7 Best Places to Eat in JB's Heritage Street

Nestled within the cultural heart of Johor Bahru lies a gastronomic treasure trove that seamlessly blends heritage charm with contemporary dining experiences. The interconnected streets of Jalan Tan Hiok Nee and Jalan Dhoby have evolved into one of Malaysia's most compelling food destinations, where century-old shophouses house everything from traditional kopitiams to Instagram-worthy hipster cafés. Here's our curated selection of the seven finest establishments that define this remarkable culinary quarter.

1. IT Roo Café – The Legendary Chicken Chop Champion

What makes it special: Since the 1960s, IT Roo Café has maintained its reputation as the undisputed king of Hainanese chicken chop in Johor Bahru. Awarded the title of 'Best Chicken Chop in Malaysia' and often hailed as the best in town, this authentic kopitiam represents everything that makes heritage dining special.

The signature dish features a perfectly crispy fried chicken chop, available either golden-fried or grilled, smothered in your choice of rich black pepper or mushroom sauce. The dish features a crispy fried chicken chop smothered in a choice of black pepper or mushroom sauce, served alongside fries and coleslaw. What sets IT Roo apart is the generous portion sizes and that irresistible combination of crispy exterior and succulent interior that keeps diners returning for decades.

Address: 17 Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 11:00am – 8:30pm daily

2. Hiap Joo Bakery – The Iconic Banana Cake Institution

What makes it special: One of the oldest institutions in Johor, Hiap Joo Bakery has been in operations since 1919 and represents a living piece of culinary history. The bakery has also maintained its use of a fire wood oven and the outlet is a family business, involving three generations of the Lim family till today.

This legendary bakery is synonymous with JB's most famous export – the banana cake. The best times to visit Hiap Joo Bakery is between noon and 2pm daily, as the morning bake is hot and taken fresh from the oven. Beyond the queue-worthy banana cakes, their traditional coconut buns emerge warm from the century-old wood-fired oven, offering an authentic taste of old-world baking techniques that have remained unchanged for over a century.

Address: 13 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 7:30am – 5:30pm (Mon to Sat)

3. The Replacement Lodge & Kitchen – Instagram-Worthy Brunch Destination

What makes it special: Located in the heritage stretch near JB Sentral and City Square, The Replacement is a white-themed brunch café famous for its creative fusion dishes. This minimalist sanctuary has become one of JB's most Instagrammable food destinations whilst maintaining exceptional culinary standards.

The menu showcases inventive fusion creations like soft shell crab bao with chips, whilst their famous churros come with an array of dipping sauces including the coveted salted egg yolk option. The cafe also brews coffee very seriously and this is one of the few cafes you will see in JB that serves Piccolo latte. The café's commitment to quality extends from their house-roasted coffee to their meticulously crafted brunch offerings.

Address: 33 Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 10am-6pm (Mon-Thu); 10am-6pm & 7pm-12am (Fri); 9am-6pm & 7pm-12am (Sat-Sun)

4. Restoran Hua Mui – Hainanese Heritage Dining

What makes it special: Restoran Hua Mui, a Hainanese restaurant serving mains like Chicken Mee Mamak and Hainanese Chicken Chop. This establishment represents the authentic Hainanese culinary tradition that forms such an integral part of Johor Bahru's food heritage.

The restaurant excels at traditional Hainanese favourites, with their chicken rice and Hainanese chicken chop being particular standouts. The cooking methods here reflect generations of culinary knowledge, with recipes passed down through families of Hainanese immigrants who helped shape the local food culture.

Address: 131 Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 8:30am-6pm daily

5. Senso Art Gallery Cafe – Creative Workshop Haven

What makes it special: Senso Art Gallery Cafe is a unique blend of an art gallery, workshop space, and cosy coffee shop that perfectly captures the creative spirit of JB’s heritage street. Founded in 2017, this landmark building is easy to spot from the main road and serves as both a cultural hub and dining destination.

The cafe is adorned with beautiful hand-crafted ornaments and artworks, creating an artistic ambiance complemented by the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. What sets Senso apart is its interactive element – visitors can participate in creative workshops ranging from pressed flowers and painting to more unique options like cyanotype workshops, silk screen printing, and cake painting.

Address: 25 & 25a, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 10am-6pm (Mon, Wed-Sun)

6. Flowers in the Window – Garden Café Retreat

What makes it special: Flowers in the Window is a garden-style restaurant with tasty meals but also beautiful flowers and plants carefully designed all over the cafe! This enchanting establishment offers respite from the bustling heritage streets with its verdant, cottage-core aesthetic.

The enchanting storefront alone – covered by hanging vines – is bound to draw you in. Beyond its photogenic appeal, the café serves quality brunch items and specialty coffee in surroundings that feel more like dining in a secret garden than a city centre eatery. The natural lighting and abundance of greenery create an unexpectedly tranquil dining atmosphere.

Address: 9 Jalan Dhoby, Bandar Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 9am-3pm (Wed to Mon)

7. Amphawa Boat Noodle – Authentic Thai Street Food

What makes it special: All the way from Thailand, the famous boat noodle is traditionally served from boats and this shop has its roots in the Amphawa Floating Market in Bangkok. This authentic Thai establishment brings the flavours of Thailand's famous floating markets right here to JB's heritage quarter.

There are different variants of flavour for you to pick to suit your taste; there’s the spicy and sour broth, clear broth for those who can't eat spicy as well as the Tomyum broth. The small bowl serving style encourages diners to sample multiple varieties, creating an interactive and social dining experience that mirrors the original floating market tradition.

Address: 32 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: 11:30am-10:30pm (Sun-Thurs); 11:30am-12am (Fri-Sat)