088-253 669

Facebook

Kah Hiong Ngiu Chap

best restaurant in kota kinabalu kah hiong
Credit: Kah Hiong Ngiu Chap KK via Facebook

Ngiu chap, which literally means “mixed beef”, is a hearty noodle that’s served with a combination of beef meat and innards. At Kah Hiong Ngiu Chap, the dish can be served without innards if you feel squeamish. Just replace them with beef balls or other ingredients. The broth goes through hours of boiling to create a rich flavour, which the noodles then soak up perfectly. 

Address: 2-0-10, Lorong Taman Nosoob Jaya Phase 2, Kolam Centre, 93450 Kota Kinabalu

Opening Hours: 

Wed – Mon: 7am – 3pm

Contact: 016-826 9699

Facebook

Yu Kee Bak Kut Teh 

yu kee bak kut teh
Credit: Yu Kee Bak Kut Teh via Facebook 

Klang may claim to have the best bak kut teh in the country, but KK’s rendition isn’t too shabby at all. Yu Kee Bak Kut Teh is undoubtedly the best BKT restaurant in Kota Kinabalu, courting even the interest of tourists from China and Hong Kong. The soup is rich but not overpowering, so you can easily finish a bowl by yourself. For choice of protein, it’s practically impossible to fault the rib or knuckle. Both are crowd-pleasers because of how tender they are.

Address: 7, Jalan Gaya, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu

Opening Hours: Daily, 2pm – 9.30pm

Contact: 088-221 192

Facebook 

El Centro

el centro kota kinabalu
Credit: El Centro via Facebook

Capping off our list of the best restaurants in Kota Kinabalu is El Centro, a laid-back restaurant and bar to unwind over good food and drinks as tunes from the 90s blast within earshot. Tacos and burritos form the menu, but there are scrumptious burgers, sandwiches, and pizzas as well if you aren’t feeling Mexican. For drinks, expect the classic cocktails like margarita and mint julep done well and at affordable prices.

Address: 18, Lorong Dewan, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu

Opening Hours: 

Tues – Thurs: 9am – 10.30pm

Fri – Sat: 9am – 12am

Sun – Mon: 9am – 10.30pm

Contact: 014-862 3877

Facebook

Extend Your Food Trail To The Best Restaurants In Kota Kinabalu 

kota kinabalu food
Credit: glitterly.app via Unsplash

Like all major cities in West Malaysia, Kota Kinabalu has so much to offer when it comes to good eating and drinking spots. All you have to do is seek them out—and we’ve already done that with this list, so keep it handy when you’re visiting! It’s hard to say what’s the best food in Kota Kinabalu because taste is ultimately subjective and arbitrary, but the spots on this list are solid places to start. Sabah is also home to a myriad of stunning islands, some of which are just a 30-minute boat ride away.

Leave a Reply