Desaru sits on the South China Sea, so fresh fish, prawns, crab, and squid are the default here, not the specialty. Below are 10 places worth the drive, most of them locally run, a couple attached to the bigger resorts.
Common dishes worth knowing before you go: grilled fish marinated in herbs and spices, steamed prawns served with dipping sauces, sambal squid cooked with chili paste and lemongrass, butter crab as an alternative to chili crab, curry fish head, sweet and sour fish, and stir-fried clams with garlic and chili.
In Sungai Rengit fishing village, about 30 minutes from Desaru Coast, this is one of the most visited spots for seafood in the area. Crowd favorites include Lobster with Special Broth, Deep-fried Squid, Chili Crab, and Grouper steamed Hong Kong style. They also do a few solid non-seafood dishes, Salted Egg Chicken and Sizzling Tofu among them.
The Super Lobster Restaurant in Sungai Rengit is one of the most popular restaurants that locals and tourists go to for seafood when in Desaru.
Restaurant details:
Address: 7, 9 & 11, 1 Jalan Jenahak, Kampung Sundai Rengit, 81620 Pengerang, Johor
Opening Hours: 11.00am to 10.00pm Daily
Contact: +60 166630690
Also in Sungai Rengit, known for large portions at fair prices. Australian lobster is the draw, alongside crab, shellfish, squid, and oysters.
Restaurant details:
Address: Lot 4785, 1 Jalan Siakap, Kampung Sungai Rengit, 81620 Pengerang, Johor
Opening Hours: 11.00am to 3.00pm & 5.00pm to 10.00pm Tuesdays to Fridays
Contact: +60 78265460 / +60177945695
A short 5 minute drive from Bandar Penawar, with indoor and outdoor seating. Worth ordering Salted Egg Yolk Crab, King Prawns, Deep-fried Squid, and Stir-fried Scallops.
Nelayan Seafood is located a short 5 minutes away from Bandar Penawar, so be sure to head over to Nelayan Seafood after your visit to Desaru Coast!
Top picks at Nelayan Seafood by the Coast includes Salted Egg Yolk Carb, King Prawns, Deep-fried Squids, Site-fried Scalops, and many more.
Restaurant details:
Address: Jalan Desaru, Tunamaya Beach & Spa Resort (Desaru Coast, Bandar Penawar, 81930 Johor)
Opening Hours: 12.00pm to 3.00pm & 5.00pm to 11.00pm Daily
Contact: +60 78338803
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Just off Desaru Coast in Teluk Sengat, useful to know if you're also stopping at Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm the same day. Try the Nyonya Steam Fish, Thai-style Fried Fish, Butter Lobster, and the Sengat Special Noodle.
Top picks at Sengat Seafood Restaurant includes Nyonya Steam Fish, Thai-Style Fried Fish, Steam Fresh Squid, Butter Lobster, Chili Crab and the definitely must-try Sengat Special Noodle.
Restaurant details:
Address: No 58, Jalan Belanak, Teluk Sengat, Kota Tinggi 81900 Ayer Tawar, Johor
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 10.00pm Daily
Contact: +60 138897798 / +60 197915116
Inside Lotus Desaru Beach Resort and Spa, a solid pick if you're staying there. The menu leans into local and Thai fusion with occasional Korean influence, and you get a coastline view while you eat.
Rhu Seafood Restaurant is well known for their Local and Thai fusion cuisine that are constantly trying out newer recipes with fusion of other cuisine such as Korean cuisine.
Another plus point of dining at Rhu Seafood Restaurant is that you get to take in the breathtaking view of Desaru coastal line, while enjoying your dinner.
Restaurant details:
Address: Lot 1854, Lotus Desaru Beach Resort & Spa (Jalan Desaru, Bandar Penawar 81930, Johor)
Opening Hours: 11.00am to 10.30pm Mondays to Thursday / 11.00am to 12.00am every other day
Contact: +60 78842800 / +60 122450881
Website / Facebook / Instagram
Located in the center of Desaru, Desaru Seafood Corner offers a wide selection of seafood delicacies.
Central Desaru, a wide selection covering Black Pepper Crab, Chili Crab, Salad Lobster, Pumpkin Lobster, and Scallops.
Restaurant details:
Address: 10-1, 9-01, 8-01, Jalan Semarak 1, Taman Desaru Utama, Bandar Penawar, 81930 Johor
Opening Hours: 11.00am to 10.00pm Daily
Contact: +60 78861137
A local kopitiam, not a seafood restaurant on the surface, but the seafood dishes hold up against the bigger names on this list. Worth knowing about if you want something less formal.
Restaurant details:
Address: Jalan Kempas 1, Taman Desaru Utama, 82200 Bandar Penawar, Johor
Contact: +60 78861977 / +60 197878668
A smaller, family-run spot known for salted egg lobster, fried squid, and cereal prawns. Clean, spacious setting, works well if you're eating with a group.
Inside Four Points by Sheraton Desaru. The international seafood buffet is the main draw, with Malaysian fusion dishes and grilled seafood specials alongside it. A useful option if part of your group wants seafood and part wants something else.
Poolside at Muara Lagoon, with a "catch of the day" format where you pick your own fish. Also does garlic butter seabass, grilled lamb, and a pandan dessert if you want something outside seafood.
Google Rating: 4.6
Several of these, Sungai Rengit and Teluk Sengat especially, sit outside central Desaru Coast, so a private car is the easier way to string more than one together in a day without doubling back. See our full breakdown on Singapore to Desaru Private Car Hire for pricing and booking.
Depends what you're after. Super Lobster Restaurant and Jade Garden are the two most visited names in Sungai Rengit village. Kedidi is the pick if you want a resort setting with a pool view.
Prices vary by restaurant and by what you order, lobster and crab cost more than fish and squid everywhere. 899 Good Restaurant and Desaru Seafood Corner are generally the more affordable options on this list.
Yes. Sengat Seafood Restaurant is close to Teluk Sengat Crocodile Farm, and several of the Sungai Rengit restaurants are a short drive from the fishing village itself, which is worth a walk before or after your meal.
For most of them, yes. Sungai Rengit and Teluk Sengat are outside the main Desaru Coast resort area, and a private car makes it easier to visit more than one spot without retracing your route.
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