Stop by this pastry and coffee cafe to rest after a day of exploring KSL City Mall. The minimalist cafe is decked in metal furnishing and curved lines. Natural light also flows throughout the space, thanks to its floor-to-ceiling windows. When it comes to food, find freshly baked creations ranging from beautifully caramelised creme brûlée tarts to fluffy doughnuts. While you’re here, you won’t want to miss out on its caramel biscotti coffee. A crowd favourite, this drink comprises fresh milk and aromatic espresso, topped with crunchy honeycomb candy.

Space Cafe
Address: G-11, Holiday Villa, 260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Bagels are in the spotlight at this quaint cafe. Find a range of savoury-filled bagels, like the Tam which sees layers of luncheon meat, egg, hash brown, caramelised onion and mala mayo sandwiched between a parmesan bagel.  On top of delectable bagels, find other savoury plates like the truffle mushroom pasta, Korean style fried chicken and unagi rice bowl. Save room for dessert and dig into sweet treats like the chocolate cromboloni (a blend of croissant and bomboloni), almond croissant and tea cake.

Palates & Bagels by TAM
Address: 10, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

This cosy cafe serves up an extensive selection of pastries each morning. Both classic and locally inspired creations are available, like the red bean matcha croissant, chilli salted egg crab croissant and hoe lemak. The latter is a savoury creation that sees a buttery croissant topped with a sunny-side up egg, cucumber, ikan bills and samba chilli. On top of pastries, dig into hearty plates like the grilled chicken chop polenta, soft shell crab squid ink pasta and shakshuka. Complement your meal with a cup of coffee—beat the heat with the refreshing gula Melaka coconut americano or sip on its citrusy sparkling blood orange.

Nimmies Pastry Cafe
Address: 171, Jln Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Take a trek to Taman Mount Austin to try this Australian-inspired cafe. Its extensive menu is filled with hearty favourites like the Aussie beef bagel generously layered with juicy beef patty, hash brown, caramelised onions and barbecue sauce. The decadent bagel is accompanied by an mis of sweet potato and potato fries. For flavours closer to home, its quesadilla is topped with fluffy tom yam scrambled eggs, chicken ham, sriracha aioli and cheese. It’s complete with grated parmesan, pomegranate and pesto oil. Save room for dessert and dig into its cinnamon rolls, donuts and cakes.

The Founders Cafe
Address: Tiong Nam Tebrau, 45, Jln Tiong Emas, Kawasan Perindustrian Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Head to this speciality coffee joint in the morning for your cup of Joe. Choose from its classic cups featuring its signature single-origin light roast brews. Filter coffees are also available, like the floral Kelloo Siko #1, fruity Aa Gicherari and citrusy Burtukaana Bombe #2. Tried something you like? The cafe also sells beans for you to brew in the comfort of your own home. 

Sweet Blossom Coffee roasters
Address: 28, Jalan Maju, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

Seen all over TikTok, this industrial-inspired café has been packed since its opening in March 2022, with no plans of slowing down anytime soon. If you manage to get a seat, you’ll get to savour Japanese-influenced dishes like the mentaiko tamagoyaki sando, featuring crisp deep-fried egg patties topped with a creamy mentaiko sauce. It’s seared until lightly charred and smoky. The salmon ochazuke is another popular dish of grilled salmon, fluffy sushi rice and a matcha-based broth.

Keijometo
Address: 3, Jalan Chengai, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia, +60 7-331 1825

This Instagram-worthy café located in the Eco Palladium Mall is decked in neutral grey and white hues and complete with dried flower decor. The minimalistic Muslim-friendly café serves up light brunch items and delectable deserts. Look out for stunning creations like the refreshing watermelon lychee cake that sees generous layers of cream, watermelon and sponge cake. 

September Café
Address: Jalan Ekoflora 7/1, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia, +60 10-766 5743

Break for lunch after going through the JB customs at Bev C’afe. Hidden on top of multi-label clothing store Bev C, this café offers a selection of locally inspired dishes. Try the Under The Sea, featuring a charcoal croissant stuffed with traditional ulam raja salad, fried anchovy and sambal ketuk. If you’re not a fan of salmon, the Oh Mama sees a flaky croissant layered with traditional chicken rendang, fried shallots and egg. Complement these dishes with the BevCcano, comprising steamed ice cube with espresso shots infused with a fermented fruit syrup of grapefruit and cascara.

Bev C’afe
Address: 54, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia, +60 16-725 3530

Explore Mount Austin and find a plethora of cafes and restaurants. When you’re here, look out for Ukiyo Café, a quaint spot specialising in cakes, pastries and coffee. Matcha lovers will revel in the Genie, a bittersweet matcha cube with a rich dark chocolate middle. Those looking for a more refreshing treat can go for the Hawaii, a stunning creation of tangy passionfruit jelly encased in a creamy mango cremeux.

Ukiyo Café
Address: 17-02, Jalan Austin Heights 8/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia, +60 12-936 9760

Within interior design firm Spazehaus, find Plantherapy, a glasshouse café known for its indulgent desserts. Dig into unique creations like its signature brie cheese cake, a light and creamy cheesecake accompanied by crackers, dried fruit and nuts. Savouries are available too, like the chicken spaghetti glazed in a thick creamy sauce and topped with crisp croutons.

Plantherapy Café
Address: 8, Jalan Ekoperniagaan 2/7, Taman Ekoperniagaan, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

JWC, The Factory 30 (also known as Just Want Coffee) is a speciality coffee cafe that was made Insta-famous for its gorgeous industrial interior, coffee sacks that hang over your head and its excellent coffee selection. The cafe uses blends of unique and exotic coffees such as Mandheling, Brazilian, Colombian, and Indonesian. It also has incredible waffles, cakes and more.

JWC
Address: The Factory 30, 30, Jalan Mutiara Emas 5/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia, +60 7-361 7821

What sets a cafe in Johor Bahru apart from one in Singapore? We would argue that it is all in the location and ambience. Lune24 is a rustic open-air cafe that only opens in the evening (golden hour anyone?). Here, you get to order straight from an adorable wooden kiosk and sit at narrow wooden tables and makeshift chairs to enjoy your food and drinks. The cafe has a rotating dessert menu as well as live music on certain nights. 

Lune24
Address: 2, Jalan Bertingkat Skudai, Jalan Roda, 81300, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

If you’re looking for an Insta-worthy cafe, this is it. Bloom by Mokmok is a rustic and garden-themed space which features colourful dried flowers and fairy lights that hang from the ceilings. The cafe serves up hearty brunch dishes such as its Baked Telur, a shakshuka-inspired dish that features chickpeas, spinach, tomatoes, and eggs served up with pita bread. You can also enjoy its array of sweet treats such as its Emerald Oasis Egg Pufflets which is a whole matcha egglet waffle topped with ice cream and fruits.

Bloom by Mokmok
Address: 87, Jalan Mutiara Emas 2A, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia

Can you even have a list of the best cafes in Johor Bahru without mentioning the TikTok famous D’ Cafe? The cafe is just a five-minute drive from KSL City which is probably why it is so popular with day trippers looking for some respite after a day of shopping. With its floor-to-ceiling windows that let in all that natural sunlight to its aesthetically pleasing interior, you’ll be in for a treat here. Enjoy its rendition of salmon fried rice if you are really hungry or perhaps a sparkling Pomegranate Breeze if you need to cool down. 

D’ Cafe
Address: 9, Jalan Kelewang, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru, Malaysia, +60 7-332 3311

Singaporeans love their dim sum and Tasixi Hong Kong Dim Sum is a hot favourite for locals and tourists alike. Here, you can get your usual dim sum classics such as baos, chee cheong fan and local desserts. Some favourites you cannot miss would be its golden salted egg yolk buns, its signature fried carrot cakes and its spicy Sichuan dumplings. The dishes are freshly made and provide diners with many options. It’s the perfect spot if you are starving after a day of shopping. 

Tasixi Hong Kong Dim Sum
Address: 11, Jalan Camar 1/3, Taman Perling, 81200 Johor Bahru, Malaysia, +60 13-771 7993 

Fifty Trees is a gorgeous glasshouse cafe with natural light, lush green plants and excellent brunch options. From incredible brunch options such as its classic avocado toast to its cheesy chicken parmigiana and rich chicken rice, there is something for everyone here.

Fifty Trees
Address: 53, Jln Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Malaysia, +60 7-338 4150

A secret garden cafe? Yes, please. We are so obsessed with Flowers in the Window and its gorgeous indoor garden and whimsical designs. The cafe has an incredible pastry selection with freshly baked sourdough bread, cakes and more.  Its mains are equally exciting and feature classics such as pan-fried salmon, chicken chops, soda battered fish and more.

Flowers in the Window
Address: 9, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Malaysia, +60 7-222 7489 

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