1. Foca Foca
Image Credit: JB City Guide
Vibey date nights in JB? Foca Foca has got you covered: they’re a moody Italian-style deli and wine bar located just 15 minutes away from the checkpoint, with an intimate and dimly-lit atmosphere complete with dark woods and ceiling mood lighting.
Image Credit: JB City Guide
Expect authentic Italian sourdough focaccia sandwiches, cheese platters and a curated selection of natural and New World wines. There’s even a DJ spinning live music on Saturdays. On the menu are items like Prosciutto Chips, Pistachio Ice Cream, Tiramisu, Loaded Focaccia Sandwiches and more.
Foca Foca
Address: C-1-11 Block C, The Lakefront, Persiaran Southkey 1, Kota Southkey, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Wednesday, 10am-6pm; Thursday-Saturday, 10am-12am; Sunday, 10am-6pm
2. August Tea
Image Credit: August Tea
If you’re looking for a tranquil and serene spot away from the crowd, try August Tea; it’s a zen traditional-style Chinese teahouse located about 30 minutes away from the checkpoint. The light decor is beautiful, clean with minimalist wood furniture and natural lighting. They even have free board games and books to keep you occupied during your visit.
Image Credit: August Tea
You can enjoy a relaxing tea session, and pair your tea brews with aesthetic pastries shaped like pagodas and flowers. They have a variety of hand-brewed green, white, oolong, black and flower teas starting from RM 15, and you get 3 brews per tea order.
August Tea
Address: Eco Palladium, A04-18, Block A, Pusat Perdagangan Ekoflora, Jln Ekoflora 7/3, Taman Ekoflora, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 11am-7pm daily
3. Muunchew
Image Credit: JB City Guide
If you’re an avid kombucha drinker, Muunchew is definitely the spot: they’ve got a series of housemade kombucha on tap. The space is vibey and quirky, with an eclectic vibe; the atmosphere is almost like a bar, except instead of alcohol, they only serve kombucha drinks.
Image Credit: JB City Guide
This is also JB’s first ever kombucha specialty tap bar, with kombucha starting from RM 9 each. They have unique flavours available that are refreshed every so often, like Vanilla, Cherry Tomato, Lemon, Lavender Watermelon, Thai Basil and more. You can also get some light bites and desserts like Warm Bread Pudding, Lemon Olive Oil Cake and Coffee Chas Tiramisu.
Muunchew
Address: 54 Jalan Ibrahim, Johor Bahru 80000
Opening Hours: 12pm-7pm daily (Closed on Tuesday)
4. Zikgu Burger
Image Credit: JB City Guide
Zikgu Burger is the latest trendy burger spot in JB, with gourmet Korean-inspired burgers served fast food style. The burger spot is located just 10 minutes away from the checkpoint, and it’s got a fun retro-inspired theme with a brick red and forest green colour palate.
Image Credit: JB City Guide
Expect ultra-chunky fusion burgers like the Classic Cheezy Zik Burger (RM 15), America Beef Burger (RM 17) and Hawaii Beef Burger (RM 18) and more. They’ve also got crunchy chicken wings in Korean-inspired flavours like Yangnyeom (RM 13) and Soy Garlic (RM 13). They’re also open till 12am daily, if you’re looking to stop by for some late night munchies.
Zikgu Burger
Address: No. G-16, 2, Jalan Kolam Air, Taman Nong Chik, 80100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 12pm-12am daily
5. Meow Catfe
Image Credit: Meow Catfe
Cat lovers, this is the newest cat haven in JB, located under 30 minutes from the checkpoint. Meow Catfe is more than just a café, it’s a multi-concept and one-stop spot for all things cat: a cat café, cat hotel and grooming/spa centre all under one roof.
Image Credit: Lim Kenz
The 2-storey space boasts over 20 adorable and friendly kitties, all of the Golden or Silver British Shorthair variety. There’s also plenty of obstacles and cat trees around for the cats to play with. Play time is priced at RM10 (~$3 SGD) per session, and even includes a discount on drinks at the café. Some food and snack items you can order include Milky Crispy Roll (RM 10.90), Mixed Fruit Waffle (RM 16.90) and Crinkle Cut Fries (RM 9.90)
Meow Catfe
Address: NO. 1-01 & 1-02, Jln Setia 3/13, Taman Setia Indah, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Monday-Thursday, 12pm-8pm; Friday-Sunday, 12pm-10pm
6. Miyakori Coffee
Image Credit: JB City Guide
You don’t have to travel all the way to Japan for that authentic coffee house vibe, you can experience a slice of Kyoto in JB too. Miyakori Coffee is a standalone café with an aesthetic Japanese kissaten-inspired vibe: featuring rustic furnishings and an open-counter concept where you can watch your drinks being made.
Image Credit: Kentfy Chew
The café is located about 10 minutes away from the checkpoint, and they serve Japanese-style teishoku sets, desserts and gourmet coffee. Some highlights to expect from the menu include Unagi Teishoku (RM 32), Mentaiko Tamago Sando (RM 19), assorted cakes and more.
Miyakori Coffee
Address: 382, Tebrau Hwy, Taman Kebun Teh, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 10am-10pm daily
7. Principle Reserve
Image Credit: GO JOHOR
The popular Principle Café by T.A.M. has just opened a brand-new and more upscale version of the café called Principle Reserve, located just 10 minutes away from the checkpoint! The space boasts vintage elements: from the gated entrance, dark wood furniture, warm lighting and wainscoting on the walls.
Image Credit: GO JOHOR
There’s even a self-serve pastry and dessert table where you get to pick and choose the bakes that you want; kind of like the cafés in Korea. Some highlights from the menu include Braised NZ Lamb Shank (RM 86.90), Smokey Beef Brisket Pasta (RM 36.90), Tiger Prawn & Mussels Pasta (RM 42.90), Truffle Mushroom Risotto (RM 39.90), Gochujang Pizza (RM 45.90) and more.
Principle Reserve
Address: 23, Jalan Balau, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 8am-6pm daily
8. Ting Tea
Image Credit: CP C
You might’ve seen the viral “smoking teapot” at bubble tea shops and tea houses in China, and JB now has one of its own too. Ting Tea is a new bubble tea spot in Austin Heights, located about 30 minutes away from the checkpoint.
Image Credit: Ting Tea
They specialise in freshly brewed tea drinks from RM 12.90, with signature options like Peach Milk Tea, Mango Smoothie, Jasmine Milk Tea, Snow Top Ceylon Milk Tea, Refreshing Peach Lemon Tea and more. You can get your drinks served with a “smoking” mini ceramic teapot on top from an extra RM 4, depending on the design of the teapot you want.
Ting Tea
Address: 29, 3, Jln Austin Heights 7, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Sunday-Thursday, 11am-11pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-1am
9. Biba Biba Ice Cream
Image Credit: Florence Tay
Biba Biba is an ice cream spot that doesn’t just serve regular ice cream; they’ve got unique molecular ice cream and soufflé pancakes that you can DIY yourself with a variety of toppings from their self-serve topping bar. The whimsical space is also IG-worthy, with high ceilings, an industrial-esque vibe and vibrant pops of colour in the form of giant drips around the countertops.
Image Credit: Biba Biba Ice Cream
Ice cream scoops start from RM 18, with flavours like D24 Durian, Espresso, Banana Mlk, Dragonfruit, Almond Milk and more. They’ve also got Bubble Waffles (from RM 7) and Soufflés (from RM 18) too.
Biba Biba Ice Cream
Address: Mount Austin, 26, 3, Jln Austin Heights 7, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Monday-Friday, 3pm-9.30pm; Saturday-Sunday, 2pm-10.30pm
10. Artscape Café
Image Credit: JB City Guide
Brunch in a glasshouse garden? Artscape Café by Sorella.C is a serene and tranquil brunch spot in JB, located just 20 minutes away from the checkpoint. The glasshouse café is perched on the second floor of Artscape Landscape, a plant nursery, surrounded by plants and gardens all around.
Image Credit: JB City Guide
On the menu are brunch mains, desserts and pastries. Some items on the menu include homemade yeast fermented waffles, flower-shaped churros, Swiss rolls, chunky Korean-style toasts, assorted rice bowls, roasted flower teas and more.
Artscape Café
Address: 3, Jalan Ponderosa 2/2, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 10am-8pm daily
