7 Breakfast Spots in Kota Kinabalu to Help Start Your Day Right
Regardless of how many days you spend in Kota Kinabalu, you have to make sure to start each morning right with the right breakfast. Fortunately, this state capital features just as many amazing breakfast spots as it does picturesque beaches.
As a morning person, I wanted to grab this opportunity to share and gush about my go-to breakfast places in Kota Kinabalu. Whether you’re looking for classic waffles, bacon and eggs, or something more local like nasi lemak, I’ve got just the place for you! Let’s get started!
Nook Cafe
– Media credit: look.for.nook
Address: 19, Lorong Dewan
Contact details: +60 12-866 3900
Operating hours: Thursday to Tuesday: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost: $$
Look no further than Nook Cafe if you want to try the best homemade sourdough in Kota Kinabalu. Its texture, smell, and taste are nailed to a tee, and the best part is that they offer grilled cheese sandwiches using this very bread!
You can also find other stuffings for your sandwiches, like smoked duck, fried chicken with cheese and smoked beef. These offer great value for money because aside from featuring huge portions, they also come with a side of shoestring fries.
As for beverages, we have to highlight their matcha-infused drinks because of their creative combinations. Our favourite among their selection is blueberry matcha, as it perfectly combines the slight sourness of the blueberry with the distinct flavour of green tea.
Pro tip:
Pair your pastry of choice with a glass (iced or hot) of their honey milk!
Yee Fung Laksa
– Media credit: yoilzii
Address: 127, Jalan Gaya
Contact details: +60 88-312 042
Operating hours: Thursday to Monday: 6:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Cost: $
Yee Fung Laksa is one of the best no-frills restaurants in Kota Kinabalu that offers a wide array of local favourites. As the name suggests, one of their best offerings is laksa—rightly so, with its delicious spicy and tangy broth and massive fresh prawns.
The noodles featured in this soup dish are perfectly cooked and do a great job of soaking in all that delicious gravy. To top things off, a garnish of Bunga Kantan is laid on top of the soup, offering a distinct fragrant smell.
If you’re looking for something dry, you can try their classic chicken rice, which is served beautifully in a clay pot. The rice is perfectly cooked, and an egg is cracked on top to make the dish even richer!
Pro tip:
Order their kaya toast if you’re looking for something delicious that’s light on the tummy. Even better, pair it with a glass of their teh tarik for the ultimate local combination!
October Coffee Gaya
– Media credit: sleepy_bee and octobercoffeegaya
Address: 13, Lorong Dewan, Pusat Bandar
Contact details: +60 88-277 396
Operating hours: Daily from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $-$$
October Coffee Gaya is one of the most Insta-worthy cafes in Kota Kinabalu, featuring a cool rustic interior, warm lighting, and an overall cosy ambience. Aside from aesthetics, it also offers good grub, and its selection of sandwiches is more than enough to prove it.
They offer different variations, from chicken to egg sandwiches, but our favourite is their signature October Beef Sandwich. What makes it special is the homemade original pineapple sauce, which blends perfectly with the meaty patty, the melted cheese, and the veggies.
Their beverage selection is impressive as well, featuring coffee (hot or iced), frappes, blended non-coffee drinks, milk, and more. If you want to start your day right, however, we recommend getting their hot caramel macchiato!
Pro tip:
If you’re looking for something sweet for breakfast, then you can order their scones! These freshly made pastries come with a generous serving of pure butter, jam, and whipped cream so you can create your own combination.
Woo!
– Media credit: woo_.kk and mitoyagelato
Address: 21, Lorong Dewan
Contact details: +60 19-858 4130
Operating hours:
- Tuesday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Monday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Cost: $-$$
If you’re looking for a hip and fun breakfast spot in Kota Kinabalu, then “Woo!” should be right up your alley. You won’t have to look further than its pun-filled names to get an idea of how millennial and gen-z-coded this place is!
Some of their offerings include granola bowls, grilled cheese, chicken rice, etc. If you’d ask me for the perfect order though, I would get their carbonara pasta and pair it with either their refreshing strawberry or rose lemonade.
Upon entering, you’ll be greeted by huge floor-to-ceiling windows and rustic interior decor, perfect for taking aesthetic pictures of yourself or your breakfast! We have a feeling that it’s going to be the latter though, as the dishes here are presented beautifully.
Pro tip:
Order their pizza and quesadilla concoction if you’re visiting with a group! They come in generous portions and creative flavours like chicken ragu with wild mango.
Pete’s Corner
– Media credit: zhi_heng92
Address: Lot 9 Block B, Asia City
Contact details: +60 16-845 4711
Operating hours: Saturday, Monday to Thursday: 6:00 AM to 3:30 PM
Cost: $-$$
Pete’s Corner is a simple breakfast spot that’s perfect for budget travellers looking for Western dishes to start their mornings. This unassuming eatery surprisingly offers a great full English breakfast consisting of beans, toast, eggs, bacon, and sausages!
They also offer fish and chips, which puts English pubs to shame. From the golden batter of the fish to the crispness of the fries, everything about it is nailed to a tee!
Also, what they lack in interior decor and fancy ambience is totally made up for by the quality of their customer service! It’s a great spot if you want to get an idea of how warm and welcoming locals are and how laid-back the state capital is compared to places like Kuala Lumpur.
Pro tip:
While you’re here, be sure to stop by Centre Point Sabah, one of Kota Kinabalu’s premier shopping malls. You can find more quality restaurants here, as well as souvenirs!
Fook Yuen Cafe & Bakery
– Media credit: rutoobz
Address: 69, Jalan Gaya
Contact details: +60 16-832 9847
Operating hours: Daily from 6:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $
Fook Yuen Cafe & Bakery is another no-frills breakfast spot that prioritises customer service and food quality over fancy decorations. Their menu mostly consists of Malay staples like nasi lemak and laksa, but what makes them special is their authenticity (yep, we can vouch for this!).
Furthermore, they also offer a wide array of coffee drinks and milk tea, both of which pair perfectly with their freshly made kaya toast.
Meanwhile, the other side of their menu features a wide array of Chinese classics, most notably their colourful and flavourful dim sum. Pair these dumplings with your laksa, and you’ve got yourself a hearty combination!
Pro tip:
If you want to try the iconic white coffee of Sabah, you can find an OLDTOWN White Coffee branch on the same street as Fook Yuen Cafe.
Haru Cafe
– Media credit: cafe_haru_kk
Address: 7, Lorong Gunung Juo, Taman Far East
Contact details: +60 10-935 1233
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Cost: $$
If you love K-dramas or Korean culture, in general, Haru Cafe should be on your radar! This quaint cafe offers its diners a warm and welcoming ambience and, of course, a great selection of healthy breakfast/brunch dishes.
We opted for their breakfast plate, which consisted of fluffy scrambled eggs, toast, some leafy greens, and ham.
The real highlight here, however, is the beautiful latte art, courtesy of their talented team of baristas. From a cute oppa to a kissing couple, a penguin, and more, these pros know how to illustrate just about everything with a hot cup of milk.
Pro tip:
You can also check out their branch at Taman Cantek if their Hilltop location is out of your way.