Go where the aroma of good biryani leads you, and it’s likely to lead you to Johor Bahru, Malaysia. Famed as a glorious food paradise at the southern gateway to Malaysia, Johor Bahru—or affectionately known as JB—attracts foodies from all over the world. The city enjoys close proximity to Singapore and is easily accessible via air, land, sea, and rail. Popular for its local cuisine derived from Malay, Indian, Chinese, and ethnic origins, there are plenty of choices to whet your appetite. In fact, the delicious biryani tops the list as an all-time-favourite food in Johor Bahru. Hence, read on to discover the ultimate places for best biryani in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
1. Village Briyani Cafe

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Nothing brings people together like good food, and people flock to Village Briyani Cafe for its excellent biryani specialties. The small yet comfortable cafe offers a cosy dining ambience and packs a crowd on most weekends. Its much-loved Indian biryani is delicately prepared using the finest ingredients, spices, and herbs to create the signature dish. Tuck into a delicious choice of chicken, mutton, prawn, or lamb biryani served with dalca (lentils) curry, raita (yoghurt), whole boiled egg, and acar (pickles). Guests have gushed about the succulent meats that go well with spice-infused rice and enjoyed with a cool lassi drink.
Village Briyani Cafe
Address: 15, Jalan Tun Abdul Razak 1/1, Wadi Hana, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
Opening hours: 12pm - 3pm, 5:30pm - 10pm (daily)
2. The Spice Kitchen

Good food is essential to life, and so is the good biryani served at The Spice Kitchen. The sleek, stylish restaurant has modern interiors that blend Eastern and Western contemporary elements. Known as an authentic Indian, Chinese, and Thai restaurant in Johor Bahru, The Spice Kitchen is famed for its signature Hyderabadi biryani that offers generous portions of lamb served over layers of long-grained basmati rice. Its sweet and savoury flavours, tender meats that fall off the bone, and gravy served in abundance keep customers coming back for more. Further, the restaurant serves a wide variety of fusion Indian dishes to titillate the senses.
The Spice Kitchen
Address: Wisma S P Setia, S3-0120, Jalan Indah 15, Taman Bukit Indah, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor
Website: The Spice Kitchen
Opening hours: 11:30am - 11pm (daily)
3. Amma Restaurant

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Food is symbolic of love, and Amma Restaurant—which mean “mother’s restaurant” in Indian—serves lovely food in abundance. Located in the heart of Johor Bahru, the spacious, air-conditioned restaurant has contemporary interiors and friendly staff. In addition to its wide menu that includes tosai, puri, and scrumptious Indian curries served with rice, Amma Restaurant also serves rich and flavourful lamb biryani. Return customers love the exotic flavours of spices layered with lamb and thick gravy over long-grained rice. Also available are chicken, fish, or vegetable biryani, best enjoyed with a cup of hot masala tea.
Amma Restaurant
Address: 164 A, Jalan Ngee Heng, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
Website: Amma Restaurant
Opening hours: 9am - 10pm (daily)
4. Spice Villa

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Spice up your life with the finest biryani at Spice Villa, a halal modernist Indian cuisine restaurant located in the heart of Johor Bahru. The family-oriented restaurant offers casual dining in a classy setup suited for private get-togethers or festive celebrations. On the menu is a variety of spicy, authentic Indian cuisine, and among the most outstanding is the specialty biryani. Must-try dishes include the mutton biryani and vegetable biryani that are flavourful and served in portions just right for diners. Plain biryani served with sides such as egg, gravy, and acar is also available for light eaters.
Spice Villa
Address: 260, Jalan Dato Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru, Johor
Website: Spice Villa
Opening hours: 11am - 11pm (daily)
5. The Kittengi - Authentic Indian Restaurant
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Dining becomes a pleasurable affair at The Kittengi - Authentic Indian Restaurant, a modest-looking restaurant with comfortable, fully air-conditioned interiors. Serving diverse North and South Indian food, beverages, and sweets, this restaurant also impresses with its lip-smacking biryani. Known for its authentic flavours and rich textures derived from an authentic Indian recipe, the well-known biryani served with luscious sides keeps customers happy. Equally famous is the 21-vegetable biryani that’s one of a kind. Thanks to its central city location, this place is easily accessible to biryani lovers from all over.
The Kittengi - Authentic Indian Restaurant
Address: 10, Jalan Serampang, Taman Tebrau Jaya, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor
Website: The Kittengi - Authentic Indian Restaurant
Opening hours: 10am - 10pm (daily)
6. Bamboo Biryani "Taste & See" Johor Bahru

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Cooking should be approached with wild abandon or not at all, and Bamboo Biryani “Taste & See” Johor Bahru surely cooks up a storm with its unique biryani prepared in tubular bamboo shoots. Thoroughly an enjoyable experience not to be missed, the biryani here is made with the best basmati rice and a perfect blend of spices and cooked in natural bamboo for a smokey, soulful flavour. This modestly decorated restaurant offers a cosy dining ambience to enjoy its variety of biryani—from chicken and seafood to vegetable options. Ditch the cutlery and eat with your hands to better enjoy the biryani and side dishes served on a banana leaf.
Bamboo Biryani "Taste & See" Johor Bahru
Address: 61, Jalan Ibrahim, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
Website: Bamboo Biryani “Taste & See” Johor Bahru
Opening hours: 11am - 7:30pm (daily)
7. Dean Hyderabad Briyani

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Touted as serving the best Hyderabad biryani and fishhead curry in town, Dean Hyderabad Briyani specialises in nasi biryani and Asian cuisine. Located in the Kempas suburb, this hidden gem provides diners a casual and relaxed atmosphere in spacious, airy interiors. Top on the menu is the lamb biryani served with light and fluffy long-grain basmati rice infused with aromatic and flavourful spices. Watch out for a latent spicy kick with every biryani enjoyed, and order the hot masala tea or freshly pressed beverages to complement your meal. Further, the restaurant’s wide range of biryani options makes it ideal for private functions or special events with friends or family.
Dean Hyderabad Briyani
Address: Kuarters TNB, Jalan Dataran Utama, Taman Kempas, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor
Website: Dean Hyderabad Briyani
Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 10:30am - 5:30pm (closed on Sun)
8. Taj Banana Leaf Restaurant

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For a true taste of Indian food, Taj Banana Leaf Restaurant serves authentic Indian cuisine in a relaxed environment styled with home decorations for a warm, cosy ambience. All dishes are prepared using the same natural ingredients used in India, making the original-tasting biryani a popular choice on the menu. Most diners return for the chicken Hyderabadi dum biryani, a local favourite prepared with aromatic spices in a sealed pot and cooked for hours to achieve its great-tasting flavours. Diners also gush about the lamb biryani and mutton biryani with tender, succulent meats mixed with luscious rice. Best of all, meals are served on banana leaves and best eaten using your hands.
Taj Banana Leaf Restaurant
Address: 127, Jalan Austin Heights 3, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor
Website: Taj Banana Leaf Restaurant
Opening hours: 8am -11pm (daily)
9. Abah Beriani House

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Laughter is brightest when food is delicious, and that holds true at Abah Beriani House, where customers enjoy Malay-style biryani at affordable prices. The simple restaurant with contemporary interiors offers a comfortable setting for casual dining and provides catering services as well. Famed for its chicken, beef, and lamb biryani served with delicious sides such as papadom, dalca curry, spiced hard-boiled egg, acar, and drink of choice, this restaurant satisfies even the most voracious appetites. Generous portions, friendly crew, and ample parking spaces make this restaurant popular with diners.
Abah Beriani House
Address: No. 12, Jalan Padi Emas 6/1, Bandar Baru Uda, 81200 Johor Bahru, Johor
Website: Abah Beriani House
Opening hours: 11am - 9:30pm (daily)
10. Restoran Muthu

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Having served authentic Indian cuisine for over 34 years, Restoran Muthu is an all-time favourite restaurant for biryani lovers. Located right in downtown Johor Bahru, this restaurant is famous for its South Indian meals and biryani served on a banana leaf. What customers love are the ample portions, spicy and thick gravy, and reasonable prices for biryani meals. The restaurant is easily accessible as it fronts one of the busiest streets in town, and the simple setting ensures guests are comfortable enough to enjoy the variety of dishes and drinks.
Restoran Muthu
Address: 118, Jalan Trus, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor
Website: Restoran Muthu
Opening hours: 8am - 12am (daily)
Savour the best biryani in Johor Bahru

Life is a combination of good food and magic. Let the magic of good biryani whisk you away to seventh heaven as you go on a culinary journey in Johor Bahru. Ignite your inner foodie and savour the best biryani these restaurants have to offer. After all, it’s the perfect meal for a quick lunch, a party celebration, or a simple gathering of friends.
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