Jaga Café brews coffee and community amidst greenery

There’s nothing quite like a morning run through the lush greenery of Perdana Botanical Gardens. And after working up a sweat, what better way to recharge than with a good cup of coffee?

Newly opened amidst the greenery of the gardens, Jaga Café offers visitors a place to rest their legs, catch their breath and enjoy a well-earned cuppa before heading home.

The café is a 15-minute stroll from the gardens’ main car park. Those looking for a shorter walk can park at the nearby National Planetarium, while visitors coming from the National Museum can reach Jaga by traversing the pedestrian tunnel close by.

Co-founders Brandon Lee and Daniel Woodroof believe Jaga Café is the perfect place for people to escape the ravages of the rat race, and connect with each other.

“Community is everything. I think as we get more and more digital, people are looking for more excuses to get offline and connect, and this park has provided so many opportunities for that for over a hundred years now,” Woodroof told FMT Lifestyle.

Lee and Woodroof are perhaps better known as the co-founders of award-winning marketing agency Pandan Social, with Woodroof recently named one of six Malaysians on the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia 2026 list.

Beyond their work in marketing, however, the duo has long been passionate about community development. They are also avid visitors to Perdana Botanical Gardens, frequently heading there for runs and recreation.

When they came across the unused Teratai Kiosk in the gardens, they immediately recognised its potential as the community space they had envisioned. Jaga Café officially opened its doors in June this year.

Since then, it has hosted a plethora of exciting activities, ranging from yoga and birdwatching events to runs and talks about tropical architecture.

Jaga invites visitors to sit back and enjoy a selection of scrumptious light bites. Alternatively, grab a mat, find a shady spot and turn your coffee break into a leisurely picnic in the park.

The egg mayo croissant is a light and satisfying post-run snack that pairs nicely with a latte or the zesty Coconut Pandan Matcha Cloud. Those with a sweet tooth, meanwhile, can opt for the pleasantly jammy strawberry cream cheese bagel.

One highlight is its gourmet beverages, curated by three-time Malaysia Brewers Cup champion Shaun Liew of Story of ONO Specialty Coffee.

“We worked with Shaun to create our menu and specialty coffee and matcha, which are all made with quality ingredients,” Lee said.

“Our coffee has a lighter roast here for the most part because we know the lake is where people come to run and exercise, and want a refreshing drink after. So we tailored the coffee for that experience.”

True to its name, which means “care” in Malay, Jaga also places emphasis on sustainability and caring for its surroundings. Its bar counter, for example, is made from recycled plastic waste and melted bottle caps, while its coffee cups are crafted from repurposed coffee husks.

“We’re trying our best to incorporate biodegradable takeaway packaging. The aim is to incorporate ‘jaga’ in everything we do, from how we treat our staff to how we interact with this beautiful tropical environment as much as possible,” Woodroof said.

Its wi-fi is even reserved for staff, encouraging visitors to put away their screens and connect with their surroundings instead.

Their ultimate aim is to create a packed social calendar throughout the year, with upcoming plans including a chess social and, hopefully, live music performances.

“We’ve got the best coffee here, and the best view. So pop by, engage with everyone else, or just take a break to rest and refuel,” said Woodroof.

Jaga Café
Kiosk Teratai,
Perdana Botanical Gardens,
50480 Kuala Lumpur

Business hours: 7am-8pm (closed on Mondays)

Follow Jaga Café on Instagram.

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