Best Malay Restaurants in Johor Bahru (JB)

Fairly a new contender with a mission to keep hold of Malay cuisine's intrinsic identity, yet has been making waves with applaudable reviews. The terracotta-topped eatery is planted in a residential area - simple and serene. Spiced up beef rendang with gluttonous yellow rice to hearty nasi lemak, laksa to lontong and nibblers' favourite - pisang goreng cheese. You’ll never run out of options. Gather your like-minded buddies and grace the wooden tables with their signature dishes that truly define traditional Malay feast. Conversely, you can opt to end your meal with modern desserts, where their Coffee Walnut Cake is stellar. 

Spanning close to 30 years, this comfy restaurant has been winning everyone over with their luscious spread of Malay delicacies under roof, with Western and Thai cuisine towing along. Not to be missed is their Fish Assam Pedas platter, Mee Bandung, Ayam Masak Merah, Beef Rendang and if you’re in with a gargantuan appetite, their Nasi Ambeng just ticks all boxes for a feast of flavours. A mound of steamed rice is swathed with chicken or beef rendang, sambal prawns petai, salted fish, fried calamari, serunding kelapa (spicy grated coconut), a dollop of mee siam and zesty sambal belacan. The best way to devour this drool-inducing platter is to have a little of everything. 

Restoran Malay Village has been voted as one of the best places to enjoy an extensive range of Malay dishes. This of course, is set in a rather traditional looking place, or some may even call it Balinese style. On top of that, they have more than 50 delicious items on their menu, with additional items added in occasionally. All and all, if you're in for a feast, then Restoran Malay Village is definitely worth the try. 

Restoran Anisofia has been around for a decent amount of time. And for the longest period, they have been quite a hit with their signature asam pedas. Datin Hajah Salbiah bt Hj Harun is the heirloom of the recipe that is currently in used, and she is also managing the outlet as well. She ensures that each plate of dish that comes out from the kitchen is at its best, so customer satisfaction is pretty spot on. They also offer various other dishes to compliment as well, such as the  Signature Tempe Goreng Berempah and vegetables omelette.

This humble and spacious eatery offers delightful dilemmas of Malay delicacies that are always gentle on your budget. Kick start your day with Mee Rebus, yellow noodles drenched in rich gravy and sculpted with eggs, dried shrimps, and fried tofus or nasi lemak ladled with addictive sambal and paired with piping hot fried chicken or assorted homemade kuihs. 

Veiled out beneath huge colourful umbrellas and lush greenery, this unassuming spot is commonly brimming with patrons during lunch hours. The best seller is their Nasi Kerabu, a Kelantanese dish which yearns to be paired with a sprawling spread of dishes that are displayed neatly on trays. Once you’re done cherry-picking, a quick eyeball scanning by the staff is done for pricing purpose. The most sought-after dish is their grilled kembong fish, which is enrobed with curry spices and grilled over charcoal fire, giving it a distinctive aroma yet preserves the moisture of the fish. Also, not to be missed is their ulam section, filled with fresh vegetables such as petai, cucumbers and eggplants, which go along perfectly with their spicy sambal dips. Wash down the spices with a bowl of refreshing chendol. 

What better feeling is there than walking in a renowned eatery that is highly vaunted and filled by the locals at any time of the day? This little gem is draped with bounteous portraits of Malaysian dignitaries, artists, and celebrities, setting the mood straightaway before heading to bona fide Malay dishes.  Their lontong kering tops the devoted menu, served with peanut satay sauce, deep-fried chicken and tofu, wallop of curried vegetables and lip-smacking sambal. Other dishes that clamour to be a part of your chomping joy is mee rebus, tauhu bakar, buoyant-bright Laksa Johor, Nasi Lemak and satay, the eating just never seems to stop. The backdrop and meals ensure you to return home as raconteurs. 

Opened in August 2020 and located in Johor Bahru, Salai Valley is known for their Masak Lemak Salai dishes. Daging salai simply means “smoked meat”. Masak lemak is a type of Malay cuisine. This meal type is well known in the Malay countries, namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei and Singapore.

Early risers have all reasons to be buoyant while those who aren't, have all reasons to get up early as this humble joint is widely cherished as the best bet to pamper your palate with an abundance of Malay dishes that are wallet-friendly. Your visit here shall not be deemed complete without their stir-fried lungs. The latter might sound a little quirky yet it's utterly tender and imbued with rich spices that only requires a mound of steamed white rice or nasi lemak to complete the indulgence. Oodles of noodles, titivating curries and sides are praiseworthy too. 

Started off with pisang goreng stall and today this establishment is regarded as one of the finest spots to quell Laksa Johor and Nasi Lemak. Their laksa is artistically presented, with swirls of onions and cucumbers sitting on a nest of noodles and beans sprouts showered with thick and rich gravy and a dollop of sambal. If you’re in for our national dish, pair it up with their piping hot fried chicken, which is juicy and sizzling squid sambal is for those who need a dose of heat. Other show stoppers are their lontong (dried and curry versions), porridge, mee goreng and roti jala. 

Ambiance and design may not be Restoran Sri Baru Perdana's strong suite, but the food truly is. If you're in the mood for some hearty and flavourful meal, then this restaurant will not disappoint. However, if you're extremely hungry and eating something that is a size of a cow is your kinda thing, then the buffet would suite you best. They offer a whole load of dishes that are guaranteed to satisfy you physically and mentally. In short, this is the place to be if you're hungry as hell.

Painted brightly in skyblue, Restoran Masakan Kampung Mak Mah is a great place to enjoy traditional Malay cuisine at an incredible price. Having been around for more than 2 decades, this restaurant truly understands the Malaysian palette. Many would refer to them as the queen of kampung cooking, with all their recipes being kept to the absolute original.