Johor Bahru (JB) is brimming with brunch and coffee spots, so much so that we’ve already put together a compilation of the best cafes in JB. Having visited most of them, I’ve gone a step further to highlight the 10 best JB cafes that are actually worth crossing the causeway for—perfect for those short on time and seeking only the cream of the crop.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.30 as of 28 October 2025.
It only takes a quick 10-minute drive from the customs to get to Sunday Morning Coffee Shop, a Japanese-esque adorned with warm, wooden accents. This cafe is my go-to for decent drip coffee, which happens to be the cafe’s specialty.
Speaking of drip coffee, there are both Hand Drip Hot Black Coffee (from RM13) and Cold Drip Iced Black Coffee (RM16) to choose from. While sipping your cup of joe, tuck into the crowd-favourite Japanese-style Curry Rice (RM24), featuring a warm bed of rice paired with house-made Japanese curry. We also enjoyed the Banana Brownies (RM17), topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, making for a decadent treat to end your meal with.
Read our Sunday Morning Coffee Shop feature.
Address: 124, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 9am to 5pm
Website
Sunday Morning Coffee Shop is not a halal-certified eatery.
Dessert fans, remember the name Cheevit Cheeva. This popular dessert chain in JB hails from Thailand, and they currently have several outlets in Malaysia at the time of writing. I always recommend Cheevit Cheeva to fans of shaved ice desserts, and to anyone who wants to try something different from the usual cakes or ice cream with waffles.
Go straight for the Royal Thai Tea Bingsu (from RM24), a tea-infused dessert topped with shokupan bits. This dessert is rich and sweet, so it’s best to share it in a group of three or four. Worry not if Thai-infused treats aren’t your thing, as there are plenty of other flavours to choose from, such as Salty Egg Yolk (RM30) and Choco Nutella (RM30).
Read our Cheevit Cheeva feature.
Address: 23 GF, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tue-Thurs 1pm to 11pm, Fri 1pm to 11:30pm, Sat-Sun 12:30pm to 11:30pm, Mon 12:30pm to 11pm
Website
Cheevit Cheeva is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you love coffee as much as I do, save Hiritsu Coffee Roastery for your next trip to JB. My favourite part about the cafe was the hand-brewed bar, where you can watch baristas make each drink right in front of you. There’s also fun in deciding what to get, as there are plenty of interesting concoctions to choose from.
For something light yet fragrant, I recommend the Shaddock Gathered Coffee (RM18+). This stunning drink features cold brew coffee, tonic water, and pomelo, finished with a thick cream. I’m sure you’ll enjoy this if orange Americano is your thing! The cafe does desserts too, and the popular Bring Me Go Croffle (RM20+) was the most memorable. It’s essentially a crispy, chewy croffle topped with vanilla ice cream and a ladyfinger biscuit, paired with a bittersweet chocolate drizzle.
Read our Hiritsu Coffee Roastery feature.
Address: 89, Jln Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 7pm
Website
Hiritsu Coffee Roastery is not a halal-certified eatery.
I still think about the drinks and desserts from The Blue Door Coffee House from time to time, as the cafe doles up creations you won’t easily find in Singapore. Everything is affordably priced, too, so drop by if you’re visiting Mount Austin during your JB trip.
If I had to pick a favourite item, the Matchamisu (RM22) comes to mind first. Made with Niko Neko matcha powder, this creamy treat stars coffee-soaked ladyfingers with bittersweet matcha and mascarpone cream. Non-matcha fans, consider the Pistachio Mochiiiii Croissant (RM18), an indulgent pastry packed with chewy mochi within, and finished with sweet pistachio cream.
Read our The Blue Door Coffee House feature.
Address: 36A, Jalan Austin Height 7/8, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 11:30am to 10pm, Thurs-Sun 11am to 12am
Website
The Blue Door Coffee is not a halal-certified eatery.
Slow Day Cafe is for those who take their matcha very seriously. What I particularly liked is that the menu goes beyond matcha, letting you indulge in hojicha- and genmaicha-infused treats as well.
Between the Strawberry Matcha (RM17.90) and Cold Matcha Espresso (RM17.90), I preferred the latter, as the earthy matcha blended well with the espresso shot, whereas the former was slightly too milky and sweet for my liking. But the real star was their Genmaicha Nama Gateau Cake (RM28): a rich, dense gateau cake with a good balance of nutty and roasted flavours.
Read our Slow Day Cafe feature.
Address: No. 2-01, (1st Floor Only, Jalan Austin Heights 7/8, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 12pm to 6:30pm, Fri-Sun 12pm to 10pm
Website
Slow Day Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
Another cafe near the JB customs is D’ Cafe, where you can enjoy a hearty brunch under $10. This is the only glasshouse cafe on the list, with plenty of natural sunlight that reminded me of the cafes in Bali.
The menu sees familiar brunch favourites, such as Pulled Benny (RM30+) and Pot-a-tato Rosti (RM32+). If you really want to fill yourself up for the day, go for the Pulled Benny, which packs tender pulled chicken, poached egg, sweet-tangy pickled cabbage, hollandaise, and hummus on a slice of toast. D’ Cafe is also known for their fruitades, and so I ordered the Pomegranate Breeze (RM15+) and Pinky Grapefruit (RM15+) to beat the heat after a long day of walking around.
Read our D’ Cafe feature.
Address: 9, Jalan Kelewang, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 7pm
Website
D’ Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
Frankly, Brooos & Co by JWC doesn’t have the best drinks or food, but it more than makes up for it with its unique vibe and ambience. This office-themed cafe is filled with lots of cool furniture, and the interior alone makes it memorable enough.
You’ll spot many diners with a cup of Please Chill (RM18++), a sweet and nutty drink that combines milk, espresso, and pistachio paste. The crushed pistachio bits on the cup’s rim are a highlight, giving a satisfying, gritty bite with every sip. I also got the JWC Tacos (RM50++ for three) to share with my friend. Each order comes with three variations: Smoked Salmon (RM20++), Pulled Chicken (RM17++), and Smoked Duck (RM17++).
Read our Brooos & Co by JWC feature.
Address: 18, Jln Sri Pelangi 4, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 12am
Website
Brooos & Co by JWC is not a halal-certified eatery.
Keijometo needs no introduction. The industrial cafe is so popular that it probably doesn’t need another shoutout, but I had to include it on this list as it’s one of the most well-loved cafes in JB.
At first blush, it might seem like the cool, industrial space is the highlight of this cafe, but you’ll know that their drinks and dishes are actually the real scene-stealers. Start with the unique Watermelon Matcha Iced Latte (RM17+), which combines matcha powder, milk, and refreshing watermelon juice. This drink pairs best with The Salmon Ochazuke (RM30+), comprising sushi rice and grilled salmon paired with a warm, comforting matcha-based soup.
Read our Keijometo feature.
Address: 3, Jln Chengai, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 11am to 7pm
Website
Keijometo is not a halal-certified eatery.
I’m a huge fan of buns and breads, and I’ll always end my trips by visiting a JB bakery to bring back some goodies for my family. Little Bun Cafe gives you both a cafe and bakery experience, serving fresh, steamed buns packed with all kinds of delicious fillings.
The cafe specialises in fluffy brioche buns, available in five different flavours: Original (RM22+), Pandan (RM23+), Matcha Redbean Mochi (RM26+), Walnut & Raisin (RM26+), and Ham & Cheese (RM26+). You can also choose the sauce to dip your bread in, including Nutella, Yuzu, Honey Kaya and more.
Read our Little Bun Cafe feature.
Address: G-08 , Eco Nest Apartment Jalan Eko Botanic 3/5, Taman, Persiaran Eko Botani, 79100, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 9:30am to 6pm, Fri-Sun 9:30am to 8:30pm
Website
Little Bun Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
Meow Me Cat House is not exactly a pet cafe, as you don’t pay an entrance fee; instead, you just have to spend at least RM8 to get a seat. I liked that the cats were generally well taken care of, and bonus points were given for the delicious selection of drinks.
I enjoyed both the Fizzy Orange Americano (RM17) and Tiramisu Latte (RM17) for different reasons. The former is the perfect quencher on a hot day, while the latter is great if you want something a little sweet while getting your caffeine fix. Do note that there are desserts too, but the lineup changes regularly, so I encourage you to check their Instagram page for the latest updates.
Read our Meow Me Cat House feature.
Address: 28-01, Jalan Austin Height 7/7, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 12pm to 9pm
Website
Meow Me Cat House is not a halal-certified eatery.
Now that you know which cafes in Johor Bahru to go to, continue planning your itinerary with our full JB food guide for the best cafes, restaurants, and hawker stalls. We also have a guide to the best JB breakfast spots, if you’re travelling early!