OITOM Restaurant Kota Kinabalu - Only the Best Local Produce Creates the Best Fine Dining in Kota Kinabalu

Taking its name from the Kadazan-Dusun word for ‘black’ (an indigenous ethnic group of Sabah) is just the first hint that OITOM Restaurant Kota Kinabalu is serious about representing the indigenous culture of Borneo’s northern province through its incredible menu of locally sourced seasonal dishes. OITOM Restaurant has always been proud to partner itself with the local farmers and from the outset they have been determined to source the freshest local produce from across Sabah, including signature seafood from the waters of the South China Sea. The restaurant is also keen to lend its support to micro-producers and local artisans from across the region to create a sustainable food culture that supports smaller-scale producers while ensuring only the best ingredients are served on the OITOM Restaurant menu and that the restaurant remains the best place to eat in Kota Kinabalu. The genius behind OITOM, Chef Raphael Lee Jay Peter, began his journey to owning one of the best restaurants Kota Kinabalu in Singapore where he honed his skills and technical expertise at the highly regarded Chinatown eatery, Kilo Kitchen. It was then off to the southeastern Australian state of Victoria and the city of Melbourne where he immersed himself in the city’s vibrant food scene. After nearly a decade away expanding his culinary vocabulary, Chef Raphael returned to Malaysia where he opened OITOM Restaurant and has continued to fine-tune his skills and promote Kota Kinabalu fine dining by championing the rich heritage of Borneo’s cuisine and supporting local farmers and fisherfolk. Chef Raphael and his dedicated team continue to wow customers at OITOM Restaurant by introducing them to an ever-changing seasonal menu that is an intricate balance of aromas, textures, and flavors that perfectly define Sabah cuisine and that of the indigenous Kadazan-Dusun community and culture.

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OITOM Restaurant Mixes Modernity and Tradition to Create Award-Winning Kota Kinabalu Fine Dining

The nine-course HERITAGE Full Experience degustation menu is a firm favorite of diners at OITOM and highlights Kota Kinabalu fine dining and the best of Borneo’s locally sourced ingredients, while the impeccable imagination of Chef Raphael pays tribute to Sabah’s traditional cuisine. Specialties past and present include a Hinava of cured and smoked grouper, Tenom corn chicken with wild honey and mango, slipper lobster with tuhau (Sabah’s wild ginger) and saffron bisque, aged Perak duck with pumpkin and duck jus, as well as tasty OITOM Restaurant deserts including Borneo vanilla with strawberry and chiffon, and single estate cacao with keluak and bambangan (a uniquely delicious black nut and wild mango). Recognized by locals and visitors around the globe for offering the best fine dining in Kota Kinabalu, OITOM Restaurant has been a constant contender for the crown of the best restaurant in Kota Kinabalu since opening its doors in 2019. Opening just before the world was hit by the worldwide closures in reaction to covid, the team at the newest addition to Kota Kinabalu fine dining took a philosophical view to the shutdown realizing that a slow year would give them the opportunity to “create and improve”. As well as sourcing the very finest local ingredients from around the region, the team at OITOM Restaurant has scoured the globe to provide the perfect wines to pair with their menu as well as sumptuous sakes from Japan and local brews from around Malaysia to complement the unique taste of Sabah’s finest seasonal produce. Sure to get the nod from the people at MICHELIN when MICHELIN Malaysia casts its gaze wider than Penang and Kuala Lumpur, the best place for dinner in Kota Kinabalu currently gets top marks on Tatler’s list of the best restaurants in Malaysia and is gaining in popularity even before the well-deserved gastronomy gongs start to stack up on their shelves. Start your next holiday itinerary in Sabah with a visit to OITOM in Kota Kinabalu, the Secret Retreats concierges are standing by to help you plan and book now.

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Sophistication and Warmth at OITOM Restaurant – the Best Place for Dinner in Kota Kinabalu

Guests stepping through the doors of the best place for dinner in Kota Kinabalu can expect a high level of sophistication fused with the natural warmth of Sabah’s indigenous culture as represented by the interior design and decor of the OITOM Restaurant. Every aspect of the dining experience from the subtle lighting to the elegant furniture has been carefully chosen to create a feeling of luxurious comfort, ensuring that the evening is truly unforgettable. Although Chef Raphael and his team at OITOM Restaurant are intent that diners aren’t distracted from the virtuosity and finesse behind each of the kitchen’s creations, he is keen that guests are made to feel they have his full attention and are treated to the personal touch. With this in mind, each dish is served from the open kitchen by the chef who has created it, and diners are treated to a short narrative from the chef who then explains each uniquely crafted course. OITOM Restaurant prides itself on being the Kota Kinabalu fine dining choice for everyone including couples on a romantic date, families and groups of friends looking for an unforgettable night out, company dinners looking to impress clients at the best place for dinner in Kota Kinabalu, as well as birthday and anniversary celebrations. The dress-code is smart casual and guests are asked to arrive at 7 pm for their booking. Halal, pork-free, and vegetarian options are also available, and arrangements can be made for wheelchairs and the provision of baby chairs. The restaurant is open from 19.00 – 23.00 every day except Tuesdays and basement parking is available at Unit No B-1-12, Block B,1st Floor, Sutera Avenue, Lorong Lebuh Sutera, Off Jalan Coastal, 88100 Kota Kinabalu.

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