1. PRINCIPLE Café by T.A.M
Principle Café has 2 outlets in JB, both of which are super accessible to JB goers. If you’re not looking to travel too far out, they have an outlet right next to City Square Mall, a short 10-minute drive away from the checkpoint. Or you can head to their newer outlet at Mount Austin that’s about a 20-minute drive away.
Both of Principle’s outlets have a soothing and rustic-inspired interior with neutral beige and wood tones. For food, expect Asian-fusion brunch items like Pulled Duck on Brioche (RM 26.90), Pan-seared Farmed Seabass (RM 42.90), Truffle Risotto with Wild Mushroom (RM 39.90) and more. They also have specialty coffee drinks to go along with their eats. Principle is Muslim-friendly.
PRINCIPLE Café by T.A.M
Jalan Trus Address: Jalan Trus, 82-B, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Mount Austin Address: Taman Mount Austin, 51, Jalan Austin Heights 3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Various
2. Nikkō & Yōryō
IG: @oh.funtastic
Nikkō & Yōryō has opened a new outlet at Taman Melodies, and this time with a raw industrial theme accented with lush greenery for a unique tropical jungle-inspired vibe. There are plenty of quirky-looking furniture items like colourful curved chairs, and wonky mirrors for all your OOTD shots. Seatings at the café also give off a funky vibe, with mismatched tables and chairs, a mix of single and communal tables and more.
IG: @oh.funtastic
Nikkō & Yōryō serves Japanese-inspired fare, and they don’t have pork or lard. Expect aesthetic mains and drinks like pastas, sandos, rice bowls, snacks, desserts, as well as coffee and other beverages. The new outlet is located a short 10-minute drive away from the checkpoint, while the original Sutera Utama outlet is about 20-30 minutes away.
Nikkō & Yōryō
Taman Melodies Address: Nikkō & Yōryō Malaysia, Johor, Johor Bahru, Taman Melodies, Jln Beringin, 邮政编码: 80250
Sutera Utama Address: Nikkō Yōryō, 72, Jalan Sutera Tanjung 8/4, Taman Sutera Utama, 81300 johor, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 11am-11pm daily
3. Top Fish House
This is a novel fish-centric café with a gorgeous minimalist white-themed interior that exudes zen and winter wonderland vibes. The brightness of the space is emphasised further by the natural light that streams into the café. Top Fish House is located a short 20-minute drive away from the checkpoint.
From the name itself, you can expect to see lots of fish-inspired dishes on the menu, namely: Tuna Poke, Salmon Tako Hokkidai Don, Surimi Crab Leg Poke, Salmon Ikura Don, Teriyaki Minced Salmon Rice, Salmon Gyoza and more. They also have pretty drinks and desserts. Top Fish House does not serve pork or lard.
Top Fish House
Address: 83, Jalan Mutiara Emas 2A, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11.30am-9pm
4. Fika Farmhouse
Live out your rustic farmer dreams at Fika Farmhouse, a unique open-concept café with wood and brick elements plus lush nature to give off a relaxing kampung-inspired ambience. There’s also a little plant shop located within the space if you’d like to bring home some potted plants. Fika is located about 20-minutes away from the checkpoint.
Feel free to bring along your furry friends for a date as Fika is also pet-friendly! On the menu are mains like burgers, pastas or Western dishes and fried rice, or you can get some sharing platters and tapas like Fried Octopus Leg with Furikake (RM 26), Prosciutto & Mango Salsa Bruschetta (RM 19), Nachos (RM 27) and more.
Fika Farmhouse
Address: Y2, 1, Jalan Hijauan 1, Horizon Hills, 79100 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Monday, 5.30pm-11pm; Wednesday-Friday, 5.30pm-11pm; Saturday-Sunday, 11.30am-3pm & 6pm-11pm
5. The Bricks by En Route
Image Credit: Gorin Lambert
This coffee bar is—you guessed it—brick-themed, with warm reddish-brown wood and brick accents making up the interior and exterior of the space to give off a welcoming autumnal vibe. The Bricks is located under 30-minutes away from the checkpoint.
IG: @64kery
The café is primarily a coffee bar and patisserie, with a selection of fusion-inspired brunch plates as well. Highlights from the menu include Szechuan Chicken Breast Pasta (RM 25), Onion Cheese Bagel (RM 15), Earl Grey Apple Sourdough (RM 13) and more. They also offer various coffee and tea drinks, plus crafted cakes, tarts and desserts. The Bricks does not serve pork or lard.
The Bricks by En Route
Address: The Bricks by En Route, 38-01, Laman Niaga Sunway, Persiaran Medini 3, Bandar Medini Iskandar, 79250 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Monday, 11am-7pm; Wednesday-Thursday, 11am-7pm; Friday-Saturday, 11am-10pm; Sunday, 11am-8pm
6. Mok Mok
IG: @alexandravenkova
If the name Mok Mok sounds familiar to you, that’s probably because it is—as Mok Mok is the flagship outlet of sister concepts Dusk by Mok Mok and Bloom by Mok Mok! Much like Dusk and Bloom, Mok Mok also has a botanical theme, but leans more towards Scandinavian with a stripped down and minimalistic cream-centric interior. Mok Mok is located about 25-minutes away from the checkpoint.
IG: @foodnbabe
Mok Mok’s menu is more Japanese-inspired, and highlights from include Gyu Tan Don (RM 32), Unagi Fried Rice (RM 38), Ebi Pumpkin Risotto (RM 32), Scallop Okayu (RM 35), Miso Kombu Clam Pasta (RM 30), Chicken Soba (RM 28) and more. They also have artisanal teas, coffee, juices, smoothies plus dessert options to end off the meal. Mok Mok does not serve pork, lard or alcohol.
Mok Mok
Address: 23, Jalan Eko Botani 3/7, taman eko botani, 79100 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 11am-9.30pm daily
7. CháWan Café
CháWan is a standalone café situated in a bungalow with al fresco dining spaces in the front yard. With a giant coconut tree as the centrepiece in the café’s front yard and wooden benches and tables for eating, the space gives off a nostalgic kampung vibe. The café is located less than 20-minutes away from the checkpoint.
Expect halal Asian-inspired fare like Kerabu Maggi (from RM 8), Kerabu Bihun (from RM 8), Kerabu Lauk (from RM 9), Asam Pedas Ayam (RM 12), Krapow Chicken Rice (RM 11) and more. They also offer seafood items like Thai Squid (RM 13), Tomyum Seafood (RM 13) and Krapow Seafood Rice (RM 12); plus an extensive selection of drinks.
CháWan Café
Address: 12, Lorong Balai, Kampung Melayu Majidee, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 11am-7pm daily
8. 3 Little Chef
This scenic outdoor spot lets you have BBQ in an aesthetic glamping site complete with adorable tents and fairy lights, plus it’s even pet-friendly! 3littlechef is a roving camping-themed BBQ pop-up café that’s currently located at City Plaza in JB, complete with camping tables and chairs for a cosy al fresco vibe. 3littlechef is also under 10 minutes drive away from the checkpoint.
Enjoy BBQ items like their signature Volcano Beef & Lamb that you can cook yourself, as well as other cooked items like burgers, bar bites, cheese platters, fried rice and more! For drinks, look forward to a range of signature mocktails. 3littlechef does not serve pork or lard. For more details, see our full article here.
3littlechef
Address: 20, Jalan Tebrau, Wadi Hana, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening Hours: 6pm-12am daily
