If you are looking for a place that fosters connection, creativity, and a strong sense of community, Café Common Grounds is worth considering. The café opens at 7:30 AM and closes at 10:00 PM from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, it is open from 7:30 AM to 8:00 PM, and it is closed on Sundays.
If you have presentations, this area is the best spot for you.
Café Common Grounds is a social enterprise built on the belief that creativity, meaningful connections, and shared purpose can create positive change. It is a welcoming space where people can gather, learn, and grow together as a community.
You can see this mission the moment you enter the café. Local products are displayed for sale, while donation boxes for clothes, toys, and other items are placed in one corner of the café. The central area is designed not only for dining but also for programs, activities, and conversations that encourage creativity and community engagement.
FOOD
The café offers a variety of coffee favorites such as Café Latte, Spanish Latte, and White Mocha, with prices ranging from ₱110 to ₱160. Matcha lovers can also enjoy their Matcha Series, which includes Matcha Latte and Matcha Frappuccino, priced between ₱140 and ₱190.
If you are looking for something more filling, they serve clubhouse sandwiches, ramen, Korean dishes such as kimbap, and rice bowls. The menu is reasonably priced, making it accessible to students who frequently spend time studying or working in the café.
A PLACE TO WORK AND STUDY
One of the café’s strengths is its suitability for students and remote workers. There are plenty of electrical outlets throughout the café, with access available from wall sockets and even built-in outlets near some seating areas.
For every drink purchased, customers receive a stub containing a password that grants two hours of Wi-Fi access. This setup makes the café a convenient place for studying, researching, attending online meetings, or working remotely.
MULTIPURPOSE PRIVATE ROOMS
The second floor features two multipurpose private rooms that are ideal for meetings, workshops, study groups, and seminars. Each room can accommodate approximately 13 to 15 people.
The room fee is ₱1,800, which is fully consumable on food and drinks. Each room is equipped with a TV, whiteboard, tables, chairs, and full air-conditioning, providing a comfortable and functional environment for group activities.
EVENT SPACES
For larger gatherings and community activities, Café Common Grounds offers two event spaces.
The first-floor event area can accommodate around 20 to 30 people. It features wooden bleachers with colorful cushions and includes a projector for presentations and discussions. The use of this space is free, provided that participants purchase food or drinks from the café.
The second-floor event space can accommodate approximately 30 to 50 people. It includes a small stage, projector, laptop, and microphone, making it suitable for workshops, talks, seminars, and community events. Similar to the first-floor area, the space may be used free of charge, provided that participants support the café through food and beverage purchases.
SERVICE
The staff members are welcoming and friendly, reflecting the café’s community-centered atmosphere.
One notable feature is the accessibility of the restroom facilities. The toilets are equipped with support handles for senior citizens and persons with disabilities, a thoughtful detail that is not commonly seen in many cafés and restaurants today.
The management is also considerate of student groups and community organizations, often going the extra mile to help ensure that events and activities run smoothly when private rooms are reserved.
PARTNERSHIPS
As a social enterprise, Café Common Grounds collaborates with various local, international, government, and non-government organizations. Among its partners are ORGA, SHEBA, IGTING Nanay, KOICA (Korean International Cooperation Agency), and CAMP (Center for Asian Mission for the Poor).
These partnerships support programs and initiatives that contribute to sustainable community development and social impact.
WHO IS THIS CAFÉ FOR?
If you belong to a club, organization, ministry, or community group looking for a venue for meetings, workshops, or activities, this café is an excellent option. The space is intentionally designed to encourage collaboration, learning, and community building.
Students who need a comfortable place to study can take advantage of the Wi-Fi access included with every drink purchase.
Remote workers who want a change of environment can bring their laptops and work comfortably, knowing there are ample outlets available for charging devices throughout the café.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Overall, Café Common Grounds offers a cozy, welcoming, and community-oriented atmosphere. More than just a place to eat and drink, it serves as a hub where people can connect, create, learn, and contribute to something larger than themselves.
As you wait for your order, take time to explore the local products, information boards, and community initiatives displayed throughout the café. They provide a glimpse into the café’s broader mission and the people it seeks to support.
When you visit Café Common Grounds, you do not simply feel like a customer. You feel like a participant in a community effort, contributing in your own small way to something meaningful.
*Prices, time, and other details are as of this writing and may change over time. Please do check their Facebook page: Cafe Common Grounds, Tarlac City