Flowers in the Window @ Jalan Dhoby, Johor Bahru

Flowers in the Window sounds so poetic that I want to check it out. It's only on our second cafe-hopping trip in Johor Bahru that we found this cafe, which happens to be the other brainchild from the founders of Roost, Bev C and Sea & Saw and happens to sit just beside Roost. Okay, we admit, our eyes tah stamp. Being an occasional JB-cafe-hopper, I gotta admit that Jalan Dhoby and Jalan Trus still seem like a maze to me. Anyway. Opened in early 2016, Flowers in the Window has attracted many cafe-goers for two main reasons.

1. Insta-worthy ambience with dried flowers hanging everywhere.

2. It's a cafe in JB so I gotta visit if not I am gonna lose out to my hipster cafe-hopper friends.

The Replacement - Lodge & Kitchen, Johor Bahru

Cafe-hopping in Singapore might burn a hole in your wallet, but at Johor Bahru, you get to leverage on the currency, and yes, that means you get to eat great food at 1/3 the price. On our recent trip, we had plans to visit Coffee Valley, but was disappointed that it was in the process of moving to Sutera Mall (update: they are opened now at Sutera Mall!). We decided to explore around the corner and found another gem - The Replacement instead (how apt, because it actually replaces one of our cafe-hopping location).

This dainty, modern cafe sits at a prominent spot in Jalan Dhoby (aka Jalan Cafe or Jalan Hipsters, just kidding) and features an exterior of clean white walls - now this is worth mentioning because buildings are generally old and torn down around the area. To start off, The Replacement is seriously, and I'm saying it with a serious face, seriously insta-worthy. OMG, damn it, just look at this.

The Bravery Cafe @ Horne Road, Singapore

The Bravery Cafe - it has been a while since I been on a cafe-hopping trip, and my recent expedition has brought me to this dainty cafe located at Horne Road. If you have no idea where is that, it is totally walkable (3-4 minute) from Lavender MRT station. When you're strolling along Horne Road, do keep a lookout for an exterior of red and yellow acrylic wall - not really glamourous just like its industrial worn-out interior - but it provides a good environment for a weekend chill out. 

Coffee: NOWHERE @ West Coast Plaza, Singapore

When Coffee: Nowhere came to occupy the huge, empty space left by Fish & Co during mid-2014, I was like "Hallelujah,  praise the good Lord, now we have more cafes in my vicinity". However, it was not until recently that we decided to have our lazy Saturday brunch at this Malaysia-based cafe. Their interior was spacious, with their kitchen and counter right in the middle. Unlike many cafes which discourage diners to chill and study there, Coffee: Nowhere have more than enough seats due to their spacious concept. But when all the seats are packed and you're the only one mugging on your lecture notes, be automatic a bit lah. By the way it is Coffee "Now Here", not Coffee "No where" hor. 

La Baguette @ Naklua-Pattaya, Thailand

Situated along Naklua road in Northern Pattaya, La Baguette is obviously a French-style (because they "la" almost everything) patisserie and cafe that serves top-notch brunch and desserts. We were there during one god-darn hot Saturday and was relieved to sink our asses down on the cushioned seats in the air-conditioned area. If you enjoy the heat of Pattaya or happened to be there when it's cooler, you could sit outside in their al-fresco dining area. With its delectable specialities they have to offer, it is not difficult to comprehend the crowd-size that mostly includes tourists and locals (from Bangkok).

La Baguette is opened in 1998 by Woodlands Group, which owns a number of restaurants and hotels, including La Ferme and Woodlands Hotel and Resort (located just beside La Baguette). I swear I wouldn't mind eating here everyday during my stay, it would probably take weeks to try out everything given their wide array of breads, crepes and other pastries. Oh, they sell some really cutesy sweets and cookies, which are really perfect for gifts. 

Provision Shop @ Everton Road, Singapore

We were on a cafe-hopping trip at Everton Park, where dozens of hidden gems reside, when we dropped by Provision Shop, a charming and humble cafe, furnished with trendy wooden furniture amidst a tinge of nostalgia - even the name of the cafe struck me with sentiments from my childhood days. They even used the milo tin for tips!

Artistry @ Jalan Pinang, Singapore

Hello hungry people! Sorry for the lack of updates these few weeks as university and work are really time-consuming, and I had to set my priorities right. So, anyway Christmas is once again around the corner, and I will most probably do up a Christmasy post soon. Please look forward to it!

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Nestled along Jalan Pinang, a quiet lane tucked away in the midst of Kampong Glam, Artistry is a cafe, which specialises in art and food. As one could have expected, the decor was cozy, with a great creativity amidst the aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Artistry serves as a platform for art-lovers, featuring live bands and an art gallery with paintings which are up for sale.

Coffee Valley @ Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru

Like its name literally suggests, Coffee Valley is a quaint cafe located at an (v)alley off Jalan Trus, a stretch of road which inhabits old-fashioned shop-houses and eateries, such as the Faculty of Caffeine. With the aroma of freshly grounded coffee beans whiffing through the air and soft music serenading in the background, it is no wonder why this cafe never fails to attract both regulars and newcomers.

Faculty of Caffeine @ Jalan Trus, Johor Bahru

Situated along Jalan Trus, Faculty of Caffeine (FOC) is the brainchild of two childhood buddies, Vinc and Edward, who are both enthusiasts of coffee and design. The exterior is difficult to be missed, with its hipster-matte-looking black-and-white signboard set upon walls of pastel blue. Given that most of the shop-houses along the stretch were unfurnished and old-fashioned, FOC sure sticks out like a sore thumb.

As expected, its interior were designed with no less thoughts. With a combination of chic and vintage, it allows a cosy space for timeless furniture, such as a vintage sewing machine and a huge mirror with Chinese characters, completed with artwork designed by the owners - a place where coffee meets art.