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 not only the highest peak in Southern Asia but also the most accessible four-thousander in the world. But here’s the catch: 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: Nourish
Set in Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok, Nourish offers a sanctuary from the city buzz with its minimalist interior and surrounding tropical garden.
Nourish is an all-day dining restaurant with a healthy take on international cuisine. Guests can enjoy à la carte options and buffet-style dining focused on fresh ingredients and authentic flavors from around the world.
Nourish also offers a kid-friendly Sunday brunch featuring half a lobster, a sashimi selection, or Swiss fondue.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free options are available.
Speciality :
Healthy take on international cuisine.
Price:
À la carte dishes range from THB 250 – THB 1000.
Sunday Brunch: THB 1700 per adult, THB 850 per kid (6-12 years old).
Hours:
Daily: 06:00 am – 10:30 pm
Online reservation available.
Locations:
Mövenpick BDMS Wellness Resort Bangkok
2 Witthayu Rd
Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Bangkok 10330
Thailand
Contact:
Webpage: https://www.movenpickbdmsbangkok.com/restaurant-bars/nourish/
Tip #5: The Silk Road
The Silk Road can be found at The Athenee Hotel, and its setting is elegant and cozy, inspired by 1920s Shanghai Art Deco.
Here one can enjoy authentic dishes that celebrate traditional recipes combined with contemporary techniques, such as the signature marinated Peking duck, Traditional Cantonese Dim Sum, as well as seasonal dishes.
The Silk Road is one of the best restaurants in Bangkok to enjoy authentic Cantonese specialties with artistic presentation and modern flair.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten-Free options are available.
Speciality:
Classic Cantonese cuisine with modern flair.
Price:
À la carte dishes start from THB 250.
The Silk Road Peking Duck with Caviar – THB 1800.
Hours:
Daily: 11:30 am – 02:30 pm & 06:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Online reservation available.
Location:
The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok
61 Wireless Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Bangkok 10330
Thailand
Contact:
Phone: +66 2 650 8800
E-Mail: thesilkroad.theathenee@luxurycollection.com
Webpage: https://www.thesilkroadbangkok.com/
Tip #6: Amaya Food Gallery
Amaya Food Gallery is located on the 4th floor of the Amari Bangkok hotel. The restaurant interior is spacious and airy with high ceilings, natural sunlight, and vibrant décor to create an atmosphere of the local market.
Amaya Food Gallery is known for its All You Can Eat offering with the best of western and Asian cuisine inspired by local flavors served at live cooking stations.
Their new Season’s buffet delights with salmon wellington, boat noodles station, Italian pasta station, and a variety of seafood options.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal and Gluten-Free options are available.
Speciality:
Western and Asian cuisine.
Price:
Amaya Season’s Buffet – THB 1325.
Hours:
Daily: 06:00 am – 10:00 pm
Season’s buffet: Saturday from 06:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Online reservation available.
Location:
Amari Bangkok, 4th floor
847 Petchburi Road, Phaya Thai, Ratchathewi
Bangkok 10400
Thailand
Contact:
Phone: +66 2 653 9000
Email: amaya.bangkok@amari.com
Webpage: https://www.amari.com/bangkok/dine/amaya-food-gallery
Tip #7: Bar.Yard
Bar.Yard is a colorful urban rooftop bar located on the 40th floor of Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok hotel, known for its fun and youthful ambiance resembling tropical paradise.
The modern open-air space with lush greenery resembles a backyard party and this concept also reflects on the menu which offers a large variety of American style BBQ options with a unique twist of the Executive Chef Lamberto Valdez Lara.
If you are looking for an Instagrammable rooftop oasis with fine Tiki cocktails, vibrant food and stunning views, Bar.Yard hits the mark.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian and Vegan options are available.
Speciality:
Unique twist on classic BBQ and Tiki-inspired cocktails.
Price:
Mains range from THB 120 to THB 690.
Sharing platters range from THB 890 to THB 1890.
Hours:
Sun, Mon: 04:00 pm – 01:00 am
Tue – Sat: 04:00 pm – 02:00 am
Online reservation available.
Location:
Kimpton Maa-Lai Bangkok
78 Soi Ton Son, Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Bangkok 10330
Thailand
Contact:
Phone: +66 2 056 9999
Email: BarYard.Kimptonmaalai@ihg.com
Webpage: https://www.kimptonmaalaibangkok.com/bangkok-restaurants/baryard-rooftop-bar/
Tip #8: Rain Tree Café
Located in The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok, Rain Tree Café is renowned as one of the best restaurants in Bangkok for buffet dining.
With all you can eat and à la carte options served for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Rain Tree Café delights guests with gourmet international delicacies in a charming and relaxed atmosphere, perfect for a Sunday Brunch.
À la carte options include international classics as well as Asian and local dishes, and a kids menu is also available.
Dietary options:
Vegetarian and Halal options are available.
Speciality:
Gourmet international cuisines.
Price:
Mains range from THB 520 to THB 980.
Monday – Friday Lunch Buffet: THB 1300.
Saturday Lunch Buffet:THB 1500.
Sunday Brunch: THB 2600.
Sunday – Thursday Dinner Buffet: THB 1800.
Friday – Saturday Dinner Buffet: THB 2100.
Hours:
Mon – Sat: 06:00 am – 10:30 am, 12:00 pm – 02:30 pm, 06:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Sun: 06:00 am – 10:30 am, 12:00 pm – 03:00 pm, 06:00 pm – 10:00 pm
Location:
The Athenee Hotel, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Bangkok
61 Wireless Rd, Lumphini, Pathum Wan
Bangkok 10330
Thailand
Contact:
Phone: +66 2 650 8800
E-Mail: raintree.theathenee@luxurycollection.com
Webpage: https://www.raintreecafebangkok.com/
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.
