11 Best Restaurants in JB Under RM80/Person That Are Worth Crossing The Border For

If your local hipster café or hotel buffet just ain’t cutting it for you (or your wallet) anymore, crossing the border to Johor Bahru’s burgeoning dining scene is your best bet.

From sumptuous hotel buffets and fancy rooftop bars to cool new Instagrammable cafés and cosy izakayas, there’s something for every palate. And the best bit? You’ll get to enjoy all your favourite runny Eggs Benedict and hotpot… without busting your wallet.

1. The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen

With its gorgeous minimalist interiors and scrumptious all-day brunch fare, it’s no surprise that The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen remains a firm favourite among brunch-lovers. Located in the uber hipster neighbourhood of Jalan Dhoby, it’s close in proximity to the Woodlands Checkpoint – always a plus in our books!

Glide your fork effortlessly into their perfectly-poached Eggs Benedict (RM25.90), which bursts into an oh-so-satisfying stream of yolky heaven. There are also clever spins on Asian dishes like the Soft Shell Crab Bao (RM29.90), which features a pan-seared homemade bao slathered with a crispy soft shell crab and chilli aioli sauce, served with crispy hand-cut fries and wasabi mayo. Mmm.

Address: 33, Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia

2. Tropique Café & Restaurant

With its airy interiors and inviting Wes Anderson-style aesthetic, Tropique Café & Restaurant is the stuff of every food-loving Instagrammer’s dreams. The two-storey restaurant and café whips up everything from breakfast platters and granola bowls to scrumptious pastas and salads, inspired by French cooking but re-interpreted with a local twist.

Case in point? Sink your teeth into their Tortellini, the café’s interpretation of the Xiao Long Bao, where house-made pasta is filled with meat, cheese and a savoury chicken broth. Their desserts, like the Creme Brulee Tarts, served with a dollop of creamy vanilla ice cream and Yuzu cream, also ring with its signature East-meets-West touch.

Address: Lot D Jalan Ekoflora 1, Taman Ekoflora, Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia 81100

3. Shakespeare’s Milkshake

Now this one will be a real treat for the kids (or to be fair, for anyone who loves a good solid milkshake). Their milkshakes come in a variety of flavours, like the Kinder Bueno Shake (RM18) for one – a decadent creamy blend of rich dark chocolate ice cream topped with cookies, Kinder Bueno bars, Pocky sticks and chocolate sauce.

Milkshakes aside, the café also serves waffles (RM18), hot beverages and even something called a ‘croffle’ (RM10), which is essentially a croissant pressed in between a waffle-maker. In short, pretty delicious stuff. And who knows? You might be belting out a Shakespearean sonnet or two after all that sugary goodness.

Address: 9 Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia

4. Keito

This cosy izakaya-style Japanese restaurant specialises in ramen and robatayaki. Starting at only RM4 per dish, the extensive menu has everything from stir-fried dishes and maki rolls to rice dons and more.

Kickstart your meal with its Atsuage Tofu (RM6), a crispy beancurd lightly dressed with bonito flakes; and the Chicken Yakitori (RM4). The Shake Teriyaki (RM25) also doesn’t disappoint either. The generously-portioned bowl of al dente ramen is drenched in the chef’s signature chicken broth and topped with hefty slices of beautifully charred grilled salmon, sweet egg roll, Kombu, and sweet corn. You will also be impressed at the restaurant’s no-MSG cooking philosophy!

Address: #G-03B Suasana, No. 82C, Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru

5. Faculty of Caffeine

Nestled in between old heritage shophouses along Jalan Trus, this rustic spot is no stranger to JB’s hipster café scene. And for good reason – its mouthwatering menu is not only friendly on the wallet but equally delightful to the taste buds.

There’s everything from brunch classics to pasta dishes like the Smoked Duck Aglio Olio (RM18.90) and Seafood Pomodoro (RM19.90), and even Asian dishes like the Unagi Tendon (RM28.90). End your meal here on a sweet note with their desserts which include the Bananuts (RM15.90), a twist on the nostalgic goreng pisang (banana fritters), where crispy, brûléed bananas are served with a stack of waffles and drenched in maple syrup, vanilla ice cream and Nutella.

Address: 106 Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru 80000, Malaysia

6. Makan Kitchen

With its multi-themed buffets that span from Malay, Chinese, Indian, Peranakan and even Kristang and Iban cuisines, Makan Kitchen is the prime spot to eat your way through all of Malaysia… literally.

Starting at RM88 onwards for their weekend buffet (you can enjoy their à la carte deals from RM35 as well), grab a plate of tender grilled lamb satay and freshly-made naan, or even crispy waffles and piping hot crepes from their live cooking stations which whip up famous local specialties right before your eyes.

Address: DoubleTree by Hilton Johor Bahru, No. 12 Jalan Ngee Heng, Johor Bahru, Johor 80000 Malaysia

7. Shiokara Japanese Restaurant

Blink and you might miss it – but that is precisely the appeal of Shiokara Japanese Restaurant. Nestled on the second floor of an unassuming row of shops, this cosy hidden gem is refreshingly free of the usual JB weekend crowd.

Their set meals (which range from Tonkatsu, Karaage, Salmon Teriyaki, and more) start at RM29 and include a salmon sashimi, Japanese pickles, miso soup, mains, rice and freshly-grated wasabi. We love the restaurant’s approach to authentic, freshly-prepared Japanese food and at a fraction of the price at similar joints you’d find in Singapore!

Address: 28, Jalan Eko Botani 3/6, Taman Eco Botani, 79100 Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia

8. Ishwara Asian Brasserie & Terrace

This lush poolside terrace restaurant celebrates the best of Malaysian cuisine with their Malaysian Buffet Spread, starting at only RM50 for adults. Whet your appetite with its sumptuous spread of soups, salads, meats, seafood, and desserts – you’ll be spoilt for choice. Your eyes will have a feast too, with chefs at the live cooking stations flaunting their moves.

Address: Palm Resort Johor, Jalan Persiaran Golf, Off Jalan Jumbo, 81250 Senai Johor

9. SkyBar Bar & Restaurant

Sky-high views, minus the sky-high prices. With a cocktail menu that starts at RM40 a drink, this upscale bar has a massive screen projector and also boasts of beautiful sweeping views of the infinity pool, Johor harbour and even Singapore in the distance!

If you’re feeling peckish, sink your teeth into its delicious food menu, which features dishes like the Seafood Bisque, Tiger Prawn Linguine (RM45), Spaghetti Napolitana (RM42), and also the Good Ol’ Shepherd’s Pie (RM40).  The bar opens from 1pm till late, so if you fancy getting a little tipsy after a day’s worth of gallivanting around JB, it’s a sweet spot for that!

Address: Hotel Jen Puteri Harbour, Johor Persiaran Puteri Selatan, Puteri Harbour, 79000 Iskandar Puteri, Johor Darul Takzim, Malaysia

Zenith Lifestyle Centre

Set within the popular shopping district of Johor Bahru, Zenith Lifestyle Centre is a hip new entrant into JB’s repertoire of shopping malls. Drop by local favourites, wind down at luxe cocktail bars, or let your hair down at the in-mall nightclub. While you’re there, don’t miss the bevy of unique food establishments serving up delectable dishes and cuisines.

10. Macgregors’

Didn’t think you’d find a traditional Irish pub goodness in the heart of Johor Bahru? Well, we didn’t either. Expect jazzy live music and all the quintessential Irish food you love at Macgregor’s, like the Traditional Irish Stew (which is brewed with good ol’ Irish Guinness, of course). Or stray from the otherwise classically Irish menu and give the locally-inspired Chilli Padi Conza pizza a go. (P.S. This is not for the faint-hearted – but there’s nothing an ice-cold beer can’t fix)!

Address: #G-06, Zenith Lifestyle Centre, No. 82C Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru, 80000, Johor

11. New Zealand Unlimited Restaurant

Now if you thought JB’s dining scene was all steamboat spots, hipster cafés and Asian food, you’re wrong. Founded by an actual Kiwi, delicious and authentic New Zealand-inspired dishes are prepared here with fresh ingredients sourced from both New Zealand and local markets within Johor.

Crowd favourites include their hearty Ribeye (RM91), Leg of Lamb (RM99) and Beer Battered Fish and Chips (RM43) and if you’ve yet to try New Zealander wines, this will be a ripe time to! The restaurant’s interiors, relaxed and inviting ambience and impeccable service are also worth a mention. If you’re travelling with kids, good news: it’s a great family-friendly option too!

Address: #01-03A, Zenith Lifestyle Centre, No. 82C, Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru