It’s getting popular to go café hopping in Johor Bahru, and for good reason. These cafés are just across the causeway, serve cheaper delights than most overpriced Singaporean cafes, have beautiful décor, and sure know how to serve up a good brunch.
We round up seven of the top cafés in Johor Bahru to visit, which are all within walking distance to one another. This means that you can visit all of them in a day even without a car.
Read on to find out more!
1. Flowers in the Window
When it comes to top JB cafés, Flowers in the Window is the one almost everyone recommends. It has the right mixture of good food, great drinks and a cozy ambience conducive for just chilling out. The rustic décor with sprawling florals makes you feel like you’re in a chic café in Melbourne, but it’s just across the causeway. It’s not just pretty though; the food packs a punch too. Their Cauliflower Super Breakfast (RM24, or approximately S$8) is a hearty breakfast and a little different from the usual eggs benedict. For other unique twists on brunch foods, check out Flowers in the Window!
Address: 9, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Open daily 10AM – 8PM, closed on Tuesdays
2. Bev C Café
Just right around the corner, Bev C Café is another Johor Bahru café to check out. Nestled on top of a chic boutique owned by the same people, its industrial design will make you feel calm and serene. The domed-shaped cakes are not just beautiful to look at, but they are also incredibly flavourful, dark and rich. For something interesting, try their House Special Espresso Ice Cubes (~RM 14, or approximately S$4.70), where you can pour a flavoured milk of your choice into espresso cubes, which melt and mix to give a rich and dark beverage.
Address: 54, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Open daily 10AM – 7PM, closed on Wednesdays
3. The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen
Credits: thereplacementlandk
Housed in a 1940s heritage shophouse on the historic Jalan Dhoby, this place was inspired by Melbourne’s brunch culture. Among traditional provision shops, you’ll find a chic café hidden in between, if you don’t already see the queue first. Check out their brunch staples like their B&B French Toast (RM24.90, or approximately S$8.36), or some Japanese-inspired fusion dishes like Soft Shell Crab Bao (RM29.90, or approximately S$10) or Unagi Bao (RM29.90). Of course, don’t forget their Churros with Salted Egg Yolk (RM17.90, or approximately S$6) or their coffees! Be sure to come at an odd timing, because it can get quite crowded here.
Address: 33, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Open Mon – Thur 10AM – 6PM, open Fri – Sun 9AM – 11PM
4. Chaiwalla & Co. Container Café
This quirky café is housed in a container and features open air seating, so chill out and order an icy milk tea or two to cool down for the day. Don’t worry, there is shelter so you won’t melt in the sun. Chaiwalla & Co is known for their Thai Milk Tea (~5-7RM, or approximately S$1.68-S$2.35, depending on what you add to it), and their warm, rich brownies with a scoop of ice cream is sure to lure you in. The best part? You can customise your milk tea with different types of flavourings, from strawberry and apple to matcha, banana and chocolate!
Address: 36, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Open daily 12PM – 12AM, open till 1AM on Fridays and Saturdays
5. Drums Café
Talk about East Meets West — Drums Café combines an old-school Chinese kopitiam-style interior with both local delights and modern Western brunch staples in a cute café at Jalan Tan Hiok Nee. As the name suggests, the place is decorated with Chinese drums, and if you’re lucky, you might even catch a drum performance. As mentioned, they serve both local delights and Western food, so don’t forget to try Malaysian Nasi Lemak (RM12.50, or approximately S$4.20) or their Signature DC Ramen (RM13.90, or approximately S$4.67). If you don’t fancy local food, you can opt for their pastas and Western fusion food, like the Thai Style Chicken Pasta (RM15.90, or approximately S$5.34).
Address: 31, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Open daily 8AM – 5PM, closed on Tuesdays
6. TIP, The Ice Cream Project
A JB café hopping food list is never complete without dessert — in this case, ice-cream! TIP serves liquid nitrogen ice-cream using homemade ice-cream. That means that it’s very smooth, rich and made with a lot of love! Get your ice-cream fix with tried and tested favourites like Matcha and Butterscotch, or opt for more eclectic flavours like Pistachio and Sea Salt. Of course, get the waffles to go with it for a crispy kick to your sweet and creamy ice-cream.
Address: 31, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Open Sun 1PM-10PM, Mon-Thur 3PM-10PM, Fri 3PM-1AM, Sat 1PM-1AM
7. Shakespeare Milkshakes
Lastly, we round off our Johor Bahru café list with something a little different — large glasses of intricately designed milkshakes. Cleverly named Shakespeare Milkshakes, this café whips up different concoctions of sinfully delicious milkshakes, such as Kinder Bueno Shakes or their Berries Sparkles (RM16, or approximately S$5.37). If milkshakes are too rich for you, there are other dessert and drink options too. You can opt to pair your milkshakes with their burgers served with fries to get that ahttps://www.instagram.com/p/BfiF3gCg_29/ll-rounded American diner experience just across the causeway.
Address: 9, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Open Mon – Fri 12PM-11PM, Sat – Sun 12PM – 12AM
Read the following articles to find out what you can do and where you can stay when visiting Johor:
https://vibrantdo.co/new-hotels-to-stay-in-johor-bahru/
https://vibrantdo.co/top-10-johor-bahru-hotels-for-your-next-staycation/
https://vibrantdo.co/10-must-visit-spa-massage-the-next-time-youre-in-johor-bahru/
https://vibrantdo.co/copy-of-5-promising-johor-bahru-shopping-malls-set-to-open-in-2019/
https://vibrantdo.co/9-things-to-do-to-make-your-johor-bahru-trip-worthwhile/
