"I work from laptop" 10 London cafés to work from

As a blogger, I find that there is often the assumption that I spend most of my time working from home.  But the truth is, when it’s time to hit the emails (always) catch up on some research or write a few blog posts, I find I’m far more likely to head to one of my favourite London cafes to settle in for the day, rather than sit by myself at home, with the fridge and all its naughtiness calling me…
The folk at Relish are doing everything within their power to keep Londoners productive, and part of this is about helping city dwellers seek out new places to work from, which is where I come in.
I know a fair few haunts where you can find a plug socket for your laptop, tune in to reliable wifi, eat good grub, listen to your fabourite ‘Get Stuff Done’ Spotify playlist and meet other likeminded souls in our ever expanding freelancer ship. (We’re gonna need a bigger boat).
So grab your laptop, notebooks, pencil case and self motivation. Get out of the house and head towards one of these London gems, where the wifi is bright, the coffee is smooth and no one will be cross if you sit there for a few hours with one coffee and a small bite to eat…
See you there!
NORTH
Park Theatre
Clifton Terrace, Finsbury Park, London N4 3JP

Park Theatre is a hub of theatrical folk brainstorming and creating, and other freelancing types beavering away, while they chomp on a Portuguese custard tarts and slurp hot chocolates. (They’re really, really good). I really didn’t want to draw too much attention to this spot as it’s a bit of a regular haunt of mine and I don’t want to risk not having a seat. But that would make me a Bad Blogger and the Blogging Gods would, I’m sure, smite me with a curse of Slow Wifi Forevermore (SWF) if I didn’t share. So here I am, sharing. Dammit.
The Coffee Works Project
96-98 High Street, Islington, N1 8EG

Coffee is their thing and they do it oh so well. It’s almost impossible to get a seat in this large cafe on the weekend, but during the week you can nab yourself a seat, a sofa or a stool at the window bar, so you can watch the world go by while you listen to your tunes, bash on your laptop and take over the world doing whatever it is that you’re doing. Their cakes are pretty amaze too, fyi.
EAST
Lantana, Shoreditch
Unit 2, 1 Oliver’s Yard, 55 City Rd, London, EC1Y 1HQ

Lantana was one of the first cafés I ever wrote about on this blog, but that was back when their was just one London branch near Goodge Street.. which is a knock-out but eeny weeny. So their newer and BIGGER branch in Shoreditch was a very welcome addition to my Laptop Crawl – light and airy, big tables to work from, spacious and laid back and still serving up one of the best Eggs Benedicts in London.
Look Mum No Hands!
49 Old Street, London, EC1V 9HX

Founded in 2010 Look mum no hands! was a trailblazer combining a cafe, a bicycle workshop, a bar, and exhibition space to become one of the first Cycle Cafes… It has a fun and relaxed vibe and lots of people in lycra. You can enjoy coffee, cakes, sandwiches, beer… and be uber productive while you get your bike fixed at the same time. There’s also a lovely outside space for warmer days, where you can venture with your laptop… and yes, the wifi does reach 😉
CENTRAL
Ham Yard Hotel
1 Ham Yard, London, W1D 7DT

Ok, so it’s not really a café, but I couldn’t not include this wonderful spot – the Ham Yard Hotel is right in the heart of Piccadilly and the interior design alone will set your heart-a-pinging. There are nooks and crannies a plenty, where you can settle down with your laptop, delicious coffee to keep you zinging and even the crockery is beautiful… a firm favourite of mine.
Riding House Café
43-51 Great Titchfield Street, London, W1W 7PQ

I often prop myself up at the long bar at Riding House, with my laptop, a coffee and avocado on toast. With an egg on it, natch. If a stool isn’t your bag, you can plop yourself on the long table or on one of the smaller tables dotted around the cafe, of which there are many. This cafe can get very busy, especially at lunchtime, so if you want to nab yourself a space, it’s definitely worth booking.
WEST
Bluebelles of Portobello
320 Portobello Road
London

This café is on Portobello Road and I can ALWAYS find somewhere to sit and work. There are big tables, small tables and a small outside space where you can pitch yourself when the weather allows. They re extremely accommodating to freelancers and are a very smiley bunch! Great wifi, delicious cakes and in one of my favourite neighbourhoods…
Minkie’s Deli
‘Glasshouse’
Chamberlain Road, London, NW10 5RQ

I love this spot – it’s a tiny little cafe in Kensal Rise, where you can’t help but feel as though you’re in a Rom-Com movie. Or maybe that’s just me. It just feels movie-ish. It’s super cute with excellent coffee and really yummy food – ‘The coolest deli in North London!’ Vogue Magazine (See, not just me that thinks so).
SOUTH
Brown and Green
99 Church Rd, Crystal Palace, SE19 2PR

I love Brown and Green! This branch is the latest in their empire and you won’t find a happier spot to sit in. Perch yourself here for scrumptious brunch, butties, salads and toasties… It’s a glorious hangout in the heart of Crystal Palace and the owners themselves are two of the nicest people you’ll ever meet. So that’s another reason to go.
Lavish Habit
75 Bedford Hill, Balham SW12 9HA

Cakes and coffees are what Lavish Habit does best, so grab a couple of these and you’ll be set for some hours of super productive working! The interior is gorgeous, there are all kinds of bits and bobs (un-food-related – vintage, nick-nacks etc) to purchase, so try not to be distracted! The wifi is dreamy, the Lemon and Blueberry Drizzle is YUM and they serve up Monmouth Coffee to keep your engine pumping…
Do you know of a haunt I haven’t mentioned that’s great for working in? I’d love to know about it! Please share 😉 (I promise not to tell everyone….)
Poppy x
 
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//Written in collaboration with Relish