10 trending JB cafes in 2026 worth crossing the Causeway for
Once a quick pitstop between shopping runs, JB cafes in 2026 have increasingly become places you plan a whole afternoon around, to slow down, snap photos, and actually relax, and there’s a plethora of them popping up every year.
Across the Johor-Singapore Causeway, it’s not uncommon to come across JB cafes located in converted bungalows and cottage-style houses, or taking on unique concepts, such as that of a retro diner. The Johor Bahru cafes also serve up more extensive menus, with items such as sourdough grilled cheese, Malaysian comfort food, matcha soft serve waffles, and even Chinese desserts.
Beyond the food, there’s plenty to capture at these JB cafes in 2026, too, with interiors running the gamut from zen-style teahouse to an old-school coffee shop with a modern twist.
Not sure where to start? We’ve picked 10 JB cafes worth a trip down, mostly within a short ride of the checkpoint, so bring an appetite and remember to save room for dessert.
1. Bluer House
Why visit? Most of us cross the causeway for two things: shopping and eating. Bluer House happens to cover both. This sourdough-sandwich cafe is the sister brand of AnythingJB, a clothing store nearby, so you can slot in lunch at the cafe after a shopping stop.
Its concrete-style walls, Japandi lights, steel furniture, wooden benches and vintage stools blend together in an eclectic, cool-kid look that never feels forced. A small caveat: The space is small and cosy, so seats can be tough to come by at peak hours, especially if you’re coming with a bigger party.
Crowd favourites: The balsamic grilled chicken (from RM16 or S$5.04 for half) is a regular go-to, featuring herb-grilled chicken breast and mixed greens accompanied by balsamic glaze, Mediterranean sauce, mozzarella and juicy tomatoes.
For a sweeter option, get the apple honey grilled cheese (from RM16 for half a sandwich), which melts brie, vintage cheddar and mozzarella with grilled apples, walnut nibs and wild honey. It’s a sweet-savoury pairing we don’t really see in Singapore.
Pair either sandwich with a Cutie mocha (RM18), a chocolatey drink made with Bluer’s signature cocoa paste, espresso and milk.
2. Mood Cafe
Why visit? Fan of European-style sandwiches? Mood Cafe bakes its own focaccia and ciabatta for its sandwich bases, and a bar up front even lets you watch your sandwich be assembled upon order. The cafe opened in mid-April, in a renovated two-storey house about 10 minutes from the JB CIQ.
Everything at Mood feels intentional, down to the Chengal wood finishings, which lend rich, natural tones and its touches of greenery for a Bali-esque feel. It sits among houses in a residential area with no signage, so keep your eyes peeled if you decide to make your way down.
Crowd favourites: Go for The OG (RM34), a focaccia sandwich of chicken ham, pesto, rocket, heirloom tomatoes, and cream cheese spread, with bread that’s crisp on top and soft within. Here, the pesto and rocket adds a herby, peppery edge to the cream cheese.
For something more elevated yet simple, go for the truffle avo (RM30), which pairs scrambled eggs, avocado and truffle butter on ciabatta, a bread base that’s airier than the focaccia but sturdier, too. It’s a Mood Cafe classic that is sure to please.
3. Shuu Cafe
Why visit? Previously a pastry and dessert shop, Shuu Cafe reopened nearer to the Singapore-Malaysia border in December 2025 in a cottage-style house in Taman Abad, a neighbourhood that’s in the heart of Johor Bahru’s city centre. It’s an easy 10-minute drive from the Johor Bahru Checkpoint, making it a convenient first stop once you’ve cleared immigration checks.
Expect cosy cottage charm inside, with its warm brick walls, vintage-style furnishings and soft lighting that make it a fun spot for snapping plenty of photos.
Crowd favourites: Start with the beef butter noodles (RM30), where chewy handmade noodles are slicked in spiced beef fat and topped with juicy braised ribs, for a bowl that’s rich and deeply savoury. It’s not a usual cafe menu item, which makes this even more of a must-try!
For a classic brunch option, Shuu’s Daily Ritual (RM36) is a hearty plate anchored by garlic oil scrambled eggs and a chicken chipolata, with toasted brioche to mop up the rest. You’ll also get a side of vegetables to balance the heavier sides.
4. Annie Sammies
Why visit? While many JB cafes lean towards muted tones and a Bali-esque calm, Annie Sammies opts for a retro American diner look instead. Bright pops of red give it a nostalgic American feel, providing a refreshing visual switch-up.
This sourdough cafe in Taman Perling opened this year, and bakes everything, from its loaves to its scones, in-house. Sandwiches start from as low as RM13.50, keeping a cafe lunch at Annie Sammies easy on the wallet.
Crowd favourites: Comfort comes first with the garlic grilled cheese sandwich with soup (RM22), where garlic-buttered sourdough is toasted to a golden crunch, and embellished with molten cheddar and mozzarella — this one has an irresistible cheese pull, too! You can choose between a corn or tomato soup on the side for dunking.
For something more adventurous, try the Turkish eggs (RM18), which features freshly poached eggs over a garlicky Greek yoghurt scented with dill, finished with a slick of spicy chilli butter. It comes with butter-toasted sourdough for you to mop up every last bit of egg.
5. Date Cafe
Why visit? The maroon-hued exterior of this cafe is hard to miss — its warm, woody interior is cosy yet a touch sultry, though it is fitting for a place named Date. It’s also a 10-minute walk from the popular KSL City Mall, so it slots in easily between shopping stops.
It’s one of the few JB Cafes with a Japanese-focused menu featuring rice bowls and matcha drinks. Opened in January, it has since built a steady following, with long lines outside its doors on weekends.
Crowd favourites: Start with the salmon genmai-zuke (RM38), a pretty special dish inspired by ochazuke, the Japanese comfort food of rice doused in tea. The dish features a crisp salmon katsu, pearl rice with furikake, marinated radish, shredded nori, and rice crackers. It also comes with a nutty genmaicha tea broth on the side for you to pour over.
Don’t miss the ‘gram-worthy soft-serve waffles. Go for the chrysanthemum soft-serve waffle (RM25), a crispy buttermilk waffle piled with chrysanthemum soft-serve, osmanthus jelly, granola, cookie crumbles, and fruits. Or try the strawberry matcha soft-serve waffle (RM26), which pairs matcha soft-serve with fruits, granola, and a strawberry syrup on the side.
6. Mollie Makes
Why visit? If eastern desserts are more your thing, make a beeline for Mollie Makes, a modern Chinese dessert teahouse in JB Old Town, not too far from the Johor Bahru Checkpoint CIQ. It pairs traditional-style sweets with fresh, creative twists that you don’t often find locally.
Across two storeys, garden-inspired corners, water features and linen lanterns set a calm teahouse mood, with a communal table styled like a zen garden at its heart. It’s a restful place to linger once the shopping is done.
Crowd favourites: Order the pistachio beancurd mochi (RM15.90), one of Mollie Makes’ signature desserts. It features silky beancurd, nutty pistachio, and chewy handmade mochi — ticking off two of the more recently popular dessert trends in a single bowl.
For something more unusual, try the osmanthus poached pear (RM13.90), a nod to a less-often-seen traditional Chinese dessert. The dessert features tender pear in a fragrant pear soup base, dotted with osmanthus jelly, longan pearls, and white fungus, for a gentle, floral spoonful.
7. Slowspace
Why visit? Slowspace shares its space with a curated clothing store stocking international and local brands. Pop-ups and events also happen often here, so check its Instagram before you plan your trip down in case operating hours change.
Here, the tables are nicely spaced out, so it doesn’t feel cramped, and there’s plenty of room to breathe. On the second floor is where you’ll spot its iconic (and often-photographed) wide windows with a table right in front. It makes for a lovely spot to unwind or get some work done.
Crowd favourites: Nearly everyone orders the signature potato cubes (RM15), the cafe’s calling card and an easy snack to share around the table. For something sweet, the Dirty pistachio waffle (RM12) is a deliciously soft, slightly chewy stack filled with pistachio cream, reminiscent of the pandan waffles from neighbourhood bakeries but with a more interesting flavour.
Slowspace also serves up Cloud drinks, a trendy beverage with a light, airy, and pillowy foam that resembles a cloud. Popular choices include the coconut matcha Cloud (RM14), which comes with a fluffy matcha topping over coconut water, or the fizzy apple matcha cloud (RM16).
8. FewLab
Why visit? FewLab is a cafe in a converted old bungalow, which looks a lot like your grandma’s house — retro window grilles and tiled floors included. There are some modern touches, such as pops of colour on some walls, stainless steel cushioned chairs, and bright orange seats, that still keep the cafe looking fresh.
As you would expect of a space like this, FewLab is relaxed and unpretentious, with a spacious al fresco yard. Indoors, the lighting is good and the mood cosy, which makes it a fine spot to get some work done for a few hours, as well as a great backdrop for photos.
Crowd favourites: Asian influences run through the menu, and the wok-fried rice (from RM16) shows it best. The fried rice is topped with scrambled eggs and sliced chilli for a hint of heat. To accompany the carb, you can choose from a variety of proteins: grilled chicken, prawn or smoked duck.
The drinks here are just as highly rated. The tiramisu latte (RM15) pairs a cafe latte with a cap of salty white cream and a dusting of cocoa. A ladyfinger biscuit is served on the side to complete the tiramisu effect.
Instead of the ubiquitous strawberry matcha, FewLab also has a berry latte (RM14), a cafe latte with a salty strawberry cream layer on top, giving the glass a bright pop of pink.
9. Kunjungan
Why visit? Kunjungan is a Muslim-owned cafe that opened in July, serving Malaysian comfort food alongside modern drinks, pastries and innovative homemade desserts.
The design borrows from old-school coffee shops, with walls that mix off-white paint and white tiles, and speckle-patterned floor. Despite its retro touches, it is decked out in modern furnishings, with everything coming together as a nostalgic yet photogenic space that’s made for snapping pictures between bites.
Crowd favourites: Start with the nasi serai with ayam merah (RM15), fragrant lemongrass rice served with chicken in a sweet-spicy red gravy and a side of tangy acar (pickled vegetables) to cut through the richness.
For dessert, the tiramisu caviar (RM12.90) is a playful version served in a little metal tin, topped with crisp chocolate pearls that stand in for caviar. The chocolate banana bread (RM14.90) is a classic made smokier and sweeter with the caramelised banana served on top, accompanied by a swirl of cream cheese chantilly.
10. Cha Haus
Why visit? Led by a young owner with a genuine passion for tea, JB cafe Cha Haus is a modern teahouse where the humble brew gets proper attention. The airy, zen-like room feels hushed and unhurried, the kind of place that invites you to linger after a long day out.
What sets it apart is the many ways its tea is served, from hot pots paired with a small egg tart to tea mocktails, fizzy tea beers, and creamy cloud teas that come in a bottle.
Crowd favourites: The creamy Cloud tea (from RM18.80) is the most intriguing order, served in a large, flat, round bottle that you shake before pouring. No milk goes in, yet a special technique gives it a smooth, lightly foamy body that feels like sipping a cloud. How you pour matters, too: tip it horizontally for a stronger tea flavour, or vertically for a creamier, more velvety sip.
If there is one cake you have to try, let it be the cheese tofu cake (RM17.80). One of Cha Haus’ signature cakes, it’s a velvety cheesecake made using silken tofu. Tofu gives the cake a velvety, mousse-like texture and a cleaner finish, with a faint soybean note.
Hungry for more eats? Read our guides on the newest F&B openings this month or our KL guide to our Michelin Bib Gourmand picks in the city, if you make your way up north!
Sarah is constantly seeking out new coffee spots and cocktail bars around the world, and should probably drink more water while at it.
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