What to Eat at Bottega JB: Menu & Prices
Worth the Causeway crossing? Regulars say yes without hesitating. Bottega JB — the casual Italian restaurant at 8 Jalan Meranti, Taman Melodies, Johor Bahru — has become a pilgrimage spot for Singaporeans chasing proper brick-oven pizza and regional Italian pasta at Malaysian prices: pizzas around RM42, pastas RM34–RM40, and a four-person feast with cocktails landing near RM320 (about S$100).
For Italian cravings without leaving Singapore, the Pizza Hut menu covers the familiar chain end and the Pastamania menu handles everyday pasta — but neither scratches the authentic-Italian itch that sends diners across the border to Bottega. Note: prices here are in Malaysian Ringgit, roughly a third of Singapore prices for equivalent quality.
This guide covers the Bottega JB menu with prices, the standout dishes, and practical FAQs for the cross-border trip.
Bottega JB Menu: Italian Dishes & Prices
The menu runs from antipasti through brick-oven pizzas, regional pastas and slow-cooked mains, with thoughtful dairy-free adaptations of classics. Prices are in Malaysian Ringgit — divide by roughly 3.2 for the Singapore-dollar equivalent. The room shifts from relaxed early dining to a buzzing social scene by 7:30pm.
Pizzas from the Brick Oven
The Picante (RM42) — mozzarella, spicy salami, nduja, red onion, tomato sauce — shows off the brick oven: chewy edges, melty cheese, smoky heat. The Margherita and Formaggiosa round out the classics, all with properly blistered crusts.
| Item | Price (RM) |
|---|---|
| Picante Pizza | 42.00 |
| Margherita | ~38.00 |
| Formaggiosa | ~44.00 |
Pastas & Regional Specialties
Her Carbonara (RM40) — rigatoni with aged pork guanciale and pecorino romano, also available dairy-free — and Malloreddus (RM34), Sardinian gnocchetti with pork sausage in a hearty tomato sauce, are the signatures. Regional Italian cooking beyond the usual carbonara-and-bolognese circuit.
| Item | Price (RM) |
|---|---|
| Her Carbonara (rigatoni) | 40.00 |
| Malloreddus (Sardinian pasta) | 34.00 |
| Pasta Specials | ~36.00 – 44.00 |
Mains & Antipasti
Guancette (RM65) — 36-hour slow-cooked pork cheek in beef jus on mashed potato — is the indulgent main; the beef spinacino also earns mentions. Antipasti include gambas al ajillo (garlic-white wine prawns), parmigiana and eggplant bakes. Ask about the off-menu mushroom soup — dairy-free, earthy, and beloved.
| Item | Price (RM) |
|---|---|
| Guancette (36-hr pork cheek) | 65.00 |
| Beef Spinacino | ~58.00 |
| Gambas al Ajillo | ~38.00 |
| Parmigiana / Eggplant Bake | ~32.00 |
| Mushroom Soup (off-menu) | ~18.00 |
Drinks
The Bellini cocktail is the drink to order with the meal. Malaysian pricing applies across the bar list — cocktails at a fraction of Singapore prices, which is half the reason the 7:30pm crowd is so cheerful.
| Item | Price (RM) |
|---|---|
| Bellini Cocktail | ~28.00 |
| House Cocktails | ~25.00 – 32.00 |
What to Order at Bottega JB
The canonical order: mushroom soup to start (ask — it’s off-menu), Picante pizza (RM42) and Her Carbonara (RM40) to share, Guancette (RM65) if the table is hungry, Bellinis all round. Four people eat like royalty for around RM320 total — roughly S$25 per person for food that would cost triple in Singapore. Prices are approximate and may vary; the Ringgit figures shift with the exchange rate.
Making the Trip
Bottega JB sits at 8, Jalan Meranti, Taman Melodies, 80250 Johor Bahru — a Grab ride from the CIQ checkpoint. Dinner queues build from around 5pm daily, so an early arrival or reservation is wise. Pair it with a JB food-hopping day for maximum value.
Bottega JB Prices at a Glance
Pizzas around RM42, pastas RM34–RM40, slow-cooked mains near RM65, cocktails at Malaysian prices. A full dinner for four — soup, sides, pasta, pizza, steak and cocktails — lands near RM320 (about S$100). By Singapore standards, it is exceptional value for the quality. Prices are approximate and may vary; currency conversion is indicative only.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bottega JB
Conclusion
Bottega JB is the rare cross-border trip that pays for itself in the first course: real Italian cooking, a proper brick oven, and a bill that makes Singapore diners laugh with delight. Go hungry, go early, order the carbonara.
