Say hello to the month of Ramadhan when the countdown to Hari Raya Aidilfitri begins. In the land of good food, we explore and narrow down the culinary field in Johor Bahru to the seasonal Ramadhan buffets where Malaysian flavours and international delicacies co-exist. Of course, by sifting through this list, fully-booked restaurants will be a thing of the past when you have an advance reservation in your pocket.
1. Infusion Cafe & Restaurant
Credit: kslresorts
What to expect: Ah, there’s nothing more inviting than a freshly cooked meal from the live open kitchen at Infusion Cafe & Restaurant. The food selection is formidable and it features roast lamb ribs, naan bread, wok-fried noodles, nasi padang, pasta and roti john that will have your appetite yearning for a taste of everything. Just remember to leave plenty of room for coconut ice cream shake and kurma juice for dessert.
#HHWT Tip: Score a 10% discount for their ‘Early Berbuka Deal’ and senior citizens (60 years and above) can enjoy a 15% discount from the standard adult rate. Both promos are available from 6 - 16 June 2016.
Where: Infusion Cafe & Restaurant, Ground Floor, KSL Resort, 33 Jalan Seladang, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June - 5 July 2016
Time: Daily: 6:30pm – 10:30pm
Price: Adult - RM100 nett, Child - RM45 nett (5-12 years old)
Reservations: +607 288 2688 or [email protected]
More info: Website
2. Gleneagles Terrace Restaurant
Credit: Pulai Springs Resort
What to expect: Live cooking stalls are part of the charm in this year’s Ramadhan buffet at Gleneagles Terrace Restaurant. With a whopping 100 dishes and 6 rotational menus, there’s plenty of delicious selections to go around. Go for Melaka chicken rice ball, laksa Penang, seafood biryani, barbecued meats and roasted whole lamb for mains then let the chef’s signature soups, from sup gear box to sup ayam, to leave a lasting impression.
#HHWT Tip: Dine from 6 - 13 June 2016 to enjoy an early bird rate of RM90 per adult.
Credit: Pulai Springs Resort
Where: Gleneagles Terrace Restaurant, Pulai Springs Resort, 20km, Jalan Pontian Lama, 81110 Pulai, Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June - 4 July 2016
Time: Daily: 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Price: Adult - RM105, Child - RM52.50
Reservations: +607 521 2121 or [email protected]
More info: Website
3. Fern Pine Cafe
Credit: Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre
What to expect: Rekindle memories of heart-warming Iftar classics with your family and friends at Fern Pine Cafe. If Holiday Villa JB will mirror the selections from their sister franchise, we hope to feast on Japanese sushi, nasi kerabu and roasted lamb this upcoming Iftar.
Credit: Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre
Where: Fern Pine Cafe, Level 9, Holiday Villa Johor Bahru City Centre, No. 260, Jalan Dato’ Sulaiman, Taman Abad, 80250 Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June - 4 July 2016
Time: Daily: 6:30pm - 10:30pm
Price: Adult - RM105 nett, Child - RM65 nett (4-12 years old)
Reservations: +607 290 3388 or [email protected]
More info: Website
4. New York Hotel
Credit: New York Hotel, JB
What to expect: Presented with a contemporary flair, New York Hotel unites the best of traditional recipes and Middle Eastern flavours in their annual Ramadhan buffet. Dine away with lip-smacking selections such as home cooked curries, grilled satays, roasted lamb and not forgetting this year’s special, the durian fritters.
Where: New York Hotel, No.22, Jalan Dato' Abdullah Tahir, 80300 Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June - 5 July 2016
Time: Daily: 6:30pm - 10:00pm
Price: Adult - RM80 nett, Child - RM45 nett (4 - 11 years old)
Reservations: +607 331 1588 or [email protected]
More info: Website
5. Ishwara Asian Brasserie & Terrace
Credit: Le Grandeur, Palm Resort
What to expect: A refreshing concept from the standard buffet dining, Ishwara Asian Brasserie & Terrace’s Gulai Kawah theme is a definite stand-out. Featuring a long line of local curries, rendang and other traditional cuisine served in massive metal woks, this dining experience will definitely ignite your balik kampung excitement this Raya.
Credit: Le Grandeur, Palm Resort
#HHWT Tip: A fantastic promotion for reunions - dine in a group of 9 and an additional guest gets to enjoy the buffet dinner for free.
Where: Ishwara Asian Brasserie & Terrace, Le Grandeur Palm Resort Johor, Jalan Persiaran Golf, Off Jalan Jumbo, 81250 Senai, Johor.
When: 6 June - 5 July 2016
Time: 6:30pm onwards
Price: Adult - RM72, Child - RM42 (below 12 years old)
Reservations: +607 599 6000 or [email protected]
More info: Website
6. Restoran Malay Village
Credit: @malayvillagerestaurant
What to expect: Restoran Malay Village pretty much encapsulates authentic Malay delicacies. With a selection of 40 dishes, expect no-fuss and mouth-watering assam pedas, rendang madura, kambing golek, nasi briyani, sup tulang, ayam panggang, cendol and more.
Credit: Restoran Malay Village
#HHWT Tip: You can perform your Maghrib prayers at Masjid Kolam Air that is located next to the restaurant.
Where: Restoran Malay Village, No. 9A, Jalan Kolam Air, Taman Kolam Air, Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June - 5 July 2016
Time: Daily, 6:30pm onwards
Price: Adult - RM45, Child - RM20
Reservations: +607 221 1221 or +6017 733 7303
More info: Website
7. Grand Paragon Hotel
Credit: Grand Paragon Hotel
What to expect: Presenting a whopping 100 selections this Ramadhan, celebrating Iftar in Grand Paragon Hotel is an unmissable experience. We foresee fragrant curries, nasi biryani, grilled meats and refreshing thirst quenchers coming our way and we’re always open to other surprises.
Credit: Grand Paragon Hotel
#HHWT Tip: During the first week of Ramadhan (until 11 June 2016), enjoy 10% discount on standard rates. If you’re lucky, you might score room and dining voucher giveaways throughout the month.
Where: Grand Paragon Hotel, No.18, Jalan Harimau, Taman Century, 50250 Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June - 5 July 2016
Time: Daily: 6:30pm - 10:00pm
Price: Adult - RM108 nett, Child - RM65 nett (4 - 12 years old)
Reservations: +607 268 5326/5255 or [email protected]
More info: Website
8. Restoran Sri Bayu Perdana
Credit: Restoran Sri Bayu Perdana
What to expect: A departure from the standard buffet layout, Sri Bayu Perdana goes nasi campur-style to give a wisp of freshness in this year’s Ramadhan. We love the inviting placements of ceramic plates that consists of local delights from chicken and fish curries to tasty tempeh.
Credit: Restoran Sri Bayu Perdana
Where: Restoran Sri Bayu Perdana, No. 15 & 17, Jalan Susur Dewata 1, Larkin Perdana, Johor Bahru.
When: 8 June - 4 July 2016
Time: Daily: 2:30pm - 9:00pm
Price: Varies according dish selections
Reservations: +6011 1074 3118 or +6011 1074 2118
More info: Website
9. Olla Restaurant
Credit: Hotel Granada Johor Bahru
What to expect: For days when you can’t decide between an Iftar of Asian classics or international cuisine, leave it to Olla Restaurant to dish out the best of both worlds. The selections are endless here and we certainly have an eye for beef rendang, nasi kerabu, flavourful curries and nasi biryani this year.
Credit: Hotel Granada Johor Bahru
Where: Olla Restaurant, Hotel Granada Johor Bahru, No 55, Jalan Indah 15/2, Taman Bukit Indah, Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June - 3 July 2016
Time: 6:30pm onwards
Price: Adult - RM90 nett, Child - RM48 nett (4 - 12 years old)
Reservations: +607 231 8888 ext 6605
More info: Website
10. Salt 'n' Pepper Cafe Restaurant
Credit: mydeliciousfoods
What to expect: When it comes to Ramadhan buffets, Salt ‘n’ Pepper never fails to impress. If a selection of 100 dishes isn’t enough, the restaurant pushes the number to 150 specialities consisting grilled whole lamb, barracuda fish with sauce, gulai kawah, sup gear box and even, spaghetti goreng mamak. Keep your eyes peeled for durian goreng and traditional Malay desserts that are lurking around the corner.
Credit: Berjaya Waterfront Hotel
Where: Salt 'n' Pepper Cafe Restaurant, Level 5, Berjaya Waterfront Hotel, 88, Jalan Ibrahim Sultan, Stulang Laut, 80300 Johor Bahru.
When: 6 June - 6 July 2016
Opening Hours: Daily: 6:30pm - 10:30pm
Price: Adult - RM88 nett, Child - RM45 nett
Reservations: +607 221 9999 ext 5106
More info: Website
There you have it, folks! And these Ramadhan buffets are just a teaser to the slew of local and international flavours to savour this upcoming month. Whether your cravings lean towards beef rendang and curries or grilled meats and seafood fry-ups, these buffets will definitely broaden your palate to the familiar and new.
Remember to take only as much as you can eat! It's the month of moderation, not of wastage ?