Sarawak’s laid-back capital might be best known for its slow, meandering river and feline statues that give the “Cat City” its name, but Kuching has plenty of claws when it comes to food and culture. Perched on the banks of the Sarawak River, the Malaysian city is home to heritage shophouses, buzzy markets, street food gems, and indie cafés. Best part? It’s just a quick hop from Singapore – flights clock in at around an hour to 90 minutes – making it the ideal short getaway with a difference.
Base yourself at the newly refreshed Hilton Kuching in the heart of the city. The hotel’s transformation comes with sleek rooms overlooking the river, family-friendly perks like Malaysia’s first Hilton Kids Club and a kids’ pool, plus brand-new dining concepts that champion both global flavours and local produce. Whether you’re here for a weekend escape or a pit stop before exploring Borneo’s rainforests, a couple of days is all you need to get a real taste of the city.
First order of business: roll into town and check into Hilton Kuching. Drop your bags in a newly redesigned room, with a choice of either the river or city view. If you’re travelling with kids, send them straight to the Kids Club or let them splash about in the kids’ pool with its mini waterfall. For a sweat sesh, the spacious gym comes fully equipped, even with a reformer and a Himalayan salt sauna – a rare hotel perk.
Stay close to ‘home’ for your first dinner in Kuching – Toh Yuen, Hilton Kuching’s halal-certified Chinese restaurant, has just been given a stylish refresh. Feast your eyes on the elegant fittings of Toh Yuen’s modern Chinese interiors and an unfettered view of the Sarawak River, before settling into your seat. Here, you’ll be served Cantonese classics with a Sarawakian twist, whipped up with local produce and flavours. Must-tries include the buttered prawns and midin midin, a local Sarawakian fern that’s stir-fried with garlic.
Afterwards, head out to The River View Terrace, Hilton Kuching’s open-air deck, for a glass of wine and front-row views of the river and the iconic Darul Hana Bridge. It’s the perfect place to toast your first night in the Cat City as the sky turns from fiery orange to deep indigo.
Start your day with a hearty breakfast at Hilton Kuching’s River View Café. This airy buffet restaurant takes you on a tour of the world’s cuisines, but make a beeline for the local spread: rich mee jawa, springy kolo mee tossed in sauce, and of course, Sarawak laksa – a fiery kick to wake up your tastebuds. Nab an outdoor seat for morning views of the city stirring to life.
Once fuelled up, take a short walk down to heritage sites, including Tua Pek Kong Temple. It’s the oldest Taoist temple in the city, with a history dating back to before 1839. Then hop on the boat or stroll across the pedestrian bridge to the other side of the river to Pangkalan Sapi, a historic landing point. Here’s also where you can visit Fort Margherita. Now a museum, it was first built in 1879 to protect against pirates. Continue down for the iconic Sarawak State Assembly building and the tallest flagpole in Southeast Asia.
Brave a fiery bowl of Sarawak Laksa for lunch? The popular 126 Laksa is just a ten-minute walk from Hilton Kuching. But hurry – it’s only open till 2.30pm. Time Out tip: only order the spiciest version if you’ve got nerves of steel.
Alternatively, head to Lamin at Telang Usan Hotel to savour the flavours of Borneo's best greens and delicacies, such as nasi goreng dabai; umai, a dish of sliced raw fish marinated in lime and condiments; and manok pansoh, a chicken stew with tapioca leaves that’s traditionally cooked in bamboo.
After lunch, walk it off through Kuching’s colourful markets down India Street. Here you’ll find everything from handicrafts and textiles to snacks and trinkets worth stuffing into your carry-on. Along the way, pop into a café or two. The Fern is a lush, greenery-filled spot for a caffeine fix, while Chàs dishes out croissants so big, you basically get two for the price of one.
When the afternoon heat sets in, IG Ais Kacang Gambier’s signature shaved ice dessert hits the spot. It’s drizzled with gula apong, Sarawak’s smoky palm sugar, which you can also enjoy in pearl form with bubble tea.
For dinner, Kantin at The Granary serves its take on tribal dishes and native ingredients, with a side of Sarawak’s own rice wine, tuak, if you fancy.
Round off the night with a well-earned drink. Keep it cosy at The Other Side, one of Kuching’s slick speakeasies, or go local with live bands and easy-going vibes at the Kuching Culture Club. Either way, you’ll end the day on a high note.
Set the alarm early for a quick caffeine fix at the hotel’s café, The Koffee, before booking a 40-minute ride to Semenggoh Wildlife Centre, where orangutans emerge from the forest for their morning feed at 9am. The session lasts around an hour — plenty of time to watch a few of these incredible apes swing down from the trees. You can either hop on the buggy or take the hilly walk to the feeding site. Then head back to Hilton Kuching and enjoy the amenities one last time before checking out.
Start planning your trip to Kuching, Malaysia and book your stay at Hilton Kuching here.
