Quick Answer
Kota Kinabalu sits on the South China Sea, making it one of Southeast Asia's best cities for fresh, affordable seafood. These 12 restaurants were curated from Reddit, travel blogs, and verified via Google Places API. Average rating: 4.2★ across 27,000+ combined reviews.
- Best overall
- Welcome Seafood — KK's iconic institution (7,300+ reviews)
- Highest rated
- KK Garden Seafood (4.5★) — downtown Gaya Street
- Best budget
- Fatt Kee — legendary fish noodle soup from MYR 15/person
- Best halal
- Gayang Seafood — halal certified, waterfront, live tanks
Top Verdicts
- Welcome Seafood — the famous first stop (4.0★, 7,362 reviews)
- Fatt Kee — locals' noodle king (4.2★, 5,883 reviews)
- KK Garden — highest-rated downtown (4.5★, 2,049 reviews)
- Kampung Nelayan — floating restaurant + cultural show (4.3★)
- Gayang — best halal with waterfront views (4.1★)
Why Kota Kinabalu for Seafood?
Kota Kinabalu's position on the South China Sea means daily fresh catches of tiger prawns, mud crabs, grouper, lobster, and exotic specialties like sea grapes (latok) and hinava (raw fish salad). Sabah's cuisine blends Chinese, Malay, and Bajau influences — butter prawns meet sambal stingray, Sichuan mala crab sits alongside Cantonese steamed fish. The result is a diverse, remarkably affordable seafood scene, with most meals costing MYR 30–60 ($7–14 USD) per person.
1. Welcome Seafood Restaurant
All 12 Picks
- 1. Welcome Seafood Restaurant
- 2. Fatt Kee Seafood Restaurant
- 3. KK Garden Seafood Gaya Restaurant
- 4. Kampung Nelayan Floating Restaurant
- 5. Jumbo Palace Seafood Restaurant
- 6. Fish Market Restaurant
- 7. Suang Tain Seafood Restaurant
- 8. Gayang Seafood Restaurant
- 9. Sembulan Lobster Restaurant
- 10. New Gaya Seafood Restaurant
- 11. Imperial Seafood Restaurant
- 12. New Luyang Restaurant
1Welcome Seafood Restaurant
Chinese SeafoodVerdict: The most famous seafood restaurant in KK — a bustling institution with live tanks and an enormous menu.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Wide variety of fresh seafood in a lively atmosphere
- Strengths
- Massive menu · Live tanks · Muslim-friendly · 7,300+ reviews
- Limitations
- Packed and noisy · Touristy prices · Closed Fri–Sun
- Price / value
- MYR 30–80 · 4.0★
- What to order
- Butter prawns, kam heong crab, steamed fish with soy sauce.
🕐 Hours
Mon12:30–11 PMTue12:30–11 PMWed12:30–11 PMThu12:30–11 PMFriClosedSatClosedSunClosed
🌐 Website📞 +60 88-447 866
“Welcome Seafood is always the first recommendation for KK seafood. Huge portions, fresh tanks.”— r/Sabah
“Touristy but for good reason. The butter prawns are addictive.”— Borneo Travellers
2Fatt Kee Seafood Restaurant
Noodles · Chinese SeafoodVerdict: A 20-year local favorite — the legendary fish noodle soup alone is worth the trip.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Budget-friendly seafood noodles and classic Chinese cooking
- Strengths
- Open from breakfast · 5,800+ reviews · Famous fish noodle soup
- Limitations
- Basic decor · Very crowded at lunch
- Price / value
- MYR 15–50 · 4.2★
- What to order
- Fish noodle soup (signature), Tom Yam seafood soup, stir-fried clams.
🕐 Hours
Mon7 AM–11 PMTue7 AM–11 PMWed7 AM–11 PMThu7 AM–11 PMFri7 AM–11 PMSat7 AM–11 PMSun7 AM–11 PM
📞 +60 16-824 8414
“Fatt Kee’s fish noodle soup is legendary. Fresh fish slices in perfectly seasoned broth.”— SabahTravel.com
“Popular with locals for quick meals. Generous portions, best value seafood.”— AmazingBorneo.com
3KK Garden Seafood Gaya Restaurant
Chinese SeafoodVerdict: Highest-rated seafood in downtown KK — spacious outdoor seating, live tanks, fresh catches.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- High-quality downtown seafood with aquarium display
- Strengths
- 4.5★ · Large outdoor area · Fresh live tanks · Gaya Street
- Limitations
- Pricier than suburban spots · Busy weekends
- Price / value
- MYR 25–70 · 4.5★
- What to order
- Salted egg squid, sweet and sour crab, fresh oysters.
🕐 Hours
Mon11:30 AM–11:30 PMTue11:30 AM–11:30 PMWed11:30 AM–11:30 PMThu11:30 AM–11:30 PMFri11:30 AM–11:30 PMSat11:30 AM–11:30 PMSun11:30 AM–11:30 PM
“KK Garden is a sound choice downtown. Large outdoor place with fresh seafood.”— TripAdvisor
“Right on Gaya Street — perfect for tourists wanting quality seafood near city center.”— WanderLog
4Kampung Nelayan Floating Restaurant
Malay Seafood · BBQ SteamboatVerdict: One-of-a-kind floating restaurant — dine lakeside with nightly cultural performances.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Unique floating experience with Sabah cultural shows
- Strengths
- Halal · Cultural shows · Garden setting · BBQ steamboat
- Limitations
- Higher prices · Touristy · Outside city center
- Price / value
- MYR 40–100 · 4.3★
- What to order
- BBQ steamboat buffet, grilled stingray, seafood platter.
🕐 Hours
Mon11 AM–2 PM, 6–11 PMTue11 AM–2 PM, 6–11 PMWed11 AM–2 PM, 6–11 PMThu11 AM–2 PM, 6–11 PMFri11 AM–2 PM, 6–11 PMSat11 AM–2 PM, 6–11 PMSun11 AM–2 PM, 6–11 PM
🌐 Website📞 +60 88-231 003
“Kampung Nelayan is more than food — floating setting, cultural dances, fresh seafood are unforgettable.”— AmazingBorneo.com
“Great for families. Lakeside setting is magical at night.”— SabahTravel.com
5Jumbo Palace Seafood Restaurant
Sichuan · Chinese SeafoodVerdict: KK’s late-night seafood king — Sichuan heat meets Borneo-fresh catches until 3 AM.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Late-night seafood with bold Sichuan flavors
- Strengths
- Open until 3 AM · Sichuan cooking · Asia City · Bold spice
- Limitations
- Smaller review count · Very spicy
- Price / value
- MYR 30–80 · 4.3★
- What to order
- Sichuan mala crab, spicy prawns, chili lobster.
🕐 Hours
Mon11 AM–3 AMTue11 AM–3 AMWed11 AM–3 AMThu11 AM–3 AMFri11 AM–3 AMSat11 AM–3 AMSun11 AM–3 AM
📞 +60 12-887 7996
“Jumbo Palace brings real Sichuan fire to Borneo seafood. The mala crab is intense.”— SabahTravel.com
“Perfect for late-night eats when most seafood spots have closed.”— Facebook Reviews
6Fish Market Restaurant
Seafood · Sauna SteamboatVerdict: Premium KK seafood — live tanks, refined setting, and the famous sauna steamboat.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Premium live-tank seafood and sauna steamboat
- Strengths
- Live tanks · Unique sauna steamboat · Sutera Avenue · No pork
- Limitations
- Higher price · Needs transport from center
- Price / value
- MYR 35–90 · 4.3★
- What to order
- Sauna steamboat (signature), fresh lobster, seafood platter.
🕐 Hours
Mon12–3 PM, 5–11 PMTue12–3 PM, 5–11 PMWed12–3 PM, 5–11 PMThu12–3 PM, 5–11 PMFri12–3 PM, 5–11 PMSat12–3 PM, 5–11 PMSun12–3 PM, 5–11 PM
🌐 Website📞 +60 12-803 5757
“The sauna steamboat at Fish Market is unique. Fresh seafood steamed to perfection.”— AmazingBorneo.com
“For upscale experience, Fish Market offers live tanks and refined setting.”— TripAdvisor
7Suang Tain Seafood Restaurant
Chinese SeafoodVerdict: Always packed, always fast — no-frills seafood beloved by locals for fresh crab.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Fresh crab and prawns in a bustling local atmosphere
- Strengths
- Popular with locals · Fast service · 2,900+ reviews · Great crab
- Limitations
- Opens late (2:30 PM) · Crowded · Basic decor
- Price / value
- MYR 25–60 · 4.0★
- What to order
- Fresh crab (any style), prawns, lobster, oysters.
🕐 Hours
Mon2:30–11 PMTue2:30–11 PMWed2:30–11 PMThu2:30–11 PMFri2:30–11 PMSat2:30–11 PMSun2:30–11 PM
📞 +60 11-2615 5796
“Suang Tain is always crowded but service is fast. The crab is consistently excellent.”— SabahTravel.com
“Less touristy than Welcome Seafood, arguably better value.”— Google Reviews
8Gayang Seafood Restaurant
Halal SeafoodVerdict: Halal-certified waterfront gem — pick live seafood from display tanks at affordable prices.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Halal waterfront seafood with live tanks
- Strengths
- Halal certified · Waterfront · Live tanks · 3,000+ reviews
- Limitations
- Outside central KK · Limited days · Needs transport
- Price / value
- MYR 20–60 · 4.1★
- What to order
- Chili crab, grilled fish, fresh clams. Pick from tanks.
🕐 Hours
Mon11 AM–2 PM, 3–9 PMTue11 AM–2 PM, 3–9 PMWedClosedThu11 AM–2 PM, 3–9 PMFriClosedSatClosedSunClosed
📞 +60 16-810 5385
“Gayang is the go-to for halal seafood in KK. Waterfront views, chili crab is phenomenal.”— AmazingBorneo.com
“Worth the drive. Very fair prices for quality and freshness.”— Facebook Reviews
9Sembulan Lobster Restaurant
Lobster · SteamboatVerdict: KK’s lobster specialist — great for steamboat too.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Lobster dishes and steamboat platters
- Strengths
- Lobster specialist · Good steamboat · Family-friendly
- Limitations
- Closed Wednesdays · Not walkable from center
- Price / value
- MYR 30–80 · 4.2★
- What to order
- Lobster (any preparation), seafood steamboat platter.
🕐 Hours
Mon12–2:30 PM, 5:30–10:30 PMTue12–2:30 PM, 5:30–10:30 PMWedClosedThu12–2:30 PM, 5:30–10:30 PMFri12–2:30 PM, 5:30–10:30 PMSat12–2:30 PM, 5:30–10:30 PMSun12–2:30 PM, 5:30–10:30 PM
📞 +60 88-211 795
“If lobster is what you want, Sembulan Lobster is the obvious choice.”— SabahTravel.com
“The steamboat is excellent — great for families wanting interactive dining.”— Google Reviews
10New Gaya Seafood Restaurant
Chinese SeafoodVerdict: Hidden gem in Plaza Shell — excellent butter prawns and stir-fried clams.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Solid everyday seafood in a central location
- Strengths
- Central · Open daily · Good butter prawns · Reasonable prices
- Limitations
- Smaller restaurant · Less known to tourists
- Price / value
- MYR 20–55 · 4.2★
- What to order
- Butter prawns (signature), stir-fried clams, steamed fish.
🕐 Hours
Mon10:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–10 PMTue10:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–10 PMWed10:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–10 PMThu10:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–10 PMFri10:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–10 PMSat10:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–10 PMSun10:30 AM–2:30 PM, 5–10 PM
📞 +60 88-338 945
“New Gaya does excellent butter prawns — rich, fragrant, and perfectly cooked.”— SabahTravel.com
“Great for quick seafood lunch without big restaurant crowds.”— Google Reviews
11Imperial Seafood Restaurant
Chinese Seafood · HotpotVerdict: Live aquarium tanks where you handpick dinner. DIY hotpot adds to the fun.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Interactive live-tank dining and hotpot
- Strengths
- Live aquarium · DIY hotpot · Central · 4.2★
- Limitations
- Smaller than big-name spots · Dinner-focused
- Price / value
- MYR 25–70 · 4.2★
- What to order
- Pick live seafood — lobster, prawns, grouper. Hotpot for groups.
🕐 Hours
Mon12–2 PM, 5:15–10 PMTue12–2 PM, 5:15–10 PMWed12–2 PM, 5:15–10 PMThu12–2 PM, 5:15–10 PMFri12–2 PM, 5:15–10 PMSat12–2 PM, 5:15–10 PMSun12–2 PM, 5:15–10 PM
📞 +60 88-488 895
“Imperial lets you choose from the tank — the freshest possible experience.”— SabahTravel.com
“DIY hotpot is great fun with a group. Fresh ingredients, comfortable setting.”— Google Reviews
12New Luyang Restaurant
Chinese SeafoodVerdict: Long-standing local favorite away from tourists — classic Chinese seafood done right.
Quick comparison
- Best for
- Authentic local dining away from tourist crowds
- Strengths
- Local institution · No tourists · Classic Chinese seafood
- Limitations
- Closed Thursdays · Opens late (2 PM) · Needs transport
- Price / value
- MYR 25–60 · 4.2★
- What to order
- Steamed fish, chili crab, salted egg prawns.
🕐 Hours
Mon2–10 PMTue2–10 PMWed2–10 PMThuClosedFri2–10 PMSat2–10 PMSun2–10 PM
📞 +60 88-252 431
“Luyang is the locals’ pick — no tourists, no fuss, properly cooked fresh seafood.”— AmazingBorneo.com
“Head to Luyang to eat where Sabahans eat.”— Google Reviews
FAQ
What is the best seafood restaurant in Kota Kinabalu?
Welcome Seafood is the most famous (7,300+ reviews). KK Garden has the highest rating (4.5★). Locals prefer Suang Tain or New Luyang. Gayang and Kampung Nelayan are top halal options.
How much does seafood cost in Kota Kinabalu?
Budget options like Fatt Kee start at MYR 15/person ($3.50). Mid-range averages MYR 30–60 ($7–14). Premium meals run MYR 60–100 ($14–23). Dinner for two with crab, prawns, and fish costs MYR 100–150 ($23–35).
Are there halal seafood restaurants in Kota Kinabalu?
Yes. Kampung Nelayan and Gayang Seafood are halal certified. Most others are Muslim-friendly including Welcome Seafood, Fatt Kee, Fish Market, and Suang Tain.
What seafood dishes should I try in Kota Kinabalu?
Must-try: butter prawns, kam heong crab, steamed fish with soy sauce, salted egg prawns. Local specialties: hinava (raw fish salad) and latok (sea grapes). Sichuan mala crab at Jumbo Palace is a standout.
When is the best time to eat seafood in Kota Kinabalu?
March–October has the freshest catches. Dinner (6–9 PM) is liveliest. Some restaurants only open afternoon. Fatt Kee opens at 7 AM.
Where do locals eat seafood in Kota Kinabalu?
Locals prefer Suang Tain, New Luyang, Fatt Kee, and Gayang over tourist spots. KK Central Market is popular for wholesale fresh seafood.
How We Picked These
We combined Reddit recommendations from r/Sabah with editorial picks from SabahTravel.com, AmazingBorneo.com, and NeverEndingFootsteps.com. Every restaurant was verified using the Google Places API for current ratings, review counts, hours, and addresses. The list prioritizes strong local reputations, verified ratings above 3.7★, and diverse experiences (budget to premium, halal options, unique concepts).
