The Best Themed Cafés in Johor Bahru: Anime, Pets, Mahjong and More

Looking to spice up your usual cafe-hopping adventures? Johor Bahru is teeming with themed cafes that serve more than just coffee and cake. 

From Harry Potter wizardry to a devotion to mahjong, these cafes take inspiration from a huge range of fandoms and themes. This guide will take you through the 9 most captivating themed cafes in JB. 

Also read: Johor Bahru (JB) Best Hair Salons: 7 Salons for Every Hair Need

Rollmance Dawn: Anime enthusiasts’ dream café

Address: 23, Jalan Jaya Putra 7/4, Bandar Jaya Putra, 81100 Johor Bahru

Opening Hours: Daily, 11am–12am

Rollmance Dawn is an anime lover’s paradise, lined with over 100 figurines from series like One Piece, Spy x Family, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Chainsaw Man. Cosy yet stylish, the seating area gives off a clean, minimalist vibe with soft lighting, letting the figurine displays take centre stage. 

Invite your fellow anime enjoyers to enjoy matcha crepe rolls and white peach oolong tea in a cafe that pays charming tribute to the legacy of countless beloved series.

Also read: 10 Anime Spots Every Singaporean Otaku Must Visit

Latte Doh Café: Harry Potter-inspired wizardry

Address: 9-01, Business Boulevard @ Central Park, Persiaran Aliff Harmoni 6, Taman Damansara Aliff, 81200 Johor Bahru

Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, 12–10pm; Friday to Sunday 12–11pm; Closed on Tuesdays

Accio, coffee! Step into the world of Harry Potter at Latte Doh Café. With floating books, bubbling cauldrons, and house-themed corners, it’s a must-visit for fans of the Wizarding World. 

Sip on Butter Drink, their version of Butterbeer, or try the whimsical Polyjuice Potion for the full experience.

13 Units Hong Kong Café: For the true mahjong player

Address: 60G, Jln Pertama 1, Pusat Perdagangan Danga Utama, 81300 Johor Bahru

Opening Hours: Daily,10am–10pm

This charming spot takes its inspiration from the classic Chinese game of mahjong. From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted by unmistakable mahjong motifs: tables with inlaid tile designs, walls adorned with clever mahjong references, and nostalgic décor that brings back the golden days of old Hong Kong.

The menu matches the vibe, serving up hearty Hong Kong-style comfort food like baked rice, instant noodle sets, and classic milk tea. For something a little extra, try their signature drinks inspired by mahjong tiles, the perfect pairing for a themed photo op.

Chucky Cat Café: What’s better than chonky cats?

Address: Lot No. 302, 3rd Floor, KOMTAR JBCC, City Centre, 80000 Johor Bahru

Opening Hours: Daily, 10.30am–10pm

Located on the third floor of KOMTAR JBCC, just a 7-minute walk from the Johor Bahru checkpoint, Chucky Cat Café is a haven for cat lovers. Home to around 20 friendly felines, the café offers a cosy environment to relax and interact with the cats. 

The café operates on an hourly fee, with options for day passes, and every drink purchase comes with an additional 10 minutes of cat time.

Shi Ba Café: Shiba Inu dog café

Address: 16-01, Jalan Austin Heights 8/4, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru

Opening Hours: They work on a reservation basis, with slots from 10am–2.45pm and 4–7.30pm

Calling all dog lovers, especially those with a soft spot for Japan’s famously aloof yet adorable Shiba Inus. Shi Ba Café is Malaysia’s very first Shiba Inu-themed dog café.

Nestled on the second floor of a shophouse in Mount Austin, this cosy café is home to 10 fluffy Shiba Inus that visitors can pet, play with, and snap photos of to their heart’s content.

Dreamliner Airways Café: Take to the skies

Address: 7, Jalan Harmonium 35/1, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru

Opening Hours: Daily, 12pm–10.30pm

Get ready for take-off without leaving the ground. At Dreamliner Airways Café, you’ll find yourself seated in aircraft-style rows, greeted by servers dressed in full cabin crew uniforms, and sipping your drinks from a menu designed like an in-flight meal.

It’s all the fun of flying, minus the turbulence, perfect for aviation buffs and those of us who love airplane food!

Forever Twenty Café: DIY fun

Address: 22, Jalan Harmonium 35/2, Taman Desa Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru

Opening Hours: Daily, 11am–7pm

This charming spot invites you to get hands-on with fun DIY activities: design your own phone case, try your hand at toast painting, or explore their ever-changing list of crafty workshops.

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, dig into their Korean-inspired menu featuring crowd-pleasers like spicy carbonara ramen, Korean fried chicken, and cheesy corn. 

Brooos & Co: Office-themed quirkiness

Address: 18, Jln Sri Pelangi 4, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru

Opening Hours: Daily, 12pm–12am

If you’ve ever wanted to laugh your way through a workday, Brooos & Co. is your dream “office”. This quirky café takes corporate culture as its inspiration, with tongue-in-cheek humour, sarcastic office signage, and mock “productivity” charts that poke fun at modern hustle culture. 

The food and drinks keep the fun going with creative names and crowd-pleasing flavours. Don’t miss their signature pistachio latte, a nutty, creamy indulgence that pairs perfectly with their house-made croffles or burnt cheesecakes. 

Bloom by Mok Mo: Floral fantasy

Address: 87, Jalan Mutiara Emas 2A, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru
Opening Hours: Daily, 12pm–10pm

Inspired by the serenity of a secret garden, this Mount Austin gem is best known for its ceiling overflowing with pastel-hued dried blooms. 

But the beauty isn’t just in the decor. Their hearty Japanese-inspired rice bowls, like the creamy Salmon Mentaiko Don, are well-loved for their generous portions, and their signature desserts like the Soufflé Pancakes make them a hit with both locals and Singaporean day-trippers.

Also read: 15 Cafes in Johor Bahru for Your Next Trip Across the Border

Café-hopping with a twist

Whether you’re chasing photo ops, niche fandoms, or just a memorable meal, Johor Bahru’s themed cafes have something for you. Consider this your checklist for your next cross-border cafe crawl!