Rowan & Parsley: Rustic Brunch Cafe With Huge Outdoor Garden In JB

Rowan & Parsley cafe in Johor Bahru

Johor Bahru is home to numerous eye-catching cafes, from French-Japanese dessert house Ukiyo cafe to industrial concrete cafe Keijometo. Rowan & Parsley, however, is probably my favourite spot out of the whole lot. While its location is rather out of the way—it’s a 25-minute ride from the JB customs—it’s well worth the trip if you want a break from the bustling city.

The entrance of this sprawling, two-storey restaurant cafe is one-of-a-kind. The property is covered in greenery, with a beautiful outdoor garden for you to explore. Every corner is oh-so-Instagrammable, from the main entrance of the cafe, to the rustic-industrial interiors.

Food-wise, the restaurant offers a variety of brunch fare, with house-smoked meats incorporated in some dishes, as well as a decent coffee menu. I’d recommend requesting a table at the corner behind the coffee bar, which affords you the most natural light and a stunning backdrop of the garden.

Order the signature Big Brother Benedict (RM48+/~S$14.60+), a brunch item made of house-smoked beef cubes and two poached eggs, doused with a generous dollop of Hollandaise sauce.

The eggs were perfectly poached with a runny yolk that burst upon cutting. Paired with the creamy Hollandaise sauce and savoury beef chunks, this dish was an absolute winner.

Those who love their carbs will enjoy the Creamy Tomato Prawn Linguine (RM32+/~S$9.75+): al dente pasta cooked with a rich tomato cream sauce, topped with fresh, springy prawns.

Brunch isn’t complete without a cup of joe, and Rowan & Parsley does a good Cafe Latte (RM12+/~S$3.65+) too, for a boost of caffeine.

For more delicious eats in Johor Bahru, read our guide to the best zi char stalls in JB to get your fill of fish head curry, chao ta bee hoon and more. If you’re up to venture a little further, check out our Mount Austin food guide for more cafes and dessert spots.

Address: 17, Jalan Cenderai 20, Taman Perindustrian Kota Puteri, 81750 Masai, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours: Sun-Fri 11am to 10pm
Tel: +60 11-1005 4747
Website
Rowan & Parsley is not a halal-certified eatery.

Photos taken by Tan Zi Hui.
This was an independent visit by Eatbook.sg

Anthia Chng

As the Associate Editor of Eatbook, Anthia survives on a steady diet of cake and coffee. With a decade of writing experience in food, fashion, and beauty—including six years at Expat Living Singapore—she’s passionate about sharing stories that excite and inspire, whether it’s discovering the latest restaurant opening or shining a light on a heritage hawker stall.