1. Nimmies Pastry Cafe
IG: @cafejia_
This gorgeous Parisian-inspired café is located in a standalone mansion near the ever-popular KSL Mall and Taman Sentosa. Nimmies is located just a short 10-minute drive away from the checkpoint. The café space has a raw industrial-esque feel with exposed brick walls and grey concrete flooring, contrasted with classic vintage elements like retro tiles, Grecian sculptures, arched windows and more.
Aside from a super IG-worthy interior, Nimmies also offers brunch and mains, as well as aesthetic pastries and desserts, along with drinks. Contrary to their European-style decor, some of their pastries have a more local flair. Look forward to a nasi lemak-inspired Hoe Lemak Croissant, Matcha Red Bean Croissant and more. Note that Nimmies is not halal-certified, but they do not serve pork or lard.
Address: 171, Jln Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 8am-11pm
2. Dõna Bakehouse
IG: @yennetin
Founded by the team behind the popular health food chain in JB, Poke Twins, Dõna Bakehouse is an artisanal bakery and café in downtown JB that looks like one of the quaint bakery shops and patisseries you’d find along the streets of Paris. The 2-storey café has a classic vibe, with clean and minimalist brown tones for a relaxing brunch affair.
IG: @yennetin
Aside from assorted bakes and pastries, Dõna also serves brunch items like Mashed Avo on Toast, Classic Egg Shakshuka, Eggs Benny, Beef Donburi and more. If you’re looking to snag some pastries, make sure to come early as they’re super popular! The café is muslim-friendly and does not serve pork or lard. Dõna Bakehouse is located less than 10 minutes away from the checkpoint.
Address: 14, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 8.30am-5pm
3. Raw
Raw is a unique dual-concept café with two different menus for brunch and dinner, serving European-inspired and local fusion fare. The industrial-inspired café has a minimalistic vibe with raw grey concrete textures and touches of nature all around. The café is located just a short 10-minute drive away from the checkpoint.
Come during dinnertime for a moody and intimate ambience with elevated dinner specials. Highlights from the menu include Swiss Rösti, Salted Egg Chicken Waffle, Burger Ayam Berempah, Miso Cod, Sous Vide Lamb Rack, Coriander Glaze Duck Breast and more. Raw does not have pork or lard.
Address: 70, Jalan Pingai, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 11am-5pm & 6pm-10pm daily
4. Kiöpi
IG: @izzarosli
Kiöpi is a quaint home café in a bungalow located about an hours drive away from the checkpoint, perfect if you’re looking for a quiet spot that’s away from the hustle and crowds. Relax in the home café’s al fresco space while enjoying the lush garden vibes of the café.
Enjoy artisanal coffee and light bites like croffles, waffles and cakes. Signature drinks include Buttercream Latte, Caramel Macchiato, Tiramisu Ltte, Chocolate Blackforest, Kiwi Soda and more. Come during the evening and be treated to a gorgeous sunset view while you drink and dine!
Address: Homestay Hajah Aminah, No. 47, Kampung Serkat Barat, 82300, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 2pm-7pm daily (Closed on Thursday)
5. Uncle Jabb’s Place
Uncle Jabb’s is another gorgeous outdoor café with a homey garden vibe that’ll make you feel like you’re hanging out in someone’s backyard. The café is fully al fresco with outdoor tables sheltered by patio umbrellas. Note that seating is extremely limited here, so you’re encouraged to takeaway especially on rainy days.
Highlights from the menu include hearty mains like Lemon Butter Chicken, Beef Nachos, Nasi Daging Selai, Sup Kambing Thai and more. They also have sweets and cakes as well as drinks like Kurma Milkshake, Dalgona Spice Latte, Lemon Asam Boi and Boba Milk Tea, just to name a few. Uncle Jabb’s is located under an hours drive away from the checkpoint.
Address: Lorong Haji Ahmad Shah, Taman Rambah, 82000 Pontian, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 4.30pm-10pm daily (Closed on Thursday)
6. 9% Coffee House
IG: @pitefendy
Stop by 9% Coffee House for some artisanal coffee with a moody and rustic vintage-style industrial theme and plenty of Instagrammable spots. The 2-storey café also has an outdoor rooftop area where you can catch some scenic views.
IG: @pitefendy
The café has an extensive list of coffee and drinks, plus other mains like Scrambled Egg Curry Rice, Creamy Smoked Duck Pasta, Homemade Hawaii Sauce Crispy Pizza, Pan Fried Boneless Mushroom Chicken Chop and more. 9% Coffee House is muslim-friendly and does not serve pork or lard.
Address: 35, Jalan Ismail, Kampung Pegawai, 83000 Batu Pahat, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 12pm-10pm daily
7. Re Patisserie
IG: @yt.tang_
Re Patisserie is a gorgeous Korean-inspired dessert café that looks like something out of an art gallery, with clean cream tones, soft curved accents and plenty of photo-worthy spots. Every corner of the space is super Instagrammable, especially with the various cut-out shapes in the walls that make for aesthetic photo ops.
The minimalist, almost bare space is reminiscent of an art gallery, with small tables and bench seating available for dine-in guests. The café specialises in pretty entremets and viennoiseries that look too good to eat, with various nature and botanical-inspired elements. Re Patisserie is located just a short 10-minute drive away from the checkpoint.
Address: 77, Jln Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80259 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: 11.30am-7.30pm daily (Closed on Wednesday)
8. September Cafe
IG: @terrencechng318
Enter a winter-inspired wonderland at September Café, boasting a gorgeous clean, all-white and grey interior accented by muted preserved florals and bare white-painted trees. The café is accented with raw and textured flooring and countertops, and you’ll even find a decorative pebbled footpath within the space for a zen-inspired little touch.
IG: @jmjm.07
The café is muslim-friendly, with light brunch items as well as prettily plated desserts and coffee or tea. Highlights include square cakes in flavours like Watermelon Lychee, Earl Grey Lime, Strawberry, Yammylicious and more. The café is located within Eco Palladium shopping mall, a mere 25-minute drive away from the checkpoint.
Address: Jalan Ekoflora 7/1, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 11am-8pm
