A cappuccino next to a laptop on a table A cappuccino next to a laptop on a table

Work and study-friendly cafés in London

Tamsin Spargo, Thatsup
Tamsin Spargo

Sometimes working remotely can be a bit of a drag and you need to get out of the house. If you're a freelancer or remote worker and you're having one of those days, heading to one of London's work-friendly cafés can be an ideal way to switch up your work environment, feel less isolated, and enjoy tasty drinks, snacks, and a great atmosphere. If you're wondering which cafés are ideal for getting some work done, take a look at out guide to work-friendly cafés in London.

  1. Work-friendly cafés in London
    1. 1
      Beam Community-minded cafés
    2. 2
      Mare Street Market Vibrant Hackney space
    3. 3
      Redemption Roasters Open until the evening
    4. 4
      FWD:Coffee Quirky and eclectic
    5. 5
      Nola Welcoming café in Peckham
    6. 6
      Coffee Junction Spacious café in Shoreditch
    7. 7
      Prufrock Coffee Feel free to linger
    8. 8
      Tab x Tab Work in West London
    9. 9
      Caravan Bottomless coffee, lots of space
    10. 10
      Trampoline Café A café that does good
    11. 11
      Lumberjack Friendly South London spot
    12. 12
      Caya Dedicated co-working area
    13. 13
      Bluebelles of Portobello Smart and inclusive
    14. 14
      Stir Coffee On-trend Brixton café
    15. 15
      Formative Coffee Quiet and minimalist space
    16. 16
      Frequency Coffee Cafés with meeting rooms
    17. 17
      Chapter 72 Coffee and cocktails
    18. 18
      Attendant Coffee Roasters Coffee and food all day
    19. 19
      Greenspeares Family-run café
    20. 20
      Canova Hall Dedicated workspace
    21. 21
      The Common Espresso Bar Homey space in Clapham
    22. 22
      Coffee Zee & Café Zee Keep going with house-roasted coffee
    23. 23
      21Soho Exciting all-day venue

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Work-friendly cafés in London

Community-minded cafés

Beam has a few locations around London that are all convenient for working. Expect lots of light, exposed brick, and plenty of all-important plug sockets at these cafés that prioritise community and family. As well as high quality coffee to keep you going, the menu includes breakfast and Mediterranean recipes.

  • 39-41 Topsfield Road, Haringey 184 Blackstock Road 103 Westbourne Grove

Mare Street Market

Vibrant Hackney space

Although not officially a co-working space, Mare Street Market's large tables make it a popular choice for remote workers. The wifi is strong enough to reach the outdoor terrace so you can work outside too. On-site you'll find all-day dining options in two different spaces as well as a variety of retailers.

Open until the evening

Redemption Roasters collaborates with serving prisoners to produce its coffee and lower re-offending rates. There are numerous locations around the city boasting tasteful wooden furnishings. Many locations are open until 5 or 6pm, making them a convenient choice for remote workers. Menus of course feature top quality coffee, plus snacks and light lunches.

  • 71 Lincoln's Inn Fields, Holborn 29 Dulwich Village 55 Long Ln, The City/City of London 84b Lamb's Conduit St, Bloomsbury 96-98 Islington High St, Islington Lower Stable Street, King's Cross The Pavilion, 3 Broadgate, The City/City of London 53 S End Rd, Hampstead 35 Jermyn St, Westminster 40 Drury Ln, Covent Garden 14 Perrin's Ct, Hampstead 119 Muswell Hill Rd, Haringey 56 St Giles High St

Quirky and eclectic

First opened in 2009, FWD:Coffee's cafés are quirky, with a varied soundtrack and distinctive lighting. There's plenty of space to sit here, fuelled by the top quality coffee on offer. The house blend is constantly being tweaked for maximum flavour. A concise choice of breakfast and lunch food is also available.

  • 54 Farringdon Road 161A Whitecross Street, The City 126 Curtain Road, Shoreditch

Nola

Welcoming café in Peckham

Nola in Peckham has a simple and understated look and welcomes everybody in the community, including remote workers. The interior is clean and modern and there's a choice of seating, including window countertop seats. With a commitment to reducing waste, this spot serves ethically-produced coffee plus pastries, brunch, and sandwiches.

Coffee Junction

Spacious café in Shoreditch

In Shoreditch you'll find Coffee Junction. Its large size and peaceful atmosphere make it ideal for some work. There are indoor and outdoor tables where you can relish a generously-sized cup of coffee. If you're hungry, order pastries made at the in-house bakery, a breakfast bap, soup, or hot daily specials.

Prufrock Coffee

Feel free to linger

You're welcome to stay a while at Prufrock Coffee, making it a great choice for getting some work done in peace. The design is minimalist with wooden decor and furniture. You can expect a decent cup of coffee from a rotating selection of roasters, plus café food like sandwiches and pastries.

Tab x Tab

Work in West London

If you're in West London then Tab x Tab is a great spot for working. It has an industrial look, service is efficient, and you can find lots of plug sockets. There's lots of food and hot drinks to choose from, plus cocktails for when your work is done.

Caravan

Bottomless coffee, lots of space

The King's Cross branch of Caravan is ideal for remote workers. Not only is the filtered coffee bottomless to keep your energy up, there are spacious workshop tables at the back that are great for breaking out your laptop. Food is served all day including breakfast, grain bowls, and pizza.

Trampoline Café

A café that does good

Opened in Islington in 2022, Trampoline Café aims to do good by training and employing refugees. It's bold and vibrant, with plenty of seating across two floors, making it convenient for working. If you do plan to work here, be aware it's closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Breakfast and lunch is available.

Lumberjack

Friendly South London spot

Lumberjack in Camberwell is a café, deli, and store. It has a reputation for welcoming remote workers, as well as the rest of the community. There's work by local artists on the walls and you're free to stay a while. Coffee, pastries, and fresh food like salads are served here.

Caya

Dedicated co-working area

At Caya you can kick back with a coffee or focus in the dedicated co-working space. The interior has a cool and rustic look with wooden furniture and you can sample some of the finest speciality coffee in the local area here. Food is served throughout the day as well.

Smart and inclusive

Bluebelles of Portobello isn't just in Portobello - it has a few locations around the city. Service is welcoming and remote workers are well-accommodated. These venues have exposed brick walls, you can bring your dog along, and the menu includes vegan and gluten-free options. Expect sandwiches, cake, and of course, coffee.

  • 57 The Broadway, Barnet 320 Portobello Road 357 Regent's Park Road, Barnet

Stir Coffee

On-trend Brixton café

Stir Coffee has a chic rustic look and a laid-back and welcoming atmosphere. Indoor and outdoor seats are available. Coffee is served and you can try their much-lauded sandwiches or cake if you're hungry. There's a varied range of soft drinks plus craft beer to enjoy at the end of the day.

Formative Coffee

Quiet and minimalist space

Formative Coffee is a slick and minimal space that's usually quiet. The white-tiled interior has a somewhat industrial look to it. The minimalism means you can easily focus on your coffee, as well as the task at hand whilst you're working. Enjoy fresh coffee as you work, along with tempting pastries.

Cafés with meeting rooms

Although Frequency Coffee is lively and casual, that doesn't mean you can't get work done. These cafés have private meeting rooms that you're free to book. The spacious setting means it's usually not too difficult to find a seat, and when your working day is over you can transition with a cocktail here.

  • 37 N Wharf Rd, Paddington 13 Camden Psge, Islington 121 King's Cross Rd, Bloomsbury

Chapter 72

Coffee and cocktails

At Chapter 72 in Bermondsey you'll find an unfussy space offering coffee and cocktails, including an extensive range of espresso martinis. There's a smart exterior and a cosy feel inside. This award-winning venue does a wide variety of hot drinks, including hot chocolate or an affogato with alcohol mixed in.

Coffee and food all day

The original location of Attendant Coffee Roasters is in a converted Victorian public toilet but now there are multiple locations. Spaces are crisp and clean and you're welcome to stay a while. Food is served all day including breakfast rolls, sandwiches, and soup and you can buy coffee beans to take home.

  • 8-9 Norton Folgate, Shoreditch/The City 55 Duke Street, Mayfair 2 Harbour Exchange Square, Canary Wharf/Tower Hamlets 75 Leather Lane, Holborn 74 Great Eastern Street, Shoreditch

Greenspeares

Family-run café

Based in Chelsea, Greenspeares is a family café and deli. Super-speedy wifi makes it a popular choice for getting some work done and you can hold a private event or meeting here. Fresh seasonal food is served all day including salads, frittata, and brunch recipes. The interior is skylit and airy.

Canova Hall

Dedicated workspace

Rustic-styled Canova Hall combines an eatery, cocktail bar, and co-working space. There's light flooding in and you can get bottomless coffee if you're hot desking. You can buy regular passes or simply drop in when you want to work. When it's time for lunch, sandwiches, pasta, and popular pizza are on the menu.

The Common Espresso Bar

Homey space in Clapham

There's a welcoming feel at The Common Espresso Bar in Clapham. Remote workers are free to bring their laptops and dogs are allowed as well. The venue is comfortable and homey. Artisan coffee and fresh juices are available plus there's food to keep you going. Pastries, cakes, and sandwiches are available here, and there are vegan and gluten-free choices.

Keep going with house-roasted coffee

Café Zee roasts its own beans in-house, sells them wholesale, and turns them into delicious drinks for customers. These laid-back coffee shops have high-speed wifi, a friendly atmosphere, and are welcoming to remote workers. As well as drinks, fresh food like pancakes, sandwiches, salads, and cakes are available, including veggie, vegan, and gluten-free options.

  • 266 Holloway Rd 5 New Broadway, Ealing

21Soho

Exciting all-day venue

21Soho has so much going on that it'll keep you busy all day. This trendy and homey spot has a contemporary look with lots of plants. You can enjoy drinks and snacks in the coffee shop and you're welcome to book co-working space. Cocktails, local beers, and seasonal wines are served at the bar, plus there are regular comedy performances.

Work-friendly cafés – About the guide

Work-friendly cafés in London - Our guide to cafés to work from in London is updated regularly. If you know of a great work-friendly café in London that we haven't featured in our guide, feel free to get in touch. Please let us know if you see any mistakes in our guide to work-friendly cafés in London. Have you visited any of the places mentioned in the guide? Don't forget to write a review on Thatsup.

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At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.