Food & Drink Guides
JB travel guides on Food & Drink — tips and recommendations from Southern Homestay at KSL D'Esplanade.
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Johor Bahru Café Guide: Heritage Kopitiams, Specialty Coffee & Where to Sip Near KSL
From century-old Hainanese kopitiams to third-wave specialty coffee, JB's café scene is one of the liveliest in Malaysia. A guide to where to drink near KSL D'Esplanade, from Southern Homestay.
JB Kopitiam Breakfast: Best Coffee Shops in Johor Bahru
Kaya toast, half-boiled eggs, and kopi-o in century-old shophouses — a guide to JB kopitiam breakfast culture with the best spots near KSL.
Halal Food in Johor Bahru: A Complete Guide for Muslim Travellers
From Laksa Johor to 24-hour mamak stalls near KSL D'Esplanade -- the best halal dining in JB for Muslim travellers, with addresses and opening hours.
Best Hawker Centres in Johor Bahru — Local Picks Beyond the Tourist Trail
Discover the best hawker centres in Johor Bahru — from waterfront ikan bakar at Tepian Tebrau to 100+ stalls at Taman Sri Tebrau, all near KSL D'Esplanade.
Ho Seng Kee Wanton Noodles: JB's 90-Year Noodle Legend
Ho Seng Kee has made handmade wanton noodles since 1936. Now in Taman Abad, 1km from KSL D'Esplanade — prices dropped ~30% since the June 2025 move.
August Drip Coffee JB: A Deep Dive into JB's Best Specialty Coffee Roastery
August Drip Coffee at 211 Jalan Dato Sulaiman is JB's most-rated specialty roastery — 70+ single-origin beans, on-site roasting and signature dirty coffees. A 5–7 minute walk from Southern Homestay at KSL D'Esplanade.
Ikan Bakar Tampin JB: The Grilled Seafood Spot Locals Queue For
Ikan Bakar Tampin at 94 Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Century — sambal stingray, slipper prawns and white pepper crab grilled to order, open from 5PM Thursday to Monday. A non-halal Chinese seafood spot 700–900 metres from KSL D'Esplanade.
Pin Ming Xuan Dim Sum JB: The Queue That Proves It's Worth It
Pin Ming Xuan at Taman Century Garden is Johor Bahru's most talked-about dim sum restaurant — rated 4.4 stars from over 2,000 Google reviews. Here's what to expect, when to go, and why it's a must-visit for non-Muslim guests staying at KSL D'Esplanade.
Century Street Food Court, JB: Your Complete Guide to 50+ Stalls Until 2AM
Century Street Food Court (Medan Selera Century) at 221 Jalan Dato Sulaiman, opposite KSL City Mall, opens 4PM–2AM daily with 50+ stalls — char kway teow, satay, lok lok, seafood and more. A complete guide from Southern Homestay at KSL D'Esplanade, just 700–800 m away.
Apam Balik Jalil at Century Foodcourt: JB's Most Famous Pancake, 5 Minutes from KSL
Discover Apam Balik Jalil at Century Street Food Court — JB's most famous soft pancake stall, just a 5-minute walk from Southern Homestay at KSL D'Esplanade.
Best Pubs & Bars Near KSL, JB for a Relaxed Drink
Craft-beer gardens, an Irish pub, a rooftop lounge and a natural wine bar — the most relaxed places for a drink near KSL D'Esplanade in Johor Bahru, plus a Grab-home reminder. A guide from Southern Homestay.
Best Family Karaoke Near KSL, JB: A Fun Night Out
Neway at City Square, V Box at Plaza Pelangi, Music Band in Taman Pelangi and Loud Speaker — the best family and box karaoke a short Grab from KSL D'Esplanade for a fun JB night out.
Indian & Curry Food Near KSL, JB: Banana Leaf & Fish Head
Banana leaf rice to JB's famous curry fish head — five well-reviewed Indian and curry spots a short Grab ride from KSL D'Esplanade, with roti canai tips.
The Best Arab & Middle Eastern Food Near KSL, JB
JB has a serious Arab-food scene — mandi, shawarma, kebab and Yemeni grills. Here are 5 well-reviewed spots a short Grab from KSL D'Esplanade, plus how to make it a lazy no-cook dinner from your unit.
The Best Cafes Near KSL, JB: Brunch, Coffee & Dessert Spots
Five JB cafes near KSL City Mall that locals and Singapore visitors love — brunch, specialty coffee and pastries, most walkable or a short Grab from KSL D'Esplanade. A Southern Homestay guide.
The Best Chinese Food Near KSL City Mall: A Short Grab Ride from Your Door
Bak kut teh, seafood zi char, wanton mee and pushcart dim sum — 5 well-reviewed Chinese spots a short Grab ride from KSL D'Esplanade. A local food guide from Southern Homestay.
What to Eat in Johor Bahru: A First-Timer's Food Guide
Herbal bak kut teh, seafood dai chow, banana leaf rice, fishball noodles and 24-hour mamak — the Johor Bahru dishes to hunt down, most of them a fraction of Singapore prices.