The East Malaysian city of Kota Kinabalu is famously known as the ‚basecamp‘ for conquering the majestic Mount Kinabalu. Standing tall at 4,100 meters, it’s the highest peak in Southern Asia.
After your triumphant descent, your tummy will be growling. It asks for a victory feast. Not just any food—good food, and plenty of it.
To help you make the most delicious choices when you return ravenous to Kota Kinabalu, here are 10 top-notch restaurant recommendations just for you.
Tip #1: Le Petit Chef at Hyatt Centric
Since July 2024, the Hyatt Centric in Kota Kinabalu hosts ‚Le Petit Chef‘. He is just 6 cm tall and therefore considered the smallest chef in the world. His fun dining show runs Wednesday to Saturday.
Visit an extraordinary 3D dinner show –Le Petit Chef- at the Hyatt Centric in Kota Kinabalu.
Get ready for the legendary Le Petit Chef dinner ‚The Beginning‘, where our tiny chef entertains with his charming clumsiness and amusing misadventures.
In addition to these fun animations projected onto the tabletop, Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu delights you with a carefully crafted pre-set menu.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian and Kids menu options are available.
Speciality:
A unique 3D Projection Mapping dining experience, featuring the smallest chef in the world.
Price:
Premium Menu: RM 458 per person;
Classic Menu: RM 358 per person;
Vegetarian Menu: RM 338 per person;
Kids Menu: RM 248 per person
Hours:
Reservation is necessary. Online booking available.
Location:
Hyatt Centric Kota Kinabalu
18, Jln Haji Saman
88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact:
Phone: +60 154 874-1234
Email: hyattcentrickotakinabalu@hyatt.com
Webpage: lepetitchef.com/kotakinabalu
Tip #2: Yee Fung Laksa
Our second recommendation for good eats in Kota Kinabalu couldn’t be more different. Instead of 5-star cuisine at 5-star prices, we invite you to try some low-budget street food.
You’ll be sitting on plastic chairs with no air conditioning, but the Kedai Kopi Yee Fung Laksa might just hit the spot. It has 630 excellent reviews on TripAdvisor for a reason.
Visit our extraordinary 3D dinner-show Le Petit Chef ‚The Beginning‘ in Kota Kinabalu.
At Yee Fung Laksa, you’ll indulge in authentic Chinese Malaysian dishes like Laksa, Claypot Chicken, and Mee. For the locals, it’s a brilliant value for money. The restaurant opens as early as 6:30 AM, perfect for the early birds ready to catch the worm – or in this case, the Laksa 🙂
Dietary options:
Vegetarian options available.
Speciality :
Authentic local cuisine.
Price:
$
Hours:
Mon 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tue closed
Wed closed
Thu 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Fri 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sat 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Sun 6:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Location:
Kedai Kopi Yee Fung
127 Gaya Street, Kota Kinabalu 88000 Malaysia
Contact:
Phone: +60 8831 2042
Webpage: yeefunglaksa.com
Tip #3: Little Italy @ the Hotel Capital
Although you are in South East Asia, Kota Kinabalu is no exception to the rule. There must be an Italian restaurant somewhere … and here we go: „Little Italy Restaurant“ at the Hotel Capital has been the oldest and most loved Italian eatery in Sabah. Whenever the locals feel like having delicious pizza or pasta, you’ll meet them right here. All menus are gluten-free, and Muslim-friendly.
Dietary options:
Halal. Vegetarian, Vegan and Gluten-Free options are available.
Speciality:
Italian Food
Price:
$$
Hours:
Tue – Fri 5:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sat / Sun: 12:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Closed on Mondays
Location:
Ground Floor, Hotel Capital, Jln Haji Saman, 88400 Kota Kinabalu
Contact:
Phone: +60 88 232 231
Tip #4: Keng Wan Hing
A shop along Gaya street that is famous for it’s buns: Keng Wan Hing. Their BBQ pork baked pastries are mouthwateringly delicious and an absolute delight to eat.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian options are available.
Speciality :
BBQ Pork Baked Pastry (Char Siew)
Price:
RM1 – RM2 per bun
Hours:
80, Jalan Gaya, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Locations:
Every day 6am – 4pm
Contact:
Phone: +60 16-849 4708
Tip #5: Sunset Bar
For everyone who enjoys dinner accompanied with a great view, the Sunset Bar is the place to be. Perched on its own peninsula, this stylish bar is the ultimate spot to relax and take in the stunning views of the water.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free options are available.
Speciality:
Meat skewers and great cocktails.
Price:
The Sunset Hook RM80
Platter Set RM80
Fried Calamari RM50
Hours:
Every day: 5pm – 9pm
*Dependant on the weather.
Location:
Shangri-la’s Tanjung Aru Resort, 20, Jalan Aru, Tanjung Aru, 88100 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact:
Tip #6: Yii Siang Ngiu Chap
This famous restaurant in Kota Kinabalu sells delicious beef noodle soup. They serve both beef noodle soup and laksa and I assure you their flavours are as authentic as it gets! The shop has been in operation since 1993 and is going as strong as ever with a loyal customer base frequenting the shop.
Dietary options:
Halal options are available.
Speciality:
Beef noodle soup.
Price:
RM10 – RM20
Hours:
Mon – Sat 6:30am – 3pm
Sun: 6:30am – 2pm
Location:
21 Block C, Lorong Perindustrian, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact:
Phone: +60 16-822 3982
Webpage: https://yiisiang.com/
Tip #7: Borneo Pan Mee
Pan Mee can be enjoyed both in pork broth soup or dry with sauce. This delicious dish can be enjoyed in various locations in town and Borneo Pan Mee is one of those spots to get authentic Pan Mee.
Dietary options:
No special dietary options available.
Speciality:
Pan Mee noodles.
Price:
RM10 – 20 per main dish.
Hours:
Every day: 7:30am – 3:30pm
Location:
GROUND FLOOR, borneo pan mee, wisma sabah, lot g04, Jln Tun Razak, Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact:
Phone: +60 11-1030 3736
Tip #8: Teck Kee Restaurant
The Teck Kee Restaurant Kota Kinabalu is a great restaurant for Chinese food. Because many Chinese people live in Malaysia, the Chinese food served is usually impressive.
This restaurant is a big recommendation for anyone who enjoys Chinese food. In addition to sweet and sour pork and other classic dishes, they also serve dim sum.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian options are available.
Speciality:
Chinese cuisine and dimsum.
Price:
Mains range from RM15 to RM35
Hours:
Every day: 7am-10pm
Location:
Lot 41(DBKK No. 16-0) Ground Floor Block F, Inanam Business Centre, Inanam, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact:
Phone: +60 18-983 1919
Tip #9: MOGINUM Restobar
This cozy and affordable foodie spot in Kota Kinabalu is the perfect place to casually enjoy some great Malaysian food. Besides great breakfast and lunch, they also occasionally have live music performances and special events.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian and halal options are available.
Speciality:
Nasi Lemak and Malaysian cuisine in general.
Price:
Main dishes RM15 – RM20
Weekday Set Lunch RM15,90
Hours:
Mon – Sat: 7am – Midnight
Sun: 7am – 3pm
Location:
118, Jalan Gaya, Pusat Bandar Kota Kinabalu, 88000 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact:
Phone: +60 10-238 5877
Webpage: https://linktr.ee/moginumrestobar
Tip #10: New WK Restaurant
Dim sum lovers should consider checking out New WK Restaurant. This restaurant serves fresh per order dim sum and the staff is also very kind and attentive. The prices are also fair, so there’s nothing stopping you from eating dim sum to your heart’s content!
Dietary options:
Vegetarian options are available.
Speciality:
Chinese dim sum.
Price:
Per plate RM 6 – RM 10
Hours:
Mon & Tue: 7:30am – 4pm, 5pm – 9pm
Wed – Sat: 6:30am – 3pm, 5pm – 9pm
Sun: 6:30am – 3pm, 4pm – 9pm
Location:
Lot 4, 5, 6 Wisma HCS, Jalan Kolam, Taman Luyang Phase 1, 88300 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah
Contact:
Phone: +60 16-710 1728
Our selection of restaurants is based, among other things, on the editorial team’s individual preferences and on reviews on the internet. Please contact the respective provider directly for information on reservations and prices. The pictures come from the restaurants listed. All Information is provided without guarantee!
As Marketing Executive, Barbora knows the Le Petit Chef fun dining concept inside out and is happy to answer any questions you may have.
