
Why not change the scenery, just 40 minutes drive from Singapore, to the idyllic Johor Bahru? Whether you’re looking for a new discovery over the weekend or just a quick day trip…this Malaysian city is an excellent option across the causeway. Among all the exciting activities, Johor Bahru has a thriving food scene, boasting some beautiful cafes to hop around. From old-world charm, to rustic garden eateries, and ig-worthy brunch sets…you’ll be spoilt for choice. Here are 16 of the best cafes in Johor Bahru.
Johor Bahru Cafe Guide
1. Nimmies Pastry Café
Nimmies Pastry Café is one of the best cafes in Johor Bahru. It exhibits a cosy, warm space, with indoor and outdoor dining, opened from 8am to 11pm daily. Visitors can start their day with more than 30 delicious pastries for breakfast such as Nasi Lemak Croissant, Kaya Butter Croissant, or Lemon Pie Croissant paired with a coffee. Otherwise, there are a number of hearty main dishes throughout the day like Salted Egg Pasta and Truffle Fries. Plus, there are many unconventional beverages to try.
📍 171, Jln Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
2. The Blue Door Coffee House
The Blue Door Coffee House is a standout cafe in Taman Mount Austin known for creative pastries, unique croissants, and specialty coffee. The retro cafe is always taking an innovative approach to flavours with the likes of Creme Brulee Lattes and Homemade Taro Lattes. The venue opens late. Additionally, the space is complete with industrial decor, a queen-sized bed as a centrepiece, and other appealing features.
📍36A, Jalan Austin Height 7/8, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
3. Mrs. WHO
Satisfy your cravings with an all-day brunch at Mrs. WHO in Johor Bahru. It’s the perfect pitstop after all the shopping and activities. From Eggy Hash to the Big Ol Breakfast, sweet numbers like Buttermilk Waffles N Ice Cream, hearty sandwiches, and much more…you’ll be spoilt for choice.
📍SKS Pavillion, Jalan Storey, Bukit Senyum, 80300 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
4. Soil JB
Soil is another wonderful cafe to hit up while in Johor Bahru. Feel like you’re dining in the countryside as they serve a range of freshly baked goodies such as croissants and Danishes, alongside delicious and wholesome brunches, iced coffees, and so much more.
📍Unit SL009, Spring Lab, Lot A (GF, Jalan Ekoflora Utama, Taman Ekoflora, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
5. Space Cafe
This beautiful minimalist cafe is the perfect place for coffee lovers hidden at Holiday Village JB. They offer hearty cups of honeycomb coffee as well as sourdough bread pairings, indulgent pastas, and other snacks to keep you full on a lazy afternoon. Plus, it’s a quiet space excellent for working or just people watching on the street.
📍G-11, Holiday Villa, 260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
6. Flowers In The Window
Flowers In The Window, is a popular garden-themed café, hidden in the heart of Johor Bahru. It serves a selection of coffees and healthy fusion meals in a rustic space that almost feels like someone’s home. The unsuspecting café is hidden in a building covered in vines and plants, so those who aren’t local might have trouble finding it. Menu highlights include Avocado Super Toast, Hainanese Chicken Noodles, drooling pastries and cakes, to name a few. Definitely, one of the best cafes in JB.
📍9, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
7. Sugar Lips
Permas City’s Sugar Lips Rainbow Alpaca Cafe is the first-of-its-kind in Malaysia. The whimsical cafe combines colourful desserts with an interactive alpaca experience. Wonderfully, it’s totally free entry once you buy an item. Learn more about the cafe.
📍LG-14, Blok A, Permas City, Kawasan Perdagangan Permas Utara, Jalan Permas Utara, Bandar Baru Permas Jaya, 81750 Masai, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
8. Dusk By Mok Mok
Be truly satisfy with a selection of sweet and savoury feasts at this bohemian-style café in Johor Bahru. Decked out in pink tones, tropical elements, quirky furnishings from neon signs to chandeliers, and plants – it’s the ultimate Instagram haven. Expect delicious fusion brunches, each dish carefully presented, with a focus on Western and Asian cuisine. Tuck into unique unagi burgers, big breakfasts, crowd-pleasers like Chili Crab Risotto and Kumo Ultimo, a soufflé pancakes dish, covered in fruit, sauces, with a chocolate mermaid tail sticking out, to name a few. Definitely, one of the best cafes around to feel like you’re in Bali.
📍49, Jalan Perang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
9. Brewsmith Coffee Roasters
Coffee enthusiasts won’t want to miss this boutique coffee cafe in Johor Bahru. These folks are known for crafting excellent coffee sourced from the finest beans. The skilled baristas are ready to make you one of the best cups of coffee you’ll ever have after all your shopping. Definitely, one of the best cafes in Johor Bahru.
📍The LakeFront @ Southkey, C-1-12 Block C. The Lakefront, Persiaran Southkey 1, Kota Southkey, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
10. Chaiwalla & Co Container Café
Experience a one-of-a-kind dining experience at Chaiwalla & Co. Container Cafe in Jalan Tan Hiok Nee. The exquisite eatery was constructed from steel shipping containers decked out in colourful graffiti and greenery, more than 10 years ago, to create a cosy, vibrant hub for foodies in Johor Bahru. Particularly, the café is famous for creating refreshing beverages, with more than 540 drink varieties on offer. From indulgent bubble teas and milkshakes, to refreshing coffees, and juices…you’ll be spoilt for choice.
📍36, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
11. The Founders Cafe
Another one of the most popular cafes in Johor Bahru is The Founders Café also known as People & Places Café . The Australian-inspired eatery attracts food enthusiasts and coffee lovers. The delectable dishes are just as insta-worthy as the quirky industrial space, complete with artworks, plants, mirrors, and high-ceilings. We recommend dishes like the Quesadilla, oozing with scrambled eggs, Croissant Waffle with Blackcurrant Ice Cream, a choice of bagels and pastas, pizzas, drooling Burnt Cheesecake for dessert, and plenty more. Complete your experience with a chilled ice coffee, tea, or sparkling mocktail.
📍45, Jln Tiong Emas, Kawasan Perindustrian Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
12. Bev C’afe
Take a break from exploring Jalan Tan Hiok Nee Street for a bite to eat at this charming boutique café nearby. Located on the second floor of a designer fashion shop, it’s a popular place to indulge on pastries, sandwiches and other delectable dishes. We recommend trying the Chicken Rendang Croissant or Laksa Salsa Johor which will send your taste buds on an adventure. There’s a number of signature coffees and other beverages so you won’t be left thirsty. The hipster café is opened 10am to 6pm six days a week.
📍54, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
13. The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen
Whether it’s good coffee, a hearty meal, or a sweet treat you’re looking for, this Melbourne-inspired café will surely satisfy your cravings. Set inside a historic shophouse, the restaurant takes inspiration from Kinfolk. Don’t expect to find any pork, alcohol, or lard here. However, there’s a unique selection of Western-style brunches, noodles and rice, mains like Fish N Chips, seafood options, crunchy churros dipped in Salted Egg Yolk or Nutella, and plenty more. Definitely, one of the best cafes in Johor Bahru.
📍33, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
14. Principle Cafe by T.A.M
Another one of the coolest cafes in Johor Bahru for the gram, offering a wide variety of Western delights. This Muslim-friendly café has two outlets and serves authentic pizzas, cheesy toasties, meaty extravaganzas, chicken rice bowls, seafood pastas, risotto…the list is endless. They open from 10am to 6pm daily with extended hours until 8pm at the weekends. Certainly, the perfect all-day dining spot over a wine or specialty coffee.
📍82-B, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
📍51, Jalan Austin Heights 3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
15. The Cool Cat Ice Cream
This relatively new container café, with floor-to-ceiling glass windows, specialises in delicious homemade ice cream. Chill on the alfresco terrace or tuck into your ice cream, alongside a book, in the small bright café. Ice creams are customizable served in cute cups with mini syringes, sweet treats like chocolate and pretzels, drooling sauces, and more.
📍Jalan Yahya Awal, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80200 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
16. Bloom by Mok Mok
Another one of the best cafes in Johor Bahru by the Mok Mok team. The instagrammable cafe located in Mount Austin serves many similar dishes to its sister mentioned above, Dusk. The difference is this café exhibits blue walls in a darker space, decked out in florals, hanging colourful plants, and swing chairs. It’s opened 12pm to 8pm so it’s the perfect pit stop for lunch.
📍87, Jalan Mutiara Emas 2A, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
SEE MORE: The Best Things To Do In Johor Bahru On A Trip From Singapore