Shops & restaurants in JB you can’t find in SG
Whether due to exorbitant prices, customer preferences, or the economy, we’ve seen brands shutter outlets in an instant. With how quickly things move in Singapore, it’s no surprise we’ve seen the rise and fall of many retail and restaurant brands.
Luckily, you can still find many of these brands operating in Malaysia. Simply cross the Causeway to get your fix of these shops and restaurants in JB that you can’t find in Singapore.
1. Cold Stone Creamery
Image adapted from: Cold Stone Creamery, Eatbook
With customisable ice cream toppings and a mixing show atop a frozen granite stone, Cold Stone Creamery worked hard to attract customers and stay relevant with the Singaporean market when they were in Singapore, back in the day. They even introduced homemade flavours with a twist such as Nasi Lemak, Chendolicious, and Milo Dinosaur for more local appeal.
Sadly, the American ice cream chain closed down for good after a decade of operations. If you miss their super chunky ice cream, fret not, as you can still get your Cold Stone fix in JB at either KSL City Mall or Paradigm Mall.
2. Tony Roma’s
Image credit: Soph Leow via Blogspot
Tony Roma’s is a family-friendly steakhouse chain restaurant that was well-loved for its baby back ribs, onion loaf, and Romarita drinks. Its tenure in Singapore was long-lived: the restaurant was in operation here from 1992 until they closed down for good only a couple of years ago.
Good news: you can still find them in JB- head down to Komtar JBCC or AEON Mall to find this old favourite and relive your childhood mems.
3. Madam Kwan’s
Image credit: @madamkwans via Facebook
In 2013, Malaysian restaurant chain Madam Kwan’s entered the Singaporean market. Serving up nasi lemak, their own special nasi bojari, and other Malaysian classics, Madam Kwan’s VivoCity outlet was their first venture outside of Malaysia.
Although it’s no longer found in Singapore, the chain is still successful and thriving in Malaysia and has outlets just across the Straits, in JB’s Mid Valley Southkey and Johor Premium Outlets.
4. HARRIS Bookstore
Image credit: HARRIS Bookstores Singapore via Facebook
Owned by local bookshop chain Popular Holdings, the HARRIS bookstore sells books, stationery, and gifts. The brand had several stores in Singapore at its peak but closed for good in 2012.
Today, you can still find HARRIS at AEON Mall in JB. Although, if you’d rather not make the trip, you could always just stick to our regular Popular bookstores right here in Singapore – they’re almost the same.
5. Xing Fu Tang
Image credit: @ezadhfizy via X
Famous Taiwanese boba tea brand Xing Fu Tang has a name that literally means “realm of happiness”, which pretty much sums up the joy of enjoying their brown sugar pearls. Xing Fu Tang rode the global brown sugar craze right into Singapore, where it did well and established several outlets.
As consumer interest waned and the trend died down, the brand exited the market. You can still find many Xing Fu Tang stores across Malaysia, though. If you want some OG brown sugar pearl tea, just swing by Mid Valley Southkey in JB.
6. TGI Fridays
Image credit: Open Rice Singapore
Casual dining chain TGI Fridays serves up a slew of American diner classics like burgers, steaks, and ribs. You might have heard of them, since there were 3 outlets which opened in Singapore back in 2022, before they announced their bankruptcy and shut in late 2024.
The good news is, if you’ve got a hankering for some TGI Fridays, you can pop right over to Mid Valley Southkey in JB to satisfy that craving.
7. Gloria Jean’s Coffees
Image credit: Eatbook
If you are a caffeine enthusiast, you would have heard of Gloria Jean’s Coffees, pipped as a competitor to Starbucks and The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. Their chiller beverages and pastry offerings were reliable go-to’s when they re-entered Singapore in 2022.
However, the chain, like many others, didn’t thrive in Singapore but found favour in Malaysia. Gloria Jean’s Coffees is still a big hit there, so fans can head to JB for their favourite ice blends at the Nong Chik Johor or Menara MBJB outlets.
8. Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt
Image adapted from: Eatbook
Yoghurt rice drink brand Yomie’s Rice x Yogurt was a household name in Singapore, beloved for their yoghurt smoothies. With more than a hundred stores worldwide, the Australian franchise’s signature drinks are typically made with rice grains, fruits, and oats.
They had 5 locations in Singapore but, unfortunately, closed down in recent years. All is not lost, however, because you can still treat yourself to a creamy refresher at their JB outlet in Kulai.
9. Family Mart
Image credit: @familymartmy via Instagram
The Family Mart brand is a popular Japanese convenience store chain, with its iconic blue, white and green logo, that would be familiar to anyone who’s been to Japan.
Although the konbini chain never entered the Singaporean market, it certainly found success in Malaysia with over 270 stores to date. The JB area alone has more than 20, with locations in Mid Valley Southkey, Johor Bahru City Square, and KSL City Mall.
Bonus: Taco Bell
Image credit: All Recipes
Ah, Taco Bell – those were the days. For the OGs who remember, the Tex-Mex store saw a 9-year stint at Funan, jointly brought in with KFC, before regrettably closing in 2008.
Taco Bell technically doesn’t belong on our list this time because they’ve also shuttered in JB. But it still deserves an honourable mention, since you can hoof it a little further inland, where you’ll still find several Taco Bell outlets, like the ones at Berjaya Times Square in KL and AEON Mall Bandaraya Melaka in Malacca.
Shops & restaurants in JB that are no longer found in Singapore
You might be upset about not being able to find these brands and restaurants in Singapore anymore. Thankfully, the trip to JB is so short and convenient that it’s basically an extension of our Little Red Dot. They’re not that far away – we just need to bring along our passports now.
For more reads about shops in JB:
Cover image adapted from: Cold Stone Creamery, @familymartmy via Instagram, Eatbook, Soph Leow via Blogspot