Best cafes in Kulai
Planning a day trip? Read our one-day Kulai Johor itinerary here.
Over long weekends, theres no doubt that Singaporeans will flock over the Causeway for shopping and dining. JB is one popular destination but did you know that just 30 minutes down the road is another hidden gem to uncover?
We took a trip down to Kulai, Johor and found plenty of food, ranging from traditional coffee shops (with top-notch Nanyang coffee) to gorgeous concept cafes. Rivalling even the best ones in JB and Singapore, here are our top 6 cafes to visit in Kulai:
1. Rainforest Treehouse Cafe: be immersed in nature
Safe to say, there are few experiences like this in Singapore. Nestled in a real forest, the Rainforest Treehouse Cafe is a three-storey treehouse, with suspended netting on each storey that you can relax on and watch the clouds drift by.
Stepping into the space, we were greeted by free-roaming chickens, cats and dogs; all politely minding their own business while customers strolled in.
Apart from the unique interior, their full-fledged kitchen serves up delicious mains and baked goods. Enjoy specialities like their pastas, brunch dishes, homemade pastries and refreshing drinks.
Truly an oasis away from the city, the space doesnt allow for large crowds. To avoid disappointment, be sure to book a slot in advance on their booking site!
Hutan Lipur Gunung Pulai, 25 Jalan Air Terjun Kg Sri, 81000 Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
Directions: Google maps | Waze
Opening hours: 9:00am – 3:30pm (Wed – Friday) 8:00am – 4:30pm (Sat – Sun). Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Contact: +60 11-6203 0258 | Facebook | Instagram
Must book to reserve: https://letsumai.com/widget/rainforest-tree-house-cafe/
2. Good Husband Patisserie: delicate desserts
Have a sweet tooth? Good Husband Patisserie features French- and Japanese-inspired desserts, including classics like artisan cakes, tarts and swiss rolls. They also serve up unique limited edition specials depending on the season, so there are always new things to try.
Image credit: Good Husband Patisserie
Featuring white and wood tones, the cafe interior is a welcome respite from the heat. Plus, its only a 5-minute walk from our recommended Yong Juan Hin Coffee Shop, making this cafe an ideal post-lunch dessert stop.
Image credit: JB City Guide
Good Husband Patisserie
Address: 47, Lorong Ismail, Taman Kulai, 81000 Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
Directions: Google maps | Waze
Opening hours: 11am – 6pm.
Contact: +60 018-788 8962 | Facebook | Instagram
3. Fat Bamboo Cafe: uniquely bamboo-themed
A bamboo forest sounds like a destination out of Korea or China, but just a 15-minute drive from Kulai lies Putuo Village. Just getting to the Fat Bamboo Cafe, youll walk through a serene village surrounded by lush greenery not the usual tropical trees, but the rare sight of slender bamboo.
At the cafe itself, the experience gets even better! From bamboo furniture to bamboo cups, you can enjoy your sweet treats in a space filled with natural light and calming ambience. Youll be spoilt for choice between the assortment of cakes, soft serves and drinks, going at around RM10 per item.
Image credit: Putuo Village
Want to spend more time in this bamboo forest? Read more about exploring Putuo Village here.
Fat Bamboo Cafe
Address: 1488 Jalan Kampung Felda Taib Andak Off, 94, 81000 Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
Directions: Google maps | Waze
Opening hours: 9:30am – 5:30pm.
Contact: +60 11-2200 1818 | Facebook
4. Three And A Half: comforting and affordable
Cafes normally serve desserts and Western fare, but Three And A Half caters to those with a taste for something more traditional. Keeping with the theme of Kulai Old Street which has plenty of old-school options, you can expect yummy kopi, soft-boiled eggs, porridge and toast from this cafe.
Image credit: JB City Guide
That said, we recommend trying the unique toast options, such as otah cheese, hawaiian and kaya peanut. They all go under RM10, making it a super budget-friendly breakfast, lunch or tea time option.
Image credit: Three and a Half
Three And A Half
Address: 38, Lorong Ismail, Taman Kulai, 81000 Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
Directions: Google maps | Waze
Opening hours: 8am – 4pm.
Contact: +60 12-972 4428 | Facebook
5. Origin Cafe: IG-worthy aesthetic
Image credit: Origin Cafe
If youre excited by cafe ambience and stylish interiors, Origin Cafe should be on your list! The pink pastel hues make for IG-worthy photo spots, complete with uniquely-shaped seating and furniture.
?Image credit: Origin Cafe
Even the food is photo-worthy, featuring speciality desserts and afternoon high tea sets. With a menu that includes cakes, croissants and handcrafted drinks, theres something for everyone and every budding influencer.
Origin Cafe
Address: 41, Lorong Ismail, Taman Kulai, 81000 Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
Directions: Google maps | Waze
Opening hours: 11am – 8pm (Closed on Monday).
Contact: +60 12-963 2100 | Facebook | Instagram
6. Cafe JuFei: travel back in time
With vinyl records and old books at every corner of this haunt, Cafe JuFei takes you back in time. Youll find plenty of interesting trinkets from 1980s to keep you occupied for the afternoon if not, the smell of coffee and freshly made bread will do just the trick.
Other than the interior, the latte art is also something to look out for! The owner is a skilled barista and chef; he serves up delicious, western-style coffee and other small dishes like bread, pastries and cakes. All in all, a cafe worth visiting especially if youre on Kulai Old Street, which is right around the corner.
3D, Jalan Ismail, Taman Kulai, 81000 Kulai, Johor, Malaysia
Directions: Google maps | Waze
Opening hours: 11am – 6pm (Closed on Monday).
Contact: +60 10-668 4458 | Facebook | Instagram
Cafe hopping in Kulai Johor
Its time to add Kulai Johor to your list of places to visit! After visiting the area, we find that its definitely worth the additional 15 minutes of driving from JB Sentral. Not only do you avoid the bulk of crowds, but you also get the full cafe hopping experience.
Besides, other than hitting up amazing cafes, theres plenty to do in Kulai Johor. Or, if you just want some quiet time to recharge, theres nothing wrong with holing up and chilling in one of these cafes over the weekend. Cosying up with a cup of coffee has never been more relaxing, affordable and aesthetically pleasing all at the same time.
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