Indie Vibes: The Ultimate JB cafe hopping guide for the hipster in you

Dione Chen 15 Jul 2016

1/14
Bev C
This is not your typical cafe. It is a place where creativity flows freely and where fashion meets coffee - a truly hipster environment with the most peculiar innovations. It serves as the perfect space to sit, daydream and delight yourself in one of Bev C's famed Chocolate Mint Pies.
54 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee

Photo: Bev C Facebook
2/14
Chaiwalla & Co.
Chaiwalla serves all sorts of tea (because you're encouraged to customise your own tea here) in an absolutely nondescript setting. It is a container cafe that screams ultimate hipster with a few coffeeshop tables and chairs placed before the counter for its customers to cool off under the hot weather. The concept is super simple, but the teas served here are super refreshing.
Lot 2810, Tan Hiok Nee Street

Photo: Chaiwalla & Co. Facebook
3/14
Coffee Valley
Come for the waffles at Coffee Valley - they're the real deal. Crispy on the outside, fluffy and warm on the inside, this is one of the few places that gets waffles right each and every time. Whether you choose sweet or savoury, you're in for a fantastic treat.
L2-550A, Sutera Mall, Skudai
Photo: Coffee Valley Facebook
4/14
Faculty of Caffeine
Upon entering, the dark grey walls and dim lighting may strike this place as more of a speakeasy bar than a daytime cafe. However, once you settle down into your seat with an aromatic cup of freshly brewed coffee (made with 100% Arabica beans, we'd like to add), you'll be feeling right at home in no time.
106 Jalan Trus

Photo: Faculty of Caffeine Facebook
5/14
Headmost Cafe by JWC
The cosy ambience created by plush sofas and a minimalist wooden interior is enough to attract loyal customers to return again and again. Besides that, ladies will love the decadent honey toast varieties that are oh-so-pretty and oh-so-delicious. This is the perfect place to spend a lazy afternoon indulging in your dessert and simply relaxing.
SunCity, G07, Jalan Kuning, Taman Pelangi
Photo: Headmost Cafe Facebook
6/14
JWC, The Factory 30
This is by far one of the largest cafes in JB, resembling a beer brewery with its double-storey interior and huge counter dedicated to coffee brewing. This is because the cafe is built within a factory, which totally boosts its hipster points. Perhaps one day we'll be able to finish trying the whole menu of fancy coffee creations.
No. 30, Jln Mutiara Emas 5/3, Taman Mount Austin
Photo: JWC, The Factory 30
7/14
Maco Vintage
Located right in front of a huge parking space complete with an X logo design, this place has hit all the right notes with the hipster community, giving off all the feels off an old vintage garage that, surprise, houses a cafe famed for its Mille Crêpe variety. Take pleasure in the light and fluffy dessert that melts in your mouth, as you soak in the atmosphere that makes you feel like you're in a different country altogether.
14 Jalan Tan Hiok Nee

Photo: Maco Vintage Facebook
8/14
Monsta Cafe
The cute blue little creature you see is the pride and joy of Monsta Cafe, and where the cafe got its name from. Of course, Monsta is just a cute icon that draws the young and the young at heart, but the unique food and drink concoctions served up at this cafe are what piques our interest each and every time.
No. 157, Jalan Bestari 1/5, Taman Nusa Bestari, Skudai
Photo: Monsta Cafe Facebook
9/14
Once Upon A Time
Okay, let's face it. A fairytale-themed anything will never fail to melt the hearts of the princesses in all of us. So, when we heard that there was a fairytale-themed cafe called Once Upon A Time, we immediately knew it was going to have a special place in our hearts. Set within a cottage complete with the most whimsical decor, you'll be living your own fairytale here.
No. 7A Showhouse, Jalan Persiaran Jaya Putra 1, Bandar Jaya Putra
Photo: Once Upon A Time Facebook
10/14
Pace Cafe
Pace is the Tiffany of cafes - you won't miss the mint, Tiffany blue like colour that is infused into every nook and cranny of this place. The interesting geometric designs make this cafe an amalgamation of hipster and futuristic, with amazing coffee and desserts that take the icing on the cake.
62, Jalan Pendekar 13, Taman Ungku Tun Aminah, Skudai
Photo: Pace Cafe Facebook
11/14
The Brew Orchestra
The Brew Orchestra would make one of the top cafe picks if you're a brunch lover, since there is such an extensive menu to choose from to satisfy all your breakfast and lunch needs in one. It is your typical brick walls, high coffee chairs cafe that places you right in your comfort zone.
1 Jalan Molek 3/19, Taman Molek

Photo: The Brew Orchestra Facebook
12/14
The Replacement – Lodge & Kitchen
This is for the Instagram lovers. The Replacement is a cafe that looks like its taken right out of a Kinfolk magazine - white-washed walls, rustic wooden furniture and baby's breath that adds that subtle oomph to every table. You probably came here for the yummy churros, but you're just going to leave with a full camera album filled with your most hipster photos yet.
33/34 Jalan Dhoby
Photo: The Replacement Facebook
13/14
TIP, The Ice-Cream Project
Of course, on your cafehopping trip, you'll have to stop by TIP for some delicious homemade goodness, complete with liquid nitrogen that makes your dessert a whole lot more magical. Ice-cream is always a delight on a hot and sunny day, so you'll definitely have the chance to check this place out in the near future.
31 Jalan Dhoby

Photo: TIP, The Ice-Cream Project Facebook
14/14
W Espresso Sporting Club
There's a subtle sports theme in this cafe, but what we really love is the amazing coffee brews that never fail to disappoint. W Espresso also offers a scrumptious food menu so you can sit back on a lazy afternoon and enjoy your lunch while admiring the intricate details in the interior design all around you.
CS01-12 Jalan Skudai, Country Garden Danga Bay

Photo: W Espresso Sporting Club Facebook

Cafe hopping is just about the latest food trend, and Johor Bahru is the perfect destination for a little cafe escapade.

As you all should know, the cafe scene in Johor Bahru is booming. And, by booming, we mean that there are over 50 different cafes within the small state that all offer distinct experiences for you to enjoy. This is probably why so many people head here to cafe hop, simply because many of these places are within sight of each other. Have a cup of tea in one, cross the street to indulge in a sinful lunch in another, and end your session with some dessert at the ice cream parlour just next door.

With so many cafes to choose from, how do you know exactly which ones you should be patronising to make the most out of your cafe hopping trip? We’ve got the answers for you. In our gallery, we tell you all about our top picks and why you should give them a try as well. From homemade coffee brews to the yummiest brunch sets, this list has got you covered. Have fun experimenting with each and every one of these menus – we assure you that you’ll be sleeping that night a very happy person.

Dione Chen

Malaysian Delights: Malaysia’s best street food treats

Glorious Food: 10 Malaysian foodies to follow on Instagram

Tropical Paradise: 8 Local eateries situated close to nature

The Tropics: iROO's new collection takes us into a...