I love food but is a fussy eater.. so my recommendation for the best places to dine in Kota Kinabalu may not be suitable for many, .... what I will do here is write on some places that I'm fond of.. and some dining places recommended by my friends.., local magazines.. one thing for sure, there will definitely be a place for everyone !!!
The Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu (Western, Eastern & other Varieties)
First on my list, will have to be a place call Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu! Hmmm.. what can I say about this place, I've been here a couple of times, and I notice that its a magnet to many tourists & locals alike. Apart from the beautiful scenery, a good place to loosen up with a couple of beers, there are some good restaurants here. So what else, can you ask for? :) However, I must say that I have not personally tried any of the dining outlets here, but words from many swear that the food is not bad.. For more information, check out the following link
http://www.kkwaterfront.com/public/default.asp
Little Italy, Kota Kinabalu (Western/Italian)
A trip to Kota Kinabalu for me is never complete, if I do not stop by at Little Italy. What can I say, I love this place. From the first time, I tried the food, I am now, a faithful fan. This little tiger even won the best restaurant award from the Sabah Tourism Board & the Ministry of Tourism. The menu covers home made & definitely mouth watering Italian Specialties, I personally feel that the best pasta, pizza, and main courses in town is served here. For some great wine & dine, this place is at the top of my list. I am not a food critic, but my taste buds is pretty demanding.. and so far, this place has never failed me! :) This little food heaven is located at the ground floor of Capital Hotel, just opposite hotel shuttle bus stop at Wisma Merdeka Shopping Mall. For more information, check them out at http://www.littleitaly-kk.com/
Coffee Shops in Kota Kinabalu (Chinese Local Delights)
There are a couple of local chinese coffee shops that serve some great local cuisine. However, my pick of the menu, will have to be a breakfast staple, locals just can't live without, known as Kon Lau Mein. "Kon Lau" in chinese, refers to the serving style of the noodles-simply means noodles are served dry and not in soup. Sounds complicated, but what it is - its just basically some good home made noodles, with gravy that comes with other side dishes & sometimes "wanton" or dumplings soup. This favourite is usually served during the morning and runs out by noon. There are many variations, the most popular perhaps is those- home made thick noodles served with pork slices and mixed with a special dark sauce. The best however, are those made using home-made rice or egg noodles. However, when ordering, one could indicate noodles of preference, "mein" are thicker noodles, "mee hoon" is a vermicelli-like rice noodles, or "kuay teow" which are flattened rice noodles. And although pork is a popular preference, some kon lau mein is served with chicken, beef or fish. Where is the best place for this local craze? Try Kuo Man coffee shop in Sunny Garden, or Yee Fung & Seng Hing coffee shops, both located at Gaya Street & Sinsuran.
Fisherman Village or "Kampung Nelayan", (Floating Seafood Market Restaurant)
Located at Taman Tun Fuad, Bukit Padang, Kota Kinabalu, experience of dinning here covers some life cultural dance performances from 7.45pm to 9pm nightly. The most preferred pick from the menu, would have to be local seafood cooked to your liking, or seafood with steamboat. I've been to this place once, and the crowd is amazing. Most tourists love this place, you can tell from the tour busses that usually takes most of the parking area! The food is alright, the atmosphere is pleasant but the highlight would definitely be the cultural shows, as it steals the limelight more often than the food itself! This place is about 10 minutes drive from city centre, be there early to book your seats! For more information, check out their website at www.kampungnelayan.com.
Home Restaurant, 1-Borneo
The first time I came across this restaurant, was while shopping in 1-Borneo, with my husband, and my hyper active son-who was only 2 then. Located at the Ground Floor of the Hyper mall, this place is hardly impressive to look at compares to its peers on the same block. We needed a place to rest, and could not decide on what to have for dinner, and somehow, we walked in to this restaurant, and you have no idea, how happy we were when we walked out :). This place serves one of the best eastern delights, especially their steamed soups. Try it and you will know what I mean. :) One word of advise, if you look at the menu, try to select those recommended by their chefs...yes, it makes lots of difference, trust me :)
Chicken Rice Shop-Food Court (Wisma Merdeka)
This little restaurant is located at the higher floor of Wisma Merdeka shopping complex, where the food court is. They have recently renovated the area, and relocate some of the stalls. One must try the chicken/pork rice served in this restaurant, very popular among the locals, and the place is always packed! I've tried the food, its in a class of its own. One shortfall would have to be the long ques..and the small dining tables.. so, be there early to reserve a good spot. These delicious delights are served from morning to lunch. And right in front of it, there's this malay/local cuisine restaurant, that serves lunches/dinners in buffet style. Comes in very affordable prices, there are so many choices to choose from. I have tried both of these two restaurants, two thumbs up, definitely!
Salut Seafood, the hidden Gem of Kota Kinabalu
I've been to this place twice. One would probably wonder, if the place is that good and worth recommending, why did I just frequent this place twice? One simple reason, I must say.. the place is a little bit far. The first time, I went there, was with some friends, and that was sometime in 1996. The road leading to the area at that time, was not "graveled" and the place was so remote, I was worried that, we would be lost in the middle of nowhere. But when we reached the place, we saw this "wooden-built" floating restaurant, and at that time, the place was not so commercialized. One thing for sure, the seafood is great (perhaps the best in town) and the atmosphere of dining there, was a great experience itself. The second time, I came to this place was in year 1999. Food still good and the accessibility to the place has improved much more. These days, Salut has become one of the most popular dining attraction in Kota Kinabalu. Its about 20 to 30 minutes from Kota Kinabalu City, along Jalan Sulaiman Highway. Seafood is cheap- and food is great, what else can one ask for? :)
Kampung Air Seri Selera (formerly known as Sedco Square Open Air Food Court)
This is another tourist and local attraction for seafood and some local delights! Located in Kota Kinabalu's city centre, and walking distance to the cinema, there are a couple of of fresh sea food restaurants here. Food is good, but tourists should really go to this place with a local guide. As most of these restaurant operators tend to overcharge their international customers (unfortunately) :(
There are plenty more to share, but I think, I will leave you guys with just the above. Other popular restaurants in Kota Kinabalu include Brass Monkey Cafe & Bar, Kohinoor, Nishiki, Peppermint Vietnamese Restaurant, Coast at Shangrila Rasa Ria, Nagasaki Japanese Restaurant, Toscani, Bella Italia Pizzeria Ristorante Cafe, Wah Juan Coffee Shop in Tanjung Aru, The Korean Club Restaurant, Gardenia Grill Room, Archie D Corner, Ferdinand's at the Magellan Sutera, Fish & Co, Luyang Seafood Restaurant, Yoshimi Japanese Restaurant, Anjappas Authentic Indian Restaurant, Sri Mela Restaurant & many others :)
The Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu (Western, Eastern & other Varieties)
First on my list, will have to be a place call Waterfront, Kota Kinabalu! Hmmm.. what can I say about this place, I've been here a couple of times, and I notice that its a magnet to many tourists & locals alike. Apart from the beautiful scenery, a good place to loosen up with a couple of beers, there are some good restaurants here. So what else, can you ask for? :) However, I must say that I have not personally tried any of the dining outlets here, but words from many swear that the food is not bad.. For more information, check out the following link
http://www.kkwaterfront.com/public/default.asp
Little Italy, Kota Kinabalu (Western/Italian)
A trip to Kota Kinabalu for me is never complete, if I do not stop by at Little Italy. What can I say, I love this place. From the first time, I tried the food, I am now, a faithful fan. This little tiger even won the best restaurant award from the Sabah Tourism Board & the Ministry of Tourism. The menu covers home made & definitely mouth watering Italian Specialties, I personally feel that the best pasta, pizza, and main courses in town is served here. For some great wine & dine, this place is at the top of my list. I am not a food critic, but my taste buds is pretty demanding.. and so far, this place has never failed me! :) This little food heaven is located at the ground floor of Capital Hotel, just opposite hotel shuttle bus stop at Wisma Merdeka Shopping Mall. For more information, check them out at http://www.littleitaly-kk.com/
Coffee Shops in Kota Kinabalu (Chinese Local Delights)
There are a couple of local chinese coffee shops that serve some great local cuisine. However, my pick of the menu, will have to be a breakfast staple, locals just can't live without, known as Kon Lau Mein. "Kon Lau" in chinese, refers to the serving style of the noodles-simply means noodles are served dry and not in soup. Sounds complicated, but what it is - its just basically some good home made noodles, with gravy that comes with other side dishes & sometimes "wanton" or dumplings soup. This favourite is usually served during the morning and runs out by noon. There are many variations, the most popular perhaps is those- home made thick noodles served with pork slices and mixed with a special dark sauce. The best however, are those made using home-made rice or egg noodles. However, when ordering, one could indicate noodles of preference, "mein" are thicker noodles, "mee hoon" is a vermicelli-like rice noodles, or "kuay teow" which are flattened rice noodles. And although pork is a popular preference, some kon lau mein is served with chicken, beef or fish. Where is the best place for this local craze? Try Kuo Man coffee shop in Sunny Garden, or Yee Fung & Seng Hing coffee shops, both located at Gaya Street & Sinsuran.
Fisherman Village or "Kampung Nelayan", (Floating Seafood Market Restaurant)
Located at Taman Tun Fuad, Bukit Padang, Kota Kinabalu, experience of dinning here covers some life cultural dance performances from 7.45pm to 9pm nightly. The most preferred pick from the menu, would have to be local seafood cooked to your liking, or seafood with steamboat. I've been to this place once, and the crowd is amazing. Most tourists love this place, you can tell from the tour busses that usually takes most of the parking area! The food is alright, the atmosphere is pleasant but the highlight would definitely be the cultural shows, as it steals the limelight more often than the food itself! This place is about 10 minutes drive from city centre, be there early to book your seats! For more information, check out their website at www.kampungnelayan.com.
Home Restaurant, 1-Borneo
The first time I came across this restaurant, was while shopping in 1-Borneo, with my husband, and my hyper active son-who was only 2 then. Located at the Ground Floor of the Hyper mall, this place is hardly impressive to look at compares to its peers on the same block. We needed a place to rest, and could not decide on what to have for dinner, and somehow, we walked in to this restaurant, and you have no idea, how happy we were when we walked out :). This place serves one of the best eastern delights, especially their steamed soups. Try it and you will know what I mean. :) One word of advise, if you look at the menu, try to select those recommended by their chefs...yes, it makes lots of difference, trust me :)
Chicken Rice Shop-Food Court (Wisma Merdeka)
This little restaurant is located at the higher floor of Wisma Merdeka shopping complex, where the food court is. They have recently renovated the area, and relocate some of the stalls. One must try the chicken/pork rice served in this restaurant, very popular among the locals, and the place is always packed! I've tried the food, its in a class of its own. One shortfall would have to be the long ques..and the small dining tables.. so, be there early to reserve a good spot. These delicious delights are served from morning to lunch. And right in front of it, there's this malay/local cuisine restaurant, that serves lunches/dinners in buffet style. Comes in very affordable prices, there are so many choices to choose from. I have tried both of these two restaurants, two thumbs up, definitely!
Salut Seafood, the hidden Gem of Kota Kinabalu
I've been to this place twice. One would probably wonder, if the place is that good and worth recommending, why did I just frequent this place twice? One simple reason, I must say.. the place is a little bit far. The first time, I went there, was with some friends, and that was sometime in 1996. The road leading to the area at that time, was not "graveled" and the place was so remote, I was worried that, we would be lost in the middle of nowhere. But when we reached the place, we saw this "wooden-built" floating restaurant, and at that time, the place was not so commercialized. One thing for sure, the seafood is great (perhaps the best in town) and the atmosphere of dining there, was a great experience itself. The second time, I came to this place was in year 1999. Food still good and the accessibility to the place has improved much more. These days, Salut has become one of the most popular dining attraction in Kota Kinabalu. Its about 20 to 30 minutes from Kota Kinabalu City, along Jalan Sulaiman Highway. Seafood is cheap- and food is great, what else can one ask for? :)
Kampung Air Seri Selera (formerly known as Sedco Square Open Air Food Court)
This is another tourist and local attraction for seafood and some local delights! Located in Kota Kinabalu's city centre, and walking distance to the cinema, there are a couple of of fresh sea food restaurants here. Food is good, but tourists should really go to this place with a local guide. As most of these restaurant operators tend to overcharge their international customers (unfortunately) :(
There are plenty more to share, but I think, I will leave you guys with just the above. Other popular restaurants in Kota Kinabalu include Brass Monkey Cafe & Bar, Kohinoor, Nishiki, Peppermint Vietnamese Restaurant, Coast at Shangrila Rasa Ria, Nagasaki Japanese Restaurant, Toscani, Bella Italia Pizzeria Ristorante Cafe, Wah Juan Coffee Shop in Tanjung Aru, The Korean Club Restaurant, Gardenia Grill Room, Archie D Corner, Ferdinand's at the Magellan Sutera, Fish & Co, Luyang Seafood Restaurant, Yoshimi Japanese Restaurant, Anjappas Authentic Indian Restaurant, Sri Mela Restaurant & many others :)
