Such is the experience offered at a village-inspired café tucked away in Taman Melawati here, where visitors are transported into a kampung-like atmosphere without leaving Kuala Lumpur.
Spread across two hectares is Kopi & Keju, a café that greets guests with free-roaming village chickens, the calls of birds, and the scent of damp leaves – all reminiscent of traditional kampung life.
Founder Abdul Ghoffar Noor, 38, said the idea came from his longing for his hometown in Kedah, after more than 22 years of living in the city.
“I wanted to go back to nature – to find peace surrounded by greenery. The concept is simple: to give urban folks the feeling of returning to the village, even while still in the city,” he told Bernama.
Abdul Ghoffar noted that not a single tree was felled for the construction of his café, which opened earlier this year. Instead, improvements were made to infrastructure without disturbing the ecosystem.
He added that his 28 years of experience as a silat practitioner influenced the café’s design, which reflects Malay traditions and rural life.
Built entirely in the shade of trees, the open-air café features iron tables and large umbrellas resembling village stalls, while food vendors serve local favourites such as boiled ubi kayu, pisang goreng, and traditional kuih. The café also offers western snacks and dishes.
The highlight, however, is the kampung-style woodfire coffee – brewed over firewood using beans sourced from Kedah.
“It’s not just a drink, it’s an experience. People can watch the brewing process, and even the smoky aroma is enough to remind them of the old days,” he said. A cup of coffee is priced from RM5.
Looking ahead, Abdul Ghoffar hopes to make the café a hub for cultural expression by encouraging visitors to dress in kampung-style attire such as sarongs, T-shirts or batik.
“We want people to feel comfortable dressing in traditional outfits. Ideally, all communities – Malay, Chinese, Indian, Kadazan – should wear their traditional clothing to celebrate together,” said Abdul Ghoffar, who runs the café with his wife, Idayu Raty Razali.
To enhance the experience, he also screens films using a projector, making the café a cosy spot for families and friends looking to unwind in a village setting.
“Some visitors come all the way from Melaka and Penang just to experience this. They say places like this have long disappeared, and being here immediately sparks nostalgia.”
Follow Kopi & Keju on Facebook and Instagram.
Kopi & Keju
Jalan Kolam Air, Taman Melawati,
53100 Kuala Lumpur