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 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+/~S$9.64+), Chicken Curry Waffles (RM29+/~S$8.23+), and Fusion Seafood Spaghetti (RM42+/~S$11.91+).
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+/S$6.81+), Takoyaki (RM17+/S$4.82+), and Mozzarella Sticks (RM24+/S$6.81+).
On our visit, we opted for the Toast Charcoal Bread With Kaya (RM12+/~S$3.36+), which features a thick slab of butter sandwiched between two pieces of crispy charcoal-infused toast. While this is no Yakun, kaya toast lovers will enjoy the sweet and savoury snack.
For drinks, we found their Avocado Cafe Latte (RM20+/~S$5.60+) 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+/~S$4.76+) that’s spiked with white rum.
If you’re looking for cafe food, read our JB Mount Austin food guide. Otherwise, check out our Johor Bahru hawker food guide for famous Hainanese food by a 70-year-old eatery, RM1 roti canai 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.
Photos taken by Kia Ee Hor.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.
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