"Kota Kinabalu's Italian fine-dining room over the South China Sea: Venice-born chef Daniele's Black Angus tomahawk and crab carbonara at the Magellan Sutera."
About Ferdinand's
Ferdinand's is the Italian fine-dining restaurant of The Magellan Sutera Resort, on Level 2 of the hotel at Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu, overlooking the South China Sea. It is the resort's signature special-occasion room, separate from the casual outlets at the neighbouring Pacific Sutera, and it has built a reputation as one of the city's most romantic tables.
The kitchen is led by chef Daniele, born in Mestre, near Venice, who joined Sutera Harbour in 2013 and brought a Venetian streak to the menu. For the wider field see the Kota Kinabalu dining guide.
The Kitchen
Chef Daniele cooks classic and modern Italian with an emphasis on grilling and seafood. The signature is a grilled Black Angus tomahawk, served with garden vegetables and roast potatoes under a beef-juice reduction and mustard sauce, priced at about RM380 net for two to share. A crab carbonara, cod and a chocolate pudding with pistachio ice cream are among the dishes regulars return for.
The wine list is built for a resort fine-dining room, and the sea-view setting is part of the meal. See more of the region's Italian tables and the Kota Kinabalu guide.
The Room
The dining room sits on the second floor of the Magellan Sutera with windows onto the South China Sea, and the mood is formal and romantic, the resort's room for proposals and anniversaries. It opens Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner and closes on Mondays. The setting, over the water at sunset, is the reason couples book it, and service is attentive in the resort style.
What to Order
Order the grilled Black Angus tomahawk to share, chef Daniele's signature at about RM380 net for two, and the crab carbonara, and finish with the chocolate pudding and pistachio ice cream. Time the booking for sunset over the water. For other options in the city, see the Italian picks across Kota Kinabalu.
Best for a Proposal or Anniversary
Ferdinand's suits a proposal or an anniversary: a formal Italian room over the South China Sea, a Venetian chef and a sunset view, the resort's table for the evenings that matter. See more proposal tables and the Kota Kinabalu dining guide.
Not for
Not for a quick or casual meal: Ferdinand's is a formal resort fine-dining room priced for special occasions, it closes on Mondays, and it sits inside the Magellan Sutera rather than in the city centre.
Frequently Asked
Where is Ferdinand's in Kota Kinabalu?
Ferdinand's is on Level 2 of The Magellan Sutera Resort, 1 Sutera Harbour Boulevard, Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu, in Sabah, Malaysia. It is the resort's Italian fine-dining room, overlooking the South China Sea, and is separate from the casual outlets at the neighbouring Pacific Sutera. It opens Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner and closes on Mondays.
Who is the chef at Ferdinand's?
The kitchen is led by chef Daniele, who was born in Mestre, near Venice, and joined Sutera Harbour Resort in 2013. He brings a Venetian accent to a classic and modern Italian menu, with grilling and seafood at its centre. His best-known dish is the grilled Black Angus tomahawk, and the restaurant is regarded as one of Kota Kinabalu's leading Italian fine-dining rooms.
What should I order at Ferdinand's?
Order the grilled Black Angus tomahawk, chef Daniele's signature, served with garden vegetables and roast potatoes at about RM380 net for two to share. Other dishes regulars return for include the crab carbonara, cod and a chocolate pudding with pistachio ice cream. Time the reservation for sunset over the South China Sea, which is part of the appeal.
Is Ferdinand's good for a special occasion?
Yes. Ferdinand's is The Magellan Sutera's special-occasion room, a formal Italian dining space over the South China Sea that couples book for proposals and anniversaries. The sea-view setting, the Venetian chef and the tomahawk-for-two format are built for an event rather than a quick meal. It opens Tuesday to Sunday and closes on Mondays, so plan around that.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Ferdinand's
Magellan Sutera Resort, Sutera Harbour
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Practical Information
AddressLevel 2, The Magellan Sutera Resort, Sutera Harbour, Kota Kinabalu
NeighbourhoodSutera Harbour
CuisineItalian fine dining
SignatureGrilled Black Angus tomahawk
PriceTomahawk about RM380 net for two
ChefDaniele (Venice)
HoursTue to Sun; closed Mondays
