Best Restaurants in Johor Bahru: 18 Picks for 2026
The best restaurants in Johor Bahru (JB) are mostly Chinese zi char kitchens, bak kut teh shops and seafood restaurants, many of them family businesses that have cooked in the same suburb for 30 to 50 years. This guide covers 18 sit-down restaurants in JB city, Mount Austin and Iskandar Puteri, including Indian, halal and Western picks, checked for October 2026.
Each entry gives the address, a halal flag, prices and hours where we could confirm them from a 2025 or 2026 source. Prices are in Malaysian Ringgit (RM); seafood is usually sold at market price by weight. Malay food in JB is mostly served at warungs and hawker stalls rather than restaurants, so mee rebus, laksa Johor, lontong and roti canai are in the Johor Bahru hawker food guide, along with Kam Long curry fish head and Hua Mui.
JB has no MICHELIN Guide restaurants: in October 2026 the Malaysia selection has no Johor listings. Halal status varies a lot here, so check the flags below. Most zi char and all bak kut teh restaurants are not halal.
Jump to a place (18)
- Restoran Teck Sing
- Restoran Ah Kaw
- Restoran Ah Meng
- Restoran Sulam
- Restoran New Lucky Seafood
- Restoran Pekin
- Ong Shun Seafood Restaurant
- Yi Jia Seafood
- Restoran Todak
- Restaurant Shoon Huat
- Kedai Makanan Ah Soon
- Hwa Mei Bak Kut Teh
- Shun Fa Bak Kut Teh
- Chakra Restaurant
- Makan Kitchen
- Woodfire
- Hard Rock Cafe Puteri Harbour
- Everywhere Lobster Club
At a glance
Zi Char and Chinese Restaurants in Johor Bahru
Restoran Teck Sing
Teck Sing is an air-conditioned zi char (Chinese cook-to-order) restaurant in Taman Sentosa with more than 70 dishes on the menu. Its best-known dish is paper-wrapped kampung chicken (RM37.60), cooked in its own juices with red dates, goji berries and dang gui, a recipe the restaurant has served for over 30 years.
Other favourites are egg with salted turnip, sambal kangkung and curry fish head (RM48). It is not halal-certified. Recent guides give different closing days, so check before you go; phone +607 334 7025.
Restoran Ah Kaw
Ah Kaw has cooked zi char in Taman Pelangi since 1979 and says it created san lou bee hoon (also called chao ta bee hoon), the Johor dish of rice vermicelli fried until the top is charred and crisp while the inside stays soft. A plate starts at RM11; ask for belacan on the side.
The curry asam fish head (RM45 to RM65) and Hokkien mee (RM11 to RM20) are the other dishes regulars order. It is not halal-certified, and it closes on Tuesdays and between lunch and dinner.
Restoran Ah Meng
Ah Meng is run by the son-in-law of Restoran Ah Kaw's founder and cooks much the same menu, including its own version of charred fried bee hoon, called Ah Meng mee hoon (RM12 or RM20). It is closer to the Causeway than Ah Kaw, in Taman Iskandar.
Crab comes in chilli, salted egg, gan xiang and black pepper styles at seasonal prices, and there is shrimp paste chicken and curry fish head (RM48 to RM78). GrabFood lists it as non-halal. It closes on Tuesdays.
Restoran Sulam
Sulam has served zi char in Taman Sentosa since 1987, with recipes created by the owner, Mr Teh, who is training his son to take over. Its kari kepala ikan (curry fish head, RM48 to RM78) is the dish most people come for, and the crisp turmeric-fried squid (RM24 to RM38) is another favourite.
The restaurant is Chinese-owned and not halal-certified, but it is Muslim-friendly, which makes it one of the few zi char kitchens in this guide that suits mixed groups. It opens for lunch only on Wednesdays.
Restoran New Lucky Seafood
New Lucky has cooked zi char in Taman Sri Tebrau for more than 40 years. Its fried kway teow (from RM20) is smoky from the wok, with fresh cockles and cubes of fried pork lard, and the claypot taro pork ribs (RM40 or RM80) are cooked in a peppery yam paste.
There is now a printed menu with prices, which was not always the case. Chicken with prawn paste (RM45 or RM90) is a safe order for groups. The pork dishes make it non-halal. Open daily for lunch and dinner.
Restoran Pekin
Restoran Pekin is a large Chinese seafood restaurant in a two-storey building in Taman Sentosa, run by a group that has long been part of Johor Bahru's dining scene. It cooks Cantonese-style seafood, soups and banquet dishes, and takes venue bookings for events.
The group's website lists four other branches, in Taman Johor Jaya (two), Taman Sutera Utama and Ulu Tiram, and says the restaurants keep a wine cellar. Book through the Taman Sentosa branch on +607 332 0902. We could not confirm halal status.
Seafood Restaurants in JB
Ong Shun Seafood Restaurant
Ong Shun is a halal-certified Chinese-style seafood restaurant in Kampung Bahru, west of the city centre, known for moonlight hor fun (flat rice noodles topped with a raw egg) and for low prices. A small plate of moonlight kuey teow starts at RM8.50.
Clams come in six sauces including sambal, dry curry and black bean (RM15), prawns in nine styles from RM28, and grouper and red snapper at market price. It is the easiest place in this guide for Muslim visitors who want zi char. Phone +607 223 8953.
Yi Jia Seafood
Yi Jia (億家海鲜) is a more formal Chinese seafood restaurant in Taman Bukit Indah, the township on the Iskandar Puteri side of JB near AEON Bukit Indah. Crab fried with golden egg yolk is the dish most diners recommend.
There are eight kinds of fish, such as seabass, saddle grouper and red snapper, each cooked in one of six ways, including Hong Kong-style steamed and spicy claypot. Seafood is sold at market price, so ask before ordering. GrabFood lists it as non-halal; there is a second branch in Taman Setia Indah.
Restoran Todak
Todak is an open-air seafood restaurant on a wooden platform on stilts over the Johor Strait, in the Orang Asli village of Kampung Teluk Jawa near Masai, east of the city centre. You pick live crab, prawns, lobster or fish and choose how it is cooked; Indonesian-style crab in a spicy coconut gravy is a favourite.
Seafood is sold by weight: crab from about RM5 per 100 g and prawns about RM10 per 100 g in a 2025 review. Two recent Singapore food guides disagree on whether it is halal-certified, so check the certificate if that matters. Go before sunset for the view over the water.
Bak Kut Teh in Johor Bahru
Restaurant Shoon Huat
Shoon Huat (also spelt Soon Huat) is one of the bak kut teh shops Singaporeans visit most, a few doors from Teck Sing on Jalan Sutera 1. Its broth is less strongly herbal than many Malaysian versions, and each pot comes with pork ribs, mushrooms and pork liver.
A pot for one costs from RM18 and a pot for four about RM72, with extras such as bean curd skin and pig intestine at RM5. Unusually for bak kut teh, it stays open into the evening. Pork-based, so non-halal.
Kedai Makanan Ah Soon
Ah Soon has served bak kut teh in Taman Sri Tebrau for more than 50 years, and its pots are still heated over charcoal. The broth is clear, peppery-herbal and lighter than most, with tender pork ribs; a signature pot starts at RM21.
It is about 13 minutes' drive from the Causeway and is busy with both locals and Singaporeans, especially at weekends. It is a breakfast and lunch place that closes at 4 pm and all day Monday. Phone +60 16-773 1262.
Hwa Mei Bak Kut Teh
Hwa Mei (华美肉骨茶) has served bak kut teh in Bukit Chagar for over 30 years and is the closest of these four to the JB Sentral and Bukit Chagar side of the Causeway. Its signature herbal bak kut teh starts at RM17 for a small pot.
Sides include bean curd sheets (RM4), pork skin and chicken feet. It opens early and closes at 2 pm, so it works best as breakfast after crossing from Singapore. Phone +60 12-700 1776.
Shun Fa Bak Kut Teh
Shun Fa (顺发肉骨茶) is a local favourite in Taman Bukit Indah, about five minutes' drive from AEON Mall Bukit Indah, which makes it the handiest bak kut teh for visitors staying in Iskandar Puteri or going to Legoland.
The signature bak kut teh starts at RM18, with pig stomach and pork tendon as RM5 add-ons and salted vegetables or fried bean curd on the side. The brand has several other branches around JB. Non-halal.
Indian and Halal Buffet Restaurants
Chakra Restaurant
Chakra is an Indian restaurant in a converted two-storey bungalow with a garden in Kampung Bahru, a quiet residential area west of the city centre. The menu covers cooking from across the Indian subcontinent, and the restaurant also does catering.
It is a sit-down alternative to the banana leaf and mamak shops in town. We confirmed it is operating through its current GrabFood listing, which does not state halal status, so ask if you need halal food, and check opening hours before you go.
Makan Kitchen
Makan Kitchen is the all-day dining restaurant of the DoubleTree by Hilton in the city centre, best known for its buffets. A 2026 Eatbook buffet guide names it one of the first hotel buffets people find in JB, with dishes such as a golden-crusted Wellington, a DIY salad bowl and short ribs on the weekend high tea spread.
It is halal-certified. The weekend high tea buffet costs RM108 for adults, RM88 for senior citizens and RM54 for children; lunch and dinner buffet prices change with promotions. Book on +607 268 6868, especially on weekends and festive days.
Western Restaurants in JB and Iskandar Puteri
Woodfire
Woodfire is a Malaysian burger chain, and its busiest JB branch is in JOTIC, the Johor Tourist Information Centre building on Jalan Air Molek, about seven minutes' drive from the Causeway checkpoint. The red and black dining room has booths for groups.
The brisket burger (RM39.90) stacks a beef patty with beef brisket, caramelised onions and cheese; the buttermilk gourmet chicken burger (RM19.90) is the cheaper pick. It is halal-certified. It closes briefly in the early evening and opens later on Fridays.
Hard Rock Cafe Puteri Harbour
Hard Rock Cafe Puteri Harbour opened in December 2021 on the marina in Iskandar Puteri, on the western side of JB. It seats up to 238 people across two floors and an outdoor terrace over the harbour that faces the sunset.
The menu is burgers, including the Legendary Burger, plus local dishes, cocktails and craft beer, with vegetarian and vegan options. Its official page lists a live band from 7 pm to 11:45 pm. The restaurant hours above are from its official page; phone +607 276 9999. It serves alcohol and is not listed as halal.
Everywhere Lobster Club
Everywhere Lobster Club is a Western-style lobster restaurant at The Harbour @ Austin Green, a lakeside dining block in Mount Austin, the busy restaurant and cafe district in the north of JB. It is a sit-down splurge rather than a market-price seafood shed.
The cheesy baked lobster (RM208) comes with lemon garlic butter and Cajun butter sauces, and lobster mac and cheese costs RM108. It is not halal-certified. Hours come from a 2025 review, so check before making the trip.
How to Choose a Restaurant in Johor Bahru
Restaurants in JB are spread out, so plan by area. Taman Sentosa, Taman Pelangi and Taman Sri Tebrau, a short drive north of the Causeway, have the densest cluster of zi char and bak kut teh shops. Mount Austin in the north is the busy cafe and late-night district, and Taman Bukit Indah and Puteri Harbour serve visitors staying in Iskandar Puteri or going to Legoland. Restoran Todak at Teluk Jawa is out east near Masai. E-hailing cars are cheap and the easiest way to get around.
Weekends, Singapore school holidays and public holidays bring long queues and slow traffic at the checkpoints. Many family-run restaurants close one day a week, often Monday or Tuesday, and bak kut teh shops usually close by mid-afternoon. Live seafood is priced per 100 g or per kg, so ask the weight and price before it is cooked.
For halal food, look for the JAKIM halal certificate on display. In this guide, Ong Shun, Makan Kitchen and Woodfire are halal-certified, and Restoran Sulam is Muslim-friendly. Bak kut teh is a pork dish and is never halal.
Johor Bahru Restaurants: FAQ
What are the best restaurants in Johor Bahru?
For zi char, try Restoran Teck Sing or Restoran Sulam in Taman Sentosa, or Restoran Ah Kaw in Taman Pelangi for san lou bee hoon. For seafood by the sea, go to Restoran Todak in Teluk Jawa, and for bak kut teh, Kedai Makanan Ah Soon and Restaurant Shoon Huat are two of the best known.
Where can I find halal restaurants in Johor Bahru?
Ong Shun Seafood Restaurant in Kampung Bahru is a halal-certified Chinese seafood restaurant, Woodfire at JOTIC serves halal burgers, and Makan Kitchen at DoubleTree by Hilton runs halal buffets. Restoran Sulam is Muslim-friendly but not certified. Bak kut teh is always pork, so it is never halal.
Does Johor Bahru have Michelin restaurants?
No. In October 2026 the MICHELIN Guide Malaysia has no selection for Johor; its Malaysian listings cover Kuala Lumpur and Penang.
What food is Johor Bahru known for?
JB is known for Chinese zi char such as san lou bee hoon and curry fish head, Johor-style bak kut teh, live seafood along the Johor Strait, and Malay dishes such as mee rebus, laksa Johor and lontong. Hawker stalls and Malay warungs are covered in our Johor Bahru hawker food guide.
Which Johor Bahru restaurants are closest to the Causeway?
Woodfire at JOTIC is about seven minutes' drive from the checkpoint, and Hwa Mei Bak Kut Teh in Bukit Chagar and Makan Kitchen at DoubleTree by Hilton are also in the city centre. Kedai Makanan Ah Soon in Taman Sri Tebrau is about 13 minutes' drive away, close to the zi char and bak kut teh shops of Taman Sentosa and Taman Pelangi.