Top Vegetarian Restaurants in Johor Bahru to Nourish Your Soul

As a food haven, Johor Bahru, Malaysia, is known for its wide variety of multicultural cuisines. Whether you are an animal lover, happen to be vegetarian for the day based on religious requirements or just want to eat healthier, here is a list of the best places to treat yourself to some guilt-free meals.

Also read: 10 Best Cake Shops in JB For The Ultimate Sweet Escape

1. Dessert Library

This stylish, all‑vegetarian cafe stands out for both savoury mains and indulgent desserts. A completely plant-based and halal-friendly restaurant, you can get a traditional breakfast spread to delight your palate, apart from appetising mains and sumptuous desserts. It is a great choice for a brunch with your friends or a solo date to treat yourself to that well-deserved slow day getaway.

For instance, their steaming bowl of scented Malay Javanese noodles infused with nutty, spicy flavours feels like a comforting hug after a long day.

2. PMV Pure Minded Vegetarian Cafe

With several outlets across the Johor region, this cafe chain is praised for its accessibility and modern vegetarian offerings. You can make a pitstop here to enjoy a quick lunch or for a family outing. With a casual vibe, it makes a wonderful addition to your day trip to JB.

Savour local delights like Nasi Briyani and Satay, or take your pick of international flavours like chilli oil dumplings and Kimchi soup with wallet-friendly prices.

 3. JB Vegetarian

If a buffet-style cai fan is more up your alley, take your pick from mixed rice, economy noodles, or vegetarian bak kut teh, a meat-free version of the Chinese soup dish with lion’s mane mushrooms to substitute pork.

You are spoilt for choice at JB Vegetarian as you choose from a plethora of sides to add to your noodles or rice, making it ideal for a grab-and-go lunch option.

4. Shan Vege Dim Sum

A novel twist on dim‑sum that works for vegetarian travellers, this eatery is great for breakfast or brunch as it is typically open from 7:30 am to 2 pm. This hidden gem offers chee cheong fun, buns, and a variety of dishes in early‑day service. 

They close on Wednesdays but are open on weekends, making them an ideal destination for your next weekend getaway in JB.

5. Gaia

Gaia, derived from the Greek word used to describe the Goddess of the Earth, is the name of a restaurant. It specialises in vegetarian and vegan-friendly dishes that merge Chinese, Southeast Asian, and Western flavours. The interior design is modern yet serene, featuring subtle green décor that reflects the restaurant’s plant-forward ethos.

Perfect for celebrations, the restaurant’s focus on freshness and variety has made it a local favourite during festive days, such as the Lunar New Year’s Eve and the fifteenth day.

6. GreenHouse Garden

If you are travelling with a group that can seemingly never agree on one place to eat, GreenHouse Garden is the solution to your woes. It is a vegetarian coffee shop that boasts multiple stalls, including rice, noodles, dessert, and a dedicated vegan stall, all under one roof. 

Greenhouse Garden is designed as an open-air, kopitiam-style cafe emphasising simplicity and communal dining. Remember to bring along some cash, as most stalls here only accept cash as a mode of payment.

7. Veggie Story Cafe

A contemporary café serving a mix of Asian vegetarian dishes, from Thai green curry to clay tofu, and clay pot dishes with labelled vegan options, this makes a cosy spot for a relaxed date or a long catch-up.

The cafe is stylish, comfortable, and chic, accompanied by soothing background music in a relaxed ambience. With free WiFi and longer seating hours, you can also work here at ease.

8. Annalakshmi Restaurant

Annalakshmi Restaurant in Johor Bahru is a renowned Indian vegetarian eatery known for its community-focused “pay-as-you-wish” concept. Rooted in the spirit of hospitality and compassion, it offers wholesome, home-style Indian cuisine in a tranquil setting.

Meals are prepared and served by volunteers, reflecting a mission of selfless service and cultural preservation. A rotating spread of around eight to ten dishes, including various vegetable curries, spiced lentils, and chutneys, tickles your taste buds here.

9. Noodle Face A Meatless Cuisine

This is the place for noodle fanatics! Known for its inventive plant-based menu, the eatery offers flavorful Asian-fusion dishes emphasising noodles, mushrooms, and tofu-based proteins. The restaurant specialises in meatless interpretations of Chinese, Korean, and Western comfort foods.

Signature items include stone pot noodles, tofu burgers, and mushroom-based entrées such as “Fried Mushroom Steak”. It is situated at Mount Austin’s food hub, making it a convenient stop.

10. Image Cooker

This Instagram-worthy spot attracts foodies and design enthusiasts with its creative fusion of Western and Asian dishes served in an artsy, photography-inspired setting. Hidden on the third floor of a shoplot in Taman Desa Tebrau, it blends cafe, studio, and gallery concepts,

Image Cooker’s vegetarian menu reinterprets comfort food with local flair. Popular items include Otak-Otak Burgers, Spaghetti Aglio Olio, Curry Mushroom Rice, and Tomyum Pizza made on a mashed-potato base. Combining art, atmosphere, and vegetarian cuisine, Image Cooker stands out as one of Johor Bahru’s most distinctive contemporary spots worth checking out.

Also read: Unique Cafes in Johor Bahru (JB) You Can’t Miss on Your Next Visit

Final thoughts

Whether you’re popping over to Johor Bahru for a spontaneous weekend escape or planning a full-blown foodie itinerary, it’s clear that the city’s vegetarian scene has come into its own. So the next time you’re crossing the Causeway, consider adding a mindful meal into the malls-and-massage rotation to explore new flavours.