Kota Kinabalu

great view of the sunset and likas bay in the distance, food is homestyle western and local dishes, the entire bay-facing area is instagram-friendly. recommend the cheap but delicious lambchops slathered in pepper sauce

excellent coffee, hot chocolate is hot, they conduct barista and coffee entrepreneurial workshops, hearty selection of tasty korean streetfood-style sandwiches at a good price and lots of pastries from their in-house bakery

great coffee, tasty food menu, novelty butters and central location. parking is sketchy but easily accessible on foot from the main street

a quiet cafe with excellent and well-priced western and local dishes for a bistro, inside/adjacent to the tong hing supermarket, which is a higher end mart carrying imported delicacies with an impressive array of snack brands. the cafe's oxtail stew is to die for, affordable but not always on the menu

famed italian family-owned restaurant (they even have their own pasta sauce for sale), make sure you book a table especially for evening meals/weekends or expect to wait in line. recommend their ravioli in emiliana sauce with your own choice of filling (vegie options available, no pork served) and their chocolate mousse

Get to the upstairs bar on the top floor before 6.30pm to enjoy the fabulous kota kinabalu sunset. finger foods available and very delicious. extensive drinks menu with the hotel's own drinks. if you ask they will bring food up from the restaurant below or the dessert bar in the lobby