BiG Appetite: Ba Lin Rooftop Bar & Restaurant
Sitting at the helm of an aged landmark that’s been around since the 1960s is a rooftop dining area that brings to mind the dreaminess of a relaxing holiday in somewhere Europe and the exotic sense of adventure that only Asia can afford you. With a charming mishmash of wooden furniture, patio dining setups and a stunning vista of sleepy Sandakan town, this is the safe haven people come home to for some well-deserved downtime. Fresh off a six-month hiatus and rearing to jet-set again, Ba Lin Rooftop welcomes guests to have a good time and hey, travel the world while you’re at it, with a sophisticated dining concept designed to send diners on “a thematic culinary adventure served family style”.
Monthly specials are curated to squash that travel bug (if only for a night!) and every month sends you to a different destination; some months you’re eagerly slurping on swimmer crab and prawn gumbo in Louisiana, the next you might be devouring lamb mince and smoked aubergine moussaka in Santorini, or sitting pretty in front of a truffle and oyster vol au vent mushroom pot pie in Paris. We especially love that owners Linn and Anton, in their monthly quests to transport diners to some faraway place (while using as little processed food and more whole food groups as possible), also bring in key ingredients or authentic condiments from the place of origin “to be true to the roots of these cuisines and their food philosophy”.
Aside from serving up a good meal and a memorable experience, Linn wants the food to speak for itself and the diverse capabilities of their local Sandakan born-and-bred cooks. So if you’re one for exploration and “making meaningful connections under the stars” over good food and good drinks, Ba Lin might just be the perfect destination for you.
Nak Hotel, Jalan Pelabuhan Lama, Town 90000
Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
Tel: 6089-272 988 / 6012-8498006
IG & FB: @balinrooftop 
