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Hidden Garden by the Sea

📍 Kampung Teluk Jawa, Johor

3.5(370 Google reviews)

A small café-restaurant on the Johor coastline at Kampung Teluk Jawa with direct sea views and Instagram-friendly decor. Food quality is inconsistent. Water sports activities are available on-site.

Seaside viewsWater sportsJohor StraitFriendly staffFood inconsistency
★★★★★Featured review by Reena Susikaran

The restaurant sits right by the sea & the scenery was breathtaking. It’s an excellent place to just relax, enjoyed the ambient and the food was good and pricing was reasonable. Went there with my BFF for my Birthday treat ..Very good service and friendly staffs. The restaurant prioritizes safety. The highlight was definitely the view.

🏆 Family Action Verdict

Best for families who want a scenic coastal outing and do not anchor the experience on food quality. Children who enjoy being near the water and watching passing boats get a lot from the setting. Families travelling specifically for a meal should manage expectations — order simpler dishes and focus on the view.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

💡Allow extra travel time — road construction near the venue adds significant delay to GPS estimates
The venue is small — book in advance for weekend visits to secure a waterfront table
🎟️Water sports activities are available if you want an active element beyond dining
🚗Stick to simpler menu items and ask staff about today's availability before ordering

💬 What Families Are Saying

View all reviews →
3.5

370 Google reviews

Stunning waterfront location55%
Staff friendliness and attentiveness25%
Food quality inconsistency20%
R

Reena Susikaran

8 months ago

The restaurant sits right by the sea & the scenery was breathtaking. It’s an excellent place to just relax, enjoyed the ambient and the food was good and pricing was reasonable. Went there with my BFF for my Birthday treat ..Very good service and friendly staffs. The restaurant prioritizes safety. The highlight was definitely the view.

S

Selina Loke

a month ago

It's secluded and hidden away on the cosy seaside bank as the name suggested. Right across the straits is Singapore and further down on the left is the water gateway to Pulau Ubin. Not a big place but a cosy seaside restaurant that provides some water sports activities. A good place to book for a small gathering or party. The food is quite reasonable price and good. Friendly boss and staffs.

D

Denise Han

4 months ago

A café right by the sea. Staff were friendly and attentive, but it felt a bit stuffy on a Friday afternoon. The food was great, and the view from the window was honestly the highlight. It’s a nice spot to chill if you don’t mind the warm air. Also a good place to take photos after your meal and a lovely place to bring family.

M

Mico Yohanes

7 months ago

Our visit to what is purported to be a "hidden gem" in Johor Bahru left us with mixed feelings, with more of the latter than the former. While the restaurant has clearly put effort into its aesthetic, the overall dining experience fell short of expectations, particularly in key areas that matter most: food and cleanliness. The food quality was a significant letdown. My Maryland Chicken arrived with an unappetizingly thick layer of grease, making it difficult to enjoy what should have been a simple, classic dish. The chicken burger also failed to impress, lacking in flavor and overall quality. The food and drink prices feel unjustified given the poor execution and ingredients. It's disappointing when the cost doesn't align with the value received, especially for what is meant to be a special dining spot. The ambiance, unfortunately, was a major concern. While the outdoor seating area had potential, it was marred by a serious cleanliness issue. Finding what appeared to be animal droppings near our table was unsettling and instantly ruined the atmosphere. This kind of oversight is a deal-breaker and speaks volumes about the restaurant's hygiene standards. The location itself is also a drawback. It's a bit far from the main city areas, and the ongoing road construction makes the journey difficult and inconvenient. On a positive note, the restaurant's main redeeming quality is its visual appeal. The property is filled with numerous "Instagrammable" spots, with interesting decor and thoughtful design that make it a great place for photos. Additionally, the service provided by the staff was genuinely humble and kind. They were attentive and polite, a welcome contrast to the other issues we encountered. While the beautiful decor and friendly service were appreciated, they were not enough to outweigh the significant problems with the food, price, and most importantly, the cleanliness of the dining area.

Reviews from Google

Overview

Hidden Garden by the Sea occupies a secluded coastal spot where the Johor Strait separates Malaysia from Singapore and Pulau Ubin. The waterfront setting is the primary draw — the view across the strait is genuinely striking. The venue is small and suits intimate bookings. Water sports activities are available for families who want an active component. Food quality is variable across visits, with raw chicken flagged in one review. Access requires navigating ongoing road construction.

🕐 Opening Hours

Monday09:00 – 00:00
Tuesday09:00 – 00:00
Wednesday09:00 – 00:00
Thursday09:00 – 00:00
Friday09:00 – 00:00
Saturday09:00 – 00:00
Sunday09:00 – 00:00

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