10+ Best Cafés To Work In NYC
If you work from home, sometimes you just need a change of scenery. Getting out of your apartment and into some real clothes can help you boost your productivity and feel more connected to others.
Research actually shows that working outside the house can even help you develop healthier boundaries with your job. And all the ambient buzz and the vibey atmosphere can help improve focus and creativity!
But where should you go? In NYC, my favorite spots are cafés. They’re cozy and welcoming, with plenty of comfortable seating for your laptop. Most offer free Wi-Fi, and you can grab your morning pick-me-up while you settle in for a productive day.
I know there are thousands of cafés in New York City, but not all of them allow remote workers. (They might have no-laptop, no-Wi-Fi policies, especially during busy hours or for extended stays.) To help you find the best cafés and coffee shops to work in, I’ve put together a list of my favorite spots around the city.
10+ Best Cafés To Work In NYC
Little Ruby’s Cafe
Little Ruby’s Cafe is a warm, inviting space filled with natural light. With plenty of comfortable seating and reliable Wi-Fi, it’s the perfect place to settle in and get work done. It’s an Australian café, so if you’ve ever wanted to try vegemite, this is the place to do so.
The atmosphere is relaxed, so unlike a traditional dining experience, you won’t feel rushed out after finishing your coffee and croissant. You can linger for hours, soaking in the vibe while checking items off your to-do list.
Here’s more on why Ruby’s is one of my favorite cute lunch spots in NYC.
There are multiple locations:
- SoHo: 219 Mulberry St, New York, NY 10012
- Murray Hill: 442 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10016
- East Village: 198 E 11th St, New York, NY 10003
- West Village: 225 West 4th St, New York, NY 10014
- Williamsburg: 98 Berry St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Lafayette Grand Café & Bakery
Housed in a historic building, Lafayette Grand Café & Bakery exudes moody French charm. If you’re looking for a work spot that’s both inviting and refined, this is the place.
They offer free Wi-Fi and plenty of seating, so you’ll never feel cramped. And while you’re there, treat yourself to one of their mouthwatering desserts—they’re worth every penny. (I personally love The Suprême—it’s sweet, creamy, and perfectly chocolatey.)
You can grab anything from a cheap but delicious drip coffee to a premium fresh juice. Either one will give you a boost of energy and motivation to get to work.
Lafayette Grand Café & Bakery is located at 380 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10003.
Devoción
Devoción is more of a traditional coffee house, offering light pastries and small bites to enjoy alongside your cold brew or espresso.
Unlike the historic charm of Lafayette, Devoción is bright, modern, and fresh, with plenty of natural light and a minimalist design that’s perfect for focusing on work.
There are plenty of seating options, including communal tables, bar seats, and small tables. Free Wi-Fi and accessible power outlets make it laptop-friendly, but snagging a seat near a plug can be a bit competitive. So bring extra power to keep the work sesh going.
There are several locations:
- Williamsburg: 25 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
- Flatiron: 150 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003
- Downtown Brooklyn: 154 Front St, Brooklyn, NY 11201
- East Village: 81 E 7th St, New York, NY 10003
Voyager Espresso
If you’re a coffee connoisseur, you’ll love Voyager Espresso. As one of NYC’s multi-coffee roasters, they offer beans from renowned roasters around the world. Their café also serves elevated takes on favorite small bites like avocado toast and oatmeal. These are perfect for a quick snack during your breaks.
Voyager Espresso takes inspiration from the Voyager Spacecraft (hence the name), and their design approach reflects that. This unique spot stands out with its futuristic decor and modern ambiance, featuring sleek marble tables and countertops.
The space is a bit small, and the industrial stools might not be comfortable for long stretches. It’s better for shorter visits when you want a quick change of scenery.
Voyager Espresso is located at 110 William St, LL, New York, NY 10038.
Think Coffee
For a spacious coffee shop with both communal workspaces and private booths for distraction-free seating, Think Coffee is a great choice.
While the dining area is large, the cozy and modern vibe keeps the space feeling calm and welcoming. They offer free Wi-Fi and have power outlets available at each location.
Think Coffee serves both coffee and loose-leaf tea. If you’re hungry, you’ll find a selection of sandwiches, baked goods, and other items, including vegan and vegetarian options.
There are nearly a dozen Think Coffee locations from SoHo to Williamsburg.
Bluestone Lane Upper East Side Café
Do stunning sandstone archways and vaulted ceilings sound like the perfect dreamy spot for a day of remote work? That’s exactly what you’ll find at Bluestone Lane Upper East Side Café. The second Australian-inspired café on the list!
Located right across the street from the historic Church of Heavenly Rest, much of its design inspiration comes from the church, creating a truly unique and tranquil atmosphere.
They offer plenty of coffee options and a variety of health-conscious food selections to enjoy while you work at communal or individual tables. And if you enjoy seasonal picks, they have plenty of those, too. It’s an ideal, stress-free spot to knock out tasks on your to-do list.
While you’re in the area, check out some of the best bagel spots on the Upper East Side. They’re all perfect if you’re craving this NYC classic. And don’t miss the chance to head across the street to Central Park. You’ll be right at the 90th St Entrance!
Bluestone Lane’s Upper East Side Café is located at 1085 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10128.
Café Grumpy
If Bluestone Lane’s lavish decor feels overwhelming, Café Grumpy offers a quieter, more minimalist alternative with a calm atmosphere.
This no-frills café is quiet and serves high-quality, sustainably sourced coffee, teas, and juices. There’s also no shortage of delectable pastries you can snack on as you enjoy your drink.
It’s the perfect spot to get work done, offering a familiar, distraction-free environment and a straightforward coffee experience.
However, be sure to check the location before you visit. Some Café Grumpy spots don’t offer free Wi-Fi and discourage remote work due to smaller dining areas. It depends on which one you choose!
There are six locations across Brooklyn and Manhattan. The Park Slope location is the only one I’ve experienced that no longer allows remote work. But if anything changes, they update their website frequently to reflect any changes.
P&T Knitwear
Despite the name, P&T Knitwear isn’t a textile store! It’s a family-owned indie bookstore and café that’s a favorite remote work spot for literature lovers.
The venue is spacious, offering tables, bar tops, and stadium-style seating. You can pick your perfect spot, enjoy the scent of books, and maybe catch the sounds of a classic movie playing softly in the background.
P&T offers free Wi-Fi, original drinks, and quick treats. And when it’s time to reward yourself after a productive day, why not pick up a good book?
It’s important to note that you don’t have to purchase anything when visiting. They’re very welcoming of remote workers looking for a comfortable space to get things done. However, they also note that they’d love to be the place where you work and get caffeinated. In my experience, their coffee and selection of snacks is definitely worth it.
P&T Knitwear is located at 180 Orchard St, New York, NY 10002.
Black Cat LES
If working from your couch is your favorite perk of remote work, Black Cat LES is the café to visit. Its cozy, living room-style setup with vintage furniture makes it feel like a home away from home.
Beyond the variety of seating options, Black Cat LES offers free Wi-Fi, plenty of power outlets, and even a printer. This café doesn’t just allow remote workers—they truly support them!
While you’re there, enjoy a coffee, smoothie, or tasty light bites like omelets or croissants. And when the workday winds down, relax with one of their free books or board games.
Black Cat LES is located at 172 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002.
Kalei NYC
Here’s another café with vintage furniture, but this one offers an elevated vibe thanks to its rotating art exhibits and modern staging.
You can enjoy coffee, tea, and a small selection of carefully chosen snacks. For seating, there are two floors to choose from, plus a rooftop patio. So many options!
If you’re looking for a workspace that’s both invigorating and creatively inspiring, Kalei NYC is one of the best spots in the city.
Kalei NYC is located at 159 Bowery, New York, NY 10002.
Lulla’s Bakery
Lulla’s isn’t in Manhattan like most of the recs above, but it’s one of my favorite spots. Get the Dirty Chicha for a unique and indulgent caffeinated pick-me-up.
Tuck into an arepa, a guava croissant, or pan de queso at this Venezuelan spot in Williamsburg.
You can grab a seat at the bar, a booth, or my favorite: the half-booths in front of the windows. They are so cozy.
If you stop in during the day you’ll find the place packed with others getting some work done and if you’re here on a Friday, make sure to stay for happy hour since the owner is a former mixologist from Eleven Madison Park.
Lulla’s Bakery is located at 169 Graham Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11206
How To Stay Focused At Work While In A Café
Choose Your Café Wisely
Not all cafés are going to be the best fit for every type of work and type of worker. Here are some things to consider before picking a café:
- How much space you need to work comfortably
- What tends to distract you most
- Your preferred seating type
- The ideal level of background noise for focus
- Lighting that works best for you—bright and airy or dim and cozy
- The hours you’re most productive (and whether the café is open then)
Thinking about the answers to these questions will help you find the perfect fit.
Pick a Low-Distraction Spot
When you go to your café, pick a spot that will let you completely focus. Consider sitting facing a wall or a direction with less visual clutter.
High-traffic areas or window views can be distracting if you’re a people watcher, so be mindful of that when choosing your spot. I’m not usually distracted once I’m locked in, so I love to find a cozy corner to settle into.
Headphones On
Even though ambient café noise can be great background noise for work, at peak times, it may be too much. And some cafés, like Kalei NYC for example, tend to have noisier crowds and more eclectic music. Great if you’re meeting up with friends, not so great if you’re trying to sit and focus. I recommend putting on noise-canceling headphones or listening to focus music to stay productive. You could also use Loops ear plugs for some light noise reducing – they’re super cute too.
Plan Before You Start
Before jumping right into work, make a list of what you want to accomplish. Make sure you are super specific with your goals, so you can really measure your effectiveness at the end of the day.
You could even consider using the Pomodoro Technique to elevate your productivity. You can hear more about that in my productivity and motivation tips post.
One Drink, One Treat
Don’t spend all the money you earn that day at the counter. It’ll be tempting with all the coffee and pastry aromas, but limit yourself to one drink and/or treat a day.
I recommend you start your session with a drink and end it with your treat. This will prevent interruptions in your workflow while still allowing you to fully enjoy your out-of-the-house work experience.
Silence Notifications
Digital distractions can be even more disruptive than the ones around you. Silence as many notifications as possible, and consider temporarily blocking social media and other distracting apps or sites.
Just checking one quick text can land you in that trap of “let me just check one more notification.” Put your phone in your bag or laptop case so it’s out of sight, out of mind. Also, don’t forget to put your laptop on DND, too.
I also love to set my Slack status to “focus mode” so my coworkers understand I won’t be replying instantly to any DMs.
Bring Backup Power
Most cafés won’t have enough outlets to go around, if they have any at all. Bring a charger, but also bring a power bank to keep your battery full no matter where you are.
Develop a Routine
Getting out of the house is healthy when you work remotely. But at the same time, you don’t want to waste half your morning figuring out where to go.
Pick one day a week (or more) to work at a café, and plan ahead. Decide where and when you’ll go at least a few days in advance. Having all the details sorted beforehand will help make your time out of the house both productive and rewarding.
Plus, planning in advance allows you to check online to see peak hours for your café destination.
Visit one of these remote-work-friendly cafés and find your flow.
Whether you’re seeking a change of scenery, a boost in productivity, or simply the joy of working with a perfectly brewed latte at your side, NYC’s café scene has something for every remote worker. Grab your laptop, pick your spot, and let the city’s energy fuel your best work.
If you liked these recommendations and decided to check one out, I’d love to hear about your experience! Make sure to keep up with me on IG @caseylavie to see where I’m up to. And don’t forget to sign up for my emails! These let you know each time I post so you can be the first to see all of my latest recommendations—from restaurants and pop-ups to fun bars and exciting events.
