JB has quickly regained the top spot as Singaporeans’ go-to destination for short weekend getaways. If regular shopping malls are now “been there, done that”, hop into a cab and venture towards its outskirts to visit Eco Springs Lab.
Nestled in Eco Spring, a quiet cluster of terrace houses at Jalan Ekoflora Utama, Eco Spring Labs is a convenient retail hub. A playground modelled after a construction site and aesthetic cafes are just some of the things to do here.
As you approach Eco Spring Labs, it’s as if you’ve teleported out of Malaysia and into a charming European town, a lot like what you’d see in Costa Nova, Portugal.
Unobstructed by towering trees or buildings, the low-rise shophouses and well-tended gardens against blue skies look like they’ve been pulled from a magazine.
Take your time to explore the stores here along the winding paths. Besides the colourful shopfronts, there’s no end to photo spots around the area – like rainbow benches, Ferris wheel, and steam engine trains.
From as early as 7am, you’ll be able to pick up brekkie from Good Morning – a Taiwanese cafe. You won’t miss it as the eatery is clad in bright red and white stripes. For a hearty breakfast, check out their signature Taiwanese sandos (from RM8.90, ~S$2.59). Or, have noodle dishes for something more substantial, and top it off with a cuppa joe.
Alternatively, arrive later and look for Baroka Delight. This halal cafe sports blue stripes on its exterior, and patrons can come by from 10am onwards to munch on Malaysian fare and kuehs.
IG-ers can add Morihana Pastry and Soil to their cafe-hopping list. These cafes sport unique shopfronts that resemble a greenhouse and a forest cottage, respectively.
Image adapted from: @bow_bowa & @_rosalesophia via Instagram
Morihana is a bakery that makes Insta-worthy cakes and fruit tarts daily. Those with a sweet tooth and who like to try something new should try the mix of caramel apple and lime apple mousse, Azure (RM24, ~S$6.98), or their Rose Watermelon Cake (RM20, ~S$5.81). Get a pot of tea (from RM9, ~S$2.61), too, for the perfect afternoon treat with your BFFs.
Over at Soil, the cafe sticks to a garden theme with vines strewn all over the exterior, while the interior has a variety of plants on display. Aside from typical cafe items like croissants, the bevs come with a twist for caffeine addicts, like the Matcha Espresso (RM17, ~S$4.94).
When the gang has had their fill, walk off the calories in search of shopping stores like Intan Aziz for traditional fits for the ladies – like baju kurung and head scarves. Folks looking to get new eyewear pieces can make their way to Hoot Optical for trendy frames. They’ve also got regular promos in-store, so you might score yourself a good bargain here.
Good Morning
Opening hours: Wed-Mon 7am-3pm (Closed on Wednesdays)
Contact: +60 11 3333 5251 | Good Morning Facebook
Morihana Pastry
Opening hours: Tue-Sun 12pm-7pm (Closed on Sundays)
Contact: +60 16 766 5613 | Morihana Pastry website
Soil
Opening hours: 9am-6pm, Daily
Contact: +60 17-392 1148 | Soil website
Intan Aziz
Opening hours: 10am-7pm, Daily
Contact: +60 12 771 9529 | Intan Aziz website
Hoot Optical
Opening hours: 11.30am-9pm, Daily
Contact: +60 11-6972 3685 | Hoot Optical Facebook
Parents would’ve heard of Diggersite in Singapore. The same folks behind the Yishun playground have set up shop in JB, too. Diggersite at Eco Spring Labs hosts kiddos who’re fans of construction-themed play à la Bob The Builder.
For RM30/child (~S$8.74), youngins get access to kid-sized machinery, like excavators and bulldozers, to claw and dig around the sandpit. A plethora of plastic shovels and buckets are also available for building sandcastles or whatever they wish.
Image credit: Eco World
A 30-minute ride from JB customs takes you to Eco Spring Labs’ hoard of activities, F&B, and attractions that locals and tourists alike will enjoy. The aesthetic retail park is chock-full of things to see and try out, enough for a day’s itinerary. From cafe-hopping to rainbow photo ops, best bookmark Eco Spring Labs for your next weekend getaway to JB.
Opening hours: Mon-Thu 9am-6pm
Address: Jalan Ekoflora 1, Taman Ekoflora, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia.
Contact: +607 364 2552 | Eco Springs Lab website
Read our other articles about JB:
Cover adapted from: @serynadyaaa, @_rosalesophia, & @jiaxianlee_ via Instagram
Originally published on 14th June 2022. Last updated by Haizreen Natasha on 7th November 2023.
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