If you and boo are planning to make a trip down to Johor Bahru soon, check food off your list of worries. In this compilation, we explore seven romantic restaurants in JB for you to enjoy a hearty meal with your partner.
Furthermore, they’re all within 35 minutes from the Johor Bahru customs by car.
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Immerse yourself in lush greenery and romantic floral decor at Flowers In The Window. This humble eatery is conveniently situated right by the Causeway, tucked away in an unassuming alley of shophouses. A zen outdoor balcony awaits on the second floor for you to cosy up and enjoy an intimate dinner date in JB in a homey atmosphere.
Serving up Japanese and Western fusion dishes, there are vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options available on the menu. Main entrees are satisfactory too, as they serve bento meals and rice bowls starting from only RM15 (~$4.30) that’s great for sharing. They also have a selection of French pastries, sourdough sandwiches, cakes, and freshly brewed coffee.
The outlet is only open during the day, making it a nice spot for a chill afternoon before you’re off exploring JB Oldtown where it’s located.
Address: 9 Jalan Dhoby, Johor Bahru 80000, Johor
Estimated travelling time from JB customs by car: 12 minutes
Opening hours: 9am to 4pm (Wednesdays to Mondays) | Closed on Tuesdays
The Sugar Pantry is a date-worthy spot that looks to be inspired by confectionery joints in Japan. But don’t be fooled by the sweet treats displayed on the ground floor — a restaurant with heartier fare lies on the second floor. Furnished with birch and flooded with natural light, this eatery is ideal for those seeking a cosy and spacious JB romantic dinner experience.
Its value-for-money lunch menu is available from 11.30am to 2pm from only RM16 (~S$4.60). You can choose from 7 mains and each set comes with one hot or iced lemon tea. Save space for dessert as this restaurant offers almost every Japanese dessert under the sun, from mochi to giant macarons.
Address: 47, Jalan Molek 1/9, Taman Molek, 81100 Johor Bahru
Estimated travelling time from JB customs by car: 25 minutes
Opening hours: 10am to 7.30pm from Monday to Saturday | Closed on Sunday
Enjoy a candlelit dinner on the roof of DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru, accompanied by a breathtaking view of the star-spangled sky. Its restaurant Tosca Trattoria Italiana is a rooftop restaurant in JB, situated on the 13th floor, that serves Italian dishes by a pool. We recommend dining outdoors — it’ll be so much more romantic when bae pops the question under the stars.
You can’t go wrong with its menu of classic Italian dishes. Order the Antipasto for RM65 (~S$18.65) to start, then follow that with its bestseller, the 72-hour Slow Cooked New Zealand Lamb Shank RM140 (~S$40.17) with Mediterranean-style herbs.
Address: 12 Jalan Ngee Heng, level 13, DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Johor Bahru, 8000 Johor Bahru
Estimated travelling time from JB customs by car: 8 minutes
Opening hours: 12pm to 12am on weekdays | 11am to 12am on weekends
Perfect for special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and engagements, Russell Kitchen Private Dining at Paradigm Residence in Skudai provides an intimate and memorable dining experience. Serving contemporary Western cuisine, dinner packages start at RM258 (~S$74.82) per couple.
The restaurant is only open for dinner reservations, so booking ahead is necessary to ensure a seamless experience. What’s special about this place is it’s designed specifically for candlelit dinners, so the vibe is super romantic. They also provide fun couple card games for you and your sweetie to enjoy together, and there’s even a giant teddy for photo ops.
Address: Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru, Paradigm Residence, Skudai Lbh, Skudai, 81200 Johor Bahru
Estimated travelling time from JB customs by car: 18 minutes
Opening hours: 8pm to 1.30am Sunday to Friday | Closed on Saturday
The Shang Bar & Restaurant is actually a hidden bar found behind a sliding door located at Noble Floral Art Studio in Eco Palladium JB. The art studio has a wide variety of flowers for sale and photo op backgrounds like a mini Hobbit cottage door from The Lord Of The Rings. It’s a fun pre-dinner experience to put both you and your darling in the mood before enjoying a romantic dinner in JB with drinks.
Despite its bougie interior with ivy-covered tables and walls, main courses start from only RM23.40 (~S$6.70), and they have a good selection of Western and Japanese-inspired dishes like pastas, rice bowls, seafood options, and light bites for sharing. The menu is entirely pork-free and there’s also lots to choose from the cocktail and wine list.
Set menus here that include soup, appetisers, two mains, and dessert start from RM298++ (~S$86.17++) per couple.
Address: Eco Palladium, Blok B, 01-19, Jalan Ekoflora 7, Taman Ekoflora, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Estimated travelling time from JB customs by car: 30 minutes
Opening hours: 4pm to 12am from Monday to Thursday | 3pm to 1am on Friday | 1pm to 1am on Saturday | 1pm to 12am on Sunday
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Located on level 33A of Suasana All Suites Hotel, Suasana Suites Cafe features stunning city skyline views of Johor Bahru and the northern region of Singapore. The restaurant offers one of the cheapest lunch set menus in the city starting from RM12.90 (~S$3.70) on weekdays, and it’s also well-known for the breakfast buffet priced at RM35 nett (~S$10) per person.
Very popular with couples, the restaurant also has al fresco seating at the poolside and they serve authentic Johorean and local cuisine, with Western options too. If you’re planning on dining here for a special occasion, such as a birthday or anniversary, inform the restaurant when making your reservation and they’ll be happy to arrange for party props to make your pics IG-worthy.
Address: Suasana Suites Hotel, 82C, Jalan Trus, 80000 Johor Bahru
Estimated travelling time from JB customs by car: 15 minutes
Opening hours: Breakfast from 6.30am to 10.30am | Ala carte menu from 7am to 11pm
Although located in the middle of JB city, Costa Beach Cafe will make you feel as if you’re in Langkawi with its beachfront dining. A halal restaurant, this beachside joint has become popular with couples looking for romantic restaurants in JB thanks to its private dining cabanas for two, right on the sand.
They welcome walk-ins so there’s no need to book ahead for a halal romantic dinner in JB – unless you want a special set-up for the occasion you are celebrating with bae.
Expect a completely chilled-out vibe here, and be on cloud nine with your boo as you dig your toes into the soft sand as you enjoy the live music together with your dinner. Inquiries on menu prices are welcomed by Whatsapping the restaurant.
Address: 2, Kampung Senibong, 81750 Johor Bahru
Estimated travelling time from JB customs by car: 24 minutes
Opening hours: 6pm to 12am from Thursday to Tuesday | Closed on Wednesday
Whether you’re celebrating with a candlelight dinner in JB, or just looking for a new spot to unwind with your loved one, you have different experiences to choose from in this list. So, have fun planning your next JB trip together to enjoy some good food in a lovey-dovey atmosphere as you make new memories with the most important person in your life.
This article was originally written by Team Zula on 26 November 2019 and updated by Priscilla Emmanuel on 7 November 2023.
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