As Singaporeans flock over to Johor Bahru, many new cafes have sprung up, especially in the area near the causeway. Many cafes have gained Tiktok fame so we’ve taken it upon ourselves to try them out; and to save you potential pain. Here’s our thoughts on some famous JB cafes that we’ve tried so far.
In this JB Cafes Article:
1. Doña Bakehouse
Doña Bakehouse is conveniently located just 10-minutes walk from City Square Mall and next to the renowned Hiap Joo Bakery. This charming bakery-cafe is known for its croissants that beautifully lines the entrance area.
If you’re here for the pastries, you’ll have to tell the staff your order before getting seated. Breakfast menu is also available here and you’ll have to order through scanning a QR at the table. Same with drinks.
We got the Pain Au Chocolat (RM10), Mushroom & Cheese Danish (RM 12.72) and White Coffee (RM13). The Mushroom & Cheese Danish was our favourite, but our only gripe is that the pastries weren’t warm, possibly because they have been left out around the display area for a while.
Opening hours: 8.30am – 5pm
Address: 14, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Website | Instagram
2. Flowers In The Window
A leisurely 2-minute stroll from Doña Bakehouse is Flowers In The Window. As you approach the cafe, you’ll be greeted by an abundance of hanging plants adorning the exterior, giving the cafe its unique character. It’s not just the exterior that captivates; the rustic interior also exudes charm and is truly an instagrammer’s playground.
Flowers In The Window has a decent selection of brunch options and desserts. We got the Earl Grey Lavender Cake (RM12.90), which I personally really enjoyed because of the light floral notes of lavender.
Opening hours: 9pm – 4pm
Address: 9, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Instagram | Facebook
3. The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen
Situated right opposite Flowers in the Window, The Replacement Lodge is a rather aesthetically pleasing cafe with minimalistic decor. We got the Tomato Soup (RM18.90), Breakfast Platter (RM36.90), Ice Hazelnut Latte (RM 14) and Latte (RM 12). To be honest, the Breakfast Platter really missed the mark. Only the eggs were warm and you can tell everything was prepared beforehand, especially the mushrooms as they were cold. The beef bacon was also tough and taste just like beef jerky. The portion was generous, so you might want to share if you’re a small eater.
Service was also not great, some of the staff looked like they did not want to be there. I would give this spot a miss unless you’re in the area, but there are also many other cafes in along the same street that you might be better off eating at.
Opening hours: 9am – 4.30pm
Address: 33, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
4. Keijomoto
Keijomoto, an industrial-themed cafe that offers a pretty small menu of just a few main dishes, 2 desserts and a couple of drink options. As we were full from lunch, we only ordered the Houjicha Baked Cheese Cake (RM21), Osmanthus Matcha Iced Latte (RM16) and Iced White (RM12). The cheese cake was really dense and not too sweet, great if you’re a fan of cheese cake. The drinks were really enjoyable; the matcha latte was smooth, not too grassy and the osmanthus added a unique twist.
The cafe is popular, especially with youngsters so it gets crowded during meal times. When you get to the cafe, you’ll have to get a queue number through a QR code. We got lucky and got a table within 10 minutes when we visited during a weekday afternoon at 2pm.
Opening hours: 11am – 7pm, closed on Mondays
Address: 3, Jalan Chengai, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Instagram | Facebook
5. Seven Oaks Bakery Cafe
About 10-minutes by car from City Square, Seven Oaks Bakery Cafe is located in a rather grand looking building. They are known for their baked goods, but they also have a full menu of main dishes and drinks.
We ordered the Tiger Prawn Pesto Pasta (RM35), Squid Ink Clam Pasta (RM28), Truffle Mushroom Soup (RM18), Sparkling Watermelon Cucumber (RM15) and Latter (RM11). Overall, they all tasted really good. The service was fast and staff were really friendly as well. However, I found a strand of hair in my pesto pasta, which they were quick to replace, but did not offer any form of discount on the total bill.
Oh, the wifi is quite slow, so this may not be the place for you if you’re looking for a cafe to work out of.
Opening hours: 9am – 10pm
Address: 134, Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Instagram | Facebook
Animal Cafes
Animal cafes are a pretty good addition to your JB trips if you’re looking for an activity in between all the eating. Many animal cafes also serve food, so you can also have your meal there!
Read: Alternative JB Itinerary
6. HOME by Tales of Paws Cat Cafe
HOME by Tales of Paws Cat Cafe is purr-fect for cat lovers. The cats at this cafe are beautiful, including breeds like Ragdoll, British Shorthair and they also have a Bengal! We visited on a weekday afternoon and it was just us and another group of visitors. However, most of the cats were asleep and very few were willing to give us any attention.
Entry fee starts at RM 48 for locals and RM58 for foreigners. It includes a drink and ice cream.
There is also a dog cafe and pet shop in the same compound.
Opening hours: 10am – 7pm
Instagram | Facebook
7. Shi-ba Cafe
As its name suggests, this is a cafe filled with Shibas! There are also like a German Shepard and 2 Alaskan Malamute and a poodle.
Reservations are required and I would advise going on a weekday, as the dogs would likely ignore you if the cafe is crowded.
Opening hours: 10am – 3pm, 4pm – 10pm
Entrance fee: (Adults) Weekdays RM 22, Weekends RM 27, (Child below 12) RM 12
Address: No 01, Mount Austin, 12, Jalan Austin Heights 8/4, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
This list will be continuously updated as we discover more cafes in JB. Do let us know if there are any you would like us to try, or any JB cafes that you’ve enjoyed!
