Kokol Hill · Menggatal · Sabah
The last hour of light, 800 metres above the city.
A small cafe and event venue on Kokol Hill, where the whole of Kota Kinabalu and the South China Sea sit under one sky. Forty minutes from town. Worth every one of them.
The view and the vibe.
the two things 335 Google reviews keep coming back to
Tonight’s sunset
Drag the sun
Calculated live for 6.0158°N, 116.1999°E. Come about an hour early. The colour starts before the sun does.
In 335 reviews, one word comes up more than any other.
How often each is mentioned across all 335 Google reviews. Counted by Google, not by us. The star ratings below are what each reviewer scored the atmosphere.
★★★★★ Atmosphere 5 / 5I felt like I was in another country.
lil tweetGoogle review
★★★★★ Atmosphere 5 / 5The panoramic view is definitely the highlight here. The environment alone makes the trip up to Kokol Hill worthwhile.
Jonathan ChewGoogle review
★★★★★ Atmosphere 5 / 5A hidden gem with breathtaking mountain and city views. The vibe is laid-back but refined.
Olive “Lily” OGoogle review
★★★★★ Atmosphere 5 / 5If you want a quick escape from the city’s hustle and bustle, this is it! The 10km drive uphill is worth the gorgeous views and relaxing vibes.
Gisya 19Google review
★★★★★ Rated 5 / 5The ambiance is really nice and relaxing, making it a great spot to unwind.
Timothy KandilisGoogle review
★★★★★ Atmosphere 5 / 5A 30-40 minute drive from downtown Kota Kinabalu to this place for escaping the heat and noise of the city. It’s a great sunset-watching spot.
Adam Hazique Zakwan LuhatGoogle review
★★★★★ Atmosphere 5 / 5Ok la for the view and the vibe. If you love to takes photo this place definitely worth it.
Dami ChuGoogle review
Seven of 335 · hover to pause, swipe on a phone
We only really sell one thing.
Everything else on this hill is here to help you look at it for longer.
From up here the coastline unfolds all the way out to the islands. The city sits far enough below that it goes quiet. On a clear evening the sun drops straight into the South China Sea, and for about twenty minutes the whole sky turns over.
Then the lights come on underneath you, and it becomes a different view entirely.
The air runs cooler than town all year round. Bring a light layer if you are staying till close.
Come up for the afternoon
Coffee, something sweet, and a table facing the sea.
10:30am–7pm · closed Tuesdays · walk in
Hours & what to know
Hold your day up here
Weddings, receptions and private functions, with the whole coast as the backdrop.
Gazebo, lawn and pavilion · WhatsApp to check a date
See the venueA venue that does not need decorating.
The gazebo, the lawn, the fountain courtyard and the open pavilion all face the same direction. Time your vows for golden hour and the sky does the rest of the work.
Before you drive up.
A few things worth knowing, so you get the evening you came for.
We occasionally close for a private function. It always goes on Facebook first, so it is worth a look before a long drive.
- Monday10:30am – 7:00pm
- TuesdayClosed
- Wednesday10:30am – 7:00pm
- Thursday10:30am – 7:00pm
- Friday10:30am – 7:00pm
- Saturday10:30am – 7:00pm
- Sunday10:30am – 7:00pm
Closed every Tuesday, except public holidays.
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01
Arrive by 5pm for sunsetWe close at 7pm, so the golden hour before that is the busiest and the best part of the day. Come early enough to get a table facing out.
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02
Drive up, and mind the last stretchAround 40 minutes from Kota Kinabalu through Menggatal. The final climb is narrow and winding. Ride hailing up is easy, but getting a car back down after dark can be slow, so plan the return trip before you leave town.
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03
Bring a light layerUp here it runs cooler than town, and cooler again once the sun is down. Some seating is open to the sky, so a shower moves people indoors quickly.
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04
Order first, then pick your seatMinimum one drink per person, and visitors report spending around RM20 to RM40 a head. Weekends and school holidays fill up fastest, so a quiet weekday afternoon is the easiest time to come.
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05
Signal is thin, and that is the pointWe are in the middle of a mountain, so there is no WiFi and mobile coverage comes and goes. Most people find that is the best part of the drive up.
Kokol Hill, Menggatal.
Hillside KokolRichard’s Kokol Paradise,
Kg. Kokol, Menggatal,
88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
6.015778° N, 116.199867° E
Getting here
- 1From Kota Kinabalu city, head north on the Tuaran Bypass toward Menggatal. About 20 minutes.
- 2At Menggatal, turn inland and follow the signs for Kokol Hill, past Kokol Haven.
- 3Climb Jalan Kokol. It narrows and winds for the last stretch, so take it slow, especially after rain.
- 4We are on the ridge at Richard’s Kokol Paradise. Look for the sign at the gate.
Schematic, not to scale. Roughly 40 minutes from the city centre and about 45 from the airport.
Kokol Hill sits inland from Menggatal. The last stretch is a single winding climb.
Get directionsQuestions we get asked.
Where is Hillside Kokol?
Hillside Kokol sits on Kokol Hill at Richard’s Kokol Paradise, Kg. Kokol, Menggatal, 88450 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. It is roughly 40 minutes by car north of Kota Kinabalu city centre. Coordinates: 6.015778° N, 116.199867° E.
What time does Hillside Kokol open and close?
Hillside Kokol is open daily from 10:30am to 7:00pm, and closed every Tuesday except on public holidays. We sometimes close for a private function, and that is always announced on our Facebook page first.
What time is sunset at Hillside Kokol?
Sunset in Kota Kinabalu falls at roughly 6:10pm to 6:35pm through the year, and the sky usually starts turning about 45 minutes before that. The clock at the top of this page calculates tonight’s sunset for our exact coordinates. Since Hillside Kokol closes at 7:00pm, aim to arrive by 5:00pm.
Is Hillside Kokol open on Tuesday?
No. Hillside Kokol is closed every Tuesday, unless that Tuesday is a public holiday, in which case it opens as normal.
Can you hold a wedding at Hillside Kokol?
Yes. Hillside Kokol is a cafe and an event venue. It hosts weddings, receptions and private functions on the lawn, in the gazebo and under the open pavilion, all facing the coastline. Message us on WhatsApp at 016-295 2295 to check a date.
How much does it cost to visit Hillside Kokol?
Visitors report spending around RM20 to RM40 per person on Google. There is a minimum of one drink per person rather than a ticketed entry fee. No booking is needed to walk in, and you order at the counter before choosing a seat. Event pricing depends on your date, guest numbers and setup, so it is quoted case by case.
How do I get to Hillside Kokol without a car?
Ride hailing from Kota Kinabalu will bring you up without trouble. The harder part is the trip back down, because fewer cars circulate on the hill after dark. If you are coming for sunset, arrange your return ride before you leave the city.
Is there WiFi at Hillside Kokol?
No. Hillside Kokol is on a mountain, so there is no WiFi and the mobile signal comes and goes. It is not a reliable place to work from, and most visitors treat that as part of the appeal.
Do I need to book a table at Hillside Kokol?
No, the cafe is walk-in. You order at the counter first, then find your seat. Weekends, school holidays and the hour before sunset are the busiest window, so arriving earlier gives you a better chance at a table facing the view.
Come up before the light goes.
Walk in for coffee, or message us about holding your day up here. We answer on WhatsApp.