Caffeinated & Co. — Restaurant in Nueva Ecija

The soft chatter of young voices fills the air, a melody of excitement and relief after a long day. My daughter and her friends just wrapped up their shoot. Their laughter and stories can be heard through the cozy ambiance of Caffeinated & Co. They wanted to celebrate the end of their project with something simple yet comforting—a good cup of coffee. And so, here we are, tucked away in the quiet charm of this café in Cabanatuan.

I sip my Tres Leches coffee, its velvety sweetness meeting the comforting bitterness of espresso. It’s a perfect balance, like a hug in a cup. It’s my favorite, the kind of drink that makes you pause and savor the moment. I watch my daughter and her friends huddle over their cups, scrolling through their phones, showing each other pictures, and occasionally bursting into giggles. Youth has a way of making every moment feel alive, and today, their energy breathes life into this small, industrial-inspired café.

The atmosphere here is exactly what we needed—calm and unpretentious. Warm lights bathe the space in a golden glow, and the faint hum of conversations and the clinking of cups create a backdrop that feels like a soft embrace. The café is tucked just far enough from the city’s buzz, making it an ideal retreat for tired souls or, in our case, a group of teenagers brimming with accomplishment.

As the afternoon deepens, I glance at the table and notice their orders—iced teas, frappes, and a plate of French toast that’s already half-gone. The café caters to all kinds of cravings, from sweet indulgences to hearty snacks. But for me, the Tres Leches is the star. It’s the kind of drink that you’ll think about days later, wondering if it tasted as good as you remember or if it was the moment that made it special.

Sitting here, I realize that these are the memories that linger—the shared laughter, the unspoken contentment of being surrounded by loved ones, and the subtle joy of finding a place that feels like home.

As their energy slowly wanes and the sunlight fades through the café windows, I finish my coffee, grateful for this pause in life’s chaos. Caffeinated & Co. isn’t just a café. Today, it’s a space for celebration, connection, and a little bit of serenity in a world that often feels too fast. And maybe that’s why I’ll keep coming back—not just for the coffee, but for the moments, it allows me to savor.

Gino Blogger | Story teller | Coffee...

Dining experience could definitely have been better if the people at the counter were more attentive and not condescending.

We asked about the ingredients in their 4-cheese panini as my wife has some allergies to some variants of cheese. The person at the counter answered rather snarkily.... "Secret po". What the?! It's not as if we're going to steal your recipe. We just wanted to know what was in it to make sure it met our dietary restrictions. Strike #1.

So we decided to order something else.

We ordered 1 spanish latte, 1 earl grey latte, and a mango caramel brick toast. Girl at the counter punches in our order. We paid. We get the toast and earl grey latte after a short while. We wait... wait... wait. No spanish latte. Turns out it wasn't included in the bill. So 20 mins down the drain. Haay..... Strike #2.

Not wanting to wait for a Strike #3, we quickly finished our food and left. We heard a few good things about this place but unfortunately after this experience I don't think we'd recommend it to others....

First decent coffee of the day! Ordered Toffee Latte and it was so good! Even better than Starbucks or other well known coffee shops.

Also had the Brownie Cheesecake to pair with my coffee. The cheesecake was very thick (perfect for my preference), not "ampaw"

For late lunch, I ordered one of the house specialties, Thai Fried Rice with Glazed Pork. The sweetness of the pork, the bagoong rice, and the Green Mango blended altogether to give you a party in your mouth! 😋

It also felt unforgiveable not to order a brick toast so I got a Matcha Brick Toast. It was very good! The matcha taste was just right - it doesn't have that overpowering "green" taste.

I would definitely come back and try their other menu 😋

On to the atmosphere... Cabanatuan is a very warm place but I was suprised that the place managed to keep the temperatures low under the scorching Cabanatuan sun.

They also have free and fast wifi, making it very convenient for a short read or a quick...