Located at 14701 Detroit Ave., Suite 1, Caffeine is a hidden gem. First opening in 2018 and continuing to thrive since, the shop offers comfortable seating, friendly workers, and a large array of both food and drinks.
The café’s motto is “recharge yourself,” a goal met through their high-quality coffees that stay current with the latest trends in drinks. Customers leave feeling rejuvenated and ready to face the day. Even for those who are not huge coffee fanatics, their menu includes chai, matcha, and smoothies.
Caffeine also offers a selection of seasonal drinks that change with the weather. The current spring menu features drinks such as the sweet rose latte, the Dubai chocolate iced latte, and the strawberry fog.
“It is all just us experimenting with the syrups and mixing them,” barista Sierra Forester said.
The café also works to customize drinks to individual preferences, whether that’s a different milk choice or a different syrup.
The environment of the coffee shop also suits multiple of the reasons people go to such establishments, whether it be to catch up with friends or to lock in on school work. They offer bar seating, large tables, and comfortable couches. The vertical design allows for a solo meal or a meet-up with a large group of friends.
“It’s the best place to go after school. I always look forward to my iced white chocolate mocha blueberry with the most delicious blueberry cold foam,” customer Evie Drew said.
Caffeine is open seven days a week: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. While drinks flow every day, they stop selling food at 4 p.m. The food menu offers toasts, sandwiches, and crepes, alongside fresh pastries from Stone Oven Bakery.
Beyond the menu, Caffeine’s staff set the shop apart. The unique setup allows baristas to play much the same role as managers with similar responsibilities. Current manager, Jazz Burgess, calls the environment “a very equal playing field.”
Everybody has all the opportunities to excel, and this shared responsibility ensures consistency and high standards. “We all know what we’re doing, and we’re all capable of doing what we’re doing,” Forester said.
Despite their job title, they are all easy to talk to, creating a warm environment. “There’s a lot of love here behind the bar; the hearts of the baristas are always filled with fun,” Burgess said. “We like the idea of community. So more community, more Lakewood, we welcome it with open arms and lots of hugs.”
Caffeine offers a delightful environment and energy, alongside great food and drink options and a friendly staff. If ever in need of a pick-me-up, Caffeine is the perfect place to go and recharge. Make sure to stop in and give it a try.
