Heard good things about Verbena, and the comparison of their cakes and bread with Lavender so paid them a visit.
The other reviewers have posted lots of photos of their breads and chilled whole and sliced cakes. And I want to say that Verbena's offerings are very attractive.
At just after 1 pm when we visited, there was a line of 12 persons queuing to pay with as many picking up breads on their lined trays (Lavender doesn't line their trays with paper.)
Update on 30 July. Bought a Black Forest cake slice and a lemon tart. The cake wasn't too bad, but the tart was superb. Pastry was crisp, buttery and not soggy as tarts do after sitting out a while.
The lemony taste didn't shock, but was within middle of the road sweet-sour levels that didn't offend.
Black Forest cake was decent, but nothing special.
I picked up a pandan swiss roll (RM 12.80), an almond croissant (RM 5.80), a cheese stick (RM 4.20), a Japanese Kyoto maple bun (RM 4.50), a sticky cinnamon roll (RM 3.80) and a tuna bun (RM 3.80).
The cheese stick was superb - crispy with salty cheesy highlights and a slight sweet finish at the end). You can taste just enough of the maple flavour in the soft Kyoto bun, a nice delicate touch to the soft texture). The tuna bun was chockful of tuna, which made it really good value. The cinnamon roll was a little disappointing, being quite hard when you expect it to be soft. The cassia flavour (not true warm cinnamon notes) was a bit harsh, but it wasn't too sweet and there was a smattering of crushed walnuts. Can skip this in future.
The pandan swiss roll is good value (Lavender cost RM 18.90 for a slightly smaller size) with a good strong pandan scent. The cream isn't fresh cream, more a margarine-type buttercream so better if the cake comes to room temp before consuming.
The whole and sliced cakes are very good value for money with customers lugging boxes out. Will try the sliced cakes next time.
Are the offerings better than Lavender? The breads aren't as soft or as sophisticated as Lavender's, but are good value for their quality. The Swiss roll is definitely worth buying as are the sliced and whole cakes, which I'll try next time. Their chocolate cakes proclaim proudly their Valrhona heritage with cocoa %.
This bakery is definitely worth a visit by cake and bread lovers.
The popular cheese stick is a must-buy and eaten preferably warm...
Read moreVerbena Bakery & Pastries, nestled in Mount Austin, Johor Bahru, is a delightful patisserie that seamlessly blends European charm with Malaysian flavors. Renowned for its artisanal cakes, pastries, and breads, Verbena offers a cozy ambiance complemented by its elegant European-style decor. 
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🍰 Signature Offerings • Fruit Cakes: These are a visual and gastronomic delight, adorned with crunchy sliced almonds and topped with fresh seasonal fruits like mangoes, strawberries, and peaches. The combination of crispy almonds, fresh fruit, and fluffy sponge cake offers a symphony of flavors and textures.  • Strawberry Shortcake: A crowd favorite, this cake features fresh, sweet strawberries paired with rich, creamy whipped cream, striking a perfect balance between sweetness and richness. • Sweet Potato Black Charcoal Bread: A unique offering, this soft bread is filled with sweet potato, making it a standout choice among patrons. 
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🏠 Ambiance
Verbena’s interior exudes a warm and inviting atmosphere, characterized by its European-style design. The use of glass doors and windows allows natural light to flood the space, enhancing its cozy ambiance. The decor, featuring golden chandeliers and antique floral tiles, transports visitors to a quaint European town.  
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🧁 Customer Insights
With a commendable rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on over 1,200 reviews, Verbena has garnered praise for its quality offerings. Patrons highlight the bakery’s fresh and flavorful pastries, generous fillings, and value for money. The durian cake and Hokkaido cupcakes come highly recommended. 
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📍 Practical Information • Address: Austin18, Jalan Austin Perdana 3, Taman Austin Perdana, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia  • Operating Hours: Daily from 10:45 AM to 8:00 PM  • Contact: +60 7-212 1213 
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Whether you’re seeking a delightful dessert experience or a cozy spot to unwind, Verbena Bakery & Pastries in Mount Austin offers a slice of European indulgence in the heart of...
Read moreToday I’m really fuss of the staff. I was about to purchase 8nos. Slices cake to form a complete cake and I mentioned clearly to the “boy”.
1.) Initially the “boy” going to take out all the cakes and exposed. Until I requested him to keep into box first due to hygiene concern. There were customers standing around. Kindly educate your staff to be sensitive in hygiene awareness in future.
2.) I noticed the box for the cake slices is too small. (yellow box) I even told him and his supervisor named (SY) that the toppings of the cakes going to be destroyed by the box. They replied to me it’s standard. Hello? Standard box size is small and crush the cake is “standard”?
3.) I requested the supervisor (SY) for the bigger cake box (Dark Blue transparent box), she replied that box is for whole cake. I said I purchase all 8nos of cakes and the value is equivalent to a whole cake. She insisted cannot and mentioned need to add money for the box which cost me RM5.
I’m really surprised by these response, from hygiene awareness, to box selection for tall cake until the additional cost for the box.
If happen this to you, what do you think? Yes, accept it and let the cake “squeezed”. Since it’s standard box size, no more; and if you want bigger box, please pay for it regardless the qty you’ve spent. What a...
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