Tosca Italian Trattoria

Tosca Italian Trattoria operates out of the DoubleTree by Hilton in Bandar Johor Bahru, offering a sleek, classy dining room that frequently hosts anniversaries and special occasions. The service is undeniably the star of the show here. Staff members like Nelisha and Shaqirah consistently draw heavy praise for their personalized attention, deep menu knowledge, and proactive handling of dietary restrictions. If you visit during Sunday lunch, expect a surprisingly quiet, almost private dining atmosphere compared to the usual weekend dinner rush.

The kitchen shines brightest when executing Italian fundamentals. The Tagliere misto delivers a generous, high-quality spread of cured meats and artisanal cheeses paired with toasted bread. Pasta dishes also hit the mark; the Linguine Aglio Olio boasts a perfect al dente bite and a vibrant garlicky finish, while the Carbonara pasta remains a heavy favorite among regulars. Diners consistently enjoy the complimentary focaccia bread, though it occasionally arrives cooler than ideal.

Execution on heavier mains and specific sides shows occasional inconsistency. The Rib Eye—available as an Angus or dry-aged cut—achieves a respectable sear but sometimes suffers from under-seasoning. The Quattro Stagioni pizza draws mixed reactions, with some finding its segmented design disjointed despite the quality ingredients. Dessert execution is similarly divided; while the Panna Cotta provides a velvety, stable finish, the Tiramisu leans creamy but lacks the profound, coffee-soaked punch expected at this price point.

The restaurant operates daily with strict split shifts, running lunch from 12:00 PM to 2:30 PM and dinner from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM. Given the upscale hotel setting and focus on premium ingredients like dry-aged beef and halibut, expect to pay standard fine-dining rates. It remains a reliable, highly photogenic choice for couples seeking a memorable, service-forward celebration in central JB.