Johor Bahru’s cafe scene gives us plenty of reasons to cross the border, but venture slightly further from the usual cafes around City Square and you will find PODD, a quiet two-storey cafe tucked away in Taman Austin Perdana.
Located near the Mount Austin area, PODD takes a slower approach to the typical cafe experience. Think concrete walls, wooden furnishings and an understated industrial interior, with a space that feels noticeably removed from the busier parts of Johor Bahru. We took a Grab over during our recent trip and spent the afternoon chatting over matcha, tea and desserts.
A slower side of Johor Bahru’s cafe scene
Stepping inside, PODD feels intentionally pared back. The two-storey space combines raw concrete with warm wooden furniture, while the first floor houses its coffee and matcha bar, where you can watch the drinks being prepared.
More than the aesthetics, however, it was the atmosphere that stood out during our visit. Quiet and peaceful, this is the sort of cafe that lends itself well to a slower afternoon, whether you are catching up with someone or simply looking for somewhere to linger between plans.
Come for the matcha
Matcha is one of PODD’s draws, and the cafe has previously offered three different grades: Ajisai, Kiku and Ren.
We went with the Ajisai Matcha, which delivered exactly what we wanted from a matcha latte. It was strong enough for the tea to remain prominent, while still being creamy and easy to drink. For anyone who prefers their matcha more pronounced rather than being lost underneath the milk, this is one we would happily order again.
PODD also serves coffee and tea, though on this visit, the matcha was easily the drink that left the stronger impression.
Save room for the desserts
The dessert counter is another reason to visit PODD. We tried two during our visit: the Strawberry Shortcake and Cherry Tart.
The strawberry shortcake keeps things familiar, with soft sponge, cream and strawberries making it an easy accompaniment to a drink.
Our pick, however, was the Cherry Tart. Sweet and slightly tart cherries are paired with a darker, bitter chocolate ganache, creating enough contrast to stop the dessert from becoming overly sweet. The bitterness of the chocolate worked particularly well against the fruit, making this the dessert we would return for.
Better yet, pair it with the matcha. The richness of the chocolate and tartness from the cherries sit surprisingly well alongside the stronger tea notes of the Ajisai Matcha.
Is PODD Cafe worth visiting?
PODD may require a slightly longer journey if you are coming directly from the Johor Bahru checkpoint, but we think that is also part of its appeal.
Rather than another cafe to squeeze into an already packed JB itinerary, PODD feels better suited to an afternoon when you have nowhere else to rush to. Come for a strong matcha, order the Cherry Tart on the side and give yourself some time to linger.
If your next Johor Bahru trip takes you towards Mount Austin, this is one cafe worth saving.
PODD
Address: B-03, LOT 120122, Jalan Austin Perdana 1, Taman Austin Perdana, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Opening hours:
Monday, Tuesday & Thursday: 11am to 9pm
Friday to Sunday: 11am to 11pm
Wednesday: Closed
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