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 27 August 2025.
Table of Contents
1. Slow Day Cafe
Slow Day Cafe is arguably one of the best matcha cafes in Johor Bahru, serving up hojicha and genmaicha desserts alongside its popular matcha offerings. It’s the perfect pitstop between your shopping spree, where you can sip, eat, and chill with your friends in a warm, cosy space.
We tried two drinks and a dessert: Strawberry Matcha (RM17.90), Matcha Espresso (RM17.90), and Genmaicha Nama Cake (RM28). Between the two drinks, we preferred the Matcha Espresso for its winning combination of earthy matcha flavour and bitter coffee notes. Our favourite, though, was the Genmaicha Nama Cake, starring roasted brown rice sounds appealing to you! In terms of texture, it’s similar to a rich gateau cake that melts in your mouth.
Read our Slow Day Cafe feature.
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 a halal-certified eatery.
Slow Day Cafe: Popular Matcha Cafe In JB With Genmaicha Cake And Strawberry Matcha
2. Meow Me Cat House
Many mistake Meow Me Cat House for a pet cafe, where you pay an entrance or cover fee to play with the cats. But that’s not the case, as all you have to do is spend at least RM8 to secure a seat here. This means that you can pet and play with all the adorable cats as long as you get a drink!
There are over 20 kinds of drinks on the menu, ranging from coffee to soda. We tried the signature Tiramisu Latte (RM17), an iced latte topped with creamy mascarpone, cocoa powder, and ladyfinger biscuits. Their Fizzy Orange Americano (RM17) was equally delicious, featuring a simple concoction of orange juice and Americano, finished with a dried orange atop.
Read our Meow Me Cat House feature.
Address: 28-01, Jalan Austin Height 7/7, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 12pm to 9pm
Website
Meow Me Cat House is not a halal-certified eatery.
This Cafe In JB Lets You Chill With Cats While Enjoying Matcha Cheesecake And Tiramisu Latte
3. 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 (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 a halal-certified eatery.
Cheevit Cheeva: Thai-Famous Dessert Cafe In JB With Kunafa Toast And More
4. 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, 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
Website
Jiah Xiang Dim Sum is not a halal-certified eatery.
Jiah Xiang Dim Sum: Popular 24/7 Eatery Near KSL City Mall JB
5. 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
Website
Pin Wan Mini Bowl is not a halal-certified eatery.
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6. 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 tom yum-flavoured Prawn Sando (RM26+), which comes with scrambled eggs and spinach. There are also four kinds of risotto here, including Truffle Mushroom (RM54+) made with cream, herbs, and parmesan, and Pesto Ikura (RM46+) with basil, seaweed, parmesan, and herb essence.
For drinks, we recommend the Creme Brulee (RM14+) if you like your coffee on the sweeter side. There’s even a White Chocolate Matcha (RM14+/RM15+), which we’ve not seen elsewhere!
Read our Bloom by Mokmok feature.
Address: 87, Jalan Mutiara Emas 2A, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 11am to 11:30pm
Website
Bloom by Mok Mok is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
7. 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 (RM3.50+) and two Half Boiled Eggs (RM3.90+). 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
Website
Local House is not a halal-certified eatery but serves no pork or lard.
8. 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 Chicken Sandwich (RM18.90+) 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 (RM10.90+) 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
Website
High School Kopitiam is not a halal-certified eatery.
9. Cam Tea & Ember Cafe
Cam Tea & Ember Cafe is a Chinese-style teahouse with wooden accents and camping-style tables. We recommend trying their Tangerine Peel Pu’er Tea (RM23.90)—it allows you to brew your tea and enjoy it with snacks such as Almond Cookies, Glutinous Rice Cake, and Black Sesame Balls, priced at RM5 each.
If you’d like something more refreshing, order their house-made desserts in five variations, such as Taro Yam Paste with Nata de Coco, Sago, Osmanthus (RM12.90) and Black Tea Milk Pudding with Brown Sugar Jelly Balls (RM12.90).
Read our Cam Tea & Ember feature.
Address: 12 Jln Austin Heights 7/7, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue 10am to 9pm
Website
Cam Tea & Ember Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery.
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10. 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 in 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 Pork (from RM22+), 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 11pm
Website
Restoran Uncle Pou Wok is not a halal-certified eatery.
11. 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
Website
Restoran Hua Mui is not a halal-certified eatery.
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12. Four Beans
After a hearty dinner at Mount Austin, head over to Four Beans, a Taiwanese-style dessert chain with more than 15 outlets across Malaysia. They open till relatively late, making it a popular supper spot.
The Signature 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 3 Toppings (RM19+), a shaved black sesame ice with sweet red beans and chewy taro balls, is a popular dessert. Pistachio fans can also consider the Pistachio Shaved Ice with 3 Toppings (RM22+).
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
13. 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.
This Hidden JB Cafe Has Pistachio Mochi Croissant And Creme Brulee Latte
14. 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 at the time of writing. 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
Website
Lao Ban Mian is not a halal-certified eatery.
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15. 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.
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
Website
Dai Tao Lala Pot is not a halal-certified eatery.
Get Affordable Claypot Lala With Over 60 Sides In JB Mount Austin
16. 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 Wasabi Mayo Crabmeat Toast (RM34+) 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
Website
Knock Knock Cafe is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
17. 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
Website
Xumiguo Hotpot is not a halal-certified eatery.
18. 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
Website
Bro Lok Lok is not a halal-certified eatery.
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19. 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
Website
Eden by Wizards is not a halal-certified eatery but uses no pork or lard.
20. 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
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 guide to the best JB breakfast spots. We also have a 2-day Johor Bahru food itinerary that includes affordable desserts, late-night dim sum and more.
15 JB Breakfast Spots To Eat At The Next Time You Cross The Causeway Early
Photos taken by Paula Formantes, Hor Kia Ee, and Marcus Neo.
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