Opened in September 2025, OTTO café is one of the latest cafes in JB to check out on your weekend or holiday getaway. It occupies a plot in a private residential area where many other cafes can be found in the vicinity, making it a good addition into your café-hopping agenda.
The walkway leading to the entrance of the café featured brick-red aesthetics with neat landscaping. Stepping into the inviting and spacious indoor dining space, I could see there was an attention to detail in putting together the interior. From the clever use of contrasting curved and sleek lines, brick and terracotta designs, and primarily orange and grey tones, the space was well-designed like a model house featured in an interior webzine.
With a large glass window at the front and an area with a see-through transparent ceiling, the cafe allowed much natural light to fill the space.
From the selection of drinks, I tried both the coffee and matcha. My preference here was for the Latte (RM14, SGD4), followed by the Mocha (RM14, SGD4) and then Matcha Latte (RM19, SGD6).
If I were to pick my favourite item from the dishes I’ve tried, it would be their Soft Shell Crab Toast (RM35, SGD11) which was also one of their signatures on the menu. I loved the distinct but not overwhelming curry flavour in the dish, which paired well with the creamy egg mayo and crispy and substantial soft shell crab. Non-spicy eaters could also enjoy this dish.
Another main course that was recommended was the Mum’s Aglio Olio (RM38, SGD12) comprising spaghetti, vannamei prawns, chili flakes, confit garlic and ginger flower. The al dente spaghetti packed a garlicky punch.
We also had the Golden Salmon Fillet (RM38, SGD12) which was a fusion Thai dish. The coconut toh kha, green pea, and papaya brought a good balance of sweet, tangy and savoury flavours to the dish.
For the appetizers, you could go for a healthy option such as the Summer Garden Salad (RM23, SGD7) which featured an aesthetic plating of mesclun, yogurt honey dressing, seasonal fruits, and crumbled feta, or you could go for the less healthy but more tantalizing Crispy Cauliflower with Sour Plum Dust and Almond Flakes (RM23, SGD7).
Living up to its namesake, the cauliflower had a crispy batter which and made a crunchy dish together with the almond flakes, while the plum dust gave a sweet-sour edge. As sinful and addictive as it could get.
As a dessert, we had the Tropical Acai Bowl (RM24, SGD8) which featured three small scoops of acai with homemade granola, banana, jackfruit, kiwi, mango, peanut cream, and chia seeds. The acai had a smooth and creamy texture, with notes of dark chocolate and berries.
Meanwhile, I found the OTTO’s Brownie with Toffee Sauce (RM26, SGD8) slightly too dry for my liking.
While the cafe is still new to the scene, the owner is a chef and entrepreneur with experience in cafe operations in Singapore, and that was evident from the overall quality of the food, service and ambiance.
81 Jalan Chengai 80250 Taman Melodies, Johor Bahru, 80250 Johor, Johor Darul Ta’zim, Malaysia
Mon to Fri 10am – 6pm
Sat to Sun 9am – 6pm
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