If your Bali trip isn’t happening anytime soon but you’re craving a seaside getaway, check out this hidden cafe in Johor Bahru! Located a 20-minute drive from JB customs, Hidden Garden By The Sea offers scenic sea views straight out of a Bali tourism video.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.30 as of 22 April 2025.
The best time to visit the cafe is in the evening, as you can watch the sun dip below the horizon. Alternatively, you can drop by later for supper, as the cafe remains open until midnight every day.
Hidden Garden By The Sea features a spacious and breezy interior, complete with wooden chairs, rattan lanterns, and other Balinese-inspired decor. If you prefer dining outdoors, you can choose seats on the garden lawn or opt for tables facing the sea.
The cafe also offers a photo-worthy heart installation, perfect for couples looking to snap photos with the sea and the ships as their backdrop. If you visit on a weekend night, you might even catch a few live music performances.
Food-wise, the cafe specialises in Western and Asian fusion mains. Some highlights include their Unagi Dry Ramen Noodle (RM34+), Organic Taufu Burger (RM33+), and Fusion Seafood Spaghetti (RM42+).
Coated in a heady Sarawak laksa-inspired sauce and topped with squid, clams, and bouncy prawns, their seafood spaghetti is a crowd favourite.
The pasta features strong wok hei, which pairs nicely with the mild brininess of the seafood. The heady and seafood-forward sauce also has a spicy kick.
The cafe’s menu features light bites and finger food too, including Calamari (RM24+), Takoyaki (RM17+), and Mozzarella Stick (RM24+).
For drinks, we found their Avocado Cafe Latte (RM21+) to be a good pick-me-up. The avocado flavour is subtle, making this milky beverage easy to drink and not overly cloying. If you’re looking for tipples, the cafe also offers affordable alcoholic beverages, including the refreshing Ocean Breeze Mojito (RM17+) that’s spiked with white rum.
If you’re looking for cafe food, read our JB Mount Austin food guide. We also have a guide to the best matcha cafes in JB for $3 matcha latte, genmaicha cake and more.
Address: MLO, 2387-1, KG, Kampung Teluk Jawa, 81750 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 12am
Tel: +60 12-372 3875
Website
Hidden Garden By The Sea is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Photos taken by Kia Ee Hor.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.