Al Fresco at Shangri-La Rasa Ria

Al Fresco is the beachfront restaurant at Shangri-La Rasa Ria, the sister property to Tanjung Aru, set on Pantai Dalit beach about forty-five minutes north of the city. The restaurant is literally on the sand — tables set on a raised wooden deck that opens directly onto the beach, torches at dusk, a kitchen that runs both a raw bar and a wood-fired grill at opposite ends of the terrace.

The menu is Mediterranean-leaning with a strong Sabah-seafood layer. The raw bar covers oysters (Sabah-farmed), sashimi-grade local tuna, and ceviches. The grill section does tiger prawns, whole sea bass, sword-fish, and a rib-eye option for non-pescatarian diners. Pasta and risotto courses anchor the middle of the menu. Dessert is limited but competent.

The setting is the differentiator. Pantai Dalit is a long, quiet beach — Rasa Ria's occupancy fills perhaps a quarter of it — and the sunset line is uninterrupted. The Rasa Ria property also operates an orangutan care centre on its grounds, which makes the pre-dinner walk a particular Borneo moment.

For first dates, Al Fresco is the unintimidating version of a luxury-resort dinner. The beach-deck format keeps the temperature relaxed, the Mediterranean menu is universally easy to order from, and the sunset on Pantai Dalit is the photograph everyone sends home.

Why it fits First Date

First Date belongs here because Al Fresco is a barefoot-romantic dinner without the pressure of a fine-dining tasting menu. The beach, the raw bar, the wood-fired grill, and the sunset — a date that starts well with Borneo air on the table.