Pelangi and the areas around it like Larkin and Kebun Teh are considered the general town area of Johor Bahru, and has a wide selection of eats to please anyone. It is also well planned out, road wise, especially when you compare it to the jam packed city center where City Square, Komtar and Bazar Karat are located. So here we bring you a list of notable places to eat in and around those areas without having to step foot into the tight streets of the city.
Raw - Brew & Dine
Photo by Burppler Keach Barry
For Poke Bowls
First up would be a cafe along Jalan Pingai. Raw - Brew & Dine is a chic minimalistic eatery that serves up top notch food. Items on their menu include Poke bowls, (like their Salmon Bowl RM24.56, and smoked duck bowl RM18.60), and Burgers (burger ayam berempah, butterfish burger, both RM22.95). The plating and design of each meal is exquisite and you’d be surprised that the price is generally affordable. Being a cafe, you can also expect good coffee, give their espresso (RM8.50) a try and let us know what you think.
Cairo El Arab
Photo by Burppler John Barry
For Authentic Arab Cuisine
Travel a little further out to Majidee and you’ll stumble upon a statue of a camel in front of what looks like a house. Step into that house and be greeted by the most authentic middle eastern food you can find in Johor. Cairo El Arab is run by a family from Yemen, and the most popular dish here is a platter (RM98 for 4 pax), that contains a selection of two types of rice (Mandi and Maklouba) 4 cuts of meat (Choose from mutton or chicken), a salad, and soups. Being a traditional Arabic eatery, you can choose to sit on the floor, which honestly adds to the experience.
Grill Bar Steak House
Photo by Burppler Lee Nicholas J.
For Steaks And Grilled Delights
Here at Jalan Seri Pelangi, lies a store of heavenly steaks. The interior of the store is biker themed, with helmets hanging from the walls and pictures of classic cruisers with their rebellious but stylish riders posing proudly next to their steel stallions. Yes, it might make you want to get a bike of your own, but hold on a minute and bite into their food first. A cut of Angus beef goes for RM12 per ounce, and is the main attraction here, but don’t sleep on their Lamb Rack (RM59) either. For other dishes, try their Paprika grilled sea prawns (RM28), and burrito RM39).
 Kacang Pool Haji
Photo by Burppler Alyssia Yu
For Kacang Pool
If you’re up early and looking for breakfast, head down to Larkin and have some of this Kacang Pool (RM6 for beef, RM9 for Mutton). Made with baked beans, broad beans, minced meat, tomato puree and topped off with a sunny side up, this classic Johor breakfast is sure to leave you full for a while. Other items on the menu include Toast (RM1.50) which you can add Kaya to if you want, Lempeng (RM3 for coconut, RM4 for banana), and Lontong Kering (RM6). Parking is difficult to find, so you might have to walk a bit, which is good, since you can work up an appetite the further you walk.
Banafee Village
Photo by Burppler Alainlicious Eats
Good For Groups
The night life at Taman Abad (Century Garden) livens up as the sun sets, and with it comes eateries that are only open when its dark. Banafee Village is a food court that has a multitude of vendors serving up local, western and even Japanese and Korean cuisine. Despite the selection, customers usually come over for one of their set meals (RM28). These sets include chicken, either cooked in green chilli, or grilled with soy sauce, Ulam (raw vegetables to be eaten with sambal), Tempe, fried tofu, omelette and a vegetable dish of your choice.If you’re alone, try their Ayam Batokok(RM12), a Minangkabau dish made with green chillies, lime and onion.
