Bottega Johor Bahru Review – Authentic Italian Tapas, Risotto al Foie Gras & Napoli Beef Sandwich

Inside Bottega JB – deli counter, open kitchen, Italian energy

Bottega Johor Bahru sits comfortably between an Italian deli and a neighborhood trattoria. The open kitchen hums with activity, while a glass counter showcases cheeses and cold cuts—an invitation to start with a board, a spritz, and something salty to nibble on. It’s a casual room with a serious kitchen.

The best starters at Bottega JB

Two standout plates came fast, paired with complimentary tapas bites (a surprise!).

Piquillo Peppers

Soft Spanish Piquillo peppers filled gently and seasoned with intent. Sweet, smoky, savoury—this is a little masterpiece. I would happily travel from Singapore to JB for lunch just to eat these Piquillo peppers; the tiniest slice of anchovy was enough (though I would have loved more), and the goat cheese turned the whole plate into a hole-in-one, especially if you’re someone who enjoys exploring our best French cheese review.

Saor – Rare to find, worth the order

Saor is a Venetian preserved seafood dish that balances onions, vinegar and sweetness. Many restaurants avoid it because it’s not mainstream. Bottega JB serves it with confidence, and it works—tart, savoury, and faintly sweet, echoing the same bold Mediterranean flavour instincts you’ll often find in Spanish restaurants that specialise in tapas.

Tapas surprises

Two complimentary creations arrived: olives and a crispy squid ink tapas ball—black on the outside, creamy and briny inside. These touches build trust with the kitchen.

Main dishes that justify the hype

Beef Spinancino

Lean, flavourful flank cut, cooked medium and served with fennel, leek and a clean lemon sauce. This dish respects Italian restraint—simple, bright, confident, nothing to hide behind.

Risotto al Foie Gras & Burrata (Special Menu)

Rich Carnaroli rice meets a seared slab of foie gras and burrata—fat meets cream meets umami. The red wine reduction ties it together. This is not a diet dish. It’s pure pleasure.

One more dish – Napoli pulled beef sandwich

Skipping dessert first, we ordered the Napoli pulled beef sandwich. It’s outrageous—slow-cooked beef folded into a warm panuozzo-style bread, soft, fatty and deeply seasoned. It’s the dish that says: “Have faith in the chef,” something we also look for when judging Italian restaurants that take pride in their execution.

Non-alcoholic drinks that don’t sacrifice craftsmanship

As a non-alcohol drinker (story for another time), I tried two drinks:

• Limon Spritz – sharp, herbal, refreshing
• Bellina – a touch sweet, but festive and inclusive

Crucially, these felt like real beverages—not soda water with a lime mask. Still, the bar could level up with proper zero-proof spirits (hello, Barnes & Brown 😏).

Gelato & espresso – the elegant ending

Bottega closed the meal with gelato samples and a round of espressos. These gestures matter. They show generosity without needing to sell—and if you’re curious about how these little cups can actually benefit your health, you’ll be pleased to know there are plenty of reasons why coffee is good for you.

Verdict on Bottega Johor Bahru

Bottega JB is a confident Italian kitchen where execution matters more than theatrics. The menu leans on heritage, the starters surprise, and the mains deliver clarity and intention. Add generous extras and capable non-alcohol drinks, and this becomes one of Johor Bahru’s notable Italian addresses—standing proud alongside more formal Italian restaurants worth crossing borders for.