On my recent trip to KK, I visited a few new cafes and this sparked my idea of doing this blog post of the best cafes in KK. Whenever I travel nowadays, I like to look up the best independent cafes to try out at the place, so lists like this from others had been really helpful to me. Here are my top 3 Kota Kinabalu cafes based on the quality of drinks/food, atmosphere, and their service.
- Cafe Haru-best hot chocolate, whale latte art, a variety of cheese snacks
- @cafe_haru_kk
- Hilltop, right behind the small roundabout, go through the workshop gate
- opens daily at 8:30am, except for Sun (10:30am)
- Adelphi & Co.-best for specialty food (deconstructed carrot cake, truffle fries), honey & mint tea, has croissants
- @adelphi_coffee
- Damai Plaza, next to Recipe House, nearer to the Pizza Hut end
- opens daily at 9am
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| Mint tea with honey & truffle fries |
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| Deconstructed carrot cake |
- October Coffee-best for a homey feel, a wide variety of drinks too but the matcha latte tastes a bit too sandy, has three different outlets.
- @octobercoffeehouse
- 3 outlets: The Peak (see this post), Australia Lane (photos below), Latitud 6
- opens at 11am
- Nook-rattan chairs, local illustrated books for reading, also has a "Borneo" feel
- @look.for.nook
- Australia lane
- opens daily at 9am
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| Latte & flat white |
- Print Cafe-cheaper but bigger cup of coffee, jenga game for a fun interactive time with friends, cat latte art
- @printcafekk
- Australia lane
- opens daily at 8:30am, except for Sun (10:30am)
- Joe Sun-has rainbow latte art, the interior is a bit on the simpler side
- @joesuncoffeeco
- Damai Plaza (in the back), corner shop
- opens daily at 7am
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| Coffee & Hot chocolate |
- Chiu's-The Modern Local- similar to Joe Sun, coffee is good, food is on the expensive side because their portions are smaller (I haven't tried the taste), the interior is simple but not tasteful (not like those minimalist but pretty spaces)
- @chius.my
- 88 Market Place, can see from the big roadside
- Closed on Tuesdays
- Cafe Bene at Imago Mall (this is not an independent coffee shop but I included it because the Korean cafes is a type of specialty cafe in KK too)-good for the relaxing outdoor seating after walking too much during shopping
- The Workshop-would not recommend for the drinks/coffee or service (poor service by the waitress, add-on prices for iced coffee, does not provide plain water, menu price list does not include service charge & gst), only go if you want a larger space to work in and to take pictures of the creative interior (cute hidden mouse), has an outdoor patio for nighttime behind the shop.
- @theworkshop.kk
- Australia Lane
- opens at 7:30am
- Sharikat Biru-Biru-best for cold drinks such as their passionfruit soda, cold tea, and gula melaka waffles, fried squid and their beautiful Island-feel decor (think movies like "Love you you", or any of the Redang/Pangkor islands type
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| Fried calamari garnished with curry leaves |
I hope this post is helpful~ Enjoy cafe hopping in KK!
