Harbour Bistro Cafe
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Harbour Bistro Cafe
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Seafood, Asian, Malaysian
Meal types
Lunch, Dinner, After-hours
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly
FEATURES
Outdoor Seating
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Does this restaurant accept bookings?
Save this restaurant
Hours
Closed now
• Opens at 6:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 pm - 2:00 am
Monday
6:00 pm - 2:00 am
Tuesday
6:00 pm - 2:00 am
Wednesday
6:00 pm - 2:00 am
Thursday
6:00 pm - 2:00 am
Friday
6:00 pm - 2:00 am
Saturday
6:00 pm - 2:00 am
Contribute
4.0
117 reviews
Excellent
33
Very good
63
Average
14
Poor
4
Terrible
3
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HnS_11
131 contributions
Apr 2024 • family
Fantastic place to have dinner.
At the far edge of the harbour (next to naval base) & easy walking distance from Sabah Hotel.
Service was great and the menu had fantastic choice.
Try the fish fingers - they are thin strips of crispy breaded white fish fillet and are out of this world.
The prawn fritters were sold out each time we went.
I’d recommend you book if you want to eat early - it’s mad busy until about 8pm. Very very reasonably priced as well with dishes ranging from R8.50 for light bites (which are a very good portion) to R10-R18 for main meals including full red snapper.
Probably one of two best places to eat and one of few places you can get a beer.
Written 11 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
WirksWanderer
Matlock157 contributions
Nov 2024 • friends
A surprising little cafe / restaurant at the far end of the harbour walk in Sandakan.
In a town with sparse good food outlets this small restaurant offers excellent food, friendly service and all at very reasonable prices.
If you’re visiting Sandakan try this one out you won’t be disappointed.
Written 29 November 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pontus M
Stockholm8 contributions
Sept 2022 • couples
As two vegans we were happy that the staff seemed to understand what vegan food meant. We ordered a vegetarian dish without fish sauce and it was good. We added aubergine and they missed the tofu first but they came out with it fast after we noticed them. It was a good meal with some cold beer and a pretty nice breeze from the sea. The prizes were average.
Written 7 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Francesco T.
Bologna21 contributions
Jul 2024 • couples
The restaurant is located on the seafront. The location is very spartan, however the staff is extremely friendly and the food is good. We tasted appetizers (fried calamari and lobster balls) and main courses (dry butter shrimps and dry crab), all accompanied by Tiger and Ancor beers. Portions are hearty and the fish is fresh. The value for money is great.
Automatically translated
Written 1 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sandra D
Adelaide48 contributions
Jun 2024 • friends
Outdoor dining on the harbour, next to the naval dock. Our group visited for a casual dinner. Friendly staff. A wide selection of Asian foods on offer, including the opportunity to select locally caught fish from nearby fish cafe. Would recommend the seafood combination Lemak. We enjoyed it so much we went back the following evening.
Written 20 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steve G
11 contributions
Feb 2023 • couples
We ate here 3 times during our isit to Sandakan, and every time the food and service was excellent. My favorite was the crab rice dish (wet). It was a bit messy but so worth it - delicious! One occasion we ordered dim sum from the stand next to The Bistro, and just ordered drinks and fries from the restaurant.
Written 11 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jackie E
Auckland96 contributions
Oct 2023 • couples
One night in Sandakan - great spot for dinner. Fairly rustic like most places but on the waterfront and good prices for beer and food. Had sweet sour prawns and sizzling chicken - both very tasty
Written 12 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Andrew S
Sheffield978 contributions
Mar 2020 • friends
Along the waterfront at the end we came across the Harbour Bistro Cafe, good choice on the menu and I had the chicken rice which was delicious and the following evening had chicken wings which were also very tasty.
Beers are by the can only, staff are friendly and helpful.
It’s on the waterfront so you will get some interesting smells from time to time and large furry things ( rodents) scurrying by- don’t let that put you off, the food is really good.
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
edmichel
50 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
Lovely setting on the waterfront. Friendly service and delicious prawn dish, serving enough for 2. We also ordered the white fish filet. Much smaller portion, but still very good. The bar b que sauce on the fish was ok, but even better mixing with the prawn dish.
Written 26 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Josephine K
81 contributions
Jun 2024 • friends
We LOVED this place. The staff are super friendly and efficient, clearing tables and moving people to be on sea front if asked. We order chicken cili api which was beautiful. We also ordered calamari for starters one night and it was good but the fish fingers we got the second night were fantastic. Cold beers also available. In a small town with slim pickings this place is an absolute gem. Thank you to the great staff!!!
Written 27 June 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Frank T
Melbourne32 contributions
May 2024 • couples
Known as Bistro 88, we dined here ordered two sizzling dishes and it was delicious. Friendly service & great Malay atmosphere. Value for money.
Written 5 May 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fiona L
Edinburgh53 contributions
Jun 2023 • family
Very helpful and friendly waitress made eating here a pleasure.
We have been struggling to find vegan food , but there were options which could be adjusted to accommodate our dietary requirements.
We all had tofu added to different dishes , increasing our protein intake which has been lacking in the last few days .
I'd like to thank the waitress for her patience and making our evening meal an enjoyable experience.
Written 19 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AdrianaM
Castletown800 contributions
Oct 2022 • couples
Large portions, lots to chose from on the menu, very affordable, vegetarian options, lovely service and locals eat there so food is authentic.
Written 17 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Snarkyshark
London45 contributions
Jul 2022 • solo
Sandokan harbour area is quite grotty, rubbish strewn and run down. Many of the places reviewed on Tripadvisor did not survive the pandemic and closed. But this place is probably one of the better places to eat. Fried veg rice was perfectly good. It’s also one of the few places serving beer.
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
emilialangridge
Woking61 contributions
Nov 2019 • couples
Same as review for My Harbour as they are virtually the same restaurant. Was apprehensive about this restaurant given some reviews and the setting of the restauranr but there really is nothing to worry about. The food here is delicious, staff are friendly and the amount of choice you get is next to none. Would highly recommend this restaurant for those travellers who can ignore the odd wiff of harbour smell and the odd stray cat and just enjoy the food.Â
Written 27 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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