TL;DR- Well, it’s about time!
If you manage to find some time on a weekend or get a day off from work (no hints there), why not go across the Causeway for a super quick getaway? Here are our favourite 10 Hipster Cafés in Johor Bahru!
1. Roost Café
Roost, Recycled & Repurposed Cafe (Roost for short) is known environmental conservation decor and theme. With the concept of using only recycled materials for their furniture that includes colourful floor tiles, random pushcarts and mismatched chairs, this place has a rustic yet fun ambience. They serve up a pretty wide variety of food here, from healthy options such as salad bowls and yoghurt to hearty mains like sausages and mash.
Address: 9 Jalan Dhoby, Johor Bahru 80000
Opening Hours: Mon – Sat: 12 – 4pm, 6pm – 12am; Sun: 6pm – 12am
2. Flowers in the Window
Another brainchild of the same owners behind Roost, Flowers in the Window is a garden cafe filled with plants and flowers – well, no surprises there! Resembling a greenhouse of sorts with its metal and glass furnishings, this quaint cafe will leave you feeling like you’ve stepped right into a fairy tale. Incorporating edible flowers into their food, the beautifully-plated desserts here are every Instagrammer’s favourite.
Address: 9 Jalan Dhoby, Johor Bahru 80000
Opening Hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 9pm
3. Bev C Café
Located in a restored shophouse, Bev C is a two-in one cafe and boutique that’s super industrial chic. Once you are happy with your purchase at The Girl Next door on the first floor, head upstairs and chill over coffee and some snacks. The must-order here appears to be the Ice Cube Drink with Chocolate, which is essentially shots of coffee frozen into cubes and served with milk.
Address: 54 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Tues – Fri: 1pm – 11pm; Sat & Sun: 12pm – 11pm. Closed on Mon.
4. Chaiwalla & Co
Known as Malaysia’s first container cafe, Chaiwalla & Co. is a café housed in shipping containers in a public carpark. With all things hipster from its modern decor to handcrafted artisan teas, this popular care all about “Honest Tea by Honest People”.
Address: Lot 2810 Tan Hiok Nee Street, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Mon – Thurs: 9:30am – 6:30pm; Fri – Sun: 9:30am – 6:30pm, 8pm – 1am
5. B.L.O.C
Calling all goreng pisang lovers! The Banana LOver Café (B.L.O.C for short) is the place to discover new ways to enjoy your favourite snack. At B.LO.C, you can dunk your goreng pisang in a decadent cheese or dark chocolate sauce, or try coating it with crunchy cereal. The combinations are limitless and the calories will be worth it!
Address: Block A #01-40 South Key
Opening hours: Tues – Sun: 12pm – 10pm. Closed on Mon.
6. Maco Vintage Café
Specialising in traditional French fare and desserts, Maco Cafe & Bakery is a quaint cafe to check out in the old historic JB town area. Helmed by Singapore pastry chef, Maco, who has 10 years of experience as a pastry chef at Raffles Hotel and Fullerton Hotel, this cafe is known for its very decadent Mille Crêpes. From Trio Chocolate to Mao Shan Wang, there are more than 20 different delicious flavours to try!
Address: 65, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/2, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 Skudai Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Mon – Fri: 12pm – 10.30pm; Sat: 11am – 12.30am; Sun: 11am – 10.30pm
7. Faculty of Caffeine
Don’t be misled by its dark entrance – this raw, minimalist concept cafe serves up some interesting desserts such as their signature Curry Soft Crab Waffles and Dark Churros with Salted Egg Yolk to sinful drinks like Salted Caramel Affogato.
Address: 106 Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 9am – 6pm
8. The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen
Brought to you by the same people behind Faculty of Caffeine, The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen is easy recognisable by its all white façade and minimalist look. Located close to the Causeway, this cafe is serves all-day brunch, inspired by Melbourne’s food culture.
Address: 33 Jalan Dhoby, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Mon – Sun: 10am – 10pm
9. The Ice-Cream Project
If you have not tried nitrogen ice-cream, then you must do so at The Ice-Cream Project. This cosy gelato joint combines the freshest ingredients with liquid nitrogen for you to enjoy rich and ultra-smooth gelato.
Address: 31 Jalan Dhoby, 80000 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Sun – Thurs: 1pm – 10pm; Fri & Sat: 1pm – 12am
10. Monsta Café
With old-school lockers, vintage furniture and even a polka-dotted wall, Monsta Cafe is all about bringing retro back. The food does not disappoint too with creations such as the Monsta Espresso Chicken Chop and Monsta Mamee Burger.
Address: 157 Jalan Bestari ⅕ Taman Nusa Bestari Skudai, 81300 Johor Bahru
Opening hours: Mon – Thurs: 10am – 12am; Fri – Sun: 11am – 1am