This list of the best remote cafes in New York City was written by Yana Zaytseva, co-founder of New York Simply (an official partner of Apple Maps).
With the pandemic mostly behind us, some changes to New York City are here to stay. One notable shift is the increased demand for work-friendly cafes due to the rise in remote jobs. If you’re in a similar boat then you may be searching for the top cafes to work from in NYC, that’s where I come in.
Having worked remotely for several years, I spend most of my workdays in coffee shops around town. Whether you prioritize excellent coffee, reliable WiFi, or cozy vibes, this list will help you decide the best spot for work for maximum productivity.
Visiting New York City? If you haven’t decided where to stay (yet) check out our helpful guide on Where to Stay in New York City (The best neighborhoods for first timers +3 to avoid). Don’t have time? Here’s my favorite hotel in NYC, hands down.
Best Cafes to Work From in NYC
Table of Contents: Work From Home Cafes NYC
Table of Contents: New York City Remote Cafes
- Best Cafes to Work From in NYC
- Stumptown Coffee
- Devocion
- Café-Flor (Chelsea)
- Remi43 Flower & Coffee
- Bean & Bean (Chelsea)
- Kona Coffee Roasters (East Village)
- Ground Central Coffee (Garment District)
- Black Cat (Lower East Side)
- The Book Club (East Village)
- PlantShed
- Amano
- Irving Farm
- Variety Coffee
- Hungry Ghost
- 787 Coffee (SoHo)
- Butler (SoHo)
- Partners Coffee
- The Bean
- Joe Coffee Company
- Patis Bakery at Arthouse Hotel
- Tips for Working at Coffee Shops in NYC
- Best Cafes to Work NYC
- Map of the Best Coffee Shops for Work NYC
Stumptown Coffee
Website: Stumptown Coffee
Neighborhood: West Village
Address: 30 W 8th St, New York, NY 10011
Stumptown Coffee Roasters have locations all over the country, but not without reason. Hailing from the pacific northwest, Stumptown churns out some of the best coffee in NYC. I feel i should add a disclaimer here, I’m a west coast transplant, so there might be some bias, but I stand by my words!
They have a few cafes in NYC, but the Greenwich Village outpost is my favorite to work remotely from in NYC. The WiFi is fast and reliable and the service is friendly and quick. Most of the time the cafe is full of headphone-clad students from nearby NYU, anyone with a laptop is bound to fit right in.
Devocion
Website: Devocion
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 69 Grand St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
Devoción (which translates to devotion in Spanish) is committed to serving locals the freshest coffee in Brooklyn and Manhattan. They meticulously select coffee plantations in Colombia and process the beans in Bogotá (Columbia) before shipping them overnight to Brooklyn for roasting. The coffee goes from bean to cup within 10 days, it’s an incredible achievement!
The Williamsburg location stands out with its spacious light-drenched layout and cozy industrial ambiance. While seating and WiFi are plentiful, it’s a popular NYC remote-work spot, so arriving early is key.
Café-Flor (Chelsea)
Website: Café-Flor
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: 218 8th Ave, New York, NY 10011
Café-Flor is part-cafe, part-plant shop. It’s one of the most beautiful cafes to work from in NYC if you’re in need of some inspiration. The second you step foot into Café-Flor you’re greeted with an intense aroma of coffee and flowers, so if you’re sensitive to smell this may not be the place for you.
You’ll find bistro chairs and green leather booths that add to the charm, making this one of the cutest cafes to work from in NYC. The cafe is laptop-friendly and outlets are easy to access so expect to find locals busy at work with a great cup of coffee nearby. The plants also help break up the space, so there are private pockets of seating perfect for deep focus.
Remi43 Flower & Coffee
Website: Remi43 Flower & Coffee
Neighborhood: Tudor City
Address: 906 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10017
Remi Flower & Coffee seamlessly blends coziness with comfort, making it one of NYC’s top cafes for remote work. This unique spot also functions as a floral shop that sells stunning arrangements alongside exceptional coffee. The latte art alone is worth the trip and there’s a selection of refreshing, colorful juices.
Depending on where you sit, plugins might not be available so make sure your laptop is at full charge before parking yourself at a table away from the wall. Try arriving before 10am for your best shot at a table. There’s even a loft up a winding staircase that provides additional seating and an aerial view of the coffee shop.
Something to note: Remi43 is one of two cafes that are part of Remi Flower & Company. Both of the cafes are located on the same street, if you’re looking for the working cafe specifically, route yourself to Remi43.
Bean & Bean (Chelsea)
Website: Bean & Bean
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: 318 8th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Bean & Bean Coffee Roasters is a woman-owned coffee shop in Chelsea. Large and industrial, the corner cafe is drenched in natural light, ideal for a productive day. There’s tons of seating and ample outlets at your disposal so you can linger for hours.
You might notice that the cafe’s mascot is a sloth, the reason? Bean & Bean Coffee Roasters saw there was an environmental issue with sourcing coffee beans that led to endangering sloths’ habitats. In an effort to help, Bean & Bean partnered with The Sloth Institute and has offered to donate a portion of online proceeds to endangered sloths. Not only is this one of the best cafes to work in NYC, it’s one of the most ethical!
Kona Coffee Roasters (East Village)
Website: Kona Coffee Roasters
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 57 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10003
Accidentally stumbling upon Kona Coffee Roasters in the East Village turned out to be a pleasant surprise. Known as one of NYC’s best work-friendly cafes, they source coffee beans directly from Hawaii. The standout Waikiki Matcha drink, featuring pineapple puree, milk, coconut cream, and matcha, is pretty hard to forget.
The clean and peaceful interior attracts students who appreciate the prime workspace. While prices lean towards the steeper side (common in NYC), the exceptional quality justifies the occasional splurge.
Ground Central Coffee (Garment District)
Website: Ground Central Coffee
Neighborhood: Midtown
Address: 888 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019
Ground Central Coffee has multiple locations but the cafe in Times Square is one of the best places to work remotely in NYC. With plenty of outlets, strong WiFi and an endless supply of coffee you’ll have no excuse not to be productive.
The place has an edgy atmosphere, with the walls painted black and murals of New York icons in stark white. Whereas most cafes are bright, sun-soaked spaces Ground Central Coffee is shadowy and dim, which for some people can provide a better environment to focus.
Black Cat (Lower East Side)
Website: Black Cat
Neighborhood: Lower East Side
Address: 172 Rivington St, New York, NY 10002
Out of all the cafes to work at in NYC, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better option than Black Cat. Offering free Wi-Fi, printers and outlets, the cafe can serve as a makeshift office. The popularity of this Lower East side coffee shop means people are constantly in and out, so if you need a quiet place to focus this might not be a great fit.
However, If you’re working on a group project or hosting a business meeting, the Black Cat is one of the best cafes to work at in NYC. Even if you’re working solo, just bring a pair of noise-canceling headphones and you’ll be good. If you work up an appetite there’s a decent-sized breakfast menu to choose from, as well as fresh pastries.
The Book Club (East Village)
Website: The Book Club
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 197 E 3rd St, New York, NY 10009
The Book Club is one of the best hidden gem cafes to work remotely in NYC. An independent bookstore that has a full-service bar, coffee and snacks — it’s the idea space for a cozy workday morning. The bookstore is a great place to get work done during the day and unwind by the evening. In fact, after 6pm, the homey bookstore becomes a laptop-free zone (which I just take as a sign that it’s time to crack open the wine).
But take note, wifi is not available at the Book Club. You might be asking why I’d include it in my roundup of the best remote work cafes in NYC, right? Well, if you’re anything like me, you might find yourself distracted easily. For times like that, I enjoy popping into the Book Club to get some big tasks off my plate that don’t require internet service (think book reports, reading essays, planning, etc.).
With plenty of spots to plant yourself for hours (including a charming outdoor seating area), you won’t struggle to get comfortable and getting in the zone.
PlantShed
Website: PlantShed
Neighborhood: SoHo
Address: 1 Prince St, New York, NY 10012
All my fellow plant lovers will be in a state of euphoria at PlantShed. The original Upper West Side location has been an oasis in the concrete jungle for more than 40 years, and their SoHo location is one of the best cafes to work from in NYC.
The plant craze has been in full swing over the last few years and PlantShed has capitalized by creating a place to enjoy some great coffee all while basking in abundant green foliage. The two-story SoHo store offers tables where it’s easy to get comfortable. Whether it’s to write a report or read a book, PlantShed provides one of the best cafes to work from in NYC.
Amano
Website: Amano
Neighborhood: West Village
Address: 172 West 4th Street, New York, NY 10014
The West Village boasts one of the best coffee shops to work remotely in New York City. Amano is an airy, light-filled shop serving strong coffee, helping you start your day in earnest. The coffee shop handpicks the harvests they purchase before bringing them to New York to be roasted in-house.
That’s actually how they chose their name. In Spanish “a mano” means by hand, a nod to the simplest way to ensure quality and some of the best coffee in New York City. The boldness of their coffee can be tasted both through simple drip coffee and fun drinks alike. Plus, add in the free WiFi and lively neighborhood and you have one of the best cafes to work from in NYC.
Irving Farm
Website: Irving Farm
Neighborhood: West Village
Address: 78 W 3rd St, New York, NY 10012
Serving New Yorkers for more than 20 years, Irving Farm is named after Irving Place, the street in Gramercy Park where they first opened up shop. Although the coffee company has planted roots all around New York, its location in the West Village is one of the best cafes to work from in NYC.
But before you start packing your laptop I have to mention that Irving Farm doesn’t offer WiFi. You might be thinking why the heck would I consider it one of the best cafes to work from in NYC, I’m going to tell you.
I’ve found that when I have to write (like pen + paper), read a report, or study, Irving Farm is one of the best coffee shops to work from in New York City. There’s an abundance of tables offering plenty of work surfaces, as well as a bathroom and friendly baristas.
In a world where everything is online (and I get it, my work revolves around a computer too) Irving Farm still manages to be one of the best cafes to work remotely in NYC. Being away from a place where you can easily get distracted by Netflix or mindless scrolling online helps keep you focused on what’s in front of you.
Variety Coffee
Website: Variety Coffee
Neighborhood: Chelsea
Address: 261 7th Ave, New York, NY 10001
Variety Coffee Roasters in Chelsea gets flooded with natural light and is a great spot to study or work remotely. Finding a seat shouldn’t be a problem since the coffee shop has plenty of tables and chairs to pick from. You’ll also find multiple outlets sprinkled throughout the cafe to charge your laptop and linger for hours.
What really makes Variety Coffee Roasters one of the best cafes to work remotely in NYC? They have a bathroom! The number of times I’ve found myself attempting to work at a cafe only to have to cut my time short because there’s no bathroom available is ridiculous and Variety Coffee fixes that issue. Also any cold brew fans in the house? I’ve found that Variety Coffee Roasters serves some of the smoothest cold brew in NYC, without the sour taste — I highly recommend trying it!
Hungry Ghost
Website: Hungry Ghost
Neighborhood: West Village
Address: 315 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10014
Hungry Ghost, founded by Murat Uyaroglu, stands out as one of NYC’s top work-friendly cafes, celebrating a decade of success with 12 locations across the city. Among them, the West Village spot is a personal favorite for remote work.
Known for serving exceptional Stumptown coffee, Hungry Ghost charms with its sun-drenched, airy ambiance and modern decorative arches. While the cafe is relatively small, the grab-and-go trend ensures you can easily secure a seat. With free WiFi and counter-style seating, it’s an ideal setting for focused work.
“I saw the game changing, coffee started being treated like wine; it’s special. It’s important where you get it, how you roast it, how you brew it.”
MURAT UYAROGLU, THE BRIDGE BROOKLYN BUSINESS NEWS
787 Coffee (SoHo)
Website: 787 Coffee
Address: Multiple locations
787 is a Puerto-Rican coffee company making some of the best coffee in New York City, period. Their shop in SoHo is one of the best cafes to work from in NYC and I’m not the only one who thinks this, it’s always littered with locals.
The coffee is consistently great and the baristas are always top-notch. I especially love the purpose-driven mission of this charming cafe, which is to provide a farm-to-cup coffee experience while supporting the local community.
The coffee is grown and processed on a farm in Puerto Rico by the owners of the cafe. The goal is to grow coffee in a sustainable manner and offer livable wages to the locals they hire. That’s why I think 787 Coffee is one of the best cafes to work remotely from in NYC. They understand the meaning of hard work and give you all the WiFi (and caffeine) for you to do the same.
Butler (SoHo)
Website: Butler
Neighborhood: SoHo
Address: 177 Lafayette St, New York, NY 10013
Ryan Butler blessed New Yorkers when he opened Butler in 2016. Being a chef by profession, Butler has curated an exquisite and simple menu that compliments their delicious coffee from Intelligentsia coffee roasters. Roasted to perfection, the coffee is among the smoothest you’ll find and makes working at the NYC cafe a breeze. Plus, the ability to walk to the register and order food helps keep you focused on your work.
Whether you pop in first thing in the morning or for an afternoon snack, Butler has the perfect cup of coffee to keep you focused. And the sleek and gorgeously designed interiors make it one of the cutest cafes to work from in NYC. Their SoHo location at any given time is littered with chatting friends, or folks on laptops working away. With their big and light-filled space it’s a great place to hunker down and be productive.
Partners Coffee
Website: Partners Coffee
Neighborhood: Williamsburg
Address: 125 N 6th St, Brooklyn, NY 11249
It didn’t take long for Partners Coffee to become a NYC staple. In 10 years the brand has gone from a single cafe in Williamsburg to 5 across the Big Apple. The success is due to them serving the best coffee in New York City.
However, it’s hard to trump the original Williamsburg shop as one of the best cafes to work remotely in NYC. The coffee is roasted in-house so you’ll find an alluring aroma leading your nose into the coffee shop. Once inside you won’t struggle finding a table to hunker down and get some work done.
It’s bright, slightly industrial, and totally charming. Plus the tables are large enough that I can comfortably fit my laptop, hard drive, and notepad as well as my coffee. Partners Coffee is also one of the best cafes to work from in NYC if you’re also looking for a meal. Partners have a decent menu to quiet a growling stomach.
The Bean
Website: The Bean
Neighborhood: East Village
Address: 31 3rd Ave, New York, NY 10003 & 771 Broadway, New York, NY 10003
The Bean opened its doors in 2003 and has since made a name for itself as one of the best cafes to work from in NYC. Boasting plenty of tables and plugins, it’s easy to find a place to hunker down and be productive.
This East Village coffee shop also serves an impressive amount of food and quick bites for a cafe. The Bean has your typical savory and sweet pastries, along with acai bowls and smoothies in case you work up an appetite. It’s also one of the best cafes to work from in NYC if you’re a student because you get a 10% discount. Having been a broke college student myself I know that every penny counts.
Joe Coffee Company
Website: Joe Coffee Company
Neighborhood: Bryant Park
Address: 55 West 40th St Structure #9, Kiosk #4, New York, NY 10018
Joe Coffee Company is a popular chain that has a plethora of cafes across New York City. With plenty of brick-and-mortar stores, you’ll be shocked to learn that their kiosk at Bryant Park is one of the best cafes to work in NYC.
Confused? Let me explain – Bryant Park is perfectly tucked into the shadow of towering buildings and has abundant tables and chairs. It also has free WiFi, so when the weather is nice, folks flock to the park-like moths to a flame.
You have the option of sitting directly under the sun, but my preference is grabbing a table covered by the canopy of London Plane Trees. On a warm day when I’m itching to get outside Joe Coffee Company at Bryant Park is one of the best cafes to work from in NYC!
Patis Bakery at Arthouse Hotel
Website: Patis Bakery
Neighborhood: Upper West Side
Address: 2178 Broadway, New York, NY 10024
A true hidden gem in the Upper West Side, Patis Bakery is one of the best cafes to work from in NYC. Located inside the lobby of the Arthouse Hotel you’ll find an elegant atmosphere reminiscent of 1920’s swanky speakeasies.
Since the cafe is still under the radar you won’t struggle finding a place to sit. There’s a long table in the back where you can work comfortably in a group and couches for those just looking to get lost in their projects.
Thanks to the hotel’s WiFi and plethora of tables it’s one of the best cafes to work from in NYC. The bakery is certified kosher by the Orthodox Union and the pastries are tasty, perfect for a mid-morning boost. You won’t be short on coffee either since the cafe has just about every popular drink available.
Tips for Working at Coffee Shops in NYC
- Bring your charger: I can’t be the only one who has ventured out looking for the best cafes to work from in NYC only to whip out my laptop and found it dead. Be sure your charger is in your pack, and if you have a long one bring that it just in case the plug is a ways away.
- Buy things from the cafe: If you’re working from a coffee shop in New York City show your appreciation for the space, WiFi etc. by purchasing a coffee or a pastry. The cafes spend money to give you a place to work, do your part by helping keep them in business.
- Consider glare/privacy: If you’re working at a cafe in NYC on sensisitve documents or outside consider a privacy screen for your laptop. They help reduce glare and wandering eyes, I’ve found this one to be an essential item in my pack!
Best Cafes to Work NYC
In sum, here’s a quick round up of the best coffee shops for working NYC
- Arthouse
- Devoción
- Café-Flor
- Remi Flower & Coffee
- Joe Coffee Company
- Bean & Bean
- Kona Coffee Roasters
- Ground Central Coffee
- Black Cat
- The Book Club
- PlantShed
- Amano
- Irving Farm
- Variety Coffee
- Hungry Ghost
- 787 Coffee
- Butler
- Stumptown Coffee
- Partners Coffee
- The Bean
Map of the Best Coffee Shops for Work NYC
More Coffee Posts
- 20+ Irresistible Coffee Spots in New York City (Guaranteed to Satisfy)
- 10+ Bold Brooklyn Coffee Shops (You’re Guaranteed to Love)
- 20 Cute Cafes in New York City (Instagram Worthy Spots)
And there it is folks! The best cafes to work remotely in NYC.
Cheers!
CB says
Update to this list: Laughing Man Tribecca has no public wifi and the vegan options are very limited. I wasted the hour trip coming down here from the Bronx!