24 hours in Johor Bahru: what to eat in JB

If sloppy burgers are up your alley, head to Lazy Monday. The burgers at Lazy Monday tick all the boxes: They’re greasy, filing and available till midnight. Their patties are buttery, charred and cheesy all, at once, overflowing with sauce. Order the Lazy Monday signature burger (RM20.70, ~$7). The handmade beef patty is slathered with melted cheddar and topped with fresh vegetables and diced pickles. There’s also single and double burgers on the menu, with options loaded with signature sambal, jalapenos and turkey bacon strips. Be sure to grab twice as many napkins you think you need because tucking into this burger is a dripping mess.

For die-hard carnivores, Woodfire serves up thick and juicy burgers. Highlights on the menu include the smoked beef burger (RM17, ~$5.30) and the mushroom option (RM16.50, $5.10). There’s quite a lot going on with the smoked beef option – thick patty, sauces, onion strings, cheese and lettuce – but all the proportions are ideal, so no flavours overwhelm the others.  All those mentioned are packed within a soft bun, and served together with thick, crispy fries. You could split it with someone, but please don’t.

Not in a beefy mood? Opt for the fried chicken patty or go for the hotdogs (RM14.90, ~$4.60) and wash it all down with decadent shakes.

Draped in vines and plants on its facade, Soil JB serves up a mysterious charm that has caught the attention of locals and tourists alike. The interior is splashed with modern white walls, greenery, wooden tables and concrete tiles, putting yesterday’s run-of-the-mill cafés with mismatched furnishings and dark colours to shame. Its menu offerings are also given as much attention as they do its interiors. Look forward to a cool latte art etched in a good cup of coffee paired with fresh bakes like the croissant aux amandes (RM8, ~$2.50), pain au chocolat (RM7.50, ~$2.30), and the ham & cheese croissant (RM8.50, ~$2.60). A matcha made in heaven.

Temper your caffeine cravings in divine surroundings, such as this industrial chic cafe. Walk into Keijometo and you’ll be greeted with concrete walls and tables, leather couches and an old television box. The space truly gives off the idea of how cafe environments can become an extension of one’s own lifestyle. Its effortlessly cool interior makes this space one of JB’s best spots to sit down, relax, snap a pic and enjoy a beverage. Keijometo is also famous for its Japanese inspired dishes and matcha drinks. Try the mentaiko tamago (RM20, ~$6.20) and surprise yourself with a watermelon (RM15, ~$4.70) or lychee (RM14, ~$4.40) matcha drink while you’re there.  

​​If you're looking for a memorable place to grab your next bite, Rowan and Parsley should be on the list. Exterior-wise, tall cast-iron gates greet you at the entrance, making you feel like you’ve stepped into a secret garden. Its interior is full of plants and flowers to spruce up the restaurant, and come nightfall, the dim lights illuminate the space, making it all too cozy and romantic. Order the Texas Hot Wings (RM24, ~$7.50) for starters, Pork Belly (RM36, ~$11.20) for your main course, and top it off with an apple cobbler with ice cream (RM19, ~$5.90). This place is also booked for special occasions like birthdays and weddings.

Seafood is front and centre at Restoran Todak, a popular place among locals and Singaporeans alike. This place exudes a charming ambience and a pretty extensive menu to boot. Built on a wooden platform on stilts, this restaurant lets you pick its live seafood of choice before cooking them accordingly. The chilli crab (RM126 for about 900g, ~$39.30) is the clear winner, best eaten together with some Butter Squid (from RM15, ~$4.70). Other favourites include the curry prawns (from RM10 per 100g, ~$3.10) and a sharing plate of stir fried lala with ginger and spring onion (RM12/small, ~$3.70) that go so well with a cold mug of beer. That and add in the million-dollar seafood lover’s view of the sunset and you easily have one of the sweetest seafood joints in town.