10 Best Food & Cafe At Jalan Tan Hiok Nee & Jalan Dhoby Near Johor Bahru Checkpoint

If you’re discovering Johor, chances are you’ve passed by some picture perfect, hipster establishments yet quaint looking enough for you to flood your Instagram with!

Some colorful some more quirky and traditional, checking out new concepts of these cafes are an adventure in itself, with the food being a different journey on its own.

You can blame it on and be thankful for the surge in hip, stylish cafes and outlets which serve good food, specialize in only a certain type of food or an outlet dedicated to coffee art.

Each cafe in Johor Bahru in this list has a unique appeal and we’re sure all are worth a visit if for nothing else than to fill your Instagram with.

Top 5 Best Food & Café At Jalan Dhoby Johor Bahru

1. IT Roo Café JB

Though not entirely new, this name will ring a bell with those familiar with the area, as this outlet has been around since the early 2000’s and with good reason too.

Most notable and a must try for any visitor is the famous Hainanese Chicken Cbevcafehop. Visitors have travelled for far and wide to have a bite of this dish.

This dish shot to fame when it was named Best Chicken Chop in Malaysia by The Star newspaper back in 2003. Just on the droves of people heading here, we’re sure this famous dish is still highly sought after.

IT Roo Café JB
Location: 17, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: +60 7-222 7780
Opening Hours:
Daily: 10:00am – 12:00am

2. Salahuddin Bakery

Along Jalan Dhoby, Salahuddin Bakery is one of the oldest in Johor Bahru, and it’s evident from the use of a wood oven the size of a room, dating all the way back to 1937. Still run by the same owners’ family, this bakery has not changed much since the beginning, and even has the original signage.

You can find a large selection of freshly baked pastries, bread, puffs and the most popular Indian curry puffs with a range of fillings. The curry puffs of course are best eaten hot and fresh from the oven, get their crunch from the flaky pastry used.

Before you leave though, make sure you’ve bought some Bengali puffs and loaf bread if you haven’t already done so!

Salahuddin Bakery
Location: 26, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Contact: +60 12-766 8380
Opening Hours:
Daily: 9:30am – 5:30pm
Closed on: Fridays

3. The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen Johor Bahru

You can’t not notice this establishment, an all-white facade with a large signage of The Replacement as it stands on a lane corner in the Jalan Dhoby area.

Image credits: cafewaitingsomeone.blogspot.my

Also read: 13 Best Cafe In Johor Bahru

This all white corner lot maintains the clean and light feeling inside, and upstairs, which is The Replacement Lodge means you can stay here as well.

What you’ll find past all the decadent cakes on the main counter is their menu which lists all day brunch dishes, and if you’ve space left for dessert there are their tasty churros that come with a choice of dipping, with salted yolk dip being one of the most ordered.

4. Flowers In The Window Café JB

This quaint café is just over a year old, is named as such for the outlet incorporates edible flowers in their dishes and the café is decked out with flowers, making you feel as if you’re dining in a garden outdoors.

The menu here includes brunch options as well as a small selection of bread, which you can order with a side dish of your choice. Dishes on the menu lends its color from the edible flowers and mostly dishes are a  mix of western and Asian cooking styles.

Flowers In The Window Café JB
Location: 9, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Contact: +60 7-222 7489
Opening Hours:
Daily: 10:00am – 10:00pm
Closed on: Tuesdays

5. Bev Cáfe

Do not be alarmed as once you entered this shop, you’ll be invited by an array of clothes- like a clothes boutique. Go up the staircase and you’ll be greeted by the whiff of aromatic and alluring coffee and the pleasing-to-the-eye of selections of cakes in their cakes chiller.

The interior designs are simple with a cool rustic feel. It is dark and cooling with a homey ambiance. One of the few main specialty are the mint chocolate slice that is served on a wooden plate. Each savoury bite brings you to cloud 9 as the taste of chocolate and mint gives off a smooth texture.

Another not-to-be missed is the Espresso Ice Cubes that are actually frozen ice cubes from espresso shots. Milk is served at the side which you’ll pour into the cup and watch it melt. It is rather interesting than normal espresso latte you see in other cafes in liquid form.

Bev Cáfe
Location: 54 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Contact: +6016-725 3530
Opening Hours:
Thursday to Tuesday: 10:00am – 7:00pm
Closed on: Wednesday

Top 5 Best Food & Café At Jalan Tan Hiok Nee JB

6. Hiap Joo Bakery

The oldest café in Johor, this classic café has been in operations since 1919. The café has also maintained its use of a fire wood oven and the outlet is a family business, involving three generations of the Lim family till today.

Each family member has a specific task it seems, keeping the bakery highly organized and efficient.

The best times to visit Hiap Joo Bakery is between noon and 2:00pm daily, as the morning bake is hot and taken fresh from the oven, so ensure you do try their signature banana cake, a hit even with the Johor royal family.

7. Chaiwalla & Co. Container Café Johor Bahru

Upcycled from a container, this café is truly one of a kind. Serving up an array of bubble tea you’ll find a favorite among the various tea and chai mixtures.

The container being outdoor may not be so suitable for chilling out, with many customers preferring their drink to go. The food here is kept simple, with a few pastries and cakes on offer.

8. Amphawa Boat Noodle Downtown

All the way from Thailand, this famous boat noodle is traditionally served from boats hence it is originated from the floating market in Bangkok, named, Amphawa!

There are different variants of flavour for you to pick to suit your taste; both spicy and sour broth, herb broth for those who can’t eat spicy and Tomyum broth for the daredevil.

They come together with beef or chicken, shredded or in a meat ball. If red meat is not to your liking, you can opt for prawn in Tomyum Prawn Boat Noodles.

This delectable food is definitely not to be missed, especially if you’re a Thai-food lover! Also, you don’t need to travel all the way to Thailand just to get a taste. It is now closer to you and much more convenient!

9. Shakespeare Milkshakes JB

The café is a fairly new addition to the cafes that can be found along Jalan Trus. A dessert cafe, Shakespeare milkshakes serve up soft serve ice- cream and freshly made waffles, not forgetting the specialty here which are of course milkshakes.

Decadent milkshakes here come in classic flavors and six specialty flavor mixes, topped with a variety of sauces and toppings. Chocolaty, sweet or tangy, there’s a milkshake or waffle dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth.

If you prefer waffles, the Chocolate Banana waffle dish is one that’ll hit the sweet spot, with chocolate sauce, more chocolate based toppings atop fresh waffles.

10. Red House At Jalan Tan Hiok Nee

Not to be confused with Red House Seafood Restaurant, the corner shop house of Red House cafe is reminiscent of former Dutch buildings, with its bright red and white façade, still keeping to its traditional look and has become quite the photo spot for visitors.

This building is mainly used as a venue for cultural events, which makes for a nice spot for a quick bite or coffee. The food here is heavily influenced Nyonya cooking and dishes, and desserts.

Red House At Jalan Tan Hiok Nee
Location: Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Contact: +60 7–224 9633
Opening Hours:
From breakfast till early evening