Introduction
If you’re crossing from Singapore and searching for the best cafés in JB near the checkpoint (CIQ), this guide will save you time.
Johor Bahru has become one of the most popular weekend food destinations for Singaporeans — especially areas near JB City Square, KSL City Mall, and the café hotspot of Mount Austin. Whether you’re walking from CIQ, grabbing a quick brunch near City Square, planning a café break near KSL, or driving to Mount Austin for aesthetic cafés, we’ve rounded up 10 must-visit cafés in JB for 2026.
Each listing includes:
- Sddresses
- Popular branches (City Centre, Mount Austin etc.)
- Must-order dishes
- Highlights (including family-friendly features)
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Principal by T.A.M – Brunch Near JB Checkpoint & Mount Austin
City Centre (Near CIQ / City Square)
82B, Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru
Mount Austin Branch
51, Jalan Austin Heights 3, 81100 Johor Bahru
Must Order:
• Tiger Prawn Aglio Olio – Juicy prawns with flavorful pasta that has a perfect garlic and olive oil balance (review mentions this as a signature dish).
• Truffle Mushroom Risotto – Creamy, rich and aromatic with earthy mushroom notes.
• Nihon Curry Gravy Bowl – Fusion comfort bowl with Japanese curry and rice – savoury with mild spice.
• Matcha Latte & Specialty Drinks – Refreshing house lattes like matcha or passionfruit lemonade to balance heavier dishes.
Highlight:
One of the most convenient brunch cafés near JB checkpoint. The Jalan Trus outlet is within walking distance from City Square.
Nimmies Pastry Cafe – Viral Brunch in Taman Melodies
171, Jalan Beringin, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru
Must Order:
• Smoked Duck Masak Lemak Tagliatelle – Creamy Southeast-meets-Western pasta with rich lemak sauce and tender smoked duck.
• Grilled Aussie Angus Beef with Japanese Curry – Tender Angus beef in flavorful curry, served with rice and scrambled eggs.
• Pistachio Supreme Croissant – Flaky croissant with luxurious pistachio lava filling — a crowd-pleaser pastry.
• Shaker Lemon Pie Croissant – Zesty lemon croissant that cuts through sweeter desserts.
• Biscoff Buttercream Latte – Instagram-worthy coffee with caramelised Biscoff notes.
• Fish n Chips – Crispy seabass with truffle aioli, perfect for mains if you want something beyond pastries.
Sunday Brew – Family-Friendly Café with Kids Play Area (Mount Austin)
45-01, Jalan Austin Heights 8/3, 81100 Johor Bahru
Must Order:
- Mochi Basque Cheesecake – Soft, creamy cheesecake with subtle sweet flavour.
- Orange Americano – Refreshing citrus-twist coffee that’s unique and energising.
- Passionfruit Fizzy / Lychee Rose Sparkler – Light, fruity drinks perfect for kids or non-coffee drinkers.
- Kids Meal Fish & Chips – Kids all time favorite!
Family Feature:
Small indoor kids’ playground area — rare for JB cafés.
OTTO Cafe – Modern Brunch Spot
81, Jalan Chengai, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru
Must Order:
• Soft Shell Crab Toast – Light and crispy crab on sourdough with curry egg mayo — an elevated brunch staple.
• Kam Heong Pasta – Local-inspired spaghetti with spicy and savoury kam heong sauce.
• Mom’s Aglio Olio – A classic with ginger flowers and prawns for extra flavour.
• Orange Americano or Cappuccino – Balanced espresso drinks that pair well with the heavier mains.
Warakuya – Japanese Cuisine (Mount Austin & Pelangi)
Mount Austin:
9, Jalan Austin Heights 8/2, 81100 Johor Bahru
Taman Pelangi:
43, Jalan Kuning 2, 80400 Johor Bahru
Must Order:
• 🍱 Bento Sets – Popular for value and variety (usually includes rice, protein, sides, miso soup).
• 🍣 Salmon Mentai Don / Salmon Rice Bowls – Creamy, torched mentai over rice — a crowd favourite.
• 🍜 Ramen & Udon – Comfort options for rainy days or group dining.
• 🍗 Chicken Katsu Curry – Classic Japanese comfort dish with rich curry sauce.
• 🍵 Matcha & Japanese Drinks – Good add-on but not the main focus of the restaurant.
Thirteen Units – Minimalist Coffee Café
2 outlets: one in Danga Utama and the other in Nusa Sentral.
Must Order:
- Fresh Milk Red Bean Ice
- Salted Lemon 7up
- Mahjong Ice Cube Milk Tea,
- Polobun with Butter
- Chee Cheong Fan
- Seasonal Bakes
Portal Cafe – Cosy Café in Taman Melodies
78–84, Jalan Meranti, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru
Must Order:
• Signature Pasta of the Day – Portal’s take on simple, comforting pasta.
• Brunch Mains – Local café brunch classics with satisfying flavours.
• Flat White or Cappuccino – Coffee to balance the savoury dishes
The Toast – Local Breakfast Near Mount Austin
Mount Austin:
19, Jalan Austin Heights 3, 81100 Johor Bahru
Other branches: Permas Jaya & Johor Jaya
Must-Order Items
• Kaya Butter Toast & Soft-Boiled Eggs – Classic Malaysian breakfast combo.
• Nasi Lemak – A fragrant, comforting local favourite.
• Mee Siam – Sweet, tangy noodle breakfast dish that’s easy to finish.
• Traditional Kopi (Coffee) – Local coffee style that pairs perfectly with toast
Cha Lao Dim Sum – Near KSL City Mall
G-6, Ground Floor, Holiday Villa
260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad
80250 Johor Bahru
Must Order:
• Har Gao & Siew Mai – Classic steamed dim sum favourites.
• Fried Radish Cake with Wok Hei – Smoky wok flavour and soft texture.
• Portuguese Egg Tart / Mango Pomelo Sago – Sweet end to a brunch-style bump before heading out.
Highlight:
Located near KSL City Mall, ideal for yum cha after shopping.
The Founders Cafe – Popular Brunch Spot Near JB Checkpoint
Address:
42, Jalan Jaya Putra 1/5, Bandar Jaya Putra, 81100 Johor Bahru
(Always verify branch info via official pages before visiting.)
Must Order:
• Aussie Beef Bagel – Hand-rolled bagel filled with juicy beef and served with sweet potato fries — one of the highlight dishes that diners rave about.
• Tom Yum Scrambled Egg Quesadilla – A unique fusion item with spicy scrambled eggs, cheese, and tortilla.
• Tiger Prawn Linguine or Thai Chicken Pasta – Bigger mains with a nod to fusion flavours.
• Piri-Piri Fried Chicken – Spiced fried chicken with creamy sauces.
• Pandan Gula Melaka Cake – Dessert inspired by Malaysian favourites like ondeh-ondeh.
• Cream Cheese Cinnamon Roll – Soft, generous bun dessert that’s a must-try.
• Classic Crème Brûlée Latte – Delightful coffee-dessert hybrid beverage.
Highlight:
A well-known JB brunch café frequently visited by Singaporeans. Spacious interior and hearty portions make it ideal for weekend brunch trips.
My Boyfriend Patisserie – French-Inspired Dessert Café in JB
Good Husband Patisserie in Johor Bahru (with outlets in Mount Austin and Eco Galleria) is highly recommended for its Japanese-French fusion desserts, offering a less-sweet, premium experience.
🍽 Must-Order Pastries & Desserts
• 🥐 Signature Croissants – Known for flaky, buttery layers with crisp exterior and soft interior. Often available in flavours like pistachio, chocolate, and almond.🍓 Fruit Tarts – Beautifully presented seasonal fruit tarts with light custard base — perfect if you prefer less heavy desserts.
• 🍰 Layered French Cakes (Entremets) – Elegant mousse-style cakes with clean finishes, ideal for sharing.
• 🍫 Chocolate-Based Desserts – Rich but balanced, often a bestseller for chocolate lovers.
• ☕ Specialty Coffee & Latte Pairings – Best paired with their pastries for a classic café experience.
📍 Complete JB Recommen dations
(All Recommendations in One Place)
If you want everything organised by location (near CIQ, City Square, KSL, Mount Austin), I’ve compiled all my Johor Bahru café and food recommendations into one easy map list here:
👉 View My Full JB Food & Café Map on Wanderlog
Perfect for planning your JB day trip efficiently without backtracking.
🎟 Save on Your JB Trip – Heng x Klook Exclusive Discount
Planning your Johor Bahru trip from Singapore? Don’t forget to check Klook before you go.
Through my partnership with Klook, you can enjoy:
✨ Up to 10% OFF selected bookings
✨ Attractions & theme park tickets
✨ Hotel stays
✨ Dining vouchers
✨ Transport & transfers
Use promo code: HENGXKLOOK
(Valid for up to 10% off selected activities)
👉 Browse JB & Malaysia deals on Klook here
💡 What You Can Book on Klook for JB
Before crossing the Causeway, you can pre-book:
• 🎢 Legoland Malaysia tickets
• 🏨 Hotels near JB City Square or Mount Austin
• 🍽 Dining deals
• 🚘 Private transfers
• 🎟 Family attractions
Booking online helps you:
✔ Skip queues
✔ Lock in promo prices
✔ Plan your itinerary better
Related Blog Posts
- Best Things To Do in JB with Kids
- JB Weekend Itinerary from Singapore
- Best Family Hotels Near JB City Square
Disclaimer
Addresses, menu items, pricing, operating hours and facilities (including kids’ play areas) may change. Please verify the latest details directly via each café’s official website or social media before visiting.
Frequently Asked Questions About JB Cafés Near Checkpoint
1. What are the best cafés in JB near the checkpoint (CIQ)?
Some of the best cafés near JB checkpoint (CIQ) include Principal by T.A.M (Jalan Trus branch), The Founders Cafe, and other cafés within the City Square and Jalan Wong Ah Fook area. These are convenient for visitors crossing from Singapore.
2. Are there any JB cafés within walking distance from City Square?
Yes. Cafés around Jalan Trus and Jalan Wong Ah Fook are within walking distance from JB City Square and Komtar JBCC. Principal by T.A.M (city branch) is one of the most convenient brunch spots near CIQ.
3. Which JB cafés are near KSL City Mall?
Cha Lao Dim Sum is located near KSL City Mall and Holiday Villa area, making it a popular yum cha stop after shopping.
4. Where are the best cafés in Mount Austin, JB?
Mount Austin is one of JB’s top café hubs. Popular choices include Sunday Brew (family-friendly with kids’ play area), Warakuya, Principal by T.A.M (Austin branch) and The Toast.
5. Are there family-friendly cafés in JB?
Yes. Sunday Brew in Mount Austin is one of the best family-friendly cafés in JB as it includes a small indoor kids’ playground area, making it suitable for parents dining with young children.
