15 New Things to Do in Johor Bahru Aside From Shopping

After spending a long time in traffic, you finally crossed the causeway to Johor Bahru, Malaysia! Time for that long-awaited weekend getaway. But as you start turning your driving wheel towards the nearest shopping mall… you ponder, surely there must be other Johor Bahru attractions besides the mega shopping malls.

Well, fear not because there are many new things to do in Johor Bahru! From affordable JB cafes to various fun activities that will leave you craving more, check out our curated list.

Also read: 15 Best Airbnbs in Johor for Your Next Weekend Getaway

Food places in Johor Bahru

1. Relax at this minimalist cafe

With its original posters and aesthetic modern design, Offee will be perfect for your next Instagram photo spot. The cafe has two floors with an ample number of comfortable seating areas. Find many laid-back cafe-goers here enjoying themselves as they catch up with their friends!

The alluring Offee is a 24-hour cafe offering lots of natural light from its glass sunroof. With its simple decor and dominantly white palette, it is incredibly relaxing to the eyes. Enjoy the sunshine while sipping on some chilled drinks — without worrying about the heat!

Some of the cafe’s most popular items include their Coconut Coffee and Watermelon Strawberry Lemon, both priced at RM14.00 (~S$4.35). There are also classic drinks available, such as their ice latte which costs RM9.00 (~S$2.80).

Also read: 10 Cafes in Johor Bahru to Check Out on Your Next Trip Across the Border

2. Slurp up some delectable wanton mee at Ah Piaw Noodle House

Another great 24-hour food spot, Ah Piaw Noodle House is known as one of JB’s top wanton mee places. Their stretchy egg noodles and thinly sliced pieces of charcoal-grilled pork make it worth the trip!

One plate of wanton mee costs RM8.50 (~S$2.64) and comes with a bowl of hot piping soup filled with generously stuffed mini dumplings. Don’t underestimate the small size of the plate; the flavourful noodles will leave you impressed at just how much punch this dish gives with its rich pork umami.

Ah Piaw Noodle House also sells steaming hot dim sum! One plate of three siew mai comes cheap at RM5.80 (~S$1.80). For those who call themselves night owls, head over here for a perfect late-night treat!

Also read: 10 Things to Eat in Johor Bahru as Recommended by Locals

3. Get your local caffeine fix at Kopilicious

As the name suggests, Kopilicious specialises in making the popular Southeast Asian drink. For those who don’t know, kopi is black coffee with condensed milk. 

Kopilicious has its own signature kopi, priced at RM5 (~S$1.56) and comes with a strong kick to kickstart your day. The place also serves classic Malaysian dishes, such as their nasi lemak set and mee siam set, each costing RM10.90 (~S$3.40).

The signature kopi is also well-known for its consistent flavour each day! However, it closes early at 5pm daily, so make sure to plan your visit accordingly.

4. Enjoy the zen atmosphere at Sunday Morning Coffee Shop

If you wish to visit one of the best JB cafes, look no further than this quaint hidden gem. Just a short walk away from the Causeway Link Express booth next to Jb Sentral Station is  Sunday Morning Coffee Shop, a Japan-inspired cafe with film cameras displayed on the walls alongside cosy wooden furniture. This spot has an alluring zen ambience, given the quietness of the space. Hence, you cannot help but be at peace here.

To find this hidden cafe, simply spot its distinct wooden signage hanging from the ceiling along Jalan Trus. Then, make your way up a narrow stairway to the second floor. Once you step in, you will feel like you’ve entered a whole different world away from the bustling streets of Jalan Trus!

One of their best main dishes is the Japanese Curry Rice, featuring slow-cooked homemade Japanese curry with soft white rice and a crunchy salad on the side. It is priced at RM13 (~S$4.05) and you can also choose to add cheese or a medium-boiled egg. 

Choose to drink their Japanese iced coffee made with either their house blend coffee beans or single origin coffee beans, served black. The iced coffee costs RM8(~S$2.49) and RM11(~S$3.43), respectively. 

5. Admire the graffiti art as you eat at the Hookah District

Hookdah District comes with a plethora of dining and drinking options. It is a popular night spot for both locals and tourists in search of a quick bite or some bars to drink at. You can purchase a family set, which comes with fried squid and an omelette at RM75 (~S$23.37) and can feed up to four people.

In the daytime, the empty grounds make for a great place for photos next to the interesting graffiti art of JB attractions! Hookah District is a good destination to stop by if you want some relaxing things to do in Johor Bahru.

6. Munch on some delectable French pastries at Soil

Designed to resemble a cottage, Soil is a quaint cafe with a facade of thick green foliage. The cafe grounds include a cultivated lawn for some charming photos. 

Inside Soil, you will find Atlas Bakery, which serves up freshly baked goods daily. Some of their best pastries include buttery croissants and sweet danishes with delicious sugary fillings both priced at RM7 (~S$2.18). Their popular drinks include Matcha Espresso and Mint Chocolate both of which are sold at RM16 (~S$4.98). So, if you love baked goods and are in search of a good JB cafe — you best stop by Soil!

Other fun things to do in Johor Bahru

7. Burn some calories by playing at EnerG X Park

At the EnerG X Park, you will be spoilt for choice with all the exciting activities you will get to try. It is truly one of the best new things to do in Johor Bahru! 

Enjoy bouncing up and down the many trampolines, this park has to offer. Ride a tube and slide down the Tubby Ride, a special rainbow-themed surface that mimics the adrenaline rush of whooshing down a steep snowy hill. 

Challenge yourself at the Ninja Obstacle Course, with challenges like bar hops and balance logs. Climb the course made up of a whopping three stories to test your stamina, balance, and arm strength! EnerG X Park is definitely one of the best Johor Bahru attractions for thrill seekers.

8. Be in awe at the golden-lit bookshelf centrepiece at Bookxcess

Visit the largest bookstore in South Malaysia known as Book Xcess! The bookstore sells a wide range of fiction, non-fiction, comics, art books, and children’s books at affordable prices. The prices of novels here go as low as RM17.90 (~S$5.57)!

The centrepiece of the bookstore is the eight-metre golden bookshelf. Explore the high decks by taking the staircase and entering the rooms hidden within the centrepiece. There is even a sanctuary named Children’s Cave, where kids can read on a soft grass carpet while surrounded by books. You’ll be awed by just how well this place matches the bookstore aesthetic you see on Pinterest boards. 

Browse over one million titles available at this massive 2,973sqm bookstore. Book Xcess is perfect for book lovers of all ages who are searching for new things to do in Johor Bahru!

9. Go back in time by walking along Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Street

Head over to the iconic Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Street for a nostalgic trip around the old town. While it is mostly known for its selection of JB cafes, Tan Hiok Nee Heritage Street is also rich in culture and has many well-preserved buildings. Find the Red House: a 19th-century pre-war shophouse originally owned by an Indian family. Today, it houses a branch of the popular Malaysian fast food chain, Marrybrown.

While you are there, walk over to Jalan Siew Nam and find this lesser-known Johor Bahru attraction known as Utam Foto Enterprise. Shop for vintage and new cameras, as well as films and Polaroids. 

The shop is owned by a very friendly uncle who has been running the store for about 50 years! Have a chat with him and he will help you find the right camera for you. He recommended a Vintage 90s Civica BF302 film camera (pictured above) to me. He will also guide you on how to use film cameras. This shop is perfect for those that want to pick up photography for the first time and are not sure where to start!

10. Enjoy traditional amusement park rides at Danga Bay Park

With rides as cheap as RM2 (~S$0.62), the retro Danga World Theme Park is one of the best places to have fun with friends and family! Scream your heart out on the swinging pirate ship that swings left and right high up in the air. Here, you can also drive around on some retro bumper cars and playfully collide cars with other visitors.

The park is open from 3pm till midnight, but we recommend visiting at night for that perfect old-time carnival vibe. There are also various game prizes where you can win plushies and toys! Danga World Theme Park is definitely one of our favourite things to do in Johor Bahru.

11. Get kissed by adorable Shibas at the Shi-ba Cafe

Pet some adorable and fluffy Shiba Inus at Malaysia’s first Shi-ba Cafe! Sip on a complimentary cup of tea as you watch these dogs run around excitedly and cheekily playing with the cafe visitors. There are also some other popular dog breeds such as poodles and huskies. Tickets are affordable at RM10 (~S$3.11) per person!

However, each visitor only gets an hour inside the cafe, given the limited capacity. Thus, we recommend booking a slot in advance. Walk-ins are available at times, but that depends on whether the cafe is fully booked or not.

The Shiba Inus are super friendly and won’t bite! So be prepared for lots of kisses and dogs running up to you to say hello — and asking for some rubs of course. The cafe is decorated with lots of Shiba-themed decor as well; from the cartoon curtains to the illustrated stairway leading up to the cafe. Shi-ba Cafe is definitely the perfect JB attraction for dog lovers and one of the must-do things to do in Johor Bahru.

12. Thrift for trendy hip streetwear at Rebirth Inc

Replenish your wardrobe with some sweet finds at Rebirth Inc. Specialising in fashionable streetwear, this thrift store seemed like any other regular clothing store with just how well-curated the stocks are!

From caps to graphic oversized t-shirts, you will enjoy digging through the rows of clothes in this two-story thrift store. Check out Rebirth Inc.’s own line of clothes while you are there, too!

You can also spot iconic brands here; but, of course, they will be on the pricier end at RM60 (~S$18.67) and above. That said, they will still be much cheaper than buying them brand new! So, if you’re looking for some trendy yet affordable streetwear, ReBirth Inc. is the place to go while in JB.

13. Try out the unique flower pressing workshop at the Senso Art Gallery Cafe

Make beautiful one-of-a-kind crafts with the help of Senso Art Gallery Cafe. At this cosy store founded in 2017, you will find enriching art workshops that aim to teach visitors more about enjoying art.

The workshops include the Pressed Flower Workshop, Cyanotype Workshop, Painting Workshop, Colouring Workshop, and more. Its founder, Catherine, hopes to share with visitors how to achieve a better quality of life by teaching how art can uplift one’s spirits. Hence, a lot of nature and mixed media is infused into the art style at the workshops. A unique and pleasant learning experience awaits at Senso Art Gallery Cafe!

14. Take in a breathtaking view of the city skyline at Skyscape

Admire the buildings and feel like you are on cloud nine while at Skyscape. Opened in 2019, the glass rooftop deck on the 34th floor of Menara JLand. If you are not Malaysian, the entrance fee is RM38(~S$11.83) for adults, RM28(~S$8.71) for children, and RM33 (~S$10.27) for seniors.

You will be given two hours to try out the activities inside, such as the VR games. So, if you are looking for some family-friendly fun, head to Skyscape for one of the most enjoyable things to do in Johor Bahru!

15. Feel like you’ve stepped into a town in Europe at Eco Spring Labs

Eco Spring Labs is a lovely retail hub that is built to look like a typical European seaside town. With cute and humble shophouses, a Ferris wheel, and well-maintained gardens, there are many sweet photo opportunities for you.

Its brightly coloured attractions, such as its steam engine trains and rainbow benches, are fun to look out for while you shop! Come here if you wish for a unique and different shopping experience in JB and take a break from the mega malls.

Also read: 13 Best Islands in Johor for a Weekend Getaway

And there you have it! Now as you plan to hit the causeway, you better not be saying that you have run out of things to do in Johor Bahru! I’m already planning my next trip to jio my friends along to these worth-it Johor Bahru attractions