9 New Johor Bahru Cafes To Check Out For Your Weekend M'sia Trip
Borders are open, and the ringgit exchange rate is good. Time for a cafe-hopping sesh in JB – here’s a handy guide.
Now that travel has resumed between Singapore and Malaysia, weekend trips to Johor Bahru is back on everyone’s bucket list. The decent MYR-SGD exchange rate also means makan sessions in JB are wallet-friendly. For those who love cafe-hopping, a bunch of new ’gram-worthy cafes have popped up across the Causeway – check out 8days.sg’s handy guide below.
Photo: The Founders Cafe
The Founders Cafe
This grungy industrial cafe with a dramatically high ceiling is opened by the same folks behind defunct popular cafe People And Places (which famously had Jay Chou dropping by for a cuppa). It serves up hearty bagel meals such as Bagel with Green Onion Cream Cheese (RM8.90) and Roasted Pumpkin & Beef Bacon (RM17.90). Be prepared to wait though – the cafe gets crowded at peak hours.
Photo: The Founders Cafe
Address: 45, Jln Tiong Emas,Tiong Nam Tebrau, Kawasan Perindustrian Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Opening hours: Open daily from 9am-10pm.
Photo: Kaffeinted Fish
Kaffeinted Fish
Located in Skudai, the trickily-named Kaffeinted Fish looks like a cute cube that popped out of nowhere. Baristas prepare your coffee within that little structure, and you can enjoy your cuppa at the outdoor seats. If you prefer indoor tables, there’s an adjoining glasshouse with lots of natural light to snap that #travel photo for Instagram. Food-wise, the cafe offers sandwiches with hearty fillings such as Spicy Korean Chicken Breast Omelette (RM15), Fish Fillet Cheese Omelette (RM16) and Japanese Potato (RM6). Desserts include Chocolate Chiffon Cake with Oreo Cream Cheese (RM25).
Photo: Keffeinted Fish
Address: 2, Jalan Roda 2, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
Opening hours: Open daily except Wed and Thu, 9am-5pm.
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Photo: Ukiyo Cafe
Ukiyo Cafe
For those who like Japanese-inspired minimalist cafes like Suzuki Gourmet Coffee in Singapore, Ukiyo Cafe has pretty decor that reminds us of a cross between a Muji store and chic resort. The dessert-focused menu includes photogenic pastries like Dark Chocolate Fudge Cube (RM23) Coffee Mille Feuille (RM28) and Wild Berry Cheesecake (RM24).
Photo: Ukiyo Cafe
Address: 17-02, Jalan Austin Heights 8/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Opening hours: Open daily except Mon, 12pm-7pm.
Photo: Keijometo
Keijometo
The artsy, moody Keijometo looks like an abandoned Japanese museum – it even has a working television setup where you can take selfies of yourself appearing on the TV. The menu is Japanese-inspired to match, with bites like Mentaiko Tamago (RM18), Salmon Ochazuke (RM30) and Matcha Strawberry Sando (RM14).
Photo: Keijometo
Address: 3, Jalan Chengai, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Opening hours: Open daily except Mon, 11.30am-9pm.
Photo: Fifty Trees
Fifty Trees
Another Instagrammable spot in the list is Fifty Trees. The name aptly describes its exterior, which boasts lush greenery and ample light. Apart from the usual pancakes and waffles, they also serve up hearty traditional Malaysian fare such as Seafood Mee Mamak (RM12.90), Kampung Fried Rice (RM12.90) and Hainanese Curry Chicken with Kerabu Rice (RM13.90).
Photo: Fifty Trees
Address: 53, Jln Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Opening hours: Open daily 9am-10pm.
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Photo: Charlotte's Tearoom
Charlotte’s Tearoom
Opened in late October 2021, Charlotte’s Tearoom offers artisanal milk teas packaged like cute canned drinks, with over 40 flavours on the bubble tea menu. It also has a dessert selection that includes Strawberry Shortcake (RM17.90), Earl Grey Custard Cake (RM17.90) and Hojicha Gateau (RM18.90).
Photo: Charlotte's Tearoom
Photo: Principle Cafe by T.A.M
Principle Cafe by T.A.M
Another minimalist cafe right in the middle of Johor Bahru, with artfully sparse decor and a soothing brown-and-white colour theme. It reminds us almost of a zen spa, with its exposed pebble flooring and stone steps. The food offerings here include Pan-Seared Seabass (RM42.90), Pulled Duck on Brioche (RM26.90) and Smoked Duck Pizza with Mornay Sauce (RM42.90).
Photo: Principle Cafe by T.A.M
Photo: Haru Coffee
Haru Coffee
This cosy Korean-inspired cafe describes itself as “smallest but warmest”. The quaint all-white space offers K-style picks like Seasalt Genmaicha Latte (RM13) and Dalgona Latte (RM14), Original Rice Balls (RM22) and standard cafe nosh like Bagelicious (RM14.90) and Sourdough with Egg (RM9.90)
Photo: Haru Coffee
Photo: Forever Twenty Cafe
Forever Twenty Cafe
As its name implies, Forever Twenty is a kawaii, youthful cafe furnished in pastel pink. It has an adjoining DIY shop where you can customise your own charm handphone cases (from RM26 for a DIY set with charms) and even pose for snapshots in rental Korean school uniforms (RM30 per pax).
The shop’s cafe section also has adorable DIY Toast Painting (from RM18 for two pieces with four edible ‘paint’ colours) on its menu – the fun dish is served with a piece of toast mounted on an easel, and colourful dips and tools that let you paint a roti masterpiece. Cute.
You can also order mains like Spicy Korean Carbonara Ramen (RM14) and brunch-friendly options like Honey Granola Croffle (RM13) with an option to top up for ice cream (RM9 a scoop).
Photo: Forever Twenty Cafe
