The Finest Cafes in Johor Bahru

Greetings from Johor Bahru’s dynamic and varied cafe world, where every cup tells a tale and every nook beckons you to savor a special fusion of tastes and ambiance. Malaysia’s Cafes in Johor Bahru is a fast-paced city that has become a culinary and coffee lover’s paradise. We’ll stroll around the fragrant streets of this introduction, delving into the varied coffee culture that shapes the city’s café scene.

Come with us on a caffeinated adventure as we explore the uniqueness and beauty of the cafés that dot Johor Bahru’s burgeoning culinary scene, from hip modern places to hidden gems.

Important Consideration Factors

• Location: The location of a café is the first thing to look at in Johor Bahru. Your target demographic should be able to readily visit the café from its handy location. For instance, the café should be situated close to colleges or universities if you are attracting students. The café needs to be situated close to retail centers or office buildings if working adults are your target market. These cafés are located at Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Jalan Chengai, Jalan Roda, Jalan Trus, Jalan Kelewang, Jalan Austin Heights, Bandar Baru Seri Alam, Taman Sri Tebrau, Taman Sutera Utama, Bandar Johor Bahru 80000, and the vicinity of Taman Mount Austin 81100.
• Ambiance: Another crucial factor to take into account is the cafe’s atmosphere. Customers should want to remain and linger at the café because of its welcoming and pleasant atmosphere. A pleasant and inviting atmosphere should be enhanced by the lighting, music, and interior design. There are also a lot of themed cafes in JB. These include cafes with an industrial theme, a botanical theme, a bohemian theme, an old-school cafe, and a garden theme. These are great places to go cafe hopping.
• Pricing: When selecting a café, price is another crucial factor to take into account. The costs need to be fair and consistent with what other local cafés are charging. To ensure that clients believe they are getting excellent value for their money, it is also crucial to provide value for money.
• Menu: The cafe’s menu is another factor to take into account. To appeal to a diverse spectrum of patrons, the menu needs to include a large selection of food and drink alternatives. Additionally, it must to be able to satisfy particular dietary needs like halal, vegan, or vegetarian. This café offers unusual cuisine, matcha lattes, and freshly baked goods from Bahru Johor, Malaysia. Their wide menu is suitable for everyone, and they are particularly ideal for tea enthusiasts. In addition to supplying everything else, several of these cafés provide Korean, Malaysian, Western, and Fusion cuisine. blend of vibrant colors, unique sweets, and intriguing flavors.
• Customer Service: When selecting a café, customer service is still another important factor. Even at peak times, the team should be able to deliver excellent customer service and should be personable and well-organized. Make a reservation and check their operating hours for Malaysia as well.

Best Cafes in Johor Bahru

1

Yeon Café

Yeon Café is a fantastic alternative if you’re not ready to jump off the Korean culture craze that has taken Malaysia by storm. Kimbaps and bibimbap are among the many Korean comfort food items offered at this brand-new eatery with a Korean influence. There’s also Korean fried chicken and tteokbokki.

If you love the texture of rice cakes but aren’t a fan of spicy cuisine, tteokbokki with cream sauces makes a great substitute. Two of the alternatives are creamy mushroom and beef, while the famous dish’s vegetarian-friendly version is creamy tomato.

Highlights:

• Bespoke Sweets
• Baked Goods
• Korean Food

Highly impressed by the matcha latte and hojicha latte, frothy, smooth, fragrant, and not too sweet. The kimchi fried rice came with egg and cheese on the side, and tasted okay. The yeon set, however, was a bit lacklustre because the kimchi soup was quite diluted, served warm, and the bonito flakes were overpowering. Overall, it was a good place to chill at with yummy drinks and the cakes looked good too! – Joey H

A really well-decorated cafe that serves up some really nice Korean food. First visit here and probably will revisit for the rest of the menu. Had mushroom soup, soy garlic fried chicken, beef bulgogi kimbap and a hojicha tea latte. Mushroom soup is good although it isn’t thick type. Soy garlic sauce is a slight letdown, not as tasty as I thought. The fried chicken which was cooked fresh were not as crispy but I enjoyed the cold radish that came with it. Beef bulgogi kimbap is really good, liked the entire taste of it with a side of kimchi and some salad. Hojicha tea latte tasted pretty good with a nice cream on the top. – Bryan Fang

One of my favorite cafes in JB. It offers high quality, finely decorated, not to mention delicious in a unique way desserts. Its Korean dishes are more than fine. I always finish wanting for more. Drinks are unique and tasty too! – Jing Xuan Tae

2

Commune by the Creators

The designers of the commune intended for it to provide the community with excellent, wholesome food. A quaint little village tucked away in the countryside. This café is a great spot to escape the busy atmosphere of the city because of its tidy, appealing appearance. Savor a robust supper and a steaming hot cup of coffee in this serene setting. Choose eggs benedict on toast or freshly baked bagels for the ultimate Instagrammable meal. Try one of the pasta meals if you want something heartier.

Highlights:

• Nordic minimalist café
• All ingredients are sourced from Halal-certified suppliers and distributors
• They don’t use anything artificial, including alcohol and MSG, in their items

Celebrated my birthday there. We are very pleased with the wide space as it gives privacy and comfort. The food was very delicious, coffee was great and the staff was friendly. Want to return to try more dishes. – Jayne Tan

Pretty aesthetic place! The yogurt chicken leg was yummy and the tater tots were very crispy. The coffee and flavored drinks were all fantastic. However, the udon lacks flavor and it could be creamier. Matcha basque was also quite average. Overall, the service was very good and efficient. We enjoyed our time here, definitely worth a visit! – Kara

The food appearance is quite good which is mouth-watering. The taste of the food is unique and nice. Do try out the yogurt chicken leg as its brings some sour taste which makes your appetite better. Would come back next time. – Kingston Hew

3

The Brew Orchestra

Even the greatest coffee snobs will be impressed by the amazing cups served at the Brew Orchestra café. Check out its wide assortment of specialty coffee beans from roasters that have won awards (like 180 Coffee Roasters in Seoul). In addition to coffee, Brew Orchestra offers mouthwatering breakfasts and stuffed sandwiches that will fill you up while you tour Johor Bahru.

Highlights:

• Premium Coffee
• Healthy Desire
• Serves scrumptious brunches and thickly-packed sandwiches

Loved the mustard ham croissant as it was so crispy! Eggs Benedict is well toasted with nice sweet potato fries (wasn’t served hot even though we went at opening hours). Oolong tea was brewed to exact timing by the staff and served in a tray – one was only offered one additional brew and that was it. Dark choc tiramisu is super chocolatey but quite nice, worth a try. Generous portion for 2 to share. Would be back again to try the big breakfast and mustard croissant. – Ann Meow

It’s 5 out of 5. We have been to many breakfast places in SG and they are more than double the price but lacking in care and quality. The way the breakfast is put together shows great care, and not just throwing things on a plate. Definitely a thumbs-up recommendation from me and my family. – Andrew Kam

Great atmosphere with music. Not so crowded. Good place to hang up with people. The signature tiramisu was delicious. Not too sweet. It is nice for people who don’t like sweetness. The waiter and waitress are polite. – Kian Wee Chau

4

The FOUNDERS Cafe

The Founders Café’s friendly staff, delicious food, and relaxed atmosphere have helped it to be a favorite brunch destination. Notable features include the restaurant with a simple industrial motif, the sky blue Volkswagen vehicle on the side, and the high window frame entry.

Starting at 10 a.m. Australian-style brunch specials are served here till 5 p.m. The English Big Breakfast consists of a tray of items for breakfast such as potato tots, bacon, and scrambled eggs, or the Vegan Banana Oatmeal Pancake, which is made with banana, honey, and granola.

Highlights:

• Australian-style brunch specials
• Friendly service, good food, and chill vibes
• Minimal, industrial-themed dining space

This cafe is an easy 5-star rating from me. The taste of their food and drinks, as well as the atmosphere of the cafe were outstanding. The prices were reasonable too. I’d visit again next time and recommend others to give it a try if you’re in JB. If I have to point out something, I’d say that they shouldn’t have given my “extra top-up of sunny side egg” immediately from the start, like 15 minutes before the main dishes even arrived. That just makes the egg stand there and cool down unnecessarily because I’m assuming most people would top up the egg to eat together with the main dish, and not by itself. – SeungJun Kim

I had a fantastic experience at The Founders Cafe in Johor Bahru. The coffee was exceptional, and the food was delicious. What made it even more special was the opportunity to meet the owner, who was incredibly humble and friendly. The cafe’s interior was also beautifully designed, creating a great ambiance. I highly recommend this cafe to anyone looking for a great coffee and dining experience. – Mike D

The food was very good! The English breakfast was surprisingly good since I usually don’t enjoy chickpeas. The quesadilla is also great if you enjoy curry powder flavor. Didn’t get any drinks but the place has a nice atmosphere and the high ceiling makes it feel very spacious. Would recommend a go, price is also very affordable. Easy to find parking around here. – Michelle ST

5

Space Café

Savor delectable French pastries at Space Café while admiring stunning city vistas. You’ll be lounging on a gorgeous-looking window seat, enjoying a delicious cup of their house-blended coffee. It is strongly recommended that you sample the Coco Jumbo, a cool tropical beverage.

Highlights:

• Space is Multidimensional, And It’s For All
• Serves signature coffee
• Serves freshly baked pastries

Situated at Holiday Villa Johor Bahru, this cafe is at the corner of this hotel. You can easily walk over from KSL if you are staying there. Their food and coffee are decent. Very good atmosphere to rest and relax. – FF2025

Super pretty cafe near KSL and Holiday Plaza. The drinks were unique and their sourdough bread was flavourful. We also had curry chicken tart, which was a perfect match with the sweet drinks. The staff were also kind and accommodating. It also had a quiet environment and added with the beautiful interior, is a great work and study place. Overall, would definitely recommend this place! – Kyra

Nice cozy environment, great place to chill or have a casual chat with your friends. There’s a good variety of drinks and pastries available at this café too! – Xu Fei Yap

As our exploration of the cafes in Johor Bahru draws to a close, it’s evident that this city is not just a destination for shopping and entertainment but also a haven for coffee connoisseurs and those seeking delightful culinary experiences. Each cafe we’ve encountered paints a unique picture, offering a blend of rich aromas, inviting atmospheres, and diverse flavors that cater to every palate.

Johor Bahru’s cafe culture reflects a perfect amalgamation of modern trends and local influences, creating spaces where creativity flourishes and conversations flow freely. Whether you’re drawn to the hipster vibes of downtown cafes or the serene corners tucked away in historic neighborhoods, one thing remains constant—the passion for crafting exceptional coffee experiences.

As you venture beyond the final sip of your latte or the last bite of a delectable pastry, carry with you the memories of Johor Bahru’s cafes—a tapestry woven with the threads of culture, innovation, and a shared love for good coffee. Until our next expedition into the world of flavors, may your caffeine adventures continue to be as enriching and diverse as the vibrant cityscape of Johor Bahru.

Do check out our list of Laksa in Penang and have time to check their best dining services.