Slow Down and Smell the Coffee at ‘The 28’

A Hidden Gem in Cheras

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Cheras lies a tranquil green oasis that feels like a world apart from the chaos outside.

A Home-Grown Café

This idyllic spot is located within the compound of founder Mohd Rizal Baharuddin’s family home, which he converted into a picturesque garden café last year.

A Passion Project

For Rizal, starting up “The 28” just felt like the natural thing for him and his business partner, Riko Ariffin Mohd Shafin.

“Both of us love coffee and gardening. And just being at home! So we thought, why not open a home-based café? It combines all the things we love, and we could share it with others. We can relive the times there used to be lots of people here,” he said with a laugh.

A Cozy Ambiance

Visitors can dine in the shade of the house compound, or beneath parasols in the garden, surrounded by lush greenery, including over 200 botanical beauties, including orchids, ferns, and caladiums.

The café’s walls are decorated with colourful pictures, and an ornate cabinet filled with fine crockery belonging to his late parents takes pride of place in one corner.

Bibliophiles will also enjoy the wide selection of books scattered all around, with everything from novels and travel books to poetry collections and of course, gardening guides.

Cuisine and Coffee

All of the café’s cuisine is prepared by Rizal himself. Getting food and drinks ready for customers was challenging at first, due to a lack of F&B experience, but the café founder is happy to report that he is learning the ins and outs of the business.

Popular dishes include the Spaghetti Carbonara, which is bathed in an aromatic, delightfully creamy sauce, and the Cheesy Creamy Nachos, which boast plenty of crunch.

And of course, you can’t leave without trying the reason the café started: Rizal and Riko’s home-brewed coffee!

A Conclusion

“It’s been a rollercoaster ride sometimes,” Rizal mused. “But a fun rollercoaster!”

“I want ‘The 28’ to feel like home. I don’t think there are many places like this, especially in Cheras.

“I hope that when our customers visit, it feels like they are going back to their kampung, and they can just relax in the greenery with some coffee or light bites,” he concluded.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Address: Lot 2147, Taman Shahjaya Cheras, 43200 Cheras, Selangor
• Business Hours:
  • Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday: 10am–6pm
  • Saturday and Sunday: 8am–6pm
  • Thursday and Friday: Closed
• Follow ‘The 28’ on: Facebook and Instagram.