At Kioku, you’ll encounter dishes made with top-notch, seasonal ingredients with an emphasis on French nouvelle cuisine. Their fixed Pebbles menu offers the likes of olive pork with sweet potato and mushroom and duck with broad bean and broccolini, while the Meteorite menu – which must be pre-booked at least three days in advance – allows you to experience chef Shawn Shum’s creativity and flair in all its glory. Reservations are a must.

Kioku is at 1-21 Hab Citrine, Sunway Iskandar, 79250 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, +60 11-5502 6828. Visit its website for more information.

For a modern omakase experience to remember, make a booking at Binchotan. This intimate 12-seater restaurant has a sleek and moody ambience, with wooden furnishings, dim lighting and a gleaming marble counter. Take your pick from a range of omakase menus that each spotlight inventive interpretations of Japanese dishes crafted with premium ingredients – think sashimi, handrolls and flavour-packed grilled morsels.

15 Jalan Kuning 2, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, +60 12-588 1918. Visit its website for more information.

In the mood for Indian fare? Make a beeline for Spice Grill near Puteri Harbour International Ferry Terminal, which specialises in both traditional and fusion takes on the cuisine. The extensive menu features dishes like fish marinated with Kashmiri chilli paste cooked in butter gravy; chicken cooked with freshly ground spices and ripened mango; and lamb prepared with tomato, fenugreek and Indian spices.

Spice Grill is at 1B & 4B Little Red Cube, Puteri Harbour, 81300 Iskandar Puteri, Johor, +60 7-509 6644. Visit its Facebook page for more information. 

Rather than just focusing on one type of cuisine, Monaco Dining Restaurant does Italian, French, Spanish and Western dishes – so you’re bound to find something that appeals to your tastes. We suggest ordering the four-course set menu. The current iteration features starters including crab ceviche with avocado and cucumber roll; mains such as sirloin steak with lentils and broccolini; and desserts like bread pudding with banana mousse.

Monaco Dining Restaurant is at 02-09 Block G, Persiaran Southkey 1, 80150 Johor Bahru, Johor, +60 7-336 2622. Visit its Facebook page for more information.

Sushi Shin is a standout spot to partake in a delightful omakase affair. High-quality ingredients and seasonality take centre stage, and tasting menus are offered for both lunch and dinner sessions. If you stop by for lunch, you can select from their tightly curated a la carte options. These include tender and toothsome unagi with foie gras and ikura; cold capellini with Hokkaido uni; and decadent A5 wagyu steak.

Sushi Shin is at 55 Jalan Keris 1, Taman Sri Tebrau, 80050 Johor Bahru, Johor, +60 11-2675 6181. Visit its website for more information.

Reservations-only venue Terroir is inconspicuously nestled within a row of shops near Ponderosa Golf & Country Resort. It just offers counter seating, which gives you a great view of the chef working his magic in the open kitchen. The menu switches up frequently based on what’s in season, though you can anticipate beautifully plated handmade pasta dishes, expertly cooked meats such as lamb, beef and chicken and creative desserts.

Terroir is at 55-01 Jalan Ponderosa 2/2, Taman Ponderosa, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor. Visit its Instagram page for more information.

This charming restaurant serves Mediterranean favourites and is an ideal destination for a meal if you have the kids in tow. They do a two- or three-course set lunch menu, where you can feast on the likes of deep-fried lamb meatballs with gravy and mint aioli; spaghetti with clams, cherry tomatoes and thyme sauce; pan-seared barramundi with couscous salad; and classic margherita pizza.

Sweetwater Mediterranean Bar & Grill is at 116 Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, +60 7-331 4349.

L. Table is a chic and casual establishment with mouth-watering Western dishes. Meat lovers can get the duck confit risotto, grilled A5 wagyu steak or premium New Zealand lamb marinated in fresh herbs and served with French beans, grilled button mushrooms, mashed potatoes and homemade black garlic sauce. Prefer seafood? Sample the miso black cod, seafood risotto or salmon with black olive fried rice.

L. Table is at 64, 66 & 68 Jalan Serampang, Taman Pelangi, 80400 Johor Bahru, Johor, +60 7-339 1333

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