It’s been a while since a new restaurant in Kota Kinabalu has received so much attention from the food loving public, but the new Sailors’ Café is making a name for itself for good reasons.

Set the Mood

Many restaurants in Kota Kinabalu are food focused, which is why often restaurants are shoved into the stark-white squares where service is dim in comparison to the bright neon lighting.

So it was then that the first thing to strike us about the Sailors Café was the restaurant’s décor.

From the quality tiles on the floor, to the textured detailing on the walls and the kitchen counter, right up to the wooden beams against the ceiling and the soft golden lighting highlighting detailed pictures and other collectables on the walls; the mood was set for a feast.

Quick Service with a Smile

The second thing to impress us about the Sailors’ Café was the service and staff.

At once friendly and attentive, we took it for granted when we were the 2nd of 2 tables in the restaurant.
However, when the service was maintained 20 minutes later as the restaurant filled up, we noticed, and were suitably impressed, that the staff didn’t waiver.

Now Feed Me!

Of course the ambience and service is just half the battle won and the final test is the food itself.

Sailors’ Café’s menu is somewhat flexible, the Chef told us, as you sometimes have to improvise with what’s available at the market on any given morning.

However, the menu always features fresh western inspired dishes, which are varied enough to cater to most palates.
The food is served quickly and in relatively quick succession, which means that the entire table will be eating together in a short span of time.

Upon SabahBah.com’s visit we had enough people at our table to sample 11 dishes and overall the food is not just good looking (well presented, interesting garnish), but it’s also very reasonably priced and surprisingly good sized portions.

The Sailors’ Café gets a big thumbs-up. And not just from us, so perhaps it’s better to phone ahead to make sure they’re not booked out.

For more info, check out SabahBah’s Sailors’ Café listing.

Yesteryears Cafe is one of Kota Kinabalu’s long standing oldies, serving cheap beer, good grub and surprisingly delicious pizzas.

*Since the writing of this post, Yesteryears Cafe has become Alawa Cafe. The name, new management and the fact that it’s now air-conditioned aside, everything else remains pretty much the same.

Located in Kota Kinabalu’s Printer District, Yesteryears Alawa Cafe is tucked away and nestled amongst backpacker hostels, budget hotels and printing businesses that have been around almost as long as KK itself.

A popular post-game venue for nearby futsal arenas, Yesteryears Alawa Cafe is known for good pub grub and cheap beers.

Considered as one of the most value for money watering holes in Kota Kinabalu, Yesteryears Alawa Cafe sets are RM25.50 for 3x 650ml bottles of Tiger or Carlsberg, making it one of the best priced sets (or jugs) in Kota Kinabalu (price vs. volume).

Serving mostly western food, the Yesteryears Alawa Cafe menu is a mixed basket.

Top item on the menu are the so-called stone baked pizzas, which is a light, but decent feed for one, or can easily serve as a snack for two.

A selection of 12 pizzas are at your disposal, including some extra toppings if you prefer, and are very reasonably priced between RM9 and RM15 and is a tasty treat.

Other menu items include pastas, lamb chops, fish and chips, a variety of nasi goreng (fried rice) and snacks.

Amongst the snacks, Hivana (Sabah sushi) is a must try, as is the Ikan Basung Goreng, which is little whole fried fish, about two bites big, eaten with a hot chilli sauce.

Yesteryears Alawa Cafe is a good venue for a pub grub dinner, a chat or a spirited get-together. Look for it in the printers district and lose yourself in a tad of nostalgia in Yesteryears Alawa Cafe.

Jeff D’Corner is known, by those who do know, to have the best steak in Kota Kinabalu. And those who know that, also know that on Saturdays & Sundays, Jeff D’Corner has the best BBQ Lamb in Kota Kinabalu.

Jeff D’Corner isn’t Kota Kinabalu’s best kept secret on purpose. It simply fills up every night with a crowd of regulars who already know where to find the best tenderloin steak and BBQ lamb in Kota Kinabalu, so much so that not much additional advertising goes into disclosing the location of Jeff D’Corner.

But when traveling from Damai in the direction Beverly Hills, when you’re at the crossing of the Lintas-Kolombong highway, you may notice an exit from the crossing at about one thirty (if you imagine the face of a clock). At this obscure exit is where you will locate Jeff D’Corner.

With quality beef and lamb regularly flown in from New Zealand, and the proprietor and expert griller, Jeffery Chung, wielding his magic behind the grill, it’s virtually guaranteed that you’ll end up with a succulent, juicy piece of meat on your plate.

Jeff D’Corner’s popularity can simply be summed up with good food and good prices. The most ‘expensive’ item on the menu (and the best steak in KK) is the flown-in, chilled (never frozen), Australian tenderloin beef at mere RM21 per plate of perfection. The Lamb BBQ is an absolute bargain at RM12 for the biggest plate of boneless lamb you’ll find anywhere in KK. The menu also feature starters, soups and a selection of seafood items.

Jeff D’Corner serves beer by the bottle or bucket, soft drinks and a selection of fresh fruit juices.

To satisfy your steak and lamb craving, do drop by and eat your fill at Jeff D’Corner for the best steak in Kota Kinabalu.

Ground Floor
Lot 1, Luyang Phase 6 Shophouse,
Luyang, Kota Kinabalu
Ph: 019 881 8427

Featuring imported Australian and New Zealand beef and lamb, Jeff D’Corner is located at a 2 o’clock exit at the Beverly Hills-Damai and Lintas-Kolombong intersection (with Beverly Hills at 12 o’clock).

Featuring heavenly Oxtail Soup on Mondays and Thursdays and BBQ Lamb on Saturdays and Sundays, and the best steak in Kota Kinabalu every other day.

Jeff D’Corner is open from 7am – 11pm daily.