If you love bagels and are planning a trip to Johor Bahru, be sure to add Palates & Bagels By T.A.M to your list of must-visit cafes in JB. Located just a 10-minute drive from JB customs, the cafe opens from 8:30am so you can stop by for brekkie if you cross the causeway early.
The cafe is also known for its Instagrammable ambience. Upon stepping inside, you’re welcomed by rustic and moody interiors featuring shades of grey and muted browns, exposed brick walls, and dimmed lighting. Vintage decorations, such as old-school salon chairs, a typewriter, and a vintage telephone, add to the nostalgic vibe.
For more natural sunlight, consider heading upstairs to the spacious second floor, where you’ll find additional tables and seats. Don’t miss the cosy balcony overlooking the bustling street—it’s the perfect spot for snapping your #OOTD.
To place your order, choose and pay for your bagels at the counter on the first level. The cafe offers three signature bagels: Original (RM6++/~S$1.71++), Parmesan Cheese (RM8++/~S$2.28++), and Flavoured (~RM7++/S$1.99++). Flavoured bagels come with toppings such as Cranberry, Mixed Black Sesame, and Pumpkin Seeds.
On our visit, we had the Lily (RM15/S$4.27++), one of the cafe’s best-sellers. This petite cranberry bagel, suitable for those with smaller appetites, is generously filled with rose- and lemon-infused cream cheese.
It also features real lychee fruit, which adds a juicy, refreshing twist to each bite.
For something more substantial, consider their savoury bagels instead. You can try the Dvesh (RM26++/~S$7.41++), which features curry mayo and fried chicken, or go for the Ah Seng (RM30++/~S$8.55++): prawn patty, egg, caramelised onions, and sliced cheddar.
We tried the latter, which was packed with umami and had a savoury cheesiness. The soft and sweet prawn patty was also slathered in a mildly spicy, hae bee hiam-infused mayonnaise.
Palates & Bagels also serves hearty mains such as Truffle Mushroom Pasta (RM38++/~S$10.83++) and Unagi Rice Bowl (RM28++/~S$7.98++), along with a variety of pastries.
Desserts-wise, we highly recommend their Lemon Curd Cruffin (RM13++/~S$3.70++), a soft and delicate treat that crumbles into flaky goodness when sliced into.
The cruffin is finished with a sweet yet zesty lemon meringue that’s nicely caramelised and melts in the mouth easily.
Give their signature coffee a try too. Crowd favourites include Honey Oat Latte (RM18++/~S$5.13++), White Cold Brew (RM16++/~S$4.56++), and Osmanthus Latte (RM16++/~S$4.56++).
For more cafe food in Johor Bahru, check out our JB Mount Austin food guide. Otherwise, read our Butter By Two Men review for loaded salmon bagels and more in Somerset.
Address: 10 Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Daily 8:30am to 9pm
Website
Palates & Bagels By T.A.M is not a halal-certified eatery but serves no pork or lard.
Photos taken by Kia Ee Hor and edited by Casandra Nicholas.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.
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