15 Dreamy Cafes and Cowork Spaces Around the World
Coffee, Wi-Fi, and décor that inspires.
As a globetrotting freelance writer, I’m very, very picky about where I rest my laptop. Sure, I sometimes work in my hotel room or Airbnb, but if I have to spend the day hunched over my keyboard, I prefer to do it out in the city surrounded by locals. I also demand fast Wi-Fi, good coffee, lots of light, accessible outlets, and an inspiring setting. It’s a tall order, especially if I haven’t done my research ahead of time. If you’re in the same (exceptionally lucky) boat as me, you’ve just become even luckier because I’ve done my due diligence so you don’t have to.
Spring Street location; photo courtesy of Verve Coffee Roasters
Los Angeles
Santa Cruz coffee roaster, Verve (@vervecoffee), has several California locations — including four in Los Angeles. The best thing about these hotspots? Their urban-meets-jungle vibe. Concrete walls and exposed pipes contrast with minimalist wood accents and plenty of greenery for soothing spaces that also have coffee (obvs) and vegetarian eats.
Babylone location; photo courtesy of Coutume Café
Paris
Many of the cafes in Paris are super tiny or don’t have Wi-Fi, but Coutume Café’s (@coutumecafe) Babylone location is an exception. It has an old-world Paris feel, but you’ll actually be able to get work done on your visit. The only issue? It can get pretty busy around meal times, since it serves full breakfast and lunch — in addition to coffee that’s made with care.
Photo courtesy of the author
Toronto
A hub for multitaskers, Body Love Inc. (a.k.a. Bolo, @boloinc) is so much more than a cafe with free Wi-Fi, coffee, smoothies, and great workspaces. It’s actually a gym first. The 7000-square-foot downtown space has a boxing studio, hot room, and boxing ring, and offers classes in everything from primal flow to sparring. Take a class, get some post-sweat boxing braids in the salon, and then sit down for a long work sesh (with a protein smoothie on the side).
Photo courtesy of Creature Coffee Co.
Austin
Creature Coffee Co. at Native Hostel
Located in Austin’s boho-chic Native Hostel, Creature Coffee Co.’s flagship coffee shop (@creaturecoffeeco) is a bon vivant’s paradise. Socialize with other travelers while you lounge on a velvet sofa and sip a nitro iced coffee…and maybe get a little work done, too. There is free Wi-Fi, free parking and food like bagels, pastries and tacos.
Photo courtesy of Outsite Cowork Cafe
Lisbon
Outsite Cowork Cafe (@outsitecoworkcafe) in Lisbon has three parts: the open cafe in the front, the members-only coworking space in the back, and a co-living space upstairs. Hang out in the front area for coffee and free Wi-Fi, but if you feel like you might want more room, space to store your stuff, and a quiet area to take phone calls, buy a day pass for 15 euros.
Photo courtesy of Brit Gill
Vancouver
A place to call home for your nine-to-five (or noon-to-eight), Werklab (@werklab) is so much more than a coworking space; it’s also a wellness community. With its bright, plant-filled rooms and range of membership packages, there’s something for you whether you’ll be in town for one week a month or need an office for 365 days a year. The space has everything: yoga, Pilates and meditation classes, a change room and beauty bar, private phone booths, organized lunch services and more.
Photo courtesy of Beliefcoffee roasters
Seoul
Spending some time in Seoul? You might want to make Beliefcoffee roasters (@beliefcoffee_roasters) your home base—especially if you have a sweet tooth. The Korean cafe is a dessert heaven whether your kryptonite is almond croissants, macarons or tiramisu. It also has plenty of seating and outlets.
Photo by Neil Zeller; courtesy of Tourism Calgary
Calgary
So this one’s not strictly a coffee shop or coworking space, but the new Central Library (@calgarylibrary) that opened in 2018 is the ideal destination for a freelancer visiting Calgary. It’s huge, well-lit and has coffee and snacks for purchase, plus there are free meeting rooms and quiet study rooms if you need privacy (or hate the chatter that comes with crowded public spaces). Work for the day, then head out into Calgary’s trendy East Village for dinner and drinks.
South location; photo courtesy of Workspace Williamsburg
New York City
If you love a little quirk with your work, Workspace Williamsburg (@workspace.williamsburg) in Brooklyn is for you. It’s full of eclectic furniture, art, exposed brick walls, and concrete floors…plus practical things like a kitchen and printer. It also has a bunker-style basement that’s more cool than creepy. A day pass is $20 and will grant you access from 9am to 6pm. Note: The day pass is only available at the South location on Hooper Street (pictured).
Kitahama location; photo courtesy of Brooklyn Roasting Company
Osaka, Japan
Whether you choose to sit inside in the shade or out on the patio, the Kitahama location of Brooklyn Roasting Company (@brooklynroastingjapan) promises good views — warm wood and artfully worn walls or the Tosahori River, respectively. Settle in to dream, write, answer emails (or do whatever it is you do for a living!) and sip coffee in a space that’s low stress.
Borough location; photo courtesy of Uncommon
London
As a sprawling city, you’ll never be starved for choice when it comes to places to get work done in London (see our curated list here), but Uncommon (@uncommon_space) is a top coworking choice for trendy, young creatives. Each spot is unique, but the Borough location (pictured) has a coffee lounge, phone booths for private calls, showers, and a retail area. You can even bring your pup to work with you if you like to travel with your BFF (best furry friend).
Photo courtesy of Forth
Winnipeg
A cafe during the day and bar in the evening, Forth (@forth_wpg) is the perfect hipster haunt if you’ll be staying in downtown Winnipeg for a week or weekend. The Exchange District destination has tons of seating, and serves delicious Dogwood coffee and food throughout the day. They also have evening concerts, talks, and markets, and sell locally made trinkets if you’re looking for a souvenir.
Cafebrería El Péndulo San Ángel; photo courtesy of Cafebrería El Péndulo
Mexico City
A Mexico City bookstore-and-cafe chain, Cafebrería El Péndulo (@cafebreriaelpendulo) is the work spot for those who find inspiration from gazing at walls and walls of books. Though the locations vary in size, they all have coffee, ample workspace, and books in common. Bonus: You’ll find a small English-language section if you’re looking for something to read.
Photo courtesy of Zwart Art Cafe
Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
If you ever find yourself on a surf vacation in Costa Rica, the open-air Zwart Art Cafe (@zwartartcafe) in Santa Teresa is a blend of art gallery, studio, cafe and library. This out-of-the-way spot just goes to show that it’s possible to find the most fascinating places to hang out and work, no matter where you are in the world. It even has free Wi-Fi.
Photo courtesy of Messenger Coffee Co.
Kansas City
Messenger Cafe (@messengercoffee) is a glorious, multi-floored coffee shop and bakery in Kansas City — and if you visit, you’ll never want to leave. It has huge windows that let in tons of light, a rooftop for when the weather is nice, and a whole lot of seating with accessible outlets. The lattes with house syrups are also out of this world, and there’s every type of homemade bread that you could ever need to fuel your work day.
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