25 best cafes in JB for your cafe-hopping weekend trip

No prizes for guessing Singaporean’s favourite pastime — pigging out at cafes in JB. 

Whether it’s Insta-worthy aesthetics, a good cup of joe, buttery pastries, hearty mains, decadent desserts or more, we all have different things we look for in an ideal cafe.

With the strong Singapore dollar and a stellar exchange rate, we’d say it’s a worthy endeavour to brave the Causeway jams so you can indulge in cafe hopping without breaking the bank. 

But yes, we get it: It seems like there’s new JB cafes popping up every month. Yet, there’s only so many hours and places you can squeeze in during your one-weekend trip to JB.

To save you from the misses, here’s our curated list of hits — our ultimate guide to 25 of the best cafes in JB. 

Save this list for your next cafe hopping in JB sojourn — your tummy and wallet will thank you. 

1. The Founders Cafe 

Tiong Nam Tebrau, 45, Jalan Tiong Nam Emas​, Kawasan Perindustrian Tebrau 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (9am to 10pm)

Why visit? Founders Cafe is brought to you by the team at the well-known, but now-defunct People & Places Cafe. Huge and spacious with high ceilings, the cafe has plenty of space for everyone, especially for big groups of friends and families. 

Having been around since 2020, Founders Cafe is an established and highly-raved cafe in Johor Bahru. And for good reason, too — its food doesn’t disappoint and consistently hits all the right spots.

If you only have time for one cafe and one cafe alone in JB, this is the one to go to.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Bagel with smoked salmon, green onion cream cheese, capers, tomato (RM29.90 or S$8.60) is highly recommended as its bagels are made fresh daily. Its quesadilla (RM29.90) is a tasty combination of fluffy tom yum scrambled eggs, chicken ham, sliced tomatoes, Sriracha aioli, coriander, and cheddar cheese sandwiched between tortilla sheets. 

2. Principle Cafe by TAM

82-B, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (8.30am to 6pm)

51, Jalan Austin Heights 3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia  
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 9pm)

Why visit? Your mornings in Johor Bahru just got better — Principle Cafe (at Jalan Trus) launched its breakfast menu to cater to morning risers, in November last year.

Look forward to an elevated brunch at this Muslim-friendly cafe, where there is no pork or lard used in any of its dishes. Those who love the Japanese wabi-sabi aesthetic will especially enjoy their time here. Tip: If it’s quiet while you’re there, make a beeline for the cosy nook at the front corner of the cafe. 

If you are driving into JB, get your first hour of parking waived simply by informing the friendly members of staff who will assist you. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: PCT (RM19) is an acronym for “perfect poached eggs, charred broccoli and toasted brioche”.

The eggs are indeed perfectly poached. Here, savour the creamiest mushroom and tomato omelette you would have ever eaten with OM… (RM22), which also features toasted focaccia and shaved parmigiano. 

Principle’s kombu mushroom pasta (RM29) is a filling vegetarian option that packs a punch and comes with Japanese seaweed, shitake, king oyster mushroom, a touch of dried chilli, and spaghetti.

3. Nimmies Pastry Cafe

171, Jalan Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (8am to 11pm)

Why visit? Be transported to Paris with the charming Parisian chic elements at Nimmies Pastry Cafe. Located not too far away from KSL mall — a hot spot for most Singaporeans — this cafe resides in a “mansion” of sorts, and is easily accessible by a short taxi ride or a 15-minute walk on foot, if that’s what you prefer. 

As its name suggests, it specialises in pastries of both the sweet and savoury kind. Diners are invited to choose from its selection of exquisite pastries in the glass display counters. And they taste as good as they look, if not better. The crispy, buttery pastries here are truly every foodies’ dream.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Inspired by the nasi lemak dish, the Hoe lemak croissant (RM16) is a croissant-based pastry with nasi lemak toppings such as sambal, cucumber, ikan bilis, and peanuts. Its pistachio supreme croissant (RM18) is filled with a generous dose of nutty and creamy pistachio cream that just oozes out of the pastry when you bite into it. 

4. Dona Bakehouse

14 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (8.30am to 5pm)

Why visit? If you’re a Singaporean making your way to JB, then heading to Hiap Joo Bakery to queue for its famous banana cake is a necessary rite of passage.

While queueing, you may have spot a quaint new patisserie next to the famed bakery — Dona Bakehouse. We hear it was founded due to the founder’s passion for baking, which ignited during the pandemic. 

High on the list of breakfast cafes in Johor Bahru, Dona’s wide variety of exquisite French pastries is sure to draw you in. Come early, as the pastries are baked fresh daily and do get sold out by the afternoon, especially on weekends!

Other than flaky buttery pastries, try its breads (such as sourdough and focaccia), bagels and scones. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Pistachio supreme swirl (RM14) is full of  pistachio cream that’s made in-house and topped with white chocolate icing. Its lemon meringue croissant (RM12) is a unique twist on the classic, with zesty lemon cream carefully piped atop the flaky pastry.

5. Seven Oaks Bakery

134, Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (9am to 10pm)

50&52, Jalan Eko Botani 3/6 Taman Eko Botani Iskandar Puteri, 79100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (1030am to 930pm)

Why visit? If you’ve ever been torn between getting a hearty brunch or getting your bakes craving fixed, you can get the best of both worlds at Seven Oaks Bakery Cafe — it serves up not just appetising mains, but also delectable pastries. 

Unlike the many other cafes, which tend to be cosier in size, this one takes up an entire building of its own and has several levels to house all its patrons. Pretty grand and fancy, we think. 

The pastries and cakes look equally as fancy, with interesting creations such as a Tacro, which are croissant-shaped and presented like tacos, and Crombolini, a mash-up of a croissant and a bomboloni. If you love new and interesting flavours, you’d be glad to know that Seven Oaks frequently releases new flavours for its pastries, on top of seasonal, limited-edition ones. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites:  Try its Cromobolini (RM12) in various delightful flavours like pistachio creme brulee, hojicha milk chocolate, dark chocolate churro, garlic cream cheese, strawberry cheese and more. Its unique Tracro (RM20) creations come with beef, chicken or lamb.

6. Bloom by Mok Mok

87, Jalan Mutiara Emas 2A, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (12pm to 10pm)

Why visit? If you’re cafe hopping with your significant other, you’d want to bring your date to Bloom by Mok Mok. It’s got a romantic ambience complete with dried flowers artistically hanging from the ceiling and dim neon lighting. 

This iconic floral cafe checks all the boxes in terms of its food, too, offering hearty rice bowls and burgers, creative asian fusion dishes and delightful desserts. If Mount Austin is one of your cafe hopping in JB spots, be sure to add this to your list of places to go. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Its chilli crab pasta (RM32) is every pasta and chilli crab lover’s dream. If you’re looking for something sweeter insteadl, opt for its fresh mango cream cheese souffle pancakes (RM32), which features its signature soft souffle pancakes, paired with fresh mango and cream cheese.

7. Dusk by Mok Mok

49, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 10pm)

Why visit? A concept by the Mok Mok Group, Dusk by Mok Mok is dripping with Bohemian vibes, reminiscent of Bali cafes or beach clubs. If you’re looking for that one spot to chill your afternoon away, this relaxing and comfortable cafe is it. 

The menu here is very much similar to its sister cafe Bloom by Mok Mok, with the main difference being the addition of smoothie bowls, tropical-themed drinks and smoothies, and is worth every single calorie you might consume.

Price range: $

Crowd favourite: Gyutan (RM30), also know as beef tongue, is a dish that boasts melt-in-your-mouth stir-fried gyutan, cooked with chilli and soya sauce. Desserts fanatics should try its kumo ultimo (RM25), which are souffle pancakes embellished with a white chocolate mermaid tail.

8. Brooos & Co by JWC

18, Jalan Sri Pelangi 4, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 12am)

Why visit? Office-inspired cafe in the day, neon lights-adorned bar at night, Brooos & Co is JWC’s newest concept located at Taman Pelangi. If you’re wondering what JWC is, it’s an F&B company with multiple food and drink ventures in Malaysia.

Expect a menu that carries the same influence but is slightly differentiated from its OG outlet named JWC, The Factory 30. 

Besides its sourdough and wrap offerings, the highlight here would be its draft cocktails with kooky names like Drama Queen (RM20), Email Expert (RM25) and Like a Bossy (RM20), keeping to the corporate theme of the cafe.

Visit this spot both in the day and at night to soak up the vastly different vibes, or better yet, grab a late-afternoon coffee and stay till the evening. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: If you are into theatrics with your food, you will enjoy the flaming brownie (RM25) where you will see your chocolate brownie being lit on fire. We stan a healthy and delicious dish and its grilled squid & avocado sourdough (RM25) is just that, with perfectly-cooked squid, guacamole and homemade ricotta.

9. Keijometo

3, Jalan Chengai, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (11am to 7pm)

Why visit? For those who head to TikTok to plan their cafe hopping in JB, you should be well-acquainted with Keijometo. Well-loved for its raw industrial aesthetic, this social media-famous cafe, adorned with plenty of concrete and unfinished elements, needs no introduction. 

Besides its vibes, the cafe is known for its specialty matcha drinks and Japanese-inspired dishes. Go early as heavier mains like udon aren’t served in the afternoon — you’ll only get to order its sandos then.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Its mentaiko tamagoyaki sando (RM20) is a Japanese-style sandwich featuring velvety mentaiko sauce and is flame-torched for a charred flavour. We never thought watermelon could complement matcha, but the refreshing watermelon matcha iced latte (RM15) made us think otherwise.

10. Space Cafe

G-11, Holiday Villa, 260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (8am to 11pm)

Why visit? If you’re at the much-frequented KSL City Mall or staying at Hotel Holiday Villa — a popular hotel choice with Singaporeans — Space Cafe is a must-visit cafe spot.

Located in the lobby of Hotel Holiday Villa, this minimalist cafe offers — in our opinion —the best coffee in Johor Bahru, hands down.

Coffee connoisseurs would appreciate being able to choose your own beans for your pourover coffees. Apart from hand-brews, it also has unique specialty coffees such as caramel cinnamon cafe latte (RM18) and orange americano (RM18), which includes freshly-squeezed orange juice.

You can even opt to enjoy its coffees at home, by bringing back its specialty blends of beans from Costa Rica, Brazil and Indonesia. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: For those opting for hand-brews, you’ll want to try the Ethiopia Haru Suke (RM25), which has notes of lavender, fresh apricot, orange peel, and bergamot. Its canele (RM14) is just how we’ll like it, crunchy on the outside and moist on the inside.

11. Soil

Unit SL009, Spring Lab, Jalan Ekoflora Utama, Taman Ekoflora, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (9am to 6pm)

Why visit? Being at Eco Spring Labs — a retail park located thirty minutes from the checkpoint by car — feels like you’re visiting a small town within JB itself. And it’s a very picturesque one, too, with eateries and photo opportunities at every corner.

If you have time to spare and are looking to cafe-hop away from the usual crowds, venture there and treat yourself at Soil, a hidden, minimalist spot located at Eco Spring Labs. 

We think that Soil is easily the best JB cafe for French pastries, with each one freshly baked daily by its artisanal partner bakery — The Atlas Bakery. A wide array of buttery and flaky bakes welcome you at this charming cafe, with both savoury and sweet options. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: You can’t go wrong with the classics like its French croissant (RM9) and its blueberry cream cheese danish (RM9).

12. Nikko & Yoryo

86, Jalan Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 10pm)

No 72, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/4, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 11pm)

Why visit? Right opposite the famed Nimmies Pastry Cafe at Taman Melodies is another trendy cafe called Nikko & Yoryo. Hailing from Malacca, the brand has since opened two branches in Johor Bahru, with another branch in Sutera. 

Unlike regular cafes, it dishes up Japanese-inspired cuisine such as rice bowls, sandos and pastas. However, the highlight has got to be its divine desserts that are just as photo-worthy. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Come here for its souffle pancakes (RM26) that “jiggle jiggle” and come in flavours like strawberry and matcha. With a range of sides to choose from, don’t miss out on its tori katsu don (RM11.90), featuring deep fried chicken that is perfectly fried, with truffle curry and the creamiest tamago (egg).  

13. JWC, The Factory 30

30, Jalan Mutiara Emas 5/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 11pm)

Why visit? The people at JWC, The Factory 30, take its coffees seriously, and you can tell this by the coffee competitions it organises and the many barista accolades to its name. If you’re wondering what the initials JWC stand for, it’s simply an acronym for “just want coffee”.

While the location isn’t the most central — it’s located in an industrial area — it is definitely worth taking a short car or taxi ride out just for its robust brews alone. Exceptional specialty coffees await you here — you won’t regret it. 

Price range: $$

Crowd favourites: Its classic cold brew latte (RM16) comes in enticing flavours like rose, mocha, hazelnut and salted caramel.  And it serves more than just coffees, too — we recommend diving into its spaghetti al nero di seppia (squid ink pasta with perfectly-cooked squid, RM35).

14. Padi Kopitiam

82-B1, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (8am to 5.30pm)

15, Jalan Austin Heights 3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (8am to 5.30pm)

109, Jln Anggerik Emas 1, Taman Perusahaan Ringan Pulai, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (8am to 5.30pm)

Why visit? Not your typical brunch spot, Padi Kopitiam is the go-to place for all things local. The cafe’s exterior resembles a traditional kopitiam with round tables and stools while its interior is a touch more modern. 

Enjoy mouth-watering rice and noodle dishes, local snacks (such as bolo buns and egg tarts) and local delights such as cendol — all at wallet-friendly prices! You’re guaranteed plenty of wok hei and umami flavours in these dishes.

If you’re up early looking for the best cafe in JB town, you’d definitely want to start here, as it is opens early at 8am.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: You’ve got to munch on its signature pisang goreng (banana fritters, RM6.90) that sell out daily. A must-try would be its tom yum char lao shu fen (RM11.90) which resembles char kway teow but cooked with lao shu fen, a thick noodle that’s more commonly known in Singapore as mee tai mak.

15. Beans Factory

Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/4, Taman Sutera Utama skudai, 81300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (12.30pm to 1am)

Why visit? Supper-goers rejoice! Here’s the perfect cafe and supper spot to visit when in JB. Beans Factory, Malaysia’s beloved dessert cafe opens till 1am. 

Don’t miss out on its silky smooth signature beancurd, traditionally known as “tau fu fah”. All the desserts come in an array of options and you can even customise your own dessert and toppings.  

Its shaved-ice desserts taste incredible, too. And we daresay no other taro balls anywhere else come close to embodying this level of chewiness. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Signature tau fu fah (RM4.90) is the plain option which has a pudding-like texture. But of course, there are other options with toppings such as taro balls, grass jelly and more. Its mango shaved ice (RM7.90) has generous amounts of mango, which are delightfully sweet.

16. Palates & Bagels by T.A.M.

10, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (8.30am to 6pm)

Why visit? One of the newest cafes in JB, Palates & Bagels by T.A.M. has been trending on TikTok. One needn’t look far to guess why. Its retro and vintage interior makes for aesthetic content, while its signature bagels look absolutely mouth-watering, even from your phone screens.

Bagels aren’t exactly common in JB cafes, so this cafe is a good find for those who are searching for that 10 out of 10 bagel. Each bagel is baked fresh everyday and there’s a wide variety of flavours to choose from. If you’re looking for a heavier meal, opt for the bagel dishes that are filled with savoury ingredients. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: For a quick bite, choose from its variety of freshly baked bagels (RM6) with flavours like cranberry and mixed black sesame. One savoury-filled bagel to try would be Ah Seng (RM30), which is loaded with hae bi hiam (spicy dried shrimp) mayo and prawn patties.

17. Bev C’afe

54, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Thursday to Tuesday (10am to 6pm)

Why visit? Located at Jalan Tan Hiok Nee old town’s heritage street, Bev C’afe is one of the OG cafes in JB, with a strong focus on their coffees. 

If you’re a fan of multi-tasking, you can do some shopping for designer apparel at this spot, too. The first floor of this two-storey cafe houses an eclectic mix of independent designers’ creations. 

Holding true to its motto of “we serve what we like to eat”, the cafe also serves up interesting eats such as squid ink cream pasta (RM25) and even leicha cake (thunder tea rice cake, RM16).  

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: For that quintessential cafe pic of your drink, try the iced cube espresso (RM16), which has you pouring milk over espresso cubes. Its Oh Mama (RM18) features slow-cooked traditional chicken rendang with either an original croissant or a charcoal croissant.

18. The Ice Cream Project

31, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (12pm to 10pm)

Why visit? Jalan Dhoby is a prominent spot for cafe-hopping amongst Singaporeans in JB, as there are a number of popular cafes and eateries in the area. Located in the middle of this area is The Ice Cream Project, the place to be for all your ice cream cravings.  

Don’t be alarmed if you see plenty of smoke around your ice cream — it’s just the liquid nitrogen used to freeze the dairy into freshly churned ice cream quickly! Not only does this result in a decadently creamy texture, but is also said to lock in the flavours of the ingredients used. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Its Rocher fudge (RM21) is inspired by Ferrero Rocher chocolate and lives up to its name — it’s chock-full of rich, oh-so-chocolatey goodness. Its butterscotch (RM19) is made with classic butter sauce for its sweet and nutty flavour.

19. D’cafe

9, Jalan Kelewang, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (10am to 7pm)

Why visit? Love that warm natural light in your cafes? We got you covered with this spot, D’Cafe. Its floor-to-ceiling windows and glass ceilings in this cafe make for a welcoming and cosy ambience — they let in plenty of natural light for your photos. 

In fact, wherever you go within the cafe, you’re bound to find a great photo opportunity not just for your OOTDs, but for Food Tok too. But don’t just write it off as a pretty spot — you can definitely count on them for classic brunch grub like big breakfast dishes and healthy pastas. 

Price range: $$

Crowd favourites: A mix of our favourite things at brunch, Pot-a-tato rosti (RM32) is a classic potato rosti dish with eggs benedict. Health nuts will like Sweetie Sally (RM40) for a delish salmon trout, mushrooms, baby spinach, tomatoes, and couscous.

20. Maco Cafe

65, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (10.30am to 10pm)

Why visit? Mille crepe fans, look no further for a splendid slice of the beloved cake. At Maco Cafe, there are a whopping 30 variations to choose from.

Famously called the “thousand layer cake”, mille crepe cakes are made with multiple layers of crepe and cream. It is notoriously known to be laborious to make and can be quite a rare find in dessert cafes.

Thankfully, we don’t need to put in all that effort to indulge in these soft and fluffy cakes — we just need to head to Maco Cafe.    

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: With a combination of vanilla, chocolate and strawberry flavours, the 3-in-1 mille crepe (RM11.50) brings to mind a nostalgic ice cream sandwich. Its French chestnut mille crepe (RM11.50) is another go-to dessert for fragrant chestnut flavours.

21. Ukiyo Cafe

17-02, Jalan Austin Heights 8/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (12pm to 7pm)

Why visit? Ideal for the sweet tooth girlies, Ukiyo Cafe tops our list of dessert cafes in JB. Decked out in a pink theme and terrazzo tables, this cafe at Mount Austin is the go-to spot for afternoon tea and tete-a-tetes with your besties. 

They say there is always room for dessert, and Ukiyo’s delicate French-Japanese cakes and tarts should take priority.

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: A raspberry mille-feuille with pistachio praline and rose cream, its Sicily (RM28) is a need, and not a want. Relish in its fudgy matcha cube with a rich dark chocolate middle named Genie (RM22).

22. Commune by the Creators

228 & 230, Jalan Adda 7, Taman Adda Heights, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (9am to 6pm)

Why visit? Commune by the Creators scores with its Nordic-inspired, minimalist, clean, and white interior, all-day brunch menu and creative fusion fare. To top it off, the cafe is staffed with friendly crew that spare no expense at ensuring its guests are well taken care of.

This is one cafe not to be missed on your search for the best cafe in JB town, especially since this is yet another Muslim-friendly cafe that serves pork-free dishes. So go on, settle on its comfortable cushions, order, and relax your afternoon away at this gorgeous spot. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: If you’re curious about how a chicken marinated with yogurt would taste like, check out its yogurt chicken leg (RM29), served with homemade mashed potatoes, pumpkin beetroot salad and spiced seeds and nuts. 

For something interesting, dig into its tomato soup with kimchi grilled cheese sandwich (RM28) — a twist on a classic comfort dish.

23. Flowers in the Window

9, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Wednesday to Monday (9am to 4pm)

Why visit? In your pursuit of the best JB cafe, make time to swing by this enchanting garden-themed cafe Flowers in the Window, a two-storey cafe by the team behind the new-defunct Roost Juice Bar, in the Jalan Dhoby area.

Those who love their flora and fauna will appreciate the picturesque foliage all around the exterior and interior of the cafe — all two floors of it! The menu’s offerings include interesting rice bowls, enticing cakes and buttery bakes. One thing’s for sure, you ought to have a go at its sourdough and  hummus — both homemade — if you don’t know where to start. 

Price range: $

Crowd favourites: Starring its homemade beetroot hummus, beet hummus on a slice of toasted sourdough (RM14.90) also has feta, organic nuts, chia seeds, and rocket. If you’d prefer its roasted red pepper hummus, try its meatball chicken/beef hummus (RM16), which also has sauteed mushrooms and grilled meatballs. 

24. Rowan & Parsley Food Atelier

17, Jalan Cenderai 20, Taman Perindustrian Kota Puteri, 81750 Masai, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Monday to Sunday (11am to 10pm)

Why visit? A rustic find, far from the hustle and bustle of busy city life in both Singapore and Malaysia, is Rowan & Parsley Food Atelier, located a 15-minute drive from the checkpoint. Before you baulk at the description, trust us when we say it is truly a respite from the usual cafes you might be used to. Think lush greenery and an ethereal outdoor garden. 

Claiming to be JB’s first authentic Texas barbecue smokehouse, Rowan’s house-smoked meats can be enjoyed in various dishes on its menu, such as in the Little Brother Benedict (RM32), which comes with pulled pork. Want the usual brunch specials? This spot also has a regular brunch menu of classics, such as eggs benedict and toast.

Price range: $$

Crowd favourites: Try Big Brother Benedict (RM46) for eggs benedict with savoury, house-smoked beef cubes. Smoked for eight hours, its signature pork belly (RM36) with a creamy mash potato should not be missed, either.

25. Morihana Pastry

Lot B, Jalan Ekoflora Utama, Taman Ekoflora, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Open: Tuesday to Sunday (12pm to 7pm)

Why visit? Situated at the Eco Spring Labs retail park, Morihana Pastry checks all the boxes for a charming dessert cafe in JB. We’re talking dainty cakes and tarts with a robust selection of flower teas, set in a quaint spot. You will even be able to spot this cafe from miles away, owing to its quaint shape — a little like the house you see in the animated film Up. 

Morihana serves limited-edition, seasonal specials so you get to try different variants of its signature desserts throughout the year. Make your trip to this cafe as soon as it opens at 12pm, as its fresh pastries sell out by the late afternoon!

Price range: $$

Crowd favourites: For refreshing watermelon, lychee and strawberry flavours in an almond cake, savour its signature watermelon lychee rose cake (RM20). Its Fuji (RM20) is essentially a matcha mousse, with matcha nama chocolate and caramel nuts.

For more food options in JB, check out 10 places in Johor Bahru for a day’s worth of food or if you’re heading further up North, here’s our guide on the best KL cafes to visit. 

Do check out amazing deals on the GrabFood Dine-in service.