If planning a Johor Bahru trip to hit all the must-try food spots feels daunting, we’ve got you covered. From hearty bagel breakfasts to indulgent zi char feasts, this two-day JB food itinerary is packed with delicious stops to help you make the most of your trip.
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.32 as of 20 August 2026.
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Since you’re probably starving by the time you’ve crossed the border, we reckon your breakfast spot should be somewhere near the customs. But it’s also got to be somewhat filling to make up for all that space in your stomach. And so we’ve landed on Palates & Bagels By T.A.M, a cafe that’s a short 10-minute drive from the JB checkpoint.
They offer three signature bagels: Original (RM6++), Parmesan Cheese (RM8++), and Flavoured (RM7++), which come with toppings such as Cranberry, Mixed Black Sesame, and Pumpkin Seeds. We’re a fan of their savoury bagels, specifically the Ah Seng (RM31.90++). This rendition is stuffed with a thick prawn patty, egg, caramelised onions, and sliced cheddar.
Read our Palates & Bagels By T.A.M coverage.
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 halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.
After that hearty breakfast, you’re going to need a pick-me-up. We recommend Space Cafe, a hidden gem at Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre Hotel.
The best thing about Space Cafe is the extensive menu. Don’t miss the Caramel Biscotti Coffee (RM19++), served with house-made honeycomb candy for added sweetness and crunch. Stir in the espresso for a perfect blend of rich milk, sweet caramel, and bold coffee. Alternatively, the Orange Americano (RM19++) offers a creamy, refreshing twist with house-made cold brew and a zesty citrus finish.
Read our Space Cafe coverage.
Address: Holiday Villa, G-11, 260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 9am to 6pm, Thurs-Sun 9am to 6pm, 7pm to 12am
Tel: +60 17-663 7562
Website
Space Cafe not halal-certified.
If you’re planning on visiting Mount Austin during your day trip, we recommend stopping by the area’s Restoran Uncle Pou Wok for lunch.
This popular zi char haunt among Singaporeans offers Malaysian classics such as Bu Huo Lao Hokkien Mee (from RM13.50+), which boasts thick, udon-like noodles stir-fried with prawns, slices of fish cake, cuttlefish, and lap cheong. Every slurp of the dark noodles was smoky, as they had been kissed by wok hei. Kids and adults alike would also enjoy their Sweet & Sour Pork (from RM20+), which stays crunchy despite being coated in a sticky, tangy sauce.
Address: 103, Jalan Austin Heights 3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 12am
Tel: +60 19-857 6900
Website
Restoran Uncle Pou Wok is not a halal-certified eatery.
For those with a sweet tooth, drop by Cheevit Cheeva, a Thai-famous dessert cafe with several outlets worldwide at the time of writing. Over at their Mount Austin JB outlet, you’ll find their signature bingsu and hearty shokupan toasts.
Their Royal Thai Tea Bingsu (from RM24) is a must-get if you’re here with friends; we found the Thai tea flavour rich and addictive. If you’re not a fan of bingsu, get the croffle instead. There are five variations to choose from, including 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: Mon-Thurs 1pm to 11pm, Fri 1pm to 11:30pm, Sat 12:30pm to 11:30pm, Sun 12:30pm to 11pm
Website
Cheevit Cheeva is not halal-certified.
If you don’t mind a slight detour before dinner, Kedai Dhoby Shanghai is worth the trip. It’s one of the most well-known thrift stores in JB, and has often gone viral on TikTok and Lemon8 for its eclectic mix of finds, including branded fashion pieces from labels such as Ralph Lauren and Carhartt. Clothes start from RM15, alongside accessories like bracelets, bags, and even vintage cassettes, so there’s a good chance you’ll walk out with something unexpected.
Do note the opening hours vary slightly by day, it closes earlier on Mondays, while the rest of the week runs till 7pm, so plan your visit accordingly if you’re squeezing this in before dinner.
Address:53, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon 11am to 6pm, Tue-Sun 11am to 7pm
Website
A satisfying dinner is a must for any day trip, so we recommend you check out Restoran Teck Sing, widely considered one of the best zi char restaurants in JB.
With more than 70 items on the menu here, you’re simply spoiled for choice. Favourites with the crowd here are Egg with Salted Turnips (from RM13), Fish Head with Black Bean Sauce (RM38), and Sambal Kang Kong (from RM13), said to be served with a house-made sambal. Don’t forget to order the star dish, the Stewed Pork with Yam (RM24), featuring tender pork bits with soft yam chunks.
Read our Restoran Teck Sing coverage.
Address: 3&5, Jalan Sutera 1, Taman Sentosa, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Sat-Mon 11am to 8:30pm
Website
Restoran Teck Sing is not halal-certified.
Should you still have room for supper, you can make a final stop for the day at Broloklok.
This lok lok eatery, which opens till late, prices skewers from just RM1, which works out to just S$0.30 a stick. You can enjoy items such as tiger prawns, bacon-wrapped enoki mushrooms, chicken wings and more here, all of which can be paired with a range of free-flow sauces.
Read our Broloklok coverage.
Address: 41, Jalan Mutiara Emas 2A, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Sun-Thurs 7pm to 2am, Fri 7pm to 2:30am, Sat 7pm to 3am
Website
Bro Lok Lok is not halal-certified.
Nimmies Pastry Cafe is arguably one of JB’s most famous cafes, known for its gorgeous Bali-inspired decor that blends raw industrial aesthetics with classic vintage elements. They are also known for their excellent pastry and brunch items, making this the perfect place to start your second day.
One of the cafe’s standout items is the Crombolloni, available in different flavours such as Nutella (RM22++) and Taro (RM20++). If you’d like a savoury breakfast instead, you’ve got the likes of Arab Maghreb Shakshouka (RM29++) and Truffled Field Mushroom Tagliatelle (RM27++) to fill you up in no time.
Read our Nimmies Pastry Cafe coverage.
Address: 171, Jln Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 11pm
Website
Nimmies Pastry Cafe is not halal-certified but uses no pork or lard.
A five-minute walk from the previous location is Hiritsu Coffee Roastery. They’re known for their handcrafted drinks, where baristas meticulously make drinks from scratch. This cafe is also relatively near KSL City Mall, so it would be convenient to do some shopping there after you grab a pick-me-up.
Try unique drinks such as the Shaddock Gathered Coffee (RM18+)—a refreshing cold brew mixed with tonic water and pomelo, topped with creamy foam. For something fruity, go for the Running Peach (RM18+), blending cold brew, tonic water, lime, peach, and edible ginger flower. If you’re craving a sweet snack, don’t miss the Bring Me Go Croffle (RM20+), featuring a crispy croffle topped with a scoop of ice cream.
Read our Hiritsu Coffee Roastery coverage.
Address: 89, Jalan Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 9am to 7pm
Website
Hiritsu Coffee Roastery is not halal-certified.
For a hearty lunch in the area, drop by K-Fry Urban Korean at Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre. While the eatery has several branches across Malaysia, this one is particularly beloved, with a 4.9-star rating from over 20K Google reviews.
K-Fry specialises in sizzling, cheesy fried chicken prepared right before your eyes. One of the best flavours to get is the Honey Mustard Cheesy Fried Chicken (RM74.20++), a sweet-tangy crowd-pleaser that feeds up to four, featuring 12 boneless pieces smothered in sauce and served with molten mozzarella. Other standout flavours include the sweet-spicy Yangnyeom and their signature Spicy Cheesy option.
Read our K-Fry Urban Korean coverage.
Address: 260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Tel: +60 7-266 0902
Website
K-Fry Urban Korean is halal-certified.
After a filling lunch at K-Fry, walk it off, or rather, sleep it off, with a massage at SPA Manja, just down the same street. This Balinese-style spa specialises in Javanese and Balinese massage techniques, using more knuckle and thumb pressure than your typical rubdown, which is said to be more effective at relieving muscle aches. Many of the masseurs are from Bali too.
A Royal Javanese or Swedish massage starts from RM98 for an hour, while a simple foot massage goes from RM78. It’s open till 3am daily too, so this works whether you’re squeezing it in mid-afternoon or saving it for after dinner.
Address: 162, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 3am
Website
Fans of matcha will love Slow Day Cafe, a popular spot in Mount Austin with drinks and desserts inspired by Japanese tea.
The trendy Matcha Strawberry (RM17.90) is a good pick, featuring three beautiful layers of sweet strawberry compote, fresh milk, and a matcha shot. For something that’ll wake you up in no time, get the Matcha Espresso (RM17.90), a nice blend of robust coffee and umami matcha. For eats, try the Genmaicha Cake (RM28), which has aromatic nuttiness distinctly different from matcha, with hints of roasted brown rice.
Read our Slow Day Cafe coverage.
Address: No. 2-01, 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 halal-certified.
While claypot lala has become a sensation in Singapore, the OG in Johor Bahru is still worth the trip. Head to Mount Austin’s popular Dai Tao Lala to taste the authentic dish that started it all. This is a great spot to end your JB trip before heading back to SG!
The Dai Tao Signature Soup with Clams (RM38+) is a standout—watch as staff prepare it tableside, flambeing ginger, garlic, and Shaoxing wine before adding aromatic seafood broth. The result is a rich, fragrant soup brimming with plump, sweet clams, balanced by earthy fried garlic and a hint of ginger that enhances their natural brininess. You can make your soup even more flavourful by adding sides such as Baby Octopus (RM16.90+), Lobster Balls (RM10.90+), Thousand Layer Tripe (RM18.50+) and more.
Read our Dai Tao Lala coverage.
Address: No.49, Jalan Austin Height 8/5, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 5pm to 3am
Website
Dai Tao Lala Pot is not halal-certified.
We hope our itinerary will leave you feeling sated and satisfied after two days of JB food. For more cafes to check out, read our best Johor Bahru cafes guide. For breakfast places, read our guide to the best JB breakfast spots.
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