Although Jalan Dhoby and Jalan Trus are well-known for their cafes, have you considered exploring some of the cafes in Taman Sutera, Johor Bahru?
Taman Sutera Utama is a bustling area of Johor Bahru filled with shophouses offering a wide variety of cafes and restaurants. In addition, Sutera Mall is located within walking distance from this area, making it a convenient location for visitors to access. Public transportation from the Trus Checkpoint is also readily available.
Here are some of my top recommendations for cafes near Sutera Mall.
1. Just Want Coffee, The Bear and Fish
The café’s name, “The Bear and The Fish,” initially seems cute, but its meaning is unclear. However, the name is derived from Mencius’ idiom: “You cannot have both the bear’s paw and the fish at the same time.” The bear represents daytime and coffee, while the fish represents nighttime and wine.
Upon visiting the café, one can’t help but notice the comfortable and clean design that provides a relaxing atmosphere. The café’s logo, a fish atop a bear, is also undeniably cute. They offer Western fusion delicacies on their menu, and their coffee bar counter allows customers to witness the barista preparing their coffee. Don’t miss out on their unique Dancing Bear specialty drink, which is simply fantastic.
The Hungry Jack Big Breakfast is a must-try dish at this café. The meal includes chips, cheese sausage, fried mushrooms, omelette, salad, and smoked ham, all served with a wheat bun. The portion size is significant and ideal for big eaters. Highly recommended!
2. Union Fashion Bar (UFB)
Are you familiar with [3-in-1 café]? Well, in Taman Sutera Utama, Johor Bahru, there’s a unique café that offers a combination of Bakery, Full Dining, and Bar services known as UFB. This café has a distinct and stylish Western design that’s visually pleasing. You’ll notice that their signboard bears the message “1998”, which signifies the year they joined the F&B industry. UFB is an innovator in its field, offering a fusion of Western and Japanese cuisine on Japanese-style plates, making it a popular destination for foodies looking for something new.
Now let’s talk about the food. For starters, the Smoked Duck Salad is a great option. It comes with spicy plum smoked duck breast, house green salad, dried cranberries, and caramelized cashews, providing a perfect balance of hot and sour flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
As for the main course, the UFB Chicken Pizza is a must-try. This pizza features chicken ham, bell pepper, mushroom, cheddar and mozzarella cheese, topped with a half-baked egg and a crispy tortilla at the bottom. You may wonder why there’s an egg in the middle of the pizza. Well, most Asians prefer their food to be moist rather than dry, and the egg acts as a flavorful sauce that complements the pizza’s ingredients.
3. IT Roo
IT Roo is a popular restaurant in town known for serving “The Best Chicken Chop in Town.” The vintage interior design of the restaurant attracts young visitors. It is advised to arrive early at the restaurant as the tables fill up quickly. You can see the popularity of the cafe as customers wait outside before it opens. The dining area is clean and comfortable, air-conditioned, and has a relaxed and casual atmosphere.
What makes this restaurant so popular is, as mentioned earlier, its chicken chop menu. The cafe’s classic menu items include Chicken Chop with Black Pepper or Mushroom sauce, which are available in grilled or fried versions. The portions of these chicken chops are just right, and they retain their juiciness. The chicken chops are accompanied by crispy fried wedges and coleslaw.
Apart from that, the restaurant also offers common Malaysian dishes such as Fried Kuey Teow, Kampung Fried Rice, Cantonese Hua Dan Hor, and Butter Kaya Toast.
4. Doi Chaang Coffee
Doi Chaang Coffee takes pride in their certified organic coffee beans that are carefully handpicked, fresh water washed, and sun-dried. The beans are sorted by hand and roasted to perfection, ensuring that every cup of coffee served is of the highest quality. Upon entering the café, customers are welcomed by a small bar where they can interact with the baristas and learn more about coffee and its preparation. The café boasts mostly brick walls, creating a vintage atmosphere that is perfect for capturing memorable photos. Additionally, the walls are adorned with the history of the café and their coffee.
One of Doi Chaang Coffee’s secret weapons is their iced coffee, which is a refreshing drink that is perfect for the warm weather. The coffee’s color is inviting, and the taste is smooth and aromatic.
Another must-try drink is the Pandan Latte, which has a delightful aroma of fresh pandan that will awaken your senses. The founder uses only fresh pandan to ensure that the latte has an authentic and delightful taste.
For those who want to have a quick bite, Doi Chaang Coffee offers a wide variety of pizzas and sandwiches that are packed with flavor. If you’re looking for a more substantial meal, you can opt for the lunch and dinner value set that starts at RM19.90. The set includes one main course (spaghetti/rice), a beverage, and Affogato, which makes for a satisfying and filling meal.
Wow! There are so many cafes near Sutera Mall, but many people never know about it, what a pity! Therefore, the list compiled for you today hopes to help you explore these places better.
So are you struggling, how to get to these cafes? In fact, you can choose to take a taxi from Singapore to JB, Johor Bahru. For example, SGMYTRIPS is my most recommended private taxi company.
They provide taxi Singapore to Malaysia, no matter you think of Singapore or anywhere in Malaysia, you can choose their services. Compared with taking public transportation, it can make our journey more enjoyable and relaxing, because we don’t need to queue up with the crowds to clear the customs, and we don’t even need to face the possibility of changing trains halfway. For cross-border newcomers/tourists, it is simply too easy!
