A food lover’s guide to Desaru Coast, Malaysia

The fine dining outlet of the exquisite Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas, Sea.Fire.Salt epitomises beachside dining. Overlooking the water, the restaurant breathes new life into seafood and steak-forward dining experiences. Its menu takes shape with Malaysian tropical sturgeon caviar, applewood smoked beef carpaccio, an impressive selection of premium steaks served with dijon, mint sauce, or whole grain Pommery, and seafood platters with local rock lobster, yellow fin tuna, and calamari.

You’ll also find mains of beef wellington, wild mushroom risotto, and deboned spring chicken. In an effort to champion sustainability, the restaurant sources its herbs and produce from a Desaru Coast-based hydroponic farm and partners with a fish farm located in Johor. 

See also: Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas promises a memorable beach getaway

Is there anywhere more fitting for a sushi dinner than by the coast? Hoshi puts contemporary twists on Japanese tradition, housed in One & Only Desaru Coast. Its omakase menu is a masterclass in precision and Japanese sensibility, only showcasing produce in season when each ingredient is at the peak of its flavour. Its most elaborate omakase selection begins with five appetisers and a tempura dish before eleven pieces of nigiri, culminating in a portion of miso soup and a sweet course.

For drinks, diners can expect highballs infused with yuzu, a floral gin and cherry tipple, and a respectable sake and plum wine list.

Prego at The Westin Desaru Coast offers unfussy, authentic Italian fare by the sea. Its menu is a showcase of Italian classics, from beef carpaccio with sun-dried tomatoes and caprese salad to pizzas coated in house-made tomato sauce and braised Australian beef short ribs served with creamy polenta.

A cheese platter complemented by grape jam and honey, sharing plates made for two of seafood risotto or a kilogram of Australian Angus porterhouse, and pastas dotted with fresh clams, paired with smoked veal, or smothered in tomato sauce can also be expected. For dessert, opt for a slice of its tiramisu or mango panna cotta. 

Don’t miss: Tatler Dining Guide 2024: The best Italian restaurants in Malaysia

With a panoramic view of Anantara Desaru Coast Resort & Villas’ greenery and breathtaking coastline, it is hard not to make time for a cocktail at Observatory Bar. Signature cocktails here see playful additions of tropical flavours, with concoctions crafted with lemongrass syrup, galangal cordial, banana liqueur, pickled ginger brine, and chilli syrup. As no trip to the beach would be complete without a refreshing mojito, the bar offers multiple incarnations of the cocktail, from mint-leaf packed tipples infused with passionfruit and peach to pineapple and ginger.

If you prefer to stick to the classics, Observatory Bar offers a lineup of staple cocktails including dry martinis, negronis, and caipirinhas—the mojito’s not-so-distant cousin. 

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