JB Mount Austin food guide
Yes, cafe hopping in Johor Bahru (JB) is still a thing, and it’ll take more than the long queues at JB customs to deter Singaporeans from exploring good food across the border. For this guide, we’re diving deeper into Mount Austin, a bustling food gem in the city. A 20-minute Grab ride away from JB CIQ, this area is home to many hidden cafes and popular hawker stalls. Read on for our guide to the best JB Mount Austin food spots for your next long weekend getaway!
The current exchange rate is RM1 = ~S$0.30 as of 18 June 2025.
Table of Contents
1. Cheevit Cheeva
Hailing from Bangkok, Cheevit Cheeva is a popular dessert cafe with over 10 branches worldwide—their Malaysian Instagram account alone has more than 8K followers at the time of writing! This trendy cafe specialises in shaved ice desserts that are perfect for a sunny day in JB.
We had to order a shaved ice dessert to see what the hype was all about, so we got the Royal Thai Tea Bingsu (from RM24) to try. This tasty, tea-infused treat boasted a rich, aromatic Thai tea flavour that we thoroughly enjoyed. There were shokupan bits atop the bingsu, which we didn’t find necessary as the shaved ice was good on its own. We also had the Dubai Dream Toast (RM39), featuring thick shokupan topped with crispy pistachio kunafa, sweet chocolate and pistachio drizzles, finished with a dollop of vanilla ice cream that’s covered in crushed pistachio bits. If you can’t find this on the menu, get the croffle instead. There are five variations to choose from, including Salty Egg Yolk (RM20) and Strawberry Nutella (RM20).
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: Daily 1pm to 11pm
Tel: +60 12-858 5913
Website
Cheevit Cheeva is not a halal-certified eatery.
Cheevit Cheeva: Thai-Famous Dessert Cafe In JB With Kunafa Toast And More
2. Jiah Xiang Dim Sum
Dim sum is one of our favourite supper foods for three reasons: it’s affordable, it’s delicious, and many spots open till late. If you’re like us, stop by Jiah Xiang Dim Sum for a late-night meal with your friends. They have three outlets: Sentosa Plaza, which open for 24 hours daily, as well as Mount Austin and Horizon Hills.
Our favourite item was the Kataifi Mango Shrimp (RM7.80+), a sweet-savoury treat that sounded a tad strange at first, but was actually really delicious. You get shrimp and diced mango in a deep-fried crispy pastry that’s made using shredded dough! The Golden Bao (RM7.80+) was also good; an order comes with three buns in a bamboo basket, each filled with a runny salted egg custard that leans sweet and buttery. There are also the must-haves Shrimp Dumplings (RM7+) and Char Siu Ceong Fan (RM7+) to substantiate your meal.
Read our Jiah Xiang Dim Sum feature.
Address: N 113 N, 115, Jalan Mutiara Emas 2A, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 7am to 3pm
Tel: +60 7-361 4848
Website
Jiah Xiang Dim Sum is not a halal-certified eatery.
Jiah Xiang Dim Sum: Popular 24/7 Eatery Near KSL City Mall JB
3. Pin Wan Mini Bowl
Pin Wan Mini Bowl offers a variety of mini bowls from $0.60, with a good selection of proteins and veggies to choose from. Plus, they are open till 11pm every day, so you can come by for a late dinner!
Our goal was to spend less than RM20 here and with our budget, we managed to get these items: Mapo Tofu (RM5+), Marmite Chicken Cube (RM8+), Steamed Egg (RM2+), and Pearl Rice Porridge (RM2.20+). The marmite chicken was our favourite as the bite-sized cubes of meat were easy to eat. We also liked that the chicken bits were coated in a sweet-savoury sauce, pairing well with the Teochew-style porridge. If you’re not a fan of this porridge, opt for the Pearl Rice (RM2.20+) instead!
Read our Pin Wan Mini Bowl feature.
Address: 23 & 25, Jln Austin Height 7/5, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Tel: +60 10-719 5969
Website
Pin Wan Mini Bowl is not a halal-certified eatery.
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4. Bloom by Mokmok
Step into Bloom by Mokmok and the first thing you’ll notice is the colourful ceiling, adorned with dried flowers. The garden-themed cafe is uber-pink and floral, with fairy lights hanging from above for extra effect. Here’s a tip: the space is dimly lit, so if you’re here for the ‘gram, request a seat near the window for more natural light.
It’s not just about the aesthetics here, though. Bloom by Mokmok serves up a mean brunch, in the form of Baked Telur (RM32+), a dish consisting of the full works: chicken sausage, beef bacon, chickpeas, spinach, tomatoes, and eggs, served with warm pita slices for dipping.
For drinks, there’s a list of artisanal teas for you to choose from. A popular pick is A Bloom for You (RM15+), a floral blend of sakura, jasmine, and Earl Grey. Otherwise, wash it all down with an Iced Black (RM12+) if you need a caffeine boost.
Read our Bloom by Mokmok feature.
Address: 87, Jalan Mutiara Emas 2A, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 12pm to 10pm
Website
Bloom by Mok Mok is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
5. Local House
For a casual meal, head to Local House, which serves unpretentious Malaysian fare at reasonable prices. Kickstart your morning with some Toast Hainan Bread with Butter + Kaya and Half Boiled Eggs (RM9.90+). The toast, grilled on charcoal, comes with a slab of butter and a generous smear of kaya spread—perfect for dunking into the eggs.
If you prefer something more filling, the Steamed Hainanese Chicken Rice Set (RM13.30+) doesn’t disappoint. This hearty dish comes with a warm bowl of rice, a side of steamed chicken, comforting soup, and a side of condiments featuring ginger paste, chilli sauce, and black sauce.
Read our Local House review.
Address: 91, Jalan Mutiara Emas 2A, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 8pm
Tel: +60 7-364 8338
Website
Local House is not a halal-certified eatery but serves no pork or lard.
6. Ukiyo Cafe
Ukiyo Cafe is definitely one for the girlies with their pretty-in-pink space and dainty French-Japanese cakes. FYI: the cafe doubles up as a pilates and yoga studio! Terrazzo tables, rattan furniture, and blush tones make every corner oh-so-Instagrammable, but regulars return to the cosy spot for their delicious hand-crafted treats.
We were immediately drawn to the glass display at the counter, which showcases some of their best-sellers and seasonal specials. At the time of writing, they have the gorgeous Queensland (RM26++), a heart-shaped cake made using tangy raspberry mousse, lychee jelly, and almonds. For a creamy, indulgent treat, we recommend the Sienna (RM24++) instead, which is a simple yet delicious Earl Grey milk chocolate tart.
Read our Ukiyo Cafe feature.
Address: 17-02, Jalan Austin Heights 8/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm to 7pm
Tel: +60 12-936 9760
Website
Ukiyo Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery, but their food contains no pork or lard.
Ukiyo: French-Japanese Dessert Cafe Hidden In A Pilates Studio At Mount Austin
7. High School Kopitiam
Live out your Taiwanese high school drama moment at High School Kopitiam, a themed brunch cafe in Mount Austin. The cafe is fitted with wooden seats and tables that resemble that of a classroom, plus a massive chalkboard with hand-drawn illustrations on the side to complete the look.
The Taiwanese-inspired cafe serves a wide range of dishes, including local eats, but they’re most known for their toasts. Get the High School Pork Chop Sandwich (RM15.90+) with Charcoal Toast (RM1+), an IG-worthy sando stuffed with deep-fried pork chop, shredded veggies, mayo, cheese, and a fried egg. Don’t miss out on their dan bing, too; familiar flavours such as Chicken Floss Egg Pancake (RM9.90+) with take you back to the streets of Taiwan.
Read our High School Kopitiam review.
Address: 57, Jalan Austin Heights 8/5, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 6pm
Tel: +60 7-359 5412
Website
High School Kopitiam is not a halal-certified eatery.
8. Cam Tea & Ember Cafe
Cam Tea & Ember Cafe is a Chinese-style teahouse with wooden accents and camping-style tables. We recommend trying their Roasted Jasmine Green Milk Tea Set (RM36.80)—it allows you to brew your tea and enjoy it with snacks such as Glutinous Rice Cake, Black Sesame Balls, and Green Bean Cookies.
If you’d like something more refreshing, order the Gardenia Coconut Light Milk Tea (RM23.80). This comes with seven different toppings, including Lychee Mochi, Peach Popping Balls, and Sweet Red Bean.
There are also savoury meals here such as Salmon Chazuke with Da Hong Pao Oolong Tea (RM28.90). This comes with pan-seared salmon, shredded egg, and furikake with rice.
Read our Cam Tea & Ember review.
Address: 12 Jln Austin Heights 7/7, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 10am to 9pm
Tel: +60 11-5431 3494
Website
Cam Tea & Ember Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
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9. Myeong Dong BBQ Buffet
Just as most drivers top up a full tank of petrol before returning to Singapore, you should fuel up at Myeong Dong BBQ Buffet before heading back home. Opened by a Korean couple, this eatery offers an all-you-can-eat Korean BBQ meat feast at just RM39 per person. Fill up on unlimited pork belly, pork shoulder, tteokbokki, kimchi pancake, fried chicken and more.
Myeong Dong BBQ Buffet could be a great money-saving hack during your JB trip, but keep your dining expectations in check. While the place is air-conditioned, it does get hot when dinner time rolls around. Here’s a tip: sit along the open windows for a much-needed breeze. Service is also minimal, and don’t expect the staff to cook for you.
Address: 58-1, Jalan Austin Heights 8/7, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Thurs 5pm to 11pm, Fri-Sun 1pm to 11pm
Tel: +60 11-1198 4508
Website
Myeong Dong BBQ Buffet is not a halal-certified eatery.
10. CHADDEE
Check out CHADDEE, a lowkey teahouse in Mount Austin, for a wide range of Asian teas. They open till 12am every day, so you can get your late-night tea fix sorted.
Try their more unique offerings, including the Phoenix Duck-shit Oolong Tea (RM21.90), an intense, floral tea from China that has a lingering sweetness. If there’s someone in your party who isn’t a fan of tea, get them to order the Orange Americano (RM15.90), a citrusy beverage with a caffeine kick.
Check out our CHADDEE feature.
Address: 2, Jalan Austin Heights 7/8, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Wed-Sun 11am to 12am
Website
CHADDEE is not a halal-certified eatery.
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11. Restoran Uncle Pou Wok
Some love has to go out to the delicious and affordable zi char in JB. Restoran Uncle Pou Wok is a popular zi char haunt amongst Singaporeans, and you can find multiple outlets around JB. There are both outdoor and indoor seating, but opt for the former to fully experience dining on car park lots, the local way.
A dish not to miss is their Bu Huo Lao Hokkien Mee (from RM13.50+). It features 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 Fish Fillet (from RM25+), 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.
12. Restoran Hua Mui Austin
If you find yourself in Mount Austin, you have to make a pit stop at Restoran Hua Mui—its OG outlet in Jalan Trus has been around since 1946! Their Austin branch has the same classic brekkie fare, including Double Butter Kaya Toast (RM4.50), which comes with two slabs of butter instead of one.
Their Hainanese Grilled Chicken Chop (RM26.90) is not to be missed, too. This platter comes with a crispy deep-fried chicken chop that’s battered with crushed biscuits, alongside slaw, potato wedges, and roasted tomato. It’s also served with the brand’s signature Hainanese sauce on the side for dipping.
Read our Restoran Hua Mui review.
Address: 9, Jalan Austin Heights 8/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 8am to 5pm
Tel: +60 17-998 1542
Website
Restoran Hua Mui is not a halal-certified eatery.
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13. Padi Kopitiam
This nostalgic cafe offers a variety of local Malaysian dishes, including their Padi Snowy Pop Bun. Priced at RM5.50++ per piece, you get a milky bun that’s crisp on the outside and fluffy on the inside.
During our trip to JB, we also tried the cafe’s Sambal Chicken Floss White Bread (RM5.90++). While the dish looked unassuming, it surprised us with its piquant and savoury shrimp-based paste and sweet chicken floss. We also recommend their Black Kolo Mee with Wonton (RM13.90++), which features springy kolo mee served alongside sweet minced pork, crispy wonton skin, mushrooms, fish balls, and vegetables.
Read our Padi Kopitiam feature.
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.
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14. Four Beans
After a hearty dinner at Mount Austin, head over to Four Beans, a Taiwanese-style dessert chain with nine outlets across Malaysia. They open till relatively late, making it a popular supper spot.
The World of Taro Soy Beancurd (RM16+) comes highly recommended, as it comprises a generous bowl of soft beancurd, taro beancurd, taro balls, and orh nee chunks. This comes with brown sugar and soya milk on the side. Their Black Sesame Shaved Ice with Taro Ball (RM21+), a shaved black sesame ice with sweet red beans and chewy taro balls, is a popular dessert. Matcha fans can also consider the popular Matcha Shaved Ice with Mixed Taro Ball (RM20+).
Read our Four Beans feature.
Address: No 71, GF, L009, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Austin Heights, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 2pm to 10:30pm, Fri 2pm to 11pm, Sat 1pm to 11pm, Sun 1pm to 10:30pm
Website
Four Beans is a halal-certified eatery.
Four Beans: Popular Dessert Chain In Malaysia With Taro Beancurd And Black Sesame Shaved Ice
15. The Blue Door Coffee House
If you’re on the hunt for aesthetic cafes in JB, The Blue Door Coffee House should be on your list of must-visits. Upon entering the cafe, you’ll be greeted by a spacious dining area with a queen-sized bed in the middle, along with wooden furnishings and tons of natural light.
Their menu features a variety of pistachio and matcha-flavoured bakes, such as the Pistachio Mochi Croissant (RM18), which stars chewy mochi nestled inside a flaky croissant, topped with luscious pistachio cream. We also enjoyed the Matchamisu (RM22), a light dessert combining the sweetness of coffee-soaked ladyfingers with earthy matcha-spiked mascarpone.
Read our The Blue Door Coffee House feature.
Address: 36A, Jalan Austin Height 7/8, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Wed 11:30am to 10pm, Thurs-Sun 11am to 12am
Website
The Blue Door Coffee House is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
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16. Lao Ban Mian
Ban Mian lovers, you’ll want to check out Lao Ban Mian, a well-known noodle spot in JB with a 4.8-star rating on Google Reviews! While they also serve regular Malaysian-style ban mian, we recommend trying their Mala Panmee (from RM14.90+) and Creamy Salted Egg Panmee (from RM15.90+).
The former boasts a super spicy kick, with thick noodles evenly coated in mala oil. Meanwhile, the latter offers a strong salted egg aroma, topped with fried bean curd skin and small pieces of crispy wonton. Lao Ban Mian also serves sides for just RM4.90+, including Curry Fishball and Yong Tau Foo. We had the Fried Dough Sticks, which featured three deep-fried dough balls drizzled with sweet condensed milk.
Read our Lao Ban Mian feature.
Address: 16, Jalan 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.
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17. Dai Tao Lala Pot
If you’re active on #foodtok, chances are you’ve heard of Dai Tao Lala Pot. Famous for their hour-long queues and delicious clam soup that’s cooked on a charcoal stove, the restaurant’s Dai Tao Signature Soup is also affordably priced at just RM38+.
Get your phone ready as the staff stir-fries a kilogram of Sha Bai clams along with ginger and garlic, creating a dramatic, fiery spectacle. Later, Shaoxing wine is added to the mix, resulting in a rich broth that enhances the umami flavour of the lala and spices. Plus, the restaurant offers over 60 ingredients that you can add to your soup, including Baby Octopus (RM16.90+), Lobster Ball (RM10.90+), and Thousand Layer Tripe (RM18.50+). FYI, you get unlimited broth refills for free too!
Read our Dai Tao Lala Pot review.
Address: No.49, Jalan Austin Height 8/5, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 5pm to 3am
Tel: +60 12-601 1788
Website
Dai Tao Lala Pot is not a halal-certified eatery.
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18. Knock Knock Cafe
Boasting a pink floral ceiling, elaborate mirrors, and elegant chandeliers, Knock Knock Cafe is the place to go for Instagram-worthy photos. Their food is equally on-theme and features edible flowers as seen in dishes such as their Brioche French Toast (RM28+) and Rose Latte (RM14+).
The Brioche French Toast comes adorned with sweet fruits, edible flowers, caramelised bananas, and berries, accompanied by maple syrup on the side. Beautifully presented with pink edible flowers is the Rose Latte, featuring a creamy latte with floral notes.
Address: 60, Jalan Mutiara Emas 5/9, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 7pm
Tel: +60 19-725 5117
Website
Knock Knock Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
19. Xumiguo Hotpot
If you’re looking for a more unique hotpot experience, give Xumiguo Hotpot a try. The restaurant specialises in coconut-winter melon hotpot, priced at just RM35.90+ per pot.
Xumiguo uses fresh coconut for this broth, pouring its juice straight from the fruit into a winter melon broth right in front of you. You can also get the popular Scallop with Garlic Sauce (RM26.80+) or BBQ Garlic Eggplant (RM15.80+) to share with your dining companions. You can also opt for two different soup bases for just RM29.90+, where there are seven types to choose from: milky mala, tomyum, tomato and more.
Address: 68, Jln Austin Heights 8/2, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Mon-Thurs 4pm to 12am, Fri-Sat 12pm to 1am, Sun 12pm to 12am
Tel: +60 11-6313 9313
Website
Xumiguo Hotpot is not a halal-certified eatery.
20. Bro Lok Lok
You may already be familiar with the famous JB Da Cheng Lok Lok, but when you’re in Mount Austin, Bro Lok Lok is the place to be. Here, they serve the skewers straight from a food truck and patrons can enjoy them by the roadside. While you can choose whether you want your ingredients fried or boiled, we highly recommend opting for the former.
The skewers are categorised into different price tiers, with the cheapest priced at RM1+ and the priciest at RM8+. Fans of Bro Lok Lok swear by their Hot & Spicy Tiger Prawn skewer, priced at RM1+ per stick with every 20 orders. Another must-try is their Mantou (RM1.50+), which oozes with savory nacho cheese.
Read our Bro Lok Lok feature.
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
Tel: +60 12-703 1418
Website
Bro Lok Lok is not a halal-certified eatery.
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21. Eden by Wizards
Image credit: @edenbywizards
While it’s easy to mistake Eden by Wizards for a private spa or atas resort, it is actually a cafe. Originating from KL, every corner of the cafe, from its foliage walkway and water feature to the cosy seating nooks, provides an aesthetic backdrop for snapping your #ootd.
Image credit: @edenbywizards
Food-wise, the cafe offers Western-Asian dishes, including Siamese Prawn Spaghettini (RM35++)—spaghetti with grilled tiger prawns tossed in tom yum sauce with ginger flower and kaffir lime, and Ocean Trout Mentaiko Pasta (RM35++): creamy spaghetti, mentaiko, sliced trout, egg yolk, and furikake.
Address: 19, Jln Tiong Emas, Kawasan Perindustrian Tiong Nam Tebrau 3, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 10am to 10pm
Tel: +60 11-5428 2188
Website
Eden by Wizards is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
22. JWC The Factory 30
Do not panic when you find yourself being driven to an ulu part of the city. Hidden amongst real factories and warehouses, JWC The Factory 30 is one out of four cafes opened by Just Want Coffee. You might be greeted with a “Welcome home!” when you’re at JWC Homies, but here at Factory 30 there is a cool, industrial-chic vibe going on.
Image credit: @c00.00_
Cafe-hoppers can enjoy their extensive menu of hot food and desserts. If you’re here for brunch, there’s the Hungry Jack Big Breakfast (from RM30++), a smorgasbord of cheesy sausages, scrambled eggs, a bagel and more. A small selection of pasta, Western mains, and Japanese curry rice is also available. Enjoy a mini fire show during the preparation when you order an Irish Coffee (RM40++). The drink and theatrics will certainly not disappoint.
Address: 30, Jalan Mutiara Emas 5/3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11pm
Tel: +60 12-521 6442
Website
JWC The Factory 30 is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
Best food in JB Mount Austin
Time to make plans with your kakis for a foodie trip in JB! Bookmark this list of the best JB Mount Austin food spots, so you can have your fill without hurting your wallet.
For more good food in JB, read our Johor Bahru hawker food guide. Otherwise, read our guide to the best Malaysian food places in Singapore.
18 Johor Bahru Hawker Food Stalls To Eat At During Your JB Getaway
Photos taken by Paula Formantes, Hor Kia Ee, and Marcus Neo.
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