This sense of tranquility is perhaps no surprise: “Jardin” means “garden” in French. Yet, despite its exotic name, this café is proudly homegrown – its delectable international menu is infused with Malaysian flavours, and served with an unmistakably local warmth and charm.
“We wanted a name that was easy to remember and simple to pronounce, inspired by the idea of a group of young people having a great experience in a café,” Jardin Coffee head of operations Ernest Ng told FMT Lifestyle.
“When we started, we didn’t have much of a marketing budget and no brand recognition, so it was quite rough. But we knew we could rely on a good product: our coffee.”
Jardin Coffee first opened its doors in Taman Mayang, Petaling Jaya, in 2006. That outlet has since been converted into the company’s headquarters.
From humble beginnings, the brand has grown steadily and now has seven outlets in 1 Utama Shopping Centre, NU Empire, NU Sentral, Sunway Pyramid, IOI City Mall, Setia City Mall, and Elmina Lakeside Mall.
True to its garden theme, the cafés are bathed in natural light from wide windows, and its simple yet stylish decor is highlighted with vibrant hues of green.
According to operations manager Russell Goh, what distinguishes Jardin Coffee from other cafés is its unwavering commitment to quality service. Team members are trained not only in product knowledge and expertise, but also in delivering warm, memorable experiences to every customer.
“I always tell my colleagues to treat the customers so they feel at home. I want the staff to have ownership of their jobs, but also to make friends with customers. That’s most important,” Goh shared.
He recalls a regular customer who brought ang pows for the staff one Chinese New Year.
“This tells me the customer was so well looked after that he remembered them and came back to visit before the holiday. I think that’s a great sign – that when you serve sincerely and not like a robot, people appreciate it.”
Of course, Jardin’s coffee – made from a wholesome blend of beans from Sumatra in Indonesia, and Sidamo and Yirgacheffe in Ethiopia – is rich, aromatic, and skilfully brewed.
And while the menu has an international flair, Jardin enjoys incorporating distinctive and delicious Malaysian flavours into its dishes. This is especially so during festive seasons – think gula apong lattes and coconut pandan frappes for Hari Raya, and Mandarin macchiatos during Chinese New Year.
“Malaysian customers enjoy their comfort food,” said marketing manager Ili Liyana. “So, for our menu, we have always kept things simple – easy to pronounce and direct to the point. I would say it’s worked for us. People keep coming back.”
Their most popular dishes are the mouth-watering mushroom carbonara and the grilled cheese toast. Other highlights include the warm and buttery chicken ham and egg croissant, and the spicy smoked duck aglio olio.
The brand’s homegrown pride can also be seen in its promotions and packaging, which incorporate tropical themes and vibrant colours inspired by Malaysian batik.
“We did a giveaway for Merdeka called the ‘Proudly Malaysian’ campaign. We asked followers why they were proud to be Malaysian, and we received so many heartfelt messages.
“It made us realise our brand could connect with people beyond just our food and coffee,” Ili added.
With its strong local roots and commitment to service, Jardin Coffee & Tea is quickly blossoming into a remarkable success story. Each cup served here reflects the best of Malaysian charm and hospitality.
“We hope to share good times. I want customers to enjoy the full experience of drinking a good cup of coffee – not just the beverage itself, but the whole service experience: the ambience and the lifestyle,” Ng concluded.