Best Italian Restaurants in Johor Bahru (JB)

This authentic Italian restaurant needs no introduction in Johor Bahru. Each and every item on the menu is a lovechild of premium ingredients and adept skills. Whet up your appetite with their signature mushroom soup, chock full of mushroom bits and lashes of truffle oil. And then comes the real deal, a scrumptious spread of Italian delicacies that leaves you slavering. From wood-fired pizzas to luscious range of pasta and creamy risottos, nothing is short of authenticity and flavours. The more dishes you try, the more you keep raving like a broken record, just like the clienteles. And what better way to elevate the dining experience with a curated wine list and cosy ambiance that kicks in a little intimacy. 

Among the reliable contenders in the Italian food scene, garnering a loyal following of all ages. The exposed brick walls, hanging lights, and floor-to-ceiling glass windows create a casual and cosy atmosphere. Everything on the menu is made with fresh and premium ingredients and beautifully presented to feed your eyes as well. Among the winners are Bruschetta - homemade baguette toasted with basil garlic butter and topped with cubes of juicy tomatoes, Seafood Pasta – al-dente pasta shrouded with fresh ocean goodness and toothsome tomato sauce, and the best seller, thin-crusted pizzas that gives a resoundingly crispy bite with liberal toppings. Delectable desserts remind you to store some space for them too. In a nutshell, your palate takes a trip to Italy sans airfare and hassle. 

Among the pioneers of Italian cuisine in Johor Bahru, Villaggio has amassed steady stream of regulars despite the mushrooming competitors. Interior-wise, charming chandeliers, and rustic brick walls create a casual atmosphere. If your taste buds are sick of chicken and seafood pizza, their lamb and spinach pizza is a standout. Seeking for a shift in pasta? Their baked pasta is among the best sellers as it’s thumped with lots of cheese and meat while the pasta remains al-dente. If your sweet tooth is calling for attention, range of desserts wraps up a wonderful meal. Just as important, the service is good and the price doesn’t sink a hole in your wallet. 

With an ambiance that tugs your heart in a beat and menu that is prepared with fresh and flavourful ingredients, Maio Italian Restaurant is not to be missed if Italian food is what you love. Every angle of the restaurant is photo-worthy – lush gardens, arched wall designs, elegantly assembled dining space and of course, the food itself. Give a break to mushroom soup and opt for their French Onion soup topped with melted cheese and garlic bread by the side. Their thin-crusted pizzas and assorted pasta are truly value-for-money as they are never skimp on the ingredients.  And nothing speaks Italian dessert more than gelato and tiramisu, the team scores on both.

This feted restaurant is constantly teeming with voracious Italian food junkies, and that’s always a good sign for you join the beeline and nab an empty table. What catches your attention at once is the huge oven amidst the open kitchen, which is full-of-life, spilling out pizzas that tick all boxes for an authentic one – light and crispy crust with succulent tomato sauce and fresh toppings of your choice. Another dish that stood out from the pack is their smoked duck spaghetti that comes in hearty portion. 

This renowned restaurant has been a home away from home for many Italian food lovers. The minimalist decor and sparsely lid atmosphere encourage to lose track of the hustle and bustle of the city. With an extensive menu that is never short of freshness and flawless execution, whatever your choice is, you’re in for a tasty time. The best sellers are their thin-crusted pizzas and far-flung choices of pasta. For seafood devotees, their Seafood Spaghetti is flooded with fresh and plump ocean goodness and the sauce is rave-worthy. Served piping hot, the pizza comes with an impeccable crust and generous toppings that make it photogenic, there is no such thing as self-discipline, you would do just about anything to nab the last slice. 

A new contender to the Italian food scene but Basilico has taken the local crowd by storm with authentic Italian gastronomy. On top of their homemade thin-crusted pizzas and range of pasta, there are even more reasons to visit this comfy eatery. Their creamy gnocchi is liberally loaded with Parmesan cheese, mushrooms and baby tomatoes then topped with chopped herbs. Despite the humble appearance, this dish gives a break to your pizza-and-pasta affair, for some time. And the real deal is their signature Earl Grey pannacotta which is absolutely pretty to look at. The pudding is dressed to kill with lashes of strawberry sauce and handful of mixed berries that offers an element of crunch and compensates the sweetness of the sauce.

What greater pleasure than chomping down slices of oven-baked pizzas with overflowing toppings, while overlooking the picturesque view of Danga Bay Marina? Sound too good? Make your way to Lazio and cup yourself at their breezy alfresco and make up your mind, pizza or steak as the passionate team offers the best of both worlds. If you’re not in the mood for pizza (is there actually anyone?), selection of pasta and rice dishes does not disappoint. An additional reason for you to come back again is their desserts, tiramisu and cheesecakes are top-notch. 

Simple, sophisticated and spacious, these are few words that come to your mind upon stepping into this famous restaurant. Located on the 13^th floor, it’s truly a vantage point with panoramic views at every angle. According to the executive chef, every dish on the menu is made with a philosophy of using quality ingredients and simple techniques. Having that said, they prepare their pizza and pasta from scratch daily and the pizzas are done in a wood-fired oven. If you’re keen to know more about Italian cuisine, Sunday Brunch (11am to 3pm) is the best time to cherish your tummy. A kaleidoscopic spread of antipasto, homemade bread with assorted Italian cheeses and truffle oil, main dishes and desserts like Panna Cotta Eggs, Chocolate Tart, and Crème Brulee. Sure to have you drooling at dot.

Change the way you think of pizza. This fresh establishment has breathed new life into this Italian delicacy, churning out Pizza Fritta, also known as fried pizza. Everything tastes even better when deep-fried and why not our favourite doughy delight. Toppings-wise, junkies beef and chicken are delicious but the highlight is their Nutella. Yes, you read that right. This is meant to be a sleeper hit among sweet tooths, where each mouthful has rich chocolate lava bursting to the fore. 

Housed in Taman Molek, this comfy restaurant has always managed to draw people in because of their wallet-friendly price tags and sheer spread of Italian and Western goodness. The interior is simple yet charming with chairs in a variety of shades and sizes as well as a brick bar lined with curated wines. As per the name, pasta lead the race ahead of pizzas. Classics like Chicken Bolognese and Caborana tops the billing and you can always opt for spaghetti of your choice, be it angel hair, linguine or rotini, you name it they have it.