Best Risotto in Johor Bahru (JB)

This cozy restaurant is no stranger to Italian food gastronomes. For years, they have never taken a dip in quality of food and quantity of patrons. Look beyond wood-fired pizzas and pasta, it may sound chore but once you’ve delved in their range of risottos, you’ll be grinning from ear to ear. Among the standouts is their Seafood Risotto, al dente rice laced with squids and prawns and topped with a pan-fried sea bass with a sprinkle of herbs. The well-seasoned fish just flakes with the finest touch of the fork, complementing the creamy rice beneath, wins a nod from any erudite palate out there. 

Housed in Thistle Hotel, this restaurant would seem like a gorgeous postcard that has come to live, especially at night, sparking intimacy with poolside dining amidst lush shrubs and saplings along breezy air. Among the best picks on the menu is their Risotto which is served with pan-seared cod fish. The well-executed tender fish sits on a nest of al dente rice with a dollop of diced greens and lashings of foie gras sauce, making up a splendid sharing dish. Full of fragrance and flavour, not your regular risotto fare, therefore this restaurant should be in every risotto lovers’ bucket list. Wind down with luscious wines for a complete indulgence. 

The charming exterior definitely deserves a feed in your Instagram before walking into the restaurant to gobble down a myriad of Italian fare. Despite the pizza and pasta-centric menu, never miss their mushroom and seafood risottos that live up to the restaurant’s reputable status. The seafood version arouses your palate with Arborio rice imbued with saffron, white wine, and Parmigianino cheese, and liberally loaded with herbs and satisfying mix of seafood, whereas their mushroom version is cooked with green onion and Parmigianino cheese and flooded with assorted mushrooms.

Not a surprise this renowned restaurant fits the list as they have been earning never-ending accolades for their Italian cuisine which is prepared with fresh and premium quality ingredients. Located on the 13^th floor, it’s a vantage point offering amazing views of the Straits of Johor. On the menu, you can find a wide variety of Italian dishes, but if risotto is your pick, you’re in for a showy treat. Arouse your palate with the ambrosial platter of creamy risotto enhanced with saffron, clams, black mussels, scallops and plump prawns, showered with fresh herbs. The fragrance is spot-on, and you’ll polish the plate clean. 

This feted eatery will have you marveling while walking as it has elegance and grandeur written all over it. Done satisfying your eyes, flip through the menu that offers a medley of Indian and Western delicacies to awe your taste buds. Not to be overlooked is their Squid Ink Risotto, a dish that might widen your eyes yet it’s widely a comfort dish in Italy, boasting with rich flavours. The eye-catching risotto is velvety in texture and generously crowned with slivers of grilled squid with a trace of herbs. What more aesthetic than scarfing down the risotto while ogling at the soothing marina of Puteri Harbour.