Places to Eat in Sandakan
As with most destinations for tourists in Malaysia, Sandakan is a bit of a cultural melting pot when it comes to food and it should be easy enough to find food choices to suit even the fussiest eater. From street food and market stalls to more sophisticated options you can generally expect fresh and tasty food for very budget friendly prices.
It’s a quiet town so there’s not a big nightlife scene but there are a few good spots to enjoy in the evening. It is worth being aware that restaurants tend to close fairly early here – we popped out for food at around 8pm one night and pretty much all the smaller eateries were closed or on their way to closing which limited our choices a bit!
Seafood
First and foremost, any traveller in Sandakan should enjoy some of the fresh and delicious seafood that’s on offer in many of the town’s restaurants. There’s a big fishing community here and it definitely shows in the food that’s available. Often you’ll just be presented with the catch of the day in large tanks outside the restaurant and you can pick whatever you fancy to be cooked fresh with any sides you’d like.
Ocean King Seafood Restaurant is a good choice and has a good location right on the seafront. Outside of town and nearer to the airport is D’Sandakan Seafood Paradise which also gets good write ups.
Western and International Food
There’s also some good choices when it comes to Indian food in Sandakan. Restoran Ajmeer is located just outside the centre of town and is popular with tourists and locals, specialising in South Indian food including lamb biryani and fish head curry amongst other dishes. The Sandakan Curry House claims to boast the best fish head curry in town, whilst Habeeb Restaurant serves a good Indian menu alongside some Malay dishes.
For Chinese food consider trying the Imperial Bay View by the Harbour, and Restaurant 20-20 can be found at the Bandar Kim Fung and has a range of non halal Chinese cuisine although it’s more popular with tourists than locals. The best option for budget friendly Chinese food is at the street stalls.
If you’re less adventurous and want fast food or trusted western options then there are several chain restaurants in Sandakan. There is a large KFC and a McDonald’s in the central shopping centre which are good options if you’re on a budget.
The best spot in town for Western food is the English Tea House which is an attraction in its own right, set in beautiful gardens and offering some amazing views over the coast. This has been preserved and restored in the style of a traditional Colonial style tea house and is a lovely spot to spend a sunny afternoon. They have a range of traditional afternoon teas, including delicious scones with cream and jam, and of course plenty of tea. Prices are surprisingly reasonable and it’s located on the heritage trail so worth checking out.
Finally, for more casual western dining The Sheraton offers a couple of options. Wrapped is a small deli that offers coffee and other drinks, as well as wraps and snacks, in a comfortable environment. The Eatery is the main dining restaurant and offers lovely ocean views - a popular spot for sunset drinks as well as dinner. Some also choose to come here to fill up on a hearty breakfast and prices are fairly reasonable given the location.
Markets and Street Food
If you’re on a budget but looking for more exotic food then there are some small food stalls offering traditional Malay cuisine at low prices – try the Central Market, Bandar Kim Fung Market and Mile Eight Market for starters. Many will also offer Chinese dishes if you fancy something different.
