The idea of heading to Johor Bahru for a quick getaway often comes to mind, especially during long weekends. However, the thought of dealing with the jams at the causeway usually deters me from actually making the trip. If my family and I do decide to go, we would head down super early to avoid the peak hour traffic. By the time we arrive, we’re usually famished.
If you’re a kanchiong spider like me and find yourself reaching JB before the malls are open, here are 15 JB breakfast spots that open before 10am!
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Ah Ma TeoChew Kuih is a popular breakfast spot in Johor Bahru as they offer yummy Teochew porridge along with a bunch of traditional snacks, all under RM10+ (~S$2.90).
Their signature Ah Ma TeoChew Porridge (RM9.90+/~S$2.80) features a bowl of savoury Teochew porridge and your pick of three sides, with options including Salted Egg, Preserved Vege, and Spicy & Sour Dried Shrimps.
Then, pair your porridge with a cup of Ah Ma Signature Coffee (RM6.90+/~S$1.95), which boasts a rich, strong brew. For something more unique, try their Dalgona Coffee (RM9.90+/~S$2.80) instead.
Read our Ah Ma Teochew Kuih review.
Website | Full list of locations
Ah Ma TeoChew Kuih is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
If you’re looking for cafe food, we recommend checking out D’ Cafe. This garden-themed cafe has an extensive menu featuring mains, brunch items, desserts, and drinks.
Give their Pulled Benny (RM28+/~S$8+) and Pot-a-tato Rosti (RM32+/~S$9.10+) a try. The former is a crowd favourite, comprising a hearty combination of pulled chicken, poached egg, pickled cabbage, and creamy hollandaise on toast. As for the latter, it comes beautifully plated with a poached egg drenched in hollandaise, served atop potato rosti and topped with mushrooms.
Read our D’Cafe review.
Address: 9, Jalan Kelewang, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 7pm
Website
D’ Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Located a 20-minute drive from JB customs, Hidden Garden By The Sea is a Bali-inspired cafe with gorgeous seaside views. The best time to visit is during the evening, when you can clink glasses while watching the sun dip below the horizon. But if you’re planning to drop by in the morning, they open from 9am too!
The menu focuses on Western and Asian fusion dishes, such as the Toast Charcoal Bread w/ Kaya Butter (RM12+/~S$3.42+) and Fusion Seafood Spaghetti (RM42+/S$11.91+). The former is available for breakfast, and features two pieces of charcoal toast sandwiching a thick slab of butter and a spread of fragrant kaya.
Quench your thirst with a glass of Avocado Cafe Latte (RM20+/~S$5.60+), or go for the rum-based Ocean Breeze Mojito (RM17+/~S$4.76+) if you’re looking for something boozy.
Read our Hidden Garden By The Sea review.
Address: MLO, 2387-1, KG, Kampung Teluk Jawa, 81750 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 12am
Tel: +60 12-372 3875
Website
Hidden Garden By The Sea is not a halal-certified eatery.
Padi Kopitiam dishes out local Malaysian dishes, including their signature Padi Snowy Pop Bun (RM5.50++/~S$1.55++). This milky bun is famous for being crisp on the outside, and satisfyingly fluffy on the inside. We recommend their Sambal Chicken Floss White Bread (RM5.90++/ ~S$1.67++) too. This mildly spicy snack stars a savoury shrimp-based paste, topped with shreds of sweet chicken floss.
Kolo mee lovers can also try their Black Kolo Mee with Wonton (RM13.90++/~S$3.93++): springy kolo mee, sweet minced pork, crispy wonton skin, mushrooms, fish balls, and vegetables.
Read our Padi Kopitiam review.
Address: 15, Jalan Austin Heights 3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 6pm
Tel: +60 16-799 1116
Website
Padi Kopitiam is not a halal-certified eatery.
One of JB’s most famous cafes is Nimmies Pastry Cafe, known for their aesthetic Parisian-inspired decor. When we were in JB, our team tried their Crombolloni (RM20++/~S$5.69++), a unique item that’s a cross between a bombolini and a circular croissant. You can get them in three flavours: Taro, Nutella, and Berry Pistachio.
For something more hearty, get their Arab Maghreb Shakshouka (RM29++/~S$8.25++), featuring poached eggs in a tangy tomato sauce. If you’re just here for coffee, we insist you try their Gula Melaka Latte (RM20++/~S$5.69++), a creamy beverage with palm sugar-infused milk coffee.
Address: 171, Jln Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 11pm
Tel: +60 11-6133 2459
Website
Nimmies Pastry Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
This well-known noodle spot in JB boasts a 4.8-star rating on Google Reviews, and our team can vouch for its tasty food. On our visit to Lao Ban Mian, we had their Mala Panmee (RM14.90+/S$4.24+) and Creamy Salted Egg Panmee (RM15.90+/S$4.52+), which, according to their staff, are fan favourites.
We personally enjoyed the mala ban mian, which consists of thick noodles evenly coated in mala oil. If you love all things salted egg yolk, you’ll love the latter’s distinct, umami aroma. It’s also topped with fried bean curd skin and small pieces of crispy wonton.
Read our Lao Ban Ban Mian feature.
Address: 16, Jln Austin Heights 8/2, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 10:15am to 9:30pm
Tel: +60 16-793 2854
Website
Lao Ban Mian is not a halal-certified eatery.
Drop by the hand-brew bar at Hiritsu Coffee Roastery, where you can enjoy a cup of joe and watch the baristas meticulously craft each drink from scratch. If you ask them for recommendations, they’ll probably ask you to try their signature Shaddock Gathered Coffee (RM18+/S$5.10+), which comprises cold brew coffee topped with tonic water and pomelo, finished with velvety cream.
The cafe also serves desserts, including the popular Seasalt Coco Financier (RM12+/S$3.40+) and Matcha Financier (RM12+/S$3.40+). We enjoyed the latter, which burst with matcha lava when cut into.
Read our Hiritsu Coffee Roastery review.
Address: 89, Jalan Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 7pm
Website
Hiritsu Coffee Roastery is not a halal-certified eatery.
Just a 10-minute drive away from JB customs is Palates & Bagels, a pretty bagel cafe that opens from 8am. They offer three signature bagels: Original (RM6++/~S$1.71++), Parmesan Cheese (RM8++/~S$2.28++), and Flavoured (~RM7++/~S$1.99++). FYI, flavoured bagels come with toppings such as Cranberry, Mixed Black Sesame, and Pumpkin Seeds.
We personally prefer their savoury bagels, specifically the Ah Seng (RM30++/~S$8.55++). This filling number is stuffed with a thick prawn patty, egg, caramelised onions, and sliced cheddar. If that’s not enough to fill you up, order the creamy Truffle Mushroom Pasta (RM38++/~S$10.83++) or Unagi Rice Bowl (RM28++/~S$7.98++) to satiate your appetite.
Read our Palates & Bagels review.
Address: 10 Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 6pm
Website
Palates & Bagels By T.A.M is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
This Japanese-style cafe specialises in fluffy steamed brioche buns similar to the viral steamed buns from Bangkok! They come in a wooden basket and are available in three flavours: Original (RM22+/~S$6.22+), Pandan (RM23+/~S$6.50+), and Walnut & Raisin (RM26+/~S$7.35+). You can also pick two sauces to enjoy with your bread—we went for the citrusy Yuzu Sauce and velvety Honey Kaya on our visit.
Another unique dessert is the Yammy Golden Hour (RM29+/~S$8.20+), which is Little Bun’s spin on the classic French toast. Served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, the savoury-sweet brioche French toast is stuffed with house-made yam paste and layered with cheese.
Read our Little Bun review.
Address: G-08 , Eco Nest Apartment Jalan Eko Botanic 3/5, Taman, Persiaran Eko Botani, 79100, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 9:30am to 6pm
Tel: +60 16-763 2623
Website
Little Bun is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
There’s no better spot for a satisfying dim sum breakfast than Restoran Gim Cheng. This casual eatery opens at 7am and is incredibly popular, offering over 60 varieties of dim sum. Expect to queue, especially on weekends, but it’s worth it as more dishes are available during that time.
Prices range from RM2 to RM9 (~S$0.70-S$2.90) per basket, and you can stuff yourself silly with delicious items such as har gow, fish maw fish balls, and steamed spare ribs. One of their most popular offerings is the phoenix dumpling (RM7.50/S$2.40), which resembles a har gow but comes with savoury salted egg yolk.
Read our Restoran Gim Cheng review.
Address: 2, Jalan Sagu 36, Taman Daya, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 7am to 1pm
Tel: +60 16-712 1257
Website
Restoran Gim Cheng is not a halal-certified eatery.
If you’re on a budget, head over to Kopiloco for cheap breakfast eats from just $3. Plus, they’re a short 15-minute drive from JB customs. A must-try here is the Peanut French Toast (RM8.80/~S$2.50)—creamy peanut butter sandwiched between thick, fluffy bread that’s drenched in egg, then drizzled with maple syrup.
If you’re really hungry, the Dry Fried Seafood Mihun (RM12.90/~S$3.70) is a good pick. This gets you a plate of generous ingredients, including egg, squid, prawns, carrots, and fish cakes. It’s tangy and also mildly spicy, so you may consider ordering a glass of Three-layered Milk Tea (RM7.90/~S$2.20) too.
Read our Kopiloco review.
Address: 64 & 65, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 5:30pm
Website
Kopiloco By 1993 is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Restoran Kacang Pool Haji is a relatively new eatery in JB, but they’ve already garnered a loyal customer base with their unique kacang pool dish. For the uninitiated, kacang pool, AKA ful medames, is a Middle-Eastern bean stew that’s commonly eaten for breakfast.
The restaurant’s Kacang Pool Daging (RM7/S$2) has a flavour similar to minestrone soup. The substantial dish includes onions, minced beef, a fried egg, and margarine toast served on the side. You can dip the toast in the stew, or enjoy it on its own too.
Read our Restoran Kacang Pool Haji review.
Address: Jalan Sabar, Taman Dato Onn, 80350 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 12am
Restoran Kacang Pool Haji is a Muslim-friendly eatery.
Kam Long Ah Zai Curry Fish Head has been in the business for over 30 years, and they only have one dish on the menu: curry fish head. The dish comes served in a claypot and is available in three portions: Small (RM31/~S$8.84), Medium (RM44/~S$12.54), and Large (RM60/~S$17.10).
To avoid the long queue, we suggest arriving in the morning for a spicy breakfast or around 3pm when the crowd tends to thin out. The fish used for their curry is red snapper, which tasted incredibly fresh during our visit. It’s tender, fall-off-the-bone, and absorbs the grainy curry well. As for the addictive curry, it has a mild spiciness and is slightly tangy with a touch of sweetness, likely from the generous amount of vegetables added to it.
Read our Kam Long Ah Zai review.
Address: 74, Jalan Wong Ah Fook, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 8am to 4pm
Tel: +60 16-752 8382
Kam Long Ah Zai Curry Fish Head is not a halal-certified eatery.
Charcoal Sutera is open as early as 7:30am and serves Malaysian food such as Crispy Fried Dough Stick and Kaya (RM3.90/~S$1.11), Kway Teow Penang Style (RM11.90/~S$3.39), and Charcoal Signature Nasi Lemak Basmathi (RM16.90/~S$4.82). The portions here are huge, making them well worth the affordable prices.
The eatery also has unique beverages such as Signature Salted Coffee Ice (RM5.50/~S$1.57), starring a sweet and super gao iced kopi that is lightly salted. If you’re here from their opening till 10am, you can also enjoy their Super Value Sets. Priced at RM7.90 (~S$2.25), it comes with your choice of toast, eggs, and one drink.
Read our Charcoal Sutera review.
Address: No.73, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 7:30am to 5:15pm
Tel: +60 16-324 1812
Website
Charcoal Sutera is not a halal-certified eatery.
Restaurant Reaz Corner is open 24 hours a day so those visiting Johor Bahru can come here for breakfast and supper. Their menu offers a variety of options suitable for light bites or a full meal, including fluffy Arab bread, AKA roti arab, rojak, and nasi briyani.
While in JB, we tried their Roti Arab Kaya Butter (RM4/~S$1.14), featuring fluffy bread with fragrant Hainanese kaya spread. For a more substantial option, we suggest the Nasi Briyani Ayam Tandoori (RM12/~S$3.42), which includes chunky chicken pieces marinated in spices, accompanied by fragrant basmati rice, vegetables, and crispy keropok for extra crunch.
The restaurant also serves goat milk, a less common find, especially in Singapore. Their creamy Susu Kambing Biasa (RM5/~S$1.43) is sweeter than regular milk and doesn’t have a strong aftertaste.
Read our Restaurant Reaz Corner review.
Address: 23, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 24 hours
Tel: +60 13-744 0089
Website
Restaurant Reaz Corner is a Muslim-owned eatery.
The next time you arrive in Johor Bahru way too early, you can visit any of these JB breakfast spots to feed your hungry tummy!
ICYMI, the famous DaCheng Lok Lok from Johor Bahru has opened in Tai Seng and is open till 2am daily. Otherwise, read our Soon Huat (JB) Bak Kut Teh review for Malaysian-style bak kut teh in one-north.
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