It is no secret that our friendly neighbour just across the causeway has become our number one destination for a quick yet affordable getaway.

Johor Bahru is known for being a cafe-hopper’s paradise but aside from that, there are a plethora of other things to do. Instead of rushing a day trip just to be stuck in the causeway traffic at the end of the day, why not consider staying for a night or two? Not only are the things here cheaper because of the exchange rate, the city also has incredibly affordable accommodation!

From feasting on lok lok to feeling like a kid again at Legoland Malaysia, here is our Johor Bahru Guide on what to see, do and eat the next time you cross the causeway.

BAK KUT TEH 

Malaysian bak kut teh is known for its distinct herbal taste, which is opposed to Singapore’s peppery rendition. If you’re a foodie like us, it is a must for you to try some of this soupy goodness when you cross the causeway.

A good place to get a taste of Malaysian bak kut teh in Johor Bahru is at the famous Restoran Soon Soon Heng Bak Kut Teh that is right opposite KSL mall.

Restoran Soon Soon Heng Bak Kut Teh
43, Jalan Serigala, Taman Abad
80250 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Daily: 8am – 8pm

CAFE HOPPING 

Johor Bahru is an established cafe paradise and there are a plethora of cafes to visit for some seriously good food. The cafe nosh here is also way cheaper than what you can get in Singapore, so that means you’ll have more money to splurge on shopping and other activities after a good meal!

CITY SQUARE MALL AND KOMTAR JBCC

The shopping begins once you cross the Malaysian checkpoint at the famous City Square Mall and Komtar JBCC. Here, you have everything you can ever need and want under one roof and many people love to come here to run errands, watch a cheap movie or to have a good meal. These two malls alone are a shopaholic’s idea of heaven!

City Square Mall
106, 108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Daily: 10am – 10pm

KOMTAR JBCC
Level 3 BUTIK ARMADA LANUN JOHOR, City Centre
80000 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Daily: 10am – 10pm 

CHEAP MASSAGES

Johor Bahru is home to a number of cheap massage parlours to relax and loosen up those tight muscles. We recommend getting a foot massage after a hectic day of running around and exploring Johor Bahru. 

One place that you can check out is QS Reflexology & Therapy. It is conveniently located in KSL Mall, so you can pop by once you’re done with a tiring day of shopping.

QS Reflexology & Therapy
GE-006, Ground Floor & L2-01a
KSL CITY, 32, Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad
80250 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +65 +60 7-331 1898
Daily: 10am – 10pm

EAT LOK LOK 

There is something oh-so-addictive about street food in any shape and form and here in Johor Bahru, we are completely obsessed with lok lok — skewered sticks of meats and vegetables which are deep-fried to a nice golden brown. These can commonly be found along the streets of Johor Bahru and make great late-night snacks!

Photo Credit: mulan_in_singapore 

EXPLORE JALAN TAN HIOK NEE 

The famous and gorgeous streets of Jalan Tan Hiok Nee are rich with history and are definitely worth exploring on your next trip to Johor Bahru. Here, you can find lots of cafes, old school local eateries as well as pretty, colourful, Instagram-worthy buildings. They even have guided heritage walks for people who are curious about the roots and beginnings of the area.

GO GO-KARTING 

For the more active ones out there, you can always try your hand at go-karting. Race along the track with your friends in tiny cars and see which one of you is the better driver! It’s also a great experience for kids who are interested in driving but are too young to do so.

You can have a go at go-karting at Permas Go-Kart Club.

Permas Go-Kart Club 
Jalan Bunga Matahari, Taman Plentong Baru
81750 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 19-711 1733
Mon to Fri: 10am – 6.30pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 6.30pm

Photo Credit: Legoland Malaysia 

HAVE FUN AT LEGOLAND MALAYSIA 

Unleash your inner child at Legoland Malaysia. This family theme park is filled with exhilarating rides that are great for both children and adults. We also adore all the breathtaking, detailed lego structures which are reminiscent of our childhood. You’ll never know; you may even end up having more fun here than the kids!

Legoland 
7, Jalan Legoland, Medini
79250 Nusajaya
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-597 8888
Daily: 10am – 6pm

Photo Credit: Klook 

JOHOR PREMIUM OUTLETS 

The best place to take advantage of the exchange rate is at Johor Premium Outlets. Not only do they house popular brands such as Nike, Puma and Kate Spade, everything here is heavily discounted. Shopaholics, rejoice!

Johor Premium Outlets
Jalan Premium Outlets Indahpura
81000 Kulai
Johor, Malaysia
Daily: 10am – 10pm

Photo Credit: M Suites Hotel Johor Bahru 

NIGHT MARKETS 

Besides the abundance of cafes and malls, there are also messy yet exciting night markets. Here, you can find plenty of classic Malaysian street food, cheap clothes and other interesting knick-knacks.

Some markets you can explore are JB KSL Monday Night Market and Taman Munsyi Ibrahim Pasar Malam.

JB KSL Monday Night Market
33 Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad
Johor, Malaysia
(Outside KSL Mall, in front of Coffee Bean)
Mon: 5pm – 9pm

Taman Munsyi Ibrahim Pasar Malam
Jalan Besar, Taman Munsyi Ibrahim
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Sat: 5pm – 12am

Photo Credit: Simply Enjoy Johor Bahru (JB) 

PARADIGM MALL 

Spanning over 1.3 million square feet and seven floors, Paradigm Mall is one of the largest shopping malls in the whole of Johor Bahru with over 500 retail shops for you to explore. Moreover, this massive complex also houses an ice skating rink, a state-of-the-art 16-screen cinema and even an indoor climbing gym!

Paradigm Mall 
Jalan Bertingkat Skudai
Taman Bukit Mewah, 81200 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-231 3888
Daily: 10am – 10pm

PLAY PAINTBALL 

Paintball is incredibly fun, but it can be painfully expensive in Singapore. So what better place to have a paintball battle with your friends than at Johor Bahru? There are a number of affordable options just across the causeway and many of these paintball fields have different and exciting themes to spice up your game.

One place you can check out for paintball is AOV Paintball Trading.

AOV Paintball Trading
PTD114143, Jalan Desa Tebrau
Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16-760 6184
Daily: 9am – 6pm

Photo Credit: Neway 

SING KARAOKE 

It’s time to quit belting out those Mariah Carey songs in the shower and up your game to a proper karaoke place! Johor Bahru has numerous KTV outlets across the island with shockingly low prices, making it the perfect destination to practise for the release of your debut album.

We recommend The Rhythm at Mount Austin.

The Rhythm 
55, Jln Austin Height 8/8
Taman Mount Austin
81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 11-1558 7777
Daily: 10am – 3am

Photo Credit: ______ym______doesnt

VISIT ZOO JOHOR

Animal lovers, fret not, we did not forget about you! At the heart of Johor Bahru is Zoo Johor, one of the oldest zoos in Malaysia. It is home to more than 100 species of animals which include the likes of gorillas, elephants, flamingos and horses. The entrance fee is only RM2, which is definitely a steal! 

Johor Zoo
Jalan Gertak Merah
80000 Johor Bahru
Tel: +60 7-223 0404
Daily: 9am – 6pm 

Photo Credit: imemily

WATCH A MOVIE ON A BEANBAG  

Watching a movie in Johor Bahru is already very affordable, but something to make the experience even better is doing it on a bean bag. Snuggling with your partner on these plush, comfortable bean bags will definitely make the movie experience even more exciting; you may not want to watch a movie anywhere else in the future!

You can catch a movie on a bean bag at Aeon Tebrau.

Aeon Tebrau
3, Jalan Persiaran Desa Tebrau
Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 1-300-22-2848

Our Toast Our Times is a classroom-themed café nestled in the food heaven of Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru that will give you a major throwback to your school days.

Exuding the vibes of a Taiwanese high school drama, this cafe takes on innovative twists to old-school delights and their menu sees a stunning array of over 50 dishes with choices ranging from sandwiches, toasts to hearty mains.

They take on a ballsy, adventurous and an unconventional approach in terms of flavour combinations. Read on to find out whether their ballsy attempt to combine various intense flavours is a success or a misstep.

The Dark Rider Sandwich (RM9.90) was one dish that piqued our interests as soon as we saw it on the menu.

Served with a side of french fries, this unique sandwich sees an interesting combination of bacon, egg, cheese, lettuce and dark chocolate sauce sandwiched between slices of charcoal toast.

Their creation reminded us of STACK, a Muslim-owned sandwich parlour in Singapore that is unafraid to channel innovation into their food.

However, the sweet-savoury combination in the Dark Rider Sandwich wasn’t something we were particularly fond of. We thought that the intense flavours from the bacon and dark chocolate sauce clashed and overpowered those of the cheese, egg and lettuce.

While we appreciated their creativity, it didn’t quite make the cut taste-wise. Perhaps the other sandwich offerings on the menu would have been better options.

Next, we opted for their Cotton Candy Toast (RM6.50). Essentially buttered toast topped with marshmallows and chocolate sauce, it’ll be a perfect treat for those with a sweet tooth and those who love marshmallows. Other than that, there was nothing much to shout about this dish. Perhaps the marshmallow pieces could have been torched slightly before serving.

Our Toast Our Times
57-G, Jalan Austin Heights 8/5
Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-359 5412
Daily: 8.30am – 6pm

Situated just a 25-minute drive away from Woodlands Checkpoint in the area of Taman Mount Austin, Urban Artisan Cafe is a dessert cafe that serves aesthetically-pleasing, colourful soft serves that will be a feast for both your stomach and your eyes.

If you’ve been dying to try AquaS, a popular dessert parlour originating from Sydney, but have never gotten the chance to, this cafe is a pretty darn good (and reasonably cheap) alternative to try. Boasting multiple outlets across Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Johor Bahru itself, Urban Artisan Cafe is best known for its gorgeous soft serve that tastes as good as it looks.

Here’s what you can expect in this gorgeous dessert cafe in Johor Bahru!

The cafe serves over 200 different ice cream flavours that are on rotation every week, and you can expect unique flavours such as Oceanic Sea Salt, Valrhona Chocolate, Summer Peach and Matcha & Roasty Hojicha.

Opt for the soft serve cone (RM12.90), which gives diners a choice of whether they prefer to have just a single flavour or the two mixed. We opted for an Oceanic Sea Salt X Valrhona Chocolate twist cone, which gives us the best of both worlds.

The former flavour is a blue-hued, whimsical dessert that boasts a pleasant salty flavour on top of a mildly sweet note that cuts through the saltiness at the end, while the latter is a rich chocolate treat. A rather unique soft serve flavour, their Oceanic Sea Salt flavour was the one that impressed us and reminded us of AquaS’ famous sea salt flavour.

Should you be feeling peckish, order up a serving of their Charcoal Belgian Waffle which comes with a choice of ice cream flavour (RM18.90).

Topped with an indulgent chocolate sauce and whipped cream, we chose to have our charcoal Belgian waffle with a helping of Oceanic Sea Salt soft serve. Crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside, there really isn’t much to nitpick about this dessert.

Urban Artisan Cafe
47, Jalan Austin Heights 8/5
Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tue to Sun: 2pm – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)

All Singaporeans know that Johor Bahru is the place to go when you want a short escape from all things expensive in Singapore. Everything is cheaper there — shopping, massages, transport, and most importantly, food!

There are a plethora of well-known cafes near the causeway that many of us Singaporeans love to visit. Aside from that, however, there are a number of other fantastic eateries deeper within Johor that we feel you need to check out. 

With that, here is our list of our 23 favourite cafes in Johor Bahru that you can refer to for your next day trip over the causeway.

Photo Credit: Birdfolks

ATLAS COFFEE EMBASSY 

The interior of this place is minimalistic and has great lighting to take amazing photos of your food for the gram. This place, like its name, says, is must-try for coffee as the barista behind these brews is none other than Malaysian Barista Champion JH Yee. Do try their Atlas Signature Blend coffee for an amazing coffee experience!

Taman Mount Austin
32 Jalan Austin Heights 8/7, Johor, Malaysia
Johor Bahru 81100
Tel: +60 7-358 7546
Daily: 8.30am – 7pm 

BASILICO

Basilico is a tiny Italian cafe that is neatly tucked away in the Mount Austin area. The lighting here is pretty dim — not so good for taking photos, but great if you want a cosy place to have a chill hang out session with some friends. Basilico’s aim is to sell authentic Italian food at affordable prices, and they’re definitely doing that right.

Taman Mount Austin,
17 Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Johor, Malaysia
Johor Bahru 81100
Tel: +60 7-364 7463
Daily: 12pm – 10.30pm

BEV C

Popular industrial-themed Bev C Café is located on the upper level of a restored shophouse in Johor Bahru and it is a well-loved destination for cafe hoppers and foodies. Cool yourselves down from the scorching tropical heat with Bev C’s popular espresso Ice Cube Drink with Chocolate or dig into their best selling White Chocolate Truffle Pie.

54 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16-725 3530
Mon to Sun: 10am – 7pm
(Closed on Wednesdays)

BIG BITES CAFE

Big Bites Cafe is an artisanal café that is nestled within the café-filled enclave of Jalan Dhoby. Here, they specialise in coffee as well as a wide array of signature homemade Mille crepe cakes. For those of you who adore all things durian related, you need to try their Musang King Durian and it is one dessert that we would happily cross the border for in a heartbeat.

18 Jalan Ibrahim
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7221 1475
Mon to Fri: 10am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 10pm

CHAIWALLA & CO. CONTAINER CAFE

Housed in a shipping container and situated in a public parking lot, Chaiwalla & Co. Container Cafe is a hipster paradise for cafe hoppers. You should definitely stop by to try their satisfying signature iced cold Thai Milk Tea, which is a much-needed remedy to combat the sweltering heat.

Lot 2810, Tan Hiok Nee Street
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 12-735 3572
Sun to Thu: 12pm – 12am
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 1am

Photo Credit: Creamery_JB

CREAMERY BOUTIQUE ICE CREAMS

Creamery Boutique Ice Creams serves up some really good ice creams, but what they truly are famous for is their massive lava cookie. When they say lava, they seriously mean lava. These cookies have molten chocolate cores, so once you cut it open, thick, creamy chocolate oozes out, just like a chocolate volcano.

Taman Mount Austin
33 Jalan Austin Heights 8/3, Johor, Malaysia
Johor Bahru 81100
Tel: +60 7-362 1300
Daily: 2pm – 10pm

DING DING JI PAI

You don’t need to take a plane to Taiwan if you’re hankering for some solid Taiwanese food; all you need to do is hop over the causeway to Ding Ding Ji Pai! We absolutely love their fried chicken; it’s the real deal! They also sell scrumptious, comforting rice bowls that really hit the spot.

FACULTY OF CAFFEINE

Faculty Of Caffeine’s decor is a tasteful blend of old and new furnishings. The coffee here is brewed with 100% Arabica beans and served in unique takeout cups that resemble eye charts. They also have a wide range of delicious brunch foods that tastes great with the coffee.

106, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16-713 2714
Daily: 9am – 5.30pm

FLOWERS IN THE WINDOW

Flowers In The Window is a cosy, picturesque cafe that promises a mixture of great food, beautiful interiors and Insta-worthy beverages. Boasting an indoor garden with rustic touches, the charming double-storey café has won the hearts of many ladies who make it a point to take their OOTDs there before leaving.

9, Jalan Dhoby,
Bandar Johor Bahru,
80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Mon to Sun: 10am – 8pm
(Closed on Tuesdays)

Photo Credit: gCafemtaustin

GCAFE

gCafe offers a wide variety of western style food such as salads, pasta, sandwiches, burgers and cakes. Our favourite dishes here has to be the Soft Shell Crab Pasta. They do their desserts and drinks really well too, and some of their customer favourites are the Lemon Cheesecake, Rosa Cafe Latte, Banana Crepe and Creme Brulee.

Taman Mount Austin
147, Jln Mutiara Emas 10/19, Johor, Malaysia
Johor Bahru 81100
Tel: +60 7-362 1261
Daily: 11am – 11pm

Photo Credit: muhdazizulhakim

JUST WANT COFFEE HOMIES 

Our favourite thing here at Just Want Coffee Homies has to be their brunch sets, which comprise a wide array of delicious brunch delights such as bagels, eggs, bacon and sausages. They also serve really good coffee, drinks and desserts such as Hot Sizzling Brownie and their Rose Latte.

Taman Molek,
Jalan Molek 1/27, Johor, Malaysia,
Johor Bahru 81100
Tel: +60 7-361 3338
Sun to Thur: 8.30am – 10pm
Fri & Sat: 8.30am – 11.30pm

LA’FARINE

La’Farine is a gorgeous, newly-opened cafe in Mount Austin that serves up a delicious array of Western and local fare. They are also popular for their sinful, French-inspired desserts and freshly baked pastries that will definitely perk you up.

Photo Credit: Lamuse Coffee

LAMUSE  COFFEE 

Lamuse Coffee is a cosy cafe that serves western, Japanese and local fare for very cheap prices. Some classic local food that you should try here is their Nasi Lemak and Satay Chicken With Rice. They also have a newly launched Japanese menu that has classics such as Omurice Curry With Chicken Karaage and Chicken Katsu Curry.

Taman Desu Tebrau
28, Jalan Harmonium 23/13, Johor, Malaysia
Johor Bahru 81100
Tel: +60 7-351 8838
Daily: 7.30am – 6pm

LET’S GET CEREAL

This cereal-centric café is the perfect place to be at if you want to relive your childhood days. Here, they have over 20 local and imported cereal brands to choose from as well as a variety of flavoured milk to go with your cereal, making for one heck of a breakfast experience.

18, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 13-757 0703
Daily: 10am – 10pm

MACO CAFE AND BAKERY

This spacious, casual cafe specialises in traditional French pastries such as Mille Crêpes and Valrhona Chocolate Fondant Cake. They also dish out savoury French dishes and you can delight yourself in their all-time favourite Croque-Madame and other aromatic quiches.

65, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama
81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 13-727 3366
Mon to Thu: 11.30am – 11pm
Fri to Sun: 11am – 11.30pm

MOK MOK BRUNCH AND BISTRO 

Mok Mok Brunch and Bistro is a gorgeous garden-themed cafe and here, they serve a mix of western and Asian fare which include rice bowls, burgers, soba, and brunch sets. A must-try has to be their signature Gyutan Bowl and for desserts, do try their famous Kumo Ultimo —  amazing pillowy cream cheese souffle pancakes that will satisfy any sweet tooth!

78, Jalan Pingai, Taman Pelangi
80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 18-270 6068
Daily: 11.30am – 11.30pm

OUR TOAST OUR TIMES

Our Toast Our Times is an old school cafe tucked away in a crevice of Mount Austin that serves up an array of comforting local and fusion dishes that sure to pique your interest. Ever thought of having both bacon and Nutella in your sandwich? That’s the kind of interesting food you can expect from this place!

Jalan Austin Heights 8/5, Taman Mount Austin
Johor Bahru 81100
Daily: 8.30am – 6pm

SHAKESPEARE MILKSHAKES

Shakespeare Milkshakes is the brainchild of the people behind The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen and this Scandinavian style cafe is a wonderful addition to the hipster enclave in Johor Bahru. Here, they specialise in decadent milkshakes, iced teas as well as a range of savoury croffles (croissant pressed between a waffle iron).

9 Jalan Trus
Johor Bahru 80000
Tel: +60 16 421 8530
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 12pm – 12am

TASTEA

This rustic western cafe at Mount Austin serves up a variety of scrumptious nosh that is sure to warm both the heart and the belly. Besides their delicious brunch items, they also serve up some pretty damn good waffles that will leave you craving for more.

49, Jalan Austin Height 8/5
Taman Mount Austin, Tebrau, 81100
Tel: +60 010-766 0138
Mon to Thu: 12am – 4.30pm, 5.30pm – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 12am – 4.30pm, 5.30pm – 11pm

Photo Credit: The Alley Malaysia 

THE ALLEY MOUNT AUSTIN 

The Alley makes their own in-house tea to ensure that they stand out from their competitors. A popular bubble tea item here would be their Royal No.9 Milk Tea, but what really got us excited are their Aurora Series drinks — Northern Lights and Morning Sunshine fruit beverages, which are the prettiest, most mesmerising drinks we have ever seen.

Taman Austin Heights
Jalan Austin Heights 1/8, Johor, Malaysia
Johor Bahru 81100
Tel: +60 16-726 9343
Daily: 11am – 1am

THE CHEESE LAB

Newly opened The Cheese Lab specialises in decadent, sinful cheesecakes that taste like a little piece of heaven. Aside from their cakes, they also have a variety of fruity, refreshing drinks that are perfect to combat the scorching heat.

39 Jalan Austin Heights 8/5
Taman Mount Austin, Johor Bahru 81100
Daily: 1pm – 11pm

THE REPLACEMENT LODGE AND KITCHEN

The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen is a café illuminated by its harmonious combination of white pastel presence and rustic wooden furniture. Not only is the overall design of the place visuaully pleasing, the food served here is pretty damn solid as well and this winning combination makes it the perfect cafe to chill and unwind at while on your day trip to Johor Bahru. 

33, 34 Jalan Dhoby
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 12-547 7885
Mon to Thu: 10am – 6pm
Fri to Sun: 9am – 11pm

VANILLA BEAN

Vanilla Bean is a speciality coffee shop and patisserie as well as an excellent addition to Johor Bahru’s luxurious integrated marina, Senibong Cove. The cosy third-wave café has a menu that includes Asian-inspired waffles, espresso beverages, artisanal cakes and a splendid selection of all-day brunch items.

Blk B, Pangsapuri Pinggiran Air
No.2 Persiaran Senibong,
Johor Bahru 81750
Tel: +60 7-380 4900
Sun to Tue: 8.30am – 6.30pm
(Closed on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays)

If you’ve ever travelled to Europe, you’ll understand the joy that walking up to a pastry stand would entail. The aroma of freshly baked bread comes second to none and the endless varieties of brightly coloured tarts and pastries never fails to seduce the senses. Over at La’Farine located in JB’s Taman Mount Austin, you can experience just that with their many numerous French desserts and pastries.

For the love of Western pastries, local delicacies and everything in between, this is one place to visit to kickstart your JB day trip proper. For first-timers, Taman Mount Austin is just a short 15-minute drive from the checkpoint. We suggest hailing a cab or booking yourself a GRAB because it’s literally impossible to walk there.

Combining the best of Western bakeries and Malaysia’s local cuisine, La’Farine offers diners a well-rounded experience. We took a gamble and went for their Rendang Nasi Lemak (RM15.90) as opposed to the more conventional version.

There was nothing to complain about. The rice was fluffy and aromatic, the sambal was fresh, piquant and sweet and the chicken rendang was hearty, flavourful and extremely tender. The rendang gravy was thick, full-flavoured and paired exceptionally well with the rice.

A fried chicken rice dish stemming from Eastern Java, the Ayam Penyet Rice (RM14.90) impressed with its brilliantly seasoned, super crispy skin.

The chicken was succulent and the exterior, although crispy, was not oily at all. Served alongside it was a halved calamansi fruit which, when squeezed over top, gave the fried chicken a nice citrusy zing.

Their dessert selection is seriously off the charts. They have anything from cakes, crème brûlée, tarts and freshly baked bread with a selection of jams to pair with it. Many of the desserts seem to draw its influences from classic French recipes, especially their La’Farine Classic Dessert (RM15.90).

Without even taking a second to ponder, the wait staff confidently recommended it. Comprising layers of almond dacquoise—basically, a meringue made using almonds—fresh cream, diced fruits, toasted and toasted almonds, this dessert impressed with its many interesting textures underscored by a fruity, creamy decadence.

La’Farine (Taman Mount Austin) Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru Tel: +60 19-343 1415 Mon to Sun: 9am – 12am Tue: 11am – 10pm

Offering diners a spacious, charming respite from the midday heat, humble cafe, Restoran Tastea is one that deserves a stopover when exploring the cafe-laden enclave of Taman Mount Austin. Their menu focuses heavily on Western dishes, leaning more towards Italian comfort food with their wide spectrum of pasta dishes from the humble linguine to risotto.

If you’re on the prowl for a decent cafe-style brunch, we highly recommend coming here. Their food is delicious, portion sizes generous and above all, much more worth paying for than a cafe back in Singapore.

Hankering after a basic yet satisfying egg-forward dish, we settled for the Omelette with Mushrooms (RM16.90) over its slightly more expensive counterpart, smoked salmon.

Enriched with butter (lots of it), the omelette delighted with its savoury, creamy appeal. The flavour was spot on, striking a good balance between salty and creamy, nicely contrasting with the garlicky mushrooms served over top.

Their drinks menu is quite possibly one of the most elaborate we’ve ever come across with a healthy selection of classic coffee styles and some pretty unusual offerings. Feeling an itch for something sugary, we chose the Popcorn Latte (RM14.90).

In this fancy mix, the humble latte is topped with a mound of whipped cream before caramel popcorn is speckled around and over the glass. Taste-wise there was nothing spectacular. It was what it was, latte, whipped cream and caramel popcorn, that besides looking pretty in photos, didn’t possess much gastronomic value.

Restoran Tastea
49, Jln Austin Height 8/5,
81100 Johor Bahru,
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-665 1538
(Closed on Thursdays)
Mon to Wed: 12pm – 10pm
Fri to Sun: 12pm – 11pm

Be it for a short 3-day staycation or a day trip, Johor Bahru has (and will always be) one of Singaporean’s top destinations to go for retail therapy, café-hopping and a short but relaxing respite.

Situated just a 15 to 20-minute drive away from Woodlands Checkpoint, Taman Mount Austin is the hidden gem of Johor Bahru. With over 70 cafes and eateries, massage parlours and KTV joints galore, to say that you’d be spoilt for choice is an understatement. 

From Insta-worthy soft serve ice cream to lip-smacking KL-style Hokkien mee and ombre beverages, there is surely something to delight even the fussiest foodie in Taman Mount Austin!

LA’FARINE

If you’ve ever travelled to Europe, you’ll understand the joy that walking up to a pastry stand would entail. And lo and behold, this cosy cafe in Taman Mount Austin nailed the experience beautifully.

Combining the best of Western bakeries and Malaysia’s local cuisine, La’Farine offers diners a well-rounded experience, offering anything from humble plates of nasi lemak to artisanal French desserts.

Jalan Austin Heights 8/1
Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 19-343 1415
Daily: 9am – 12 midnight

HIGH SCHOOL KOPITIAM – OUR TOAST OUR TIMES

This classroom-themed café in Mount Austin will give you a major throwback to your schooling days. Exuding the vibes of a Taiwanese high school drama, this cafe takes on innovative twists to old-school delights.

We tried the Dark Rider Sandwich (RM9.90) which came with a daring combination of bacon, egg, cheese, vegetables and dark chocolate sauce. Some may fancy the mix of sweet and savoury ingredients, but it wasn’t something that we were particularly fond of. Their Cotton Candy Toast (RM6.50)—basically toast topped with marshmallows and chocolate sauce—had nothing much to shout about either.

57-G, Jalan Austin Heights 8/5
Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-359 5412
Daily: 8.30am – 6pm

PETALING STREET HOKKIEN MEE

If you’re simply looking for non-pretentious, comfort food for the soul, fret not for Taman Mount Austin has loads to offer as well. Newly-opened, you can expect a variety of zi char-style food at Petaling Street Hokkien Mee.

Their KL Hokkien Mee (RM8.50 for small) is their signature dish and for good reason. Thick noodles are stir-fried with eggs, greens, pork slices and a dark sauce to elevate the overall flavour and boasts a prominent ‘wok hei’ aroma. Other items you may look forward to, include the Spicy La La (RM15) and Yang Zhou Fried Rice (RM8.50 for small).

61 Jalan Austin Heights 8/5
Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Daily: 10am – 3pm, 5.30pm – late

RESTORAN HUA MUI

Our personal favourite to visit for classic JB-style chicken chop is located right across the border, but little did we know that they have another outlet in Taman Mount Austin as well. Restoran Hua Mui serves a myriad of Western and as well as local cuisine.

Their Hainanese Chicken Chop is our go-to and a hot pick amongst the crowd—a large piece of golden-brown chicken chop fried to an utmost perfection sits atop a savoury brown sauce, accompanied by peas and a handful of potato wedges.

9 Jalan Austin Heights 8/3
Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Daily: 8.30am – 8pm

THE CHEESE LAB

Having opened just recently in late January 2019, The Cheese Lab is an utterly Instagram-worthy eatery that you should check out if you’re in the area.

Their menu focuses primarily on gorgeous drinks, such as the Milk, Raspberry and Butterfly Pea (RM13), which sees layers of colourful liquids that your eyes can feast on. Of course, also don’t forget to also order their Signature Cheesecake (RM16.90). Fluffy, moist and incredibly rich at the same time, cheesecake-lovers will definitely be pleased.

39 Jalan Austin Heights 8/5
Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Daily: 1pm – 11pm

URBAN ARTISAN CAFE

If you’ve been dying to try AquaS, a popular dessert parlour originating from Sydney, but have never gotten the chance to, Urban Artisan Cafe over in Mount Austin is a pretty darn good (and reasonably cheap) alternative to try.

Their twist cones and waffles come in various colours, making it totally Instagram-worthy. The cafe rotates their ice cream flavours every week, and you can expect unique flavours such as Oceanic Sea Salt and Valrhona Chocolate.

47, Jalan Austin Heights 8/5
Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tue to Sun: 2pm – 10pm
(Closed on Mondays)

Situated in Pelangi, Johor Bahru is Ink N Water, a well-known café that has been around for the past few years. It takes just a 10-minute drive from the immigration checkpoint close to Johor Bahru City Square to get to Ink N Water and it is not uncommon to see Singaporeans amongst the locals over there.

This café whips up a wide range of dishes, ranging from pasta to pizza to meatballs and salads. Coffee lovers will also be pleased to hear that they have a myriad of caffeinated drinks, made with coffee beans sourced from both Ethiopia and Brazil.

This café’s furnishing is rustic themed, giving off a retro vibe that makes the café feel extra homely and familiar.

We opted for their Salted Egg Yolk Waffle (RM17.90) which came with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and generously drizzled with their homemade salted egg yolk sauce and Hawaiian coconut shavings.

The waffle had the right texture—neither overly crispy nor soggy—and it wasn’t overwhelmingly sweet as well. The homemade salted egg yolk sauce went surprisingly well with the waffles.

Made from a blend of apple pieces, hibiscus, cranberries, sultana raisins, rose-hip peel and raspberry pieces, the aromatic Fruit Basket Tea Depot (RM14) is a crowd-pleaser.

Ink N Water is definitely a conducive café fit for those who are café hopping or looking for a place to chill. 

Ink N Water
46, Jalan Pingai, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Mon, Wed – Sat: 1pm – 1am
Tue and Sun: 1pm – 9pm
Tel: +60 7-336 4766

Johor Bahru’s progressive cafe scene is seeing a large number of Singaporeans making plans to visit these concept cafes over the weekends since many are easily accessible by walking or public transport from the immigration checkpoint.

On our latest trip to Johor Bahru, we made our way to what is possibly our favourite cafe there thus far—Mok Mok Brunch & Bistro. Just a 15-minute drive from the checkpoint, the cafe is where you escape from the mayhem of city life for a refreshing change as it is decked out in greens and surrounded by glass walls for natural sunlight to filter in.

At Mok Mok Brunch & Bistro, guests can also look forward to fresh produce that are sourced from local farms and an exciting range of rice bowls and aesthetically pleasing desserts that are sure to impress even the most discerning foodies.

Its nature-inspired interior design seeks to provide a welcoming space for friends to gather over excellent food and coffee and it is not surprising to find many guests taking their OOTDs at the stylish and light-filled cafe.

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Go to the cafe with an empty stomach, for you have to try their Signature Bowls which features your choice of meat placed over a very special homemade rice recipe. We opted for the crowd favourite Gyutan (RM28) and for the uninitiated, that is the Japanese term for grilled beef tongue.

But do not be put off by the sound of it yet! This Japanese delicacy is certainly worth a try and what you get at Mok Mok Brunch & Bistro is slices of savoury beef tongue with spring onion and chopped chilli on a bed of signature rice and a drizzle of chilli sesame oil and shoyu. Every mouthful was extremely flavourful and we honestly cannot wait to visit them again to try some of their other rice bowls.

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When we were ready for dessert, the highly recommended Kumo Ultimo (RM22) caught our immediate attention. Comprising cream cheese shuffle pancakes that are paired with cookie crumbs, flavoured mousse, ice cream and your preferred topping, this sweet treat is nothing but pure indulgence.

Boasting a melt-in-your-mouth interior that was fluffy and bouncy, there was nothing to nitpick about this dessert at all.

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The cafe also serves a range of drinks, with some that has been created to look good for social media such as the Galactic Dream and Masala Chai Latte. Besides that, they also offer the usual coffee, tea and soda options too.

Mok Mok Brunch & Bistro
78, Jalan Pingai, Taman Pelangi
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +60 18 270 6068
Daily: 11.30am – 11.30pm

Opened by successful bakery chain Lavender, L.table is a full-service western restaurant in Johor Bahru that is part of a multi-concept space (also comprising the bakery, bistro and a cafe) at their Taman Pelangi Flagship store.

L.table’s team of chefs are trained to whip up hearty western-style dishes that are not overly pretentious yet presentable so it looks atheistically pleasing to the eyes. The restaurant prides itself on using only the best quality of ingredients that are all natural with the likes of organic Himalayan rock salt, free-range chicken and bronze-wire cut Italian pastas.

The dimly lit restaurant’s cosy ambience makes it a great spot for celebrating special occasions among couples and friends but you should also expect to be seated amongst large group of families as the wholesome food there can be enjoyed by both the young and old.

Starting off with a light appetiser, the Hearty Chicken Chowder (RM12.30) is a comforting option that came with generous bits of ingredients such as carrots, potatoes and peas so you know you are getting more than just plain soup.

While the soup was delicious, the same could not be said about the complimentary buttered bread that came with it—the toast was hard and even dipping it into the soup was futile.

The “Har Jiong” Chicken Burger (RM20.75) takes on an Asian approach which we appreciated. For those who are not familiar with Chinese cooking, ‘har cheong’ is essentially fermented shrimp paste and it is widely used for marinating chicken to make prawn paste chicken.

We were impressed with how succulent and full-flavoured the chicken patties were and the substantial meal came with piping hot deep-fried fries as well.

For something light to nibble on, we would highly recommend the Lemongrass Chicken Wings (RM15.10). Highly aromatic from the spices used to coat the chicken wings, the layer of fried skin offers a combustion of sweet, savoury and garlicky flavours.

Moving onto what will please the sweet tooths—desserts! Among the decent selection of desserts, we went for the Chantilly Cream Pancakes (RM19.80) which came with three stacked pancakes drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped off with a dollop of Chantilly cream. Alongside some nuts, you will also find various cut fruits such as strawberries, blueberries and bananas.

Those who are keen on dropping by have to take note that there is a minimum spending of one order per person (starter, side, main or dessert).

L.table by Lavender
64, 66 & 68, Jalan Serampang
Taman Pelangi
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +60 07 339 1333
Mon to Fri: 11am – 4pm, 6pm – 10pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 5pm, 6pm – 11pm

Sangkaya is popular Malaysian coconut creamery with over 30 outlets in the country. Stepping into Sangkaya on a sunny day is like a breath of fresh and cool air. The café is nicely air-conditioned with a very comforting vibe. It is a nice retreat and break-stop if you are strolling around the area!

Sangkaya focuses mainly on coconut ice cream and a variety of other desserts. Go for the Signature Coconut Ice Cream (RM9.90) where you can choose 4 different scoops of coconut ice cream served in a half coconut shell.

We tried the Cha Yen (Thai Milk Tea), Bandung, Teh Tarik and of course, Coconut. The great thing about the ice cream here is that you get to go crazy with the free unlimited toppings. We went for some corn and crushed Oreos to complete our bowl.

We washed down the creamy ice cream with a cup of their Coconut Water (RM4.90). The drink was fresh and they even included actual coconut flesh inside.

The next time you visit Malaysia, do try Sangkaya’s famous coconut ice cream!

Looking for more cafes in Johor Bahru?

With the surge of new cafes across the border, cafe-hopping is no longer confined to our sunny shores. From the folks that brought you The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen and Faculty of Caffeine, Shakespeare Milkshakes is a wonderful addition to the hipster enclave in Johor Bahru.

This Scandinavian-style café specialises in decadent milkshakes (that isn’t for the weak). Besides sweet treats, look forward to a range of savoury croffles (croissant pressed between a waffle iron) and a wide selection of hot beverages and iced tea that will keep you coming back for more.

When it comes to Instagram-worthy interiors and flat lay-worthy food, Shakespeare Milkshakes is your best bet. Time to cross the border for this beautiful cafe in Johor Bahru!

Chocolate lovers can go all out with the café’s Kinder Bueno Specialty Shake (RM18). The milkshake comes with a chocolate dipped glass encrusted with nuts on the outside, filled to the brim with a rich dark chocolate shake and topped with a savoury cheese stick, salted cookie, and a mini Kinder Bueno Chocolate.

Even though the shake was simply delicious and not overly sweet, it might be overwhelming for one. That’s a lot of sugar for one person!

The café’s Salted Caramel Affogato (RM18) features fluffy waffles sprinkled with gula melaka crumbs, vanilla soft serve lined with salted caramel sauce, a mini Kinder Bueno and a shot of espresso. The whole idea is to drizzle the espresso over the waffles and ice cream. But with so much going on the plate, the different elements did not seem to work out very well.

However, Shakespeare Milkshakes’ Beef Pastrami and Cheese Croffle (RM10) is a must-order! A croffle is essentially a croissant pressed between a waffle iron. Sink your teeth in a crispy puffed pastry stuffed with beef pastrami, sweet onions and packed with cheese.

Pair the croffle with the refreshing Watermelon Lychee Ice Fruit Tea (RM10) for the perfect afternoon snack. The medley of fruity tea and savoury croffle was a match-make in heaven.

Shakespeare Milkshakes is a great stop over for a sweet fix after a long day of shopping and feasting on street food in Johor Bahru. As we all know, there is always room for desserts.

Shakespeare Milkshakes
9 Jalan Trus
Johor Bahru 80000
Tel: +60 16 421 8530
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 11pm
Sat and Sun: 12pm – 12am

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best cafes in Johor Bahru.

Fancy a cosy space to rest your weary feet after a full day of walking and eating around Johor Bahru’s food streets? Well then, look no further than Big Bites Cafe.

Nestled within the cafe-filled enclave of Jalan Dhoby, Big Bites Cafe is an artisanal cafe in Johor Bahru that specialises in coffee as well as a wide array of their signature homemade Mille crepe cakes. Those in search of something a little more hearty can also indulge in their mains that include pasta, pizzas and even a variety of chicken-centric dishes.

Nothing beats lounging about in a comfortable, air-conditioned cafe with a freshly brewed cuppa and a sweet treat to match so be sure to include this cafe in your next JB itinerary.

Located right opposite the popular Chaiwalla & Co. Container Café, Big Bites Cafe occupies a two-storey shophouse and features both upstairs and downstairs seating. The interior itself is decked out in a minimalistic shade of black with some wooden furnishings.

For those who are not particularly fond of overly sweet desserts can opt for the Matcha Azuki (RM9.50++). This crepe cake is only mildly sweet with most of its sweetness coming from the Azuki beans.

Although we were not entirely blown away by it, we must say that it did possess a pleasant aroma of matcha and a subtle bitterness which complemented the sweet red bean pretty well.

For those of you who adore all-things durian related, the Musang King Durian (RM12.50++) is just the thing you need to perk you up. Boasting a strong aroma of durian, this instantly caught our attention.

As we began digging into this decadent cake, the first thing that was revealed to us was a luscious durian puree slathered between each crepe layer with fibrous bits included to offer some textural variety. Bonus points for using real durian in their crepe cakes!

The cafe’s proximity to Johor Bahru’s Immigration Checkpoint makes it a great pit stop for those who are seeking respite from the humid weather; we definitely recommend their King Musang Mille crepe cake to all fans of durian!

Big Bites Cafe
18 Jalan Ibrahim
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7221 1475
Daily: 9am – 7pm

For more recommendations, read our guide to the best cafes in Johor Bahru.

Home to a vast number of cafes and trendy hangouts, the Jalan Dhoby area of Johor Bahru is a place that Singaporeans flock to most during their day trips.

New to the Jalan Dhoby enclave is Amphawa, a cafe that specialises in authentic Thai boat noodles. Besides their myriad of jaw-dropping noodle options that feature 3 different soup bases and a variety of noodle types, what diners can expect is a cosy space filled with lots of natural lighting, lush greenery and even an inbuilt waterfall.

For Thai boat noodles that are close to the real deal and super chill vibes, head on over to Amphawa Thai Boat Noodle Restaurant the next time you decide to cross the border for a day trip.

The storefront may not exactly give you the best impression given its tinted glass windows and black facade. But once you step in, you are immediately transported into an oasis that serves as the perfect haven to escape the midday sun.

The boat noodles here come in 3 varieties of soup broth—Amphawa, Rangsit and Tomyam. The Amphawa is a spicy and sour soup broth, the Rangsit is a clear herbal soup broth and the Tomyam is well, everything you would expect tom yum to be.

Out of curiosity, and mostly because the portion sizes per bowl here are extremely tiny, we got both the Amphawa and the Rangsit Beef Boat Noodles (RM1.90 per bowl) to try. Like its description, the Amphawa soup broth boasted a sour taste and a subtle spicy kick that was rounded out nicely by the thick and flavourful beef broth.

The Rangsit, on the other hand, was a tad cleaner in taste with mild herbal notes coming through. Both beef bowls came with one beef ball as well as a small garnish of pulled beef.

Similar to the beef boat noodle, the Chicken Boat Noodle (RM1.90) also comes with your choice of either the Amphawa or Rangsit soup broth—to which we obviously got both.

Although the difference was not as prominent, we must admit that the chicken version seemed a lot less heavily flavoured than the beef.

Hands down the best of the lot, the Tomyam Prawn Boat Noodle (RM1.90) comes served with cilantro, chillies and a piece of crunchy prawn. The soup base encompassed the elements of sweet, salty, sour and spicy perfectly.

After having knocked back about a hundred bowls, it probably wouldn’t hurt to round off your meal on a sweet note. Their Milk Tea Kaya Toast (RM6.90) is a good dessert to opt for. Drizzled with a milk tea-infused kaya, the thick toast is then given a generous sprinkle of desiccated coconut.

There are also lots of cool and colourful beverages to choose from. We went for the Thai Green Tea (RM8.90) as well as the Blueberry Soda (RM6.90). All their drinks come in a massive plastic cup that is ideal for sharing between two people.

Amphawa Boat Noodle Restaurant
40, Jalan Ibrahim,
Bandar Johor Bahru,
80000 Johor Bahru
Tel: +60 7-220 0060
Sun to Thu: 11.30am – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 11.30am – 12am

Visiting another country for holidays might be a luxury that most working adults are deprived of due to time and budget constraints, but that doesn’t mean you still can’t get away! Located just a 45-minute car journey away from Singapore is Malaysian city Johor Bahru, where a paradise of heavenly street food and unbelievably cheap retail therapy deals await.

From shopping at Johor Bahru City Square, eating at Meldrum Night Market to the various transportation methods available, here is a brief guide on a Day Trip to Johor Bahru.

WHAT TO DO IN JOHOR BAHRU

Source: Sky Scraper City

Johor Bahru City Square

Johor Bahru City Square’s sheer number of retail and dining options – and their massive discounted prices – has attracted groups of Singaporeans on a daily basis to come forth and do their shopping.

Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Darul Ta’zim, 80000 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-226 3668
Daily: 10am – 10pm

Legoland Malaysia

Legoland Malaysia theme park is the perfect playground for your little ones. But who said the park is only meant for kids? Adults are too seen reliving their childhood memories at Legoland Malaysia. There are over 40 rides to keep you and your loved ones entertained throughout the day.

7, Jalan Legoland, Medini, 79100 Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-597 8888
Daily: 10am – 6pm

If you ever find yourself in Johor Bahru – a land where a truckload of delicious street food and shopping haven awaits – here are 10 Amazing Malaysian Street Food that you should try.

Source: Wang Zu Bu Luo

Wang Zu Bu Luo

There are plenty of massage parlours across Johor Bahru and Wang Zu Bu Luo is quite a reputable spa chain amongst Singaporeans and Malaysians alike. Their professional services range from ear candling, meridian massages to cupping.

38, Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Baru, Malaysia

WHAT TO EAT IN JOHOR BAHRU

Meldrum Night Market

Walking through Meldrum Night Market is virtually akin to time travel. Located just a stone’s throw away from Johor Bahru City Square, the rundown back alley is lined with vendors selling an exhaustive array of Malaysian delicacies. From Apam Balik Pancakes to Mee Hoon Kueh, there is so much food to sample.

Salahuddin Bakery

Salahuddin Bakery that has touched the hearts of generations with its freshly baked curry puffs and wood-fired bread loaves since 1937. Despite the convenience and availability of modern electrical and gas ovens, Saladhuddin insists to bake breads with their age-old wood fire oven to keep things original.

From specialty coffee shop Faculty Of Caffeine to Chaiwalla & Co. Container Cafe, here is a Guide to 10 Cafes in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

Vanilla Bean

Specialty coffee shop and patisserie Vanilla Bean is a pretty new face in Johor Bahru’s luxurious integrated marina, Senibong Cove. The intimate third-wave café boasts Asian-inspired waffles, espresso beverages, artisanal cakes and a splendid selection of all-day brunch items. P.s. Order their Teh Tarik Waffles!

HOW TO GET TO JOHOR BAHRU FROM SINGAPORE

Bus – Take bus 170 from Kranji MRT and it will take you to JB Sentral. A trip costs between S$1.50 to S$2.

Car – Drive through Causeway Woodlands Checkpoint or Second Link Tuas Checkpoint. Do ensure that your Singapore car’s petrol tank must be at least filled three quarters – or risk being fined a hefty amount of S$500. Toll charges do apply.

Train – Take a train from Woodlands Train Checkpoint and you will arrive JB Sentral within minutes. Tickets start from S$5 for a one-way journey.

Check out our travel guides to Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

When it comes to café hopping in Johor Bahru, most Singaporeans find themselves guilty of only exploring hipster street Jalan Dhoby. But there are actually several more exciting cafes in this Malaysian city waiting to be discovered – so long as you are willing to venture further out.

Specialty coffee shop and patisserie Vanilla Bean is a pretty new face in Johor Bahru’s luxurious integrated marina, Senibong Cove. The cosy third-wave café has a menu that includes Asian-inspired waffles, espresso beverages, artisanal cakes and a splendid selection of all-day brunch items.

Singapore National Barista Championship 2013’s second runner-up lovingly handcrafts Vanilla Bean’s coffees (from RM6/ S$2) and each fragrant cuppa is no less than gratifying.

Health junkies have to give Vanilla Bean’s bottled cold pressed juices a shot. We absolutely love the Dragon Quencher (RM13/ S$4.40), which is essentially a refreshing concoction of dragon fruit, green apple and pineapple.

Vanilla Bean is the very first café in Johor Bahru to sell Salted Egg Yolk Charcoal Waffle (RM17/ SGD5.80) and Teh Tarik Waffle (RM17/ S$5.80). The former is a wonderfully crisp charcoal waffle served with vanilla gelato and salted egg yolk sauce on the side, while the latter is topped with milk tea gelato, homemade Teh Tahrik sauce and milk.

But what had stolen our hearts was the divine Ole Ole Waffle (RM17/ S$5.80) – an ondeh ondeh style waffle topped with gula melaka sauce, ice-cream and pandan ganache. It is every bit Asian as we had hoped for it to be.

Sweet stuff aside, patrons can also help themselves to savoury delights such as Panini Grill (RM14/ S$4.80) and The Big Breakfast (RM19/ S$6.50).

My Vanilla Bean
G-08, Block B
Pangsapuri Pinggiran Air
No 2, Persiaran Senibong
Senibong Cove
81750 Masai, Johor
Tel: 016 7239238
Mon: Closed
Tue to Fri: 9am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 12am
Sun: 9am – 8pm

The proximity of Johor Bahru has made the capital of the Malaysian State a popular weekend getaway destination for many Singaporeans.

To our surprise, the city has seen the opening of numerous impressive cafes, most of which are specialty coffee shops that serve a delectable variety of brunch items and splendid desserts.

We shortlisted a couple of reputable cafes that have been making waves online and offline. From specialty coffee shop Faculty Of Caffeine to Chaiwalla & Co. Container Cafe, here is a Guide to 10 Cafes in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.

#1 ALICAFE SPECIALTY COFFEE

Do not let the looming dark exteriors of Alicafe Specialty Coffee put you off. The two-storey exotic specialty coffee shop is actually a great place to hang out at, and the adorable latte art deserves your attention. If you are feeling peckish, there is also a selection of hot food and scrumptious desserts available at wallet-friendly prices.

27, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7350 7739
Mon to Fri : 3pm – 12am
Sat to Sun : 2pm – 12am

#2 BEV C

Industrial chic Bev C Cafe is located at the upper loft of a restored shophouse and is definitely one of the most Instagramed cafes in Johor Bahru. Cool yourselves down from the scorching heat with Bev C’s popular espresso Ice Cube Drink with Chocolate (RM12.90) or dig into their best selling White Chocolate Truffle Pie (RM12.90).

54 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7221 3530
Mon: Closed
Tue to Fri: 1pm – 11pm
Sat to Sun: 12pm – 11pm

#3 CHAIWALLA & CO. CONTAINER CAFE

Housed in a shipping container and situated across a public parking lot, Chaiwalla & Co. Container Cafe is a paradise for all hipster cafe lovers. Try their signature iced cold Chai Latte (regular at RM7.80, large at RM8.80) and grab a savoury chicken mushroom pie or black pepper beef pie (RM5.80) too.

Lot 2810, Tan Hiok Nee Street
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 12-735 3572
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 12 am
Fri to Sat: 12pm – 1am
Sun: 12pm – 12am

#4 FACULTY OF CAFFEINE

Faculty Of Caffeine’s decor is a tasteful blend of old and new furnishings. Coffee served here is brewed with 100% Arabica beans and served in unique takeout cups that resemble eye charts. While their all-day brunch menu does not serve pork or lard, it is important to note that the cafe is ultimately not Halal-certified.

Note that Faculty Of Caffeine’s Google Map location is currently wrong and we suggest you to follow the coordinates 1.460700, 103.763443 instead.

106, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16-713 2714
Daily: 9am – 6pm

#5 MACO CAFE & BAKERY

Maco Cafe & Bakery is a spacious casual eatery that specialises in traditional French pastries such as Mille Crêpes and Varlhona Chocolate Fondant Cake. Several savoury French classic dishes are also available on the menu and you can expect the all-time favourite Croque Madame and aromatic quiches.

65, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama
81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-556 8490
Mon to Fri: 12pm – 10.30pm
Sat: 11am – 12.30am
Sun: 11am – 10.30pm

#6 PACE CAFE

Characterised by a variation of geometric elements, Pace Cafe is a must-visit for all design and architecture fans. The cafe-cum-bar is tastefully designed by award-winning AZ Concept and we love how gorgeous both its interiors and exteriors are. Three different types of beans are used here- Colombia Inza, Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Kochere and Kenya Kirimara.

40, Jalan Ibrahim
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-222 4896
Daily: 10am – 8pm

#7 ROOST, RECYCLED & REPURPOSED CAFE

As its name suggests, Roost, Recycled & Repurposed Cafe has an interesting concept of using only recycled materials for their furniture. The end result is a surprisingly beautiful mess – think random pushcart trolley and mismatched chairs. Aesthetics aside, the cafe’s menu too offers healthy fresh fruit juices as well as refreshingly hearty salads.

14A, Jalan Trus
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16-776 7489
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 4pm, 6pm – 12am
Sun: 6pm – 12am

#8 THE ICE-CREAM PROJECT

The Ice-Cream Project’s vegan-friendly handcrafted nitrogen ice-cream are free from additives and preservatives. Each gelato mix is freshly churned right before your eyes with liquid nitrogen – which has an incredibly low boiling point of negative 196°C – and a smooth ice-cream is created within seconds.

31, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-300 7286
Mon: Closed
Tue to Thu: 3pm – 10pm
Fri to Sat: 3pm – 12am
Sun: 3pm – 10pm

#9 THE REPLACEMENT – LODGE & KITCHEN

Brought to you by the same people behind Faculty Of Caffeine, The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen is a cafe illuminated by its harmonious combination of white pastel presence and rustic wooden furniture. Food and beverages served here deserve a thumbs up and we thoroughly enjoyed the Croque Madame (RM19.90) and Red Ranger Juice (RM15).

33, 34 Jalan Dhoby
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 10 226 0311
Daily: 10am to 10pm

#10 VANILLA BEAN

Specialty coffee shop and patisserie Vanilla Bean is a pretty new face in Johor Bahru’s luxurious integrated marina, Senibong Cove. The cosy third-wave café has a menu that includes Asian-inspired waffles, espresso beverages, artisanal cakes and a splendid selection of all-day brunch items.

G-08, Block B
Pangsapuri Pinggiran Air
No 2, Persiaran Senibong
Senibong Cove
81750 Masai, Johor
Tel: 016 7239238
Mon: Closed
Tue to Fri: 9am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 12am
Sun: 9am – 8pm

For more recommendations, read our guide on 10 MUST-TRY Street Food in Johor Bahru.

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.

Despite the sliding Malaysian Ringgit currency, Johor Bahru’s cafe industry is still booming rapidly. Johor Bahru’s hipster street, aka Jalan Dhoby, is the best place to explore the various Malaysian cafes – do proceed to sample the city’s street food thereafter.

If you are sick of the overrated pricey cafes in Singapore and itching for a weekend day trip, we would highly recommend visiting newcomer The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen in Johor Bahru. It can be accessed within a 10-minute walk from the Johor-Singapore Causeway and is characterised by its all-white interiors, potted plants and minimalistic furnishings.

Definitely one of the hottest cafes in Johor Bahru now!

Similar to Singapore, most cafes in Johor Bahru are closed on Mondays. Fortunately, The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen is open daily, so dining there on Mondays ain’t an issue at all! The spacious halal-certified cafe was one of our highlights during a recent cafe-hopping adventure and we were glad that we succumbed to its inviting entrance.

Take a step in and expect to bump into fellow avid Instagrammers. We were not that surprised, given how the cafe was characterised by potted green plants and rustic wooden furniture with abundance of natural light shining in. The free wifi and blasting air conditioning were two great bonuses too.

Aesthetics aside, The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen boasts an all-day brunch menu with wholesome dishes ranging from RM$16.90 to RM$26.90.

We particularly enjoyed their Croque Madame (RM$19.90) – a classic French ham and cheese sandwich with cheesy bechamel sauce and a fried egg.

We heard a lot of good reviews about their churros but were actually very disappointed by the lack of crisp.

Perhaps those who favour a mushy texture would take a liking to these desserts. You can choose your churros in original flavour (RM$12.90) or pair it with fruits (RM$16.90) or ice-cream (RM$19.90).

The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen
33, 34 Jalan Dhoby
80000 Johor Bahru
Daily: 10am to 10pm

Are you sick of the ubiquitous cafes in Singapore? Perhaps it is time for café hoppers to start looking across the Causeway. The growth of hipster coffee shops has extended beyond Singapore’s national borders and spilled into nearby Malaysian city Johor Bahru.

There is even a street in Johor Bahru unanimously coined by visitors as ‘Hipster Street’! The stretch of road is called Jalan Dhoby and is home to several up-and-coming cafes.

And Bev C Cafe has stood out effortlessly with its unpretentious entrance and homely rustic interiors. Technically speaking, Bev C is not just a café, but also a fashion boutique store. The shop house loft is simply sleek and sick (in a good way) – we love every part of it and will definitely be back.

The ground floor showcases Malaysian fashion label The Girl Next Door, where you can shop for edgy attention-grabbing statement pieces. If fashion apparel and accessories are not what you are looking for, head upstairs for its co-shop Bev C Café.

Beverely is the founder and designer behind The Girl Next Door and Bev C Cafe. Her unique style can be experienced from her works and we love the tasteful interior design of the entire place. They even have a sketchbook for all to scribble and draw on.

The food menu is simple and honest. The best selling desserts are the decadent White Chocolate Truffle Pie (RM12.90) and citrusy Lemon Strawberry Pie (RM12.90). Savoury items are also up for grabs and you should try their Charcoal Croissants with chicken ham.

Spend the day catching up with friends over a cup of cappucino (RM 7.90) or flat white (RM 7.90). If you are looking for cold beverages to cool yourself down from the scorching heat, order the refreshing Lemon Tea Ice Cube Drink (RM 12.90) and popular Espresso Ice Cube Drink with Chocolate (RM 12.90).

54 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee
Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7221 3530
Mon: Closed
Tue to Fri: 1pm – 11pm
Sat to Sun: 12pm – 11pm

About the writer:
Hui Jun Ng is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She previously worked in the food and marketing industry. She loves traveling and enjoys exploring underrated destinations. In her free time, you will find her indulging in coffee and her all time favourite local dish – bak chor mee.