Wan Xin NgThere’s something oddly satisfying about buying bread just before heading back to Singapore. Maybe it’s the comfort of a soft bun on the bus ride home, or the joy of sharing a banana cake with your family before it even makes it to the fridge. Whatever the reason, Johor Bahru’s bakery scene has a little something for every kind of traveller.
You’ll find everything from charcoal-baked loaves to viral cube croissants tucked inside unassuming shopfronts. Some cafes are perfect for lingering over coffee, while others are more of a grab-and-go kind of love affair. This list curates ten standout bakeries in JB that are worth crossing the border for. Each one comes with a specific recommendation, so you know exactly what to try when you’re there.
Also read: Best Things to Do in JB Near The Causeway
1. Nimmies Pastry Cafe
Image Credit: Nimmies Pastry Cafe Official Instagram
Cube croissants near the checkpoint
Nimmies is one of the more popular café stops for Singaporeans, and it’s easy to see why. The Paris-meets-Bali interior, a wide variety of croissants, and easy location near the checkpoint make it a convenient first or last stop.
Their taro cromboloni is a favourite — a cube-shaped croissant filled with smooth orh nee paste. The café is spacious with both indoor and shaded outdoor seating. It can get quite busy on weekends, so weekday mornings are the best time to visit if you want to avoid the crowd.
Opening hours: 8 am – 11 pm
2. Doña Bakehouse
Image Credit: Doña Bakehouse Official Instagram
Cafe stop near the heritage trail with Middle Eastern-inspired pastries
Doña Bakehouse is located along Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, a stretch that often shows up on heritage walking trails. It’s a good spot to rest if you’re exploring on foot, with a clean, minimalist space and large windows that let in a lot of natural light.
If you’re passing through in the afternoon, try their kunafa chocolate pastry. It’s layered, flaky, and filled with a soft mix of chocolate and pistachio cream. The cafe also does a steady range of tarts, croissants, and cakes that change with the seasons. If you head upstairs, there’s a quieter seating area that’s usually less crowded.
This one works well as a mid-day break before heading to other nearby spots like Hiap Joo or the JB Bazaar.
Opening hours: (Mon-Thurs) 8.30 am – 5 pm; (Fri-Sun) 8.30 am – 9.30 pm
Also read: 5 Bubble Tea Shops in Johor Bahru (JB) You Won’t Find in Singapore
3. Lavender Bakery
Image Credit: Lavender Bakery Official Website
Reliable bakes in a mall setting
Lavender is one of the more established bakeries in JB, with outlets in Aeon Tebrau, Taman Pelangi, and City Square. Their bread and cakes are consistently well made, and the prices are still more affordable than their Singapore branches.
The milk custard bread is especially popular. It’s soft, slightly sweet, and easy to pack for the ride home. Most branches also have a café section if you want to sit down for a drink before shopping or heading off.
Opening hours: 9 am – 10 pm (May vary by outlet)
4. Hiap Joo Bakery
Image Credit: Hiap Joo Bakery Official Facebook Page
Old-school banana cake near the checkpoint
Hiap Joo is a household name for many JB regulars. Located near the Heritage Quarter, this decades-old bakery is best known for its wood-fired banana cakes. You’ll likely see a queue out front, especially in the late morning.
The banana cake comes in simple brown boxes and is sold in whole slabs. It’s soft, moist, and holds up well even after a few hours in the car. The bakery also sells traditional buns with fillings like red beans and kaya, but most people come just for the cake.
Opening hours: 7.30 am – 5 pm
5. Jire Handmade
Image Credit: Jire Handmade Official Instagram
Viral pork floss buns in Taman Molek
This small neighbourhood bakery got attention online for its sweet-savoury pork floss buns, also known as “Little Bae” buns. Each one comes with a different topping, from seaweed to crab roe, and is filled with a house-made creamy sauce.
The store is located on the ground floor of a residential building and has limited dine-in space. Most people drop by to takeaway, often picking up a few flavours at once. It’s about a 30-minute drive from the checkpoint, so it’s best visited if you’re already heading towards Mount Austin or Molek for lunch.
Opening hours: 10 am – 8 pm
Also read: Where To Find The Best Dessert Places in Johor Bahru
6. Moonlight Cake House (KSL)
Image Credit: Moonlight Cake House Official Website
Sourdough and pastries near shopping malls
If you’re shopping at KSL City Mall, Moonlight is an easy place to stop for bread and pastries. The bakery has a large display area with everything from red velvet cakes to green tea loaves and sourdough buns.
Their sourdough bread is a steady favourite. It’s dense with a chewy crust and goes well with savoury spreads or soup. This is a practical stop if you’re already in the area and want something filling or takeaway-friendly.
Opening hours: 8 am – 10.30 pm
7. 365 Bakery
Image Credit: 365 Bakery Official Instagram
Creative rolls in a modern neighbourhood bakery
365 Bakery in Bandar Jaya Putra is a modern spot that went viral for its taro seaweed chicken floss swiss roll. It sounds unusual, but the combination of creamy taro, fluffy sponge, and savoury floss works surprisingly well.
The bakery is clean and modern with a calm atmosphere. They also sell a variety of shio pan in flavours like seaweed and chocolate. It’s about 25 minutes from the checkpoint, so it works best if you’re cafe hopping or exploring the area.
Opening hours: 10 am – 9 pm
8. Salahuddin Bakery
Image Credit: Wareesha Venee Malabari via Facebook
Traditional puffs and breads from a family-run shop
Salahuddin Bakery has been around since 1937 and still uses a wood-fire oven to bake its breads and cakes. The storefront is unassuming, but the selection includes items like samosas, sardine puffs, butter cakes, and karipap kentang.
The triangle-shaped potato curry puff is a bestseller. It’s mildly spiced, flaky, and very affordable. This is a good stop if you’re curious about older baking styles or want a more old-school flavour profile to take home.
Opening hours: 7 am – 6 pm
Also read: 7 Hipster Cafés in JB Worth Crossing the Border For
9. Seven Oaks Bakery Cafe
Image Credit: Seven Oaks Bakery Cafe Official Instagram
High tea and croissants in a fancier cafe setting
Seven Oaks leans a bit more luxurious than other bakeries on this list. The cafe is styled with chandeliers, plush seating, and pastel high tea sets. If you’re looking for a place that feels a little more dressed up, this is a good option.
Their salted egg croissant is a highlight. It’s often served as part of their high tea sets and comes with a molten centre. The cafe is a popular weekend stop for families or groups who want to sit down for a longer meal or coffee break.
Opening hours: 9 am – 10 pm
10. Morihana Pastry
Image Credit: Morihana Bakery Official Website
Layered cakes in a quiet cafe setting
Morihana is a Japanese-style bakery in Taman Ekoflora. The exterior looks like a white cottage with a sloped roof and a small chimney, which makes it stand out from the other buildings nearby.
Inside, the space is calm and comfortable. Their cakes lean lighter in flavour, and the pistachio cream cake is a consistent favourite. This spot works well as a final café stop in the afternoon, especially if you want something sweet without being too rich.
Opening hours: 12 pm – 7 pm (Closed on Mondays)
Also read: 6 Viral Johor Bahru (JB) Food Spots: Worth the Hype or Overrated?
Final thoughts
You don’t need to be a hardcore foodie to enjoy JB’s bakery scene. Sometimes, it’s just about picking up a warm bun after a long day of walking or finding a quiet café to sit in before the drive back. These bakeries aren’t just about the food. They’re also a part of the rhythm of a JB trip where there’s something familiar, affordable, and comforting to come back to each time.
Whether you’re looking for an old-school banana cake or something trendier like a cromboloni, there’s probably a spot on this list that fits into your next visit. Save a little space in your bag (and stomach) before heading back across the causeway.
