The short answer
October Coffee, Gaya: what visitors should know first
A good coffee and light-bite break in the old town, with no pork focus. Vegetarian options are likely on a cafe menu but we could not confirm them, so ask. It is not a full Sabahan meal.
Useful facts
October Coffee, Gaya facts at a glance
- Location
- 13 Lorong Dewan, Pusat Bandar, 88000 Kota Kinabalu
- Dining style
- Third-wave coffee cafe
- Try
- Coffee, French toast, scones
- Other branches
- Latitude 6 and Peak Vista, per Sabah Travel
- Diet
- Not confirmed; no tag
Why it matters
Why October Coffee, Gaya is worth your time
Kota Kinabalu's food is mostly noodle shops and seafood, and a decent coffee break in the old town is useful when you have older relatives who need to sit down. October Coffee is named by three separate pages, so it is a safe, well-known choice for that.
It is also a gentle way to see the Lorong Dewan lanes, which are quieter than Gaya Street itself. Treat it as a light, café-style stop rather than a showpiece meal, and plan your proper Sabahan meal at a laksa, noodle or seafood place.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Coffee
Sabah Travel calls it third-wave coffee.
- 02
Light plates
French toast, scones and sandwiches are named.
- 03
Old-town base
Lorong Dewan sits behind Gaya Street.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
The Hello Sabah Food Trail article lists October Coffee House among its Muslim-friendly picks, Sabah Travel describes third-wave coffee, French toast and scones, and Amazing Borneo gives the Gaya branch address as 13 Lorong Dewan with coffee, sandwiches and desserts.
Use it as a rest stop between the Gaya Street shops, the Atkinson Clock Tower and the Sunday market. A coffee and one shared plate is enough for most people. Sabah Travel also lists other October Coffee branches at Latitude 6 and Peak Vista, so check you have the right one.
We did not find a menu that proves any dish is meat-free or vegan, so there is no diet tag. Vegetarians can ask staff what contains egg, meat or stock before ordering.
Plan with confidence
Small checks that make a better meal.
- Confirm the Gaya branch address and hours
- Ask staff about egg, meat or stock
- Avoid peak Sunday market crowds
- Combine with the clock tower
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- 13 Lorong Dewan, Pusat Bandar
- Time needed
- 45 to 60 minutes
- Best time
- Morning or mid-afternoon
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- The cafe is in the Gaya Street old-town lanes, so the walk is flat but the pavements are uneven in places. Ask for a table near the door if you prefer a short step in, and avoid the busy Sunday market hours if you dislike crowds.
- Tickets and access
- No reservation is normally needed for a cafe. Hours are not confirmed on the pages we opened, so check before you go.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near October Coffee, Gaya
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
The cafe is in the Gaya Street old-town lanes, so the walk is flat but the pavements are uneven in places. Ask for a table near the door if you prefer a short step in, and avoid the busy Sunday market hours if you dislike crowds.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is October Coffee vegetarian?
It is a cafe, but we could not confirm a vegetarian menu; ask staff.
Does it serve a full meal?
It is a coffee and light-plate stop, not a full Sabahan meal.
Which branch?
This listing covers the Gaya branch at 13 Lorong Dewan; other branches exist.
Sources and further reading
- Hello Sabah: KK Food Trail, 29 restaurants
- Sabah Travel: Top restaurants in KK
- Amazing Borneo: Kota Kinabalu food directory
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
