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

As much as Singapore remains the foodie capital of the world, there is still much that our country’s diverse culinary landscape lacks in. Either they have been lost through time, or people’s preferences simply changed. Thankfully, much of these iconic foods are still very much alive in our neighbouring state, Johor Bahru.

If you are thinking of taking a day trip out to Johor Bahru without any intention of driving, then here are a few eateries for you to check out that are mostly easy to get to on foot.

From tasty nasi padang that promises to fire up your palate, an age-old bakery with the best banana cake in the country (supposedly) to good ol’ local breakfast dishes, here is our Johor Bahru day trip food itinerary.

#1 RESTORAN AH KOONG

A bowl of fishball noodles works wonders when you are craving for something light and comforting. Right across the border, there is an excellent fishball noodle restaurant located in the Taman Sentosa district of Johor Bahru by the name of Restoran Ah Koong.

At Restoran Ah Koong Prices are kept affordable and servings are generous to boot. What we love most about their food is the high-quality ingredients that they use—their fishballs contain no preservatives at all!

Out of all their many noodle options, we urge you to get their black noodles which are springy, tasty and aromatic thanks to the addition of fried pork lard.

266 Jalan Sutera
Taman Sentosa, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel : +607 331 3621
Daily: 6.30am – 11.30pm

#2 HIAP JOO BAKERY

An old-school bakery that remains, till this day, a hit among both locals and Singaporeans alike is Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory. Just a stone’s throw away from the customs, this humble bakery shop is never seen without a queue and for a good reason too—they are known to have the best banana cake in Johor Bahru!

13 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee
Johor Bahru
Tel: +60 7 223 1703
Mon to Sat: 7.30am – 5.30pm
Sun: 8.30am – 12pm

#3 HO SENG KEE

If you have yet to try authentic Malaysian-style wanton mee, one popular dining establishment to try it at is Ho Seng Kee which is conveniently located in City Square Mall. The wanton noodle house takes pride in making noodles from scratch in-house daily, using their own recipe.

What is interesting about Ho Seng Kee is that they also serve other creative styles of noodles such as their Homemade Pandan Mee. With both the classic and modern wanton noodle creations under one roof, you will never run out of options at this casual dining restaurant.

108, Jalan Wong Ah Fook
Level 6, City Square Johor Bahru Shopping Mall
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +60 012 710 7140
Daily: 10am – 9pm

#4 RESTORAN KIN WAH

Restoran Kin Wah is a popular breakfast haunt that both locals and tourists flock to. Nestled along the foodie haven of Jalan Trus, this unassuming coffee shop serves up excellent nasi padang as well as kaya toast and soft boiled eggs that are pretty decent too.

Conveniently located right opposite the popular, Hiap Joo bakery and biscuit factory, there is no excuse why you should give this cheap and good breakfast spot a miss.

8, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru,
80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Daily: 7am – 12pm

#5 RESTORAN HUA MUI

Nestled along the foodie haven of Jalan Tras and Jalan Dhoby lies Restoran Hua Mui, an old-school coffee shop that is said to be the birthplace of the original, authentic Hainanese chicken chop.

Although it may look unattractive at first glance, this shabby two-storey coffee shop is a huge hit among locals and tourists alike, who often pack it full from as early as 9 in the morning. From their popular charcoal grilled butter and kaya toast to other Eastern and Western food offerings, there is bound to be something to satisfy your craving.

Located just 15 minutes away from City Square Mall, Restoran Hua Mui is one spot that visiting Singaporeans should all check out to kick-start their day proper.

131, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru,
80000 Johor Bahru,
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 11-3505 8916
(Closed on Sundays)
Mon to Sat: 8.30am – 6pm

#6 QIN GARDEN KOPITIAM

It’s hard not to love a dish as iconic as nasi padang. Essentially, it is plain rice with a smorgasbord of mouthwatering ingredients from saucy treats to fried delights ladled over top. Finding its roots all the way from Indonesia, Johor Bahru is no stranger to housing some of the best (and most affordable) nasi padang joints around.

Qin Garden Kopitiam along Jalan Trus is an absolute must-visit should you find the need to over-indulge. Do not let the simple hawker-like façade deceive you. The array of Nasi Padang dishes at Qin Garden Kopitiam will leave you with some tough decisions to make. Some of the eye-catching ones include Kupang (mussels fried in chilli and spices), Beef Rendang, Assam Pedas Fish, Chicken Curry, Crisp Fried Fish and Quail Eggs cooked in a spicy chilli paste.

12, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru
Johor Bahru 80000
(Closed on alternate Tuesdays)
Daily: 7am – 6pm

When it comes to exploring Johor Bahru, there are indeed endless cafes and cool places to check out. From the café-filled enclave of Jalan Dhoby to the hipster area of Taman Mount Austin, we’d totally understand why their café food appeals to the crowd, especially with its affordability.

But there is something about local foods that no amount of rainbow-coloured, aesthetically-pleasing café grub can level up to. Cheap, delicious and providing a sense of comfort unlike any other, local food in Johor Bahru is unparalleled. Period.

If you’re sick of cafe-hopping and are just looking for a few eateries to head to and simply enjoy the likes of char koay kak, kway teow and bak kut teh, here are 12 local eateries in Johor Bahru you should head to during your next day trip.

GO NOODLE HOUSE

For comforting bowls of ban mian, head over to GO Noodle House which has multiple outlets across Malaysia. Each bowl is customisable to each diner’s liking—choose from various options of noodles, from thick to thin, spiciness level as well as whether you’d like to have your noodles in either soup or sauce.

We particularly love their Superior Soup Ban Mee (RM10.50) as the broth was fragrant and piquant. For those who prefer a drier version, the Trio Special Dark Sauce Ban Mee (RM10.50) would be a good choice as every strand of noodle is nicely coated with a sweet and savoury dark sauce.

GO Noodle House
88 Jalan Wong Ah Fook
Lot J6-10 Johor Bahru City Square Mall
Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Daily: 10.30am – 10pm

SANG HENG

Nestled along the Jalan Tan Hiok Nee stretch in Johor Bahru lies Sang Heng, an age-old noodle stall that has been dishing out comforting bowls of fishball noodles for the past 50 years or so.

Their unassuming bowls of noodles are ones we could have every day for breakfast—homemade fishballs, perfectly cooked noodles and fresh minced pork, all tossed in a lovely, lip-smacking chilli sauce is what you can expect!

Sang Heng
1 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee
Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Mon to Thu, Sat: 7am – 2pm
Sun: 7am – 1pm
(Closed on Friday)

HO SENG KEE WANTON NOODLES

Having been around for more than 81 years, Ho Seng Kee is an established brand among locals and even Singaporeans today. This popular dining establishment serves authentic Malaysia-style wanton mee and takes pride in making noodles from scratch in-house daily, using their own recipe.

While you’re there, make sure to try out their Handmade Pandan Mee (RM9.50), which features smooth, handmade noodles that carries a hint of pandan essence.

Ho Seng Kee
88 Jalan Wong Ah Fook
Lot J6-07 Johor Bahru City Square Mall
Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 012 710 7140
Daily: 10am – 9pm

QIN GARDEN KOPITIAM

Helmed by an Indonesian man and chefs all being native Indonesian, Qin Garden Kopitiam is where you can indulge in a buffet of authentic Nasi Padang dishes in the likes of Beef Rendang, Assam Pedas Fish, Chicken Curry, Crisp Fried Fish and Chilli Quail Eggs which are all available from 10.30am onwards.

Their array of Nasi Padang dishes will leave you spoilt for choice but if those aren’t enough, this humble coffee shop also serves a variety of a la carte Malay dishes.

Qin Garden Kopitiam
12 Jalan Trus
Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Sat to Thu: 6.30am – 4pm
(Closed on Friday)

RESTORAN KIN WAH

Restoran Kin Wah is a popular breakfast haunt that both locals and tourists flock to. Nestled along the foodie haven of Jalan Trus, this unassuming coffee shop serves up excellent nasi padang as well as traditional kaya toast and soft boiled eggs.

For those having their nasi padang, we highly recommend getting the begedil (fried potato patty) and their fried chicken. Subtly spiced and mildly charred, the begedil pairs exceptionally well with a touch of sambal.

Restoran Kin Wah
8 Jalan Trus
Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Mon, Wed to Sat: 7am – 12pm
Sun: 7am – 5pm
(Closed on Tuesday)

PETALING STREET HOKKIEN MEE

Venture out into the area of Taman Mount Austin—a hipster area 25-minutes away from the checkpoint—and you’d find a handful of local eateries as well, one of which being newly-opened 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).

Petaling Street Hokkien Mee
61 Jalan Austin Heights 8/5
Taman Mount Austin
81100 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16 668 6101
Wed to Mon: 3pm – 10.30pm
(Closed on Tuesday)

168 PENANG CHAR KOAY KAK

A popular street food in Penang, Char Koay Kak is hard to find in Singapore but thankfully, Johor Bahru has at least a couple of vendors serving this delightful, fluffy goodness.

On our recent trip to JB, we stumbled upon 168 Penang Char Koay Kak—a random stall at the roadside just a street across KSL City Mall. The owner of this humble eatery hails from Penang himself, so you can bet that food here is as authentic and real-deal as it gets.

SOON SOON HENG BAK KUT TEH

Situated just opposite KSL City Mall, it takes just a short 10-minute drive to reach Soon Soon Heng Bak Kut Teh from Johor Bahru City Square. It is one of the roadside eateries and we dare say that still humble eatery serves one of the best bak kut teh around.

Each serving is customisable to your own liking in the sense that diners get to choose what goes into their own portion. The star of the show, however, is definitely their broth which boasts the perfect balance of herbal and peppery flavours.

Soon Soon Heng Bak Kut Teh
43 Jalan Serigala
Taman Abad
80250 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Daily: 9am – 9pm

AH HUA KWAY TEOW

An old-school noodle stall, Ah Hua Kway Teow serves traditional Teochew kway teow whose pork bone broth is brewed over a charcoal stove.

The small bowl (RM8) comes with silky smooth rice noodles (kway teow), tender pork slices, thinly sliced pork kidney and liver, soaked in a flavourful broth and topped with fried shallots. You can opt for the dry version if you prefer to enjoy your soup separately with your noodles.

Ah Hua Kway Teow (Restoran Sekee)
30 Jalan Segget
Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Sun to Thu: 7.30am – 2.30pm
(Closed on Friday and Saturday)

RESTORAN AH KOONG

Restoran Ah Koong is an excellent fishball noodle restaurant located in Taman Sentosa district of Johor Bahru right across the border. The casual restaurant has been dishing out fishball noodles since 1987 and is now a respectable name in the F&B industry.

There are eight noodle options for you to choose from such as Kuey Teow, QQ Fishball Noodle, Mee Hoon, Mee Pok. Diners can opt for individual bowls (RM6.30) but opt for their set meals which will give you the ultimate bang for your buck!

Restoran Ah Koong
266 Jalan Sutera
Taman Sentosa
80150 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel : +607 331 3621
Daily: 6.30am – 11.30pm

RESTORAN HUA MUI

Nestled along the foodie haven of Jalan Tras and Jalan Dhoby lies Restoran Hua Mui, an old-school coffee shop that is said to be the birthplace of the original, authentic Hainanese chicken chop.

The star attraction of this shabby, old-school coffee shop is hands-down their Hainanese Chicken Chop (RM15.90). Sitting atop a savoury gravy with some peas and a few potato wedges, the fried chicken chop itself was crispy beyond belief without being oily.

Restoran Hua Mui
131 Jalan Trus
Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 11-3505 8916
Daily: 8.30am – 6pm

KAM LONG CURRY FISH HEAD

Kam Long Curry Fish Head has been a top choice of many locals and Singaporeans who frequent the eatery for its affordable and delicious Curry Fish Head and for good reason.

At just S$7 for a small portion (good for 2 to 4 people), you get a huge and delicious bowl of curry packed with incredible flavours, a generous helping of fresh fish meat, vegetables and bean curd skin.

Kam Long Curry Fish Head
74 Jalan Wong Ah Fook
Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru
Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16-752 8382
Daily: 8am – 4pm

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

Staycations are hugely popular among couples during Valentine’s day. A few days away from the familiarity of your own home, playing tourist and exploring your own country as if you were overseas. Staycations are great, but here in Singapore, they are crazy expensive—especially if you’re looking for a place that’s beautiful and grand.

A good option to get over this problem is just across the causeway. Johor Bahru is home to a plethora of gorgeous hotels that cost just a fraction of the ones here in Singapore and it’s great for a quick, short getaway to relax and rejuvenate.

For those of you who are looking for an affordable place to have a staycation with Bae to feel like royalty for a day or two, we have here a list of 10 picturesque hotels in Johor Bahru for a luxurious getaway that you can consider below S$110.

AMARI JOHOR BAHRU 

Amari Johor Bahru is located just next to the causeway and directly opposite City Square Shopping Mall and Komtar JBCC. This makes it incredibly convenient to access and you can always pop by over to one of the malls to get a little shopping done!

82C, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-266 8888

Prices start from S$90.

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON

Tucked away in the heart of Johor Bahru is Doubletree by Hilton Johor Bahru. This luxurious staycation destination has rooms with beautiful wooden furnishings, carpeted floors and gorgeous city views. The rooms are also fitted with a minibar and plush bathrobes are provided so you’d feel like a king when relaxing in your room.

No. 12 Jalan Ngee Heng,
80000 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-268 6868

Prices start from S$92.

HOTEL JEN PUTERI HARBOUR

Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour is just a convenient three-minute walk away from the Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park and a five-minute drive to Legoland Malaysia, making it an ideal place to stay at if you’re planning for an adventurous day out. Some of the rooms even have adorable themes which is perfect for people who are looking for something a little different.

Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour, Nusajaya,
79000 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-560 8888

Prices start from S$106.

KSL HOTEL AND RESORT 

KSL Hotel & Resort is located within the popular KSL Shopping Mall, so it’s great for shopaholics out there! The hotel’s luxurious rooms and plush beds are practically made for an intimate, romantic getaway with Bae. To top it off, there are interesting on-site facilities such as a golf simulator, a cinema, and a karaoke centre that you can use to your heart’s content!

33 Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad,
80250 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-288 2999

Prices start from S$62.

Photo Credit: Agoda 

KSL HOT SPRING RESORT 

The newly opened KSL Hot Spring Resort has exactly what its name says: hot spring spas! It is definitely one of the more exciting hotels in Johor to check out, especially if you’re dying for a good soak. Aside from the hot springs, they also have other facilities such as a golf simulator, a sauna room and a children’s playground.

31, Jalan Kangkar Tebrau, Taman Daya
81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-288 2999

Prices start from S$61.

Photo Credit: Booking.com

MIDORI CONCEPT HOTEL 

If you’re looking for a place that has a theme going on then you need to check out Midori Concept Hotel. The entire hotel is dressed up in a modern Victorian theme and the rooms are beautifully furnished with colourful, vintage decor. Located in the heart of Mount Austin, it is also surrounded by a plethora of cafes that sell amazing food.

57, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin
81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-364 6555

Prices start from S$54.

Photo Credit: Booking.com

RENAISSANCE JOHOR BAHRU

Renaissance Johor Bahru is the one place you should go to if you want to feel like a King. This luxury hotel by Marriott is equipped with all that you need for that much-needed getaway. The surrounding area is also filled with an abundance of eateries so you’ll never have to worry about feeling hungry.

No. 2, Jalan Permas 11, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya
81750 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-381 3333

Prices start from S$101.

THISTLE 

Thistle Johor Bahru provides you with a magnificent view of the Straits of Johor and aside from that, they have spacious hotel rooms that feature sexy interior designs which are accentuated by the right choice of colour blocking furnishings. Their pool area is also a pretty solid place to chill at!

Jalan Sungai Chat,
80100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-222 9234

Prices start from S$61.

Photo Credit: Agoda 

TROVE JOHOR BAHRU 

Trove Johor Bahru provides stylish and luxurious accommodation for their guests, especially couples. It is located only a couple of minutes away from the causeway and City Square Shopping Mall, making it an ideal and convenient spot for Singaporeans and shopaholics.

Jalan Dato Abdullah Tahir, Taman Abad
80300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-272 8888

Prices start from S$52.

Photo Credit: Expedia

THE ARDENS

Tucked away in a corner of Mount Austin is The Ardens, a small boutique hotel that provides their guests with a cosy, welcoming escape from the city life. Each room is simply yet beautifully furnished and their minibars are stocked up with snacks for when the midnight hunger pangs strike. We recommend getting the room with the bathtub!

19&21, Jalan Austin Perdana 2/22, Taman Austin Perdana
81200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 7-354 9323

Prices start from S$35.

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)

While Johor Bahru’s charm lies in its local food-packed nooks and crevices, it also has a massive hipster café scene to boast.

With an array of innovative and somewhat exotic creations that give even the most ambitious cafés here in Singapore a run for their money, we must say that when it comes to proper café-hopping, Johor Bahru is one great place to start—not to mention that prices are way cheaper there.

For the hipsters and those looking to liven up their social media accounts with pretty pictures and ever ready to try unconventional creations, this is for you. Here is our list of 11 cafés in Johor Bahru that’ll make your day trip worthwhile.

BEV C

Industrial-themed Bev C Café is located on the upper level of a restored shophouse and is definitely one of the most well-known cafés in Johor Bahru. Cool yourselves down from the scorching 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
(Closed on Wednesdays)
Mon to Sun: 10am – 7pm

BIG BITES CAFÉ

Nestled within the café-filled enclave of Jalan Dhoby, Big Bites Cafe is an artisanal café in Johor Bahru that specialises in coffee as well as a wide array of signature homemade Mille crepe cakes.

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 is one dessert we would happily cross the border for in a heartbeat.

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

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CHAIWALLA & CO. CONTAINER CAFE

Housed in a shipping container and situated in a public parking lot, Chaiwalla & Co. Container Cafe is a paradise for all hipster café lovers. You should definitely stop by to try their signature iced cold Thai Milk Tea—a much needed remedy to combat the sweltering heat—or simply grab a bite.

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

FACULTY OF CAFFEINE

Faculty Of Caffeine’s decor is a tasteful blend of old and new furnishings. Coffee 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 café is ultimately not Halal-certified.

Note that Faculty Of Caffeine’s Google Map location is currently wrong and we suggest you 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 – 5.30pm

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FLOWERS IN THE WINDOW

A cosy space to escape the overbearing midday heat, Flowers In The Window is one that promises a mixture of great food, beautiful interiors and Insta-worthy beverages.

Boasting an indoor garden with rustic touches, their beverages also adhere to the stunning flowery theme. 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
(Closed on Tuesdays)
Mon to Sun: 10am – 8pm

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LET’S GET CEREAL

This cereal-centric café is where you get to feel like a kid all over again with over 20 local and imported cereal brands to choose from. Not only that, there are even options of flavoured milk to go with your cereal, making for one heck of a breakfast experience.

The humble cereal shop has their own clothing label so feel free to browse through some trendy clothing between spoonfuls.

Aeon Tebrau City
Level Two
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +60 13-757 0703
Daily: 10am – 10pm

MACO CAFÉ & BAKERY

Maco Café & Bakery is a spacious casual eatery that specialises in traditional French pastries such as Mille Crêpes and Valrhona Chocolate Fondant Cake.

Several savoury French classic dishes are also available on the menu and you can delight yourself in the 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

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MOK MOK BRUNCH & BISTRO

Escape from the mayhem of city life to this beautiful garden-themed café that is just 15 minutes drive away from the checkpoint.

At Mok Mok Brunch & Bistro, guests can 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.

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

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SHAKESPEARE MILKSHAKES

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 (not meant for full stomachs).

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.

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

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THE REPLACEMENT – LODGE & KITCHEN

Run by the same team that manages Faculty Of Caffeine, The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen is a café 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 and Red Ranger Juice.

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

Speciality coffee shop and patisserie Vanilla Bean is 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. Their Ole Ole Waffle—an ondeh ondeh style waffle topped with gula melaka sauce, ice-cream and pandan ganache—is absolutely to die for.

Blk B, Pangsapuri Pinggiran Air
No.2 Persiaran Senibong,
Johor Bahru 81750
Tel: +60 7-380 4900
Mon to Thu: 9am – 8pm
Fri to Sun: 9am – 11pm

Words by: Alvin Tan
Edited by: Julee Ooi

For more recommendations, read our Johor Bahru guides to discover the best places to visit.

Johor Bahru is a popular travel destination for many Singaporeans. Be it a day trip or a short weekend getaway, Johor Bahru is a haven for one to indulge, have fun and pamper yourself like royalty, regardless of age and interest.

From cheap local eats to fun group activities, Johor Bahru is never a boring place where you will run out of things to do. For those who have been frequenting Johor Bahru and are running out of ideas to do on your next trip, here are some recommendations on what to eat, do and see in Johor Bahru.

WHAT TO EAT IN JOHOR BAHRU

A food hunt in Johor Bahru is always fun, especially when it comes to the wallet-friendly local food, charming cafes and bustling night markets.

CAFÉS BEYOND THE AESTHETICS

The area around the Johor Bahru immigration checkpoint is getting increasingly populated with cafés that cater to the youngsters who often visit this region.

For those who are looking to café hop in Johor Bahru, there are several cafés just a few minutes drive away from the customs that are definitely worth checking out—from aesthetically-pleasing interiors to quality grub, venture deeper into the city and you would be amazed by what you can find.

Mok Mok Brunch & Bistro, L. Table and Ink N Water are some cafés situated not more than 15-minutes drive from the checkpoint that are worth a visit.

EATERIES THAT WILL NOT DISAPPOINT

If you are not one for cafés, fret not because we assure you that the local food in Johor Bahru is to die for.

Should you be a fan of curry fish head, Kam Long Curry Fish Head is a must-try if you are in Johor Bahru—the S$7 portion can feed up to 4 people.

Soon Soon Heng Bak Kut Teh is also somewhere you would keep going back to even after your first visit. All we can say is that if the stall was to open in Singapore, we would have it every week.

NIGHT MARKETS FOR STREET FOOD

Feeling hungry at 11pm? Johor Bahru has plenty of night markets for you to satiate your hunger with their local street food.

One great night market for those who are always hanging around the area close to Johor Bahru City Square is Meldrum Night Market. Nestled in a back alley behind Jalan Wong Ah Fook, this night market has an array of mouth-watering delicacies to offer.

WHAT TO DO IN JOHOR BAHRU

Besides café hopping, body massages and shopping, there are multitudinous activities that are excellent for families and friends to take part in.

Photo Credit: Laser Battle

Battle your family or friends in a round of Laser Tag at Laser Battle. Conveniently located on the 4th storey of Johor Bahru City Square, this place makes sweating it out enjoyable.

Costing no more than S$10 for a game, this place is perfect for families with children to have a bonding session that will forge great memories, as well as for a group of friends looking for some fun.

Laser Battle
Lot MS-11, Johor Bahru City Square, 108
Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Tel: +60 07 207 0179

Photo Credit: Blue Ice Skating Rink

Johor Bahru recently opened its largest mall, Paradigm Mall which is located just a 20-minute drive away from Woodlands Causeway. Not only does it boast a myriad of food outlets and retail stalls, it also has a huge ice skating rink on its 3rd storey.

Escape from the glaring heat outdoors, put on some blades, and have fun at Blue Ice Skating Rink in Paradigm Mall. You can rent a pair of ice skates at RM25 on weekdays and RM30 on weekends.

Blue Ice Skating Rink
3F-30 Paradigm Mall
Taman Bukit Mewah, Johor Bahru Malaysia
Daily: 10am – 10pm
Tel: +60 11 6230 0366

Photo Credit: TGV Beanie

For those who want to relax after a long day of shopping and eating, TGV Cinemas has taken the movie-going experience a notch up with their Beanieplex, where you get to watch movies while lying on bean bags—you really cannot get more cosy than that!

The beanie movie hall is available at AEON, Tebrau City Shopping Centre, which is just a 10-minute drive away from Johor Bahru City Square. The only downside to the Beanieplex is that there is a minimum booking for two people, so bring a date or your mate along!

TGV Cinema
1 Jalan Desa Tebrau,
S01, 2nd Floor, AEON Tebrau City Shopping Centre
Taman Desa Tebrau, Johor Bahru Malaysia

TURN YOUR DAY TRIP INTO A STAYCATION

Most of us (if not all) will be able to relate to the disappointment that comes inevitably at the end of the trip. Some may consider extending the trip beyond a day and treat themselves to an impromptu staycation.

Thankfully, Johor Bahru is home to plenty of hotels with incredible amenities and some are rather affordable. For those looking for hotel rooms that will not break your bank, here are 13 hotels in Johor Bahru under S$150 you may wish to consider.

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!

Just a short 3-minute walk from City Square Mall in Johor Bahru, Kam Long Curry Fish Head is a top choice of many locals and Singaporeans who frequent the eatery for its affordable and delicious Curry Fish Head.

Whether you are visiting on a weekday or weekend, there is always a snaking queue here. The reason is simple—the curry fish head is unique and pocket-friendly! At just S$7 for a small portion (good for 2 to 4 people), you get a bang for your buck for this huge and delicious bowl of curry packed with incredible flavours!

You need to add this to your itinerary the next time you visit Johor Bahru. Kam Long Curry Fish Head is truly a gem!

It is no surprise that this little food joint is so popular. With a simple search online, you will find tons of reviews of the amazing curry fish head here.

The prices here are so affordable. For a mere RM24, you get a massive portion of the curry fish head that is more than enough to feed 2. We found that the small fish head portion was just right for us as we were especially ravenous after queueing for about half an hour.

You have to get to the restaurant early as they run out around mid-afternoon. The curry fish head comes with a fresh fish head, beancurd skin and lots of vegetables! The fish is oh-so-fresh and the tender flesh falls apart off the bone easily.

The curry is a whole new level of awesome and tasted nothing like we have ever tasted. It is so delicious that we were spooning it into our mouths directly! It wasn’t too spicy but packed a punch, for sure.

Is Kam Long Curry Fish Head worth a visit? Definitely. This unique Curry Fish Head will change the way you feel about the dish.

Kam Long Curry Fish Head
74, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru
80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Tel: +60 16-752 8382
Daily: 8am – 4pm

Cereal cafes are all the hype now and during our team’s recent trip to Johor Bahru, there was one such cafe that caught out attention as we walked past the stylish boutique cafe. At Let’s Get Cereal, this is where you will find more than 20 local and imported cereal brands that will remind you of your childhood breakfast.

Patrons get to choose among six pre-mixed cereal bowls or they can also customise one that is to their liking. But besides the food and beverages, the cafe shares a space with local fashion label, Costura. Yes, this is also a retail haven for fashionistas and those who are into independent brands!

Drop by Let’s Get Cereal for a simple afternoon snack to cool off from the humid weather or just swing by for some retail therapy if the usual shopping malls are starting to bore you. 

The first thing you will notice upon stepping into Let’s Get Cereal is the magnificent display of cereal boxes on the wall. Featuring crowd-favourites such as Honey Stars, Fruit Loops, Koko Krunch and many others, it is almost impossible not to find your favourite cereal brand there.

The front part of the cafe is dedicated to all the cereal fans and the back room behind the red brick wall is where you will find Costura’s range of clothing and accessories.

Eager to create our own cereal bowl, we decided to go for their DIY option where guests are allowed to pick two different types of cereals (Local – RM6.90/ Imported – RM10.90/ Mix – RM8.90), a topping and your choice of milk. There are more than 15 toppings for you to choose from!

Our first cereal bowl creation comprises Chocolate Cheerios, Reese’s Puff, M&Ms and low fat milk (RM10.90). Although there is nothing special in particular about the taste, we loved the mix of chocolate and peanut bits which was not overly sweet as it complemented the refreshing low fat milk.

For something more Instagram-worthy, we decided to go for Apple Jacks, Kellogg’s Crunchy Nut Peanut Butter Clusters, marshmallow and strawberry milk for our next order. The pastel pink hue of the strawberry milk certainly gives it an extra ‘wow’ factor in terms of presentation but the taste is nothing extraordinary.

While the food does not impress at Let’s Get Cereal, the boutique cafe is still a fantastic addition to Johor Bahru’s collection of cafes for you to rest your feet because of its near proximity to the immigration checkpoint and photogenic interior.

Let’s Get Cereal
No. 18, Jalan Dhoby
Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Tel: +6016 7676 344
Sat to Thu: 10am to 7pm
Fri: Closed

For more recommendations, read our Johor Bahru guides to discover the best places to visit.

Arguably one of the best ways to unwind from a hectic work schedule, many Singaporeans would take time off work to immerse themselves in a relaxing staycation at one of Singapore’s many superb hotels. But after awhile, you may find yourself back at the same hotel which then begs the question if you should look for alternative spaces for your personal retreat.

Well, instead of opting to have your next staycation in Singapore, have you contemplated the thought of crossing the border to Johor Bahru for a staycation? To be frank, travelling into Johor Bahru doesn’t cost much and there are plenty of luxurious hotels with just as fabulous perks that you would love.

With that, we introduce to you 13 Hotels In Johor Bahru Below S$150 For The #Nextlevel Staycation. Why settle for less when you could have more?

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#1 1 TEBRAU PREMIUM SUITES BY 12STAY

For a world-class staycation, 1 Tebrau Premium Suites by 12stay would be a rather good option. Each room comes with a balcony, so imagine being treated to resplendent views of the Johor Bahru whenever you like. Fancy, to say the least.

1 Tebrau Premium Suites by 12stay has three different types of accommodation, namely the Studio with Sofa Bed (S$60 per night), the Three-Bedroom Apartment (S$113 per night) and the modern yet homely Deluxe Apartment (S$145 per night) which can accommodate up to 7 persons.

1 Tebrau Premium Suites by 12stay
N001, residence @ 1 Tebrau, Jalan Tebrau,
Off Taman Seri Setanggi,
81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#2 AMARI JOHOR BARHU

Situated just across City Square Shopping Mall, Persada Johor International Convention Centre and Komtar JBCC, Amari Johor Bahru is an ideal staycation location for those who are looking to get some serious shopping done. Each room speaks style with the use of striped carpeted floors juxtaposed against abstract digital illustrations on the walls.

Amari Johor Bahru has also received favourable reviews from couples for both its value and comfort. Prices for a Superior King room start at S$83, S$113 for a Deluxe King room and S$126 for a Grand Deluxe King room. Breakfast is not included in the rate.

Amari Johor Bahru
No. 82C, Jalan Trus,
80000 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#3 BERJAYA WATERFRONT HOTEL

If relaxation for you involves shopping and entertainment, Berjaya Waterfront Hotel would be the best staycation choice for you as this hotel is housed within a duty-free shopping and entertainment complex! With lush carpeted floors and spacious rooms that come with excellent views of the sea and city, your stay is completed with a long soak in your personal bathtub.

One night in the Deluxe Double room will cost you S$55 which comes with a complimentary breakfast.

Berjaya Waterfront Hotel
No. 88 Jalan Ibrahim Sultan, Stulang Laut,
80300 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#4 DOUBLETREE BY HILTON JOHOR BAHRU

Located in the heart of Johor Bahru, Doubletree by Hilton Johor Bahru is a luxurious staycation destination where each room comes with beautiful wooden furnishings, carpeted floors and a gorgeous view of the city. The rooms are also fitted with a minibar and plush bathrobes are provided so you’d feel like a king when relaxing in your room.

For the ultimate staycation experience, opt for the King Room which is a whopping 31m² in size. At just S$101 a night, guests will be able to enjoy its rain-shower facilities, Aroma Active Essentials bathroom amenities and most importantly, the plush king-size bed.

Doubletree by Hilton Johor Bahru
No. 12 Jalan Ngee Heng,
80000 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#5 HOLIDAY VILLA JOHOR BAHRU CITY CENTRE

Another staycation location nestled in the heart of Johor Bahru’s city centre is Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre. Aside from being rewarded with a splendid view of the city, certain rooms also come with a seating area for your comfort. Thus, be sure to request this n advance (if possible) during your stay.

Prices for the Superior Room are starting at S$102 per night and this includes a complimentary breakfast.

Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre
260 Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad,
80250 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#6 HOTEL JEN PUTERI HARBOUR, JOHOR

Just a three-minute walk away from the Puteri Harbour Family Theme Park and a five-minute drive to Legoland Malaysia, Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour is the perfect staycation destination for families. All rooms are fitted with hardwood floors and there are various themed rooms which would suit the tastes of your children. Some rooms also come with a great view of the harbour.

A Deluxe Double room will cost you S$129 per night and Deluxe Double with Harbour View S$140 a night. Prices quoted are not inclusive of breakfast.

Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour, Johor 
Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour, Nusajaya,
79000 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#7 KSL HOTEL & RESORT

Are you a shopaholic in need of a staycation? Well then KSL Hotel & Resort would be a suitable staycation location for you! KSL Hotel & Resort is located within KSL Shopping Mall and each room comes with useful amenities such as free WiFi and a flat-screen TV. To top it off, on-site facilities that you’d be able to use include a golf simulator, cinema, a karaoke centre and more!

Rates for a Superior King Room start at S$94 per night and S$109 per night for a Deluxe King Room. Both rates are inclusive of a complimentary breakfast.

KSL Hotel & Resort
33 Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad,
80250 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#8 MILLESIME HOTEL JOHOR BAHRU

Found right beside the North-South Secondlink Highway in Afiat Healthpark, Millesime Hotel Johor Bahru is a good place to go for a quiet break away from the city life. The rooms at Millesime Hotel Johor Bahru are spacious and are equipped with a mini bar and rain shower. There is also unlimited 3G internet connectivity at no charge.

One night in the Deluxe King Room will cost you S$46 and a night in the Junior Suite, S$85. Both prices quoted are inclusive of a complimentary breakfast.

Millesime Hotel Johor Bahru
B-01-01 Jalan Persiaran Afiat, Taman Kesihatan Afiat,
79529 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#9 MUTIARA JOHOR BAHRU

A fifteen-minute drive from the Singapore Causeway is all you would need to arrive at Mutiara Johor Bahru, your own slice of paradise. The hotel decor at Mutiara Johor Bahru is kept simple but elegant, and each air-conditioned room comes with a minibar and TV with in-house movies; this is already starting to sound like the perfect staycation!

Prices are starting at S$64 per night for a Superior Double room and S$76 per night for a Deluxe Double room. Other options at Mutiara Johor Bahru include the Executive Double room (S$104 per night) and Studio Suite (S$122 per night). All prices quoted are inclusive of breakfast.

Mutiara Johor Bahru
Jalan Daito, Sulaiman, Taman Century, K.B. No. 779,
80990 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#10 SOMERSET MEDINI ISKANDAR PUTERI

Should you intend to stay cooped up in your room during the entirety of your staycation, a room with a kitchenette would definitely be a plus point. All rooms at Somerset Medini Iskandar Puteri come with a satellite flat-screen TV and a kitchenette equipped with a microwave and toaster, refrigerator and kettle. Accompanied by spectacular views of the city, your staycation has begun.

A night in the Studio Premier room will cost you S$87 and a night in the One-Bedroom Premier Apartment, S$95. Continental breakfast is included in both rates quoted.

Somerset Medini Iskandar Puteri
Lot 5 Jalan Medini Utara 4, Medini Iskandar, Nusajaya,
79200 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#11 SOMERSET PUTERI HARBOUR ISKANDAR PUTERI

A contemporary staycation experience awaits you at Somerset Puteri Harbour Iskandar Puteri, a modern accommodation in Iskandar Puteri which happens to be 3.2km away from Legoland Malaysia. Aside from coming with a kitchenette, each room also comes with a DVD player which means you can loop your favourite shows over and over again throughout your staycation.

Rates for the Premier Studio start at S$87 per night and S$100 per night for the One-Bedroom Executive Apartment. All prices quoted are inclusive of a continental breakfast.

Somerset Puteri Harbour Iskandar Puteri
Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour, Nusajaya,
79000 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#12 THISTLE JOHOR BAHRU

Thistle Johor Bahru stands out as an excellent staycation destination for many reasons, with the incredible view of the Straits of Johor being one of them. Each spacious hotel room features a sexy interior design accentuated by the right choice of colour blocking furnishings. Guests will receive daily morning newspapers which they can read whilst enjoying the tea/coffee maker and minibar amenities.

A Deluxe Room will cost you S$101 per night and S$108 for a Deluxe Seaview room. For a slightly more luxurious staycation, the Executive room will cost you S$138 per night. All rates quoted are inclusive of breakfast.

Thistle Johor Bahru
Jalan Sungai Chat,
80100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Photo Credit: Booking.com

#13 V8 HOTEL JOHOR BAHRU

V8 Hotel Johor Bahru is a modern and magnificent hotel situated within Taman Nusa Bestari. Not only is it well-received for its price point, the aesthetically-pleasing rooms at V8 Hotel Johor Bahru come with useful amenities such as a flat-screen cable TV, minibar and tea/coffee making facilities.

A night’s stay at the Deluxe Double Room would cost you S$61 and a night in the Junior Suite, S$90. Both prices quoted are inclusive of breakfast.

V8 Hotel Johor Bahru
2 Jalan Jati 2, Taman Nusa Bestari,
81300 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Do note that prices quoted for all hotels are accurate as of 31 October 2017.

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