20 cafes for remote working in Central London

It’s been 2 years since we first went into a national lockdown in the UK. Since then, a lot of things have changed. For instance, many of us no longer have to work from the office. Although working from home has a lot of advantages, it can also be quite isolating. Since some of the restrictions were lifted, I have been spending my afternoons going for a swim, and then working remotely (writing reports and doing admin) from cafes in London. Today, I’d like to share my 20 favourite cafes for remote working in Central London.

My 20 favourite cafes for remote working in Central London

This list is by no means exhaustive, but reflects my personal preferences. To make it into this list of 20 cafes for remote working in Central London, certain criteria need to be fulfilled.

First, atmosphere. As much as I don’t like working from an office, I enjoy having company when working remotely. At the same time, I don’t want to feel like I’m taking up too much space, or spending too much time in a cafe. I therefore choose cafes that allow customers to sit for a couple of hours (or more) tapping away on their laptops.

Second, since I am going there in the afternoon, either before or after my swim, I would like to have a light lunch with my coffee. It doesn’t always have to be poached eggs and smashed avocado on toast, but even better if it is!

Third, wi-fi and plug sockets are good to have, though not absolutely necessary (since I can connect my laptop to my phone, and when fully charged the battery lasts for at least 2.5 hours, which usually allows me to do most of my admin in one go).

Last, I have only included cafes, located north of the river, east of Hyde Park, and south and west of A501 (my definition of Central London).

That said, here are my 20 favourite cafes for remote working in Central London, listed from West to East.

1. Embertons, at Waterstones Piccadilly

Waterstones is located a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Circus. The Piccadilly store is Europe’s largest bookshop and is home to two cafes, as well as a bar and restaurant. Embertons Café is located on the lower ground floor and is open daily. There is also a cafe at the mezzanine, but it is temporarily closed. The bar and restaurant is located on the 5th floor.

2. Rapha

Located on Brewer Street in Soho, not far from Waterstones Piccadilly and as close to Piccadilly Circus, there’s Rapha. Popular with the London cycling community, Rapha is not only a cafe suitable for remote working, but also a shop specialising in cycling essentials. Open daily.

3. Söderberg

Also, in Soho, halfway between Oxford Circus and Tottenham Court Road station, there’s Söderberg. Located on Berwick Street, this Swedish cafe and bakery is a popular destination for remote workers, but also those craving authentically Swedish food, or perhaps just a bit of fika. Open daily.

4. Triple Two Coffee, Wardour Street

Not far from Söderberg, there’s Triple Two Coffee. This is a relatively new franchise, with about two dozen shops in South England, including several in London. Located at 193 Wardour Street, in Soho (where TAP Coffee once was), this is the most central. Open daily.

5. Lavelle Bike + Bean

As the name suggests, Lavelle Bike + Bean combines a cafe with an e-bike and a wellness & lifestyle store. A great spot for remote working, but also a mouth-watering brunch or light lunch. It is located on Rathbone Place, in Fitzrovia, and is close to Tottenham Court Road station. Open daily.

Lavelle Bike + Bean, one of my 20 favourite cafes for remote working in Central London — Lavelle Bike + Bean

6. The Cafe at Foyles

Also close to Tottenham Court Road station, at 107 Charing Cross Road, there’s Foyles, one of the largest bookstores in London. The Cafe at Foyles is located on the 5th floor of the flagship store and is open daily.

The Cafe at Foyles, one of my 20 favourite cafes for remote working in Central London — The Cafe at Foyles

7. Blue Note, at Building Centre

Blue Note is located on the ground floor of the Building Centre, on Store Street. They serve a range of pastries and delicious lunch dishes by the Life Goddess, also located on Store Street. Due to its proximity to the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, it can be a popular lunch-break spot for doctors. Open Monday to Friday.

8. Store Street Espresso

As the name suggests, this cafe is also located on Store Street, in Fitzrovia (a few minutes’ walk from Tottenham Court Road or Goodge Street stations). Due to its proximity to the University of London, it is often popular with students working away on their laptops. Open daily.

Store Street Espresso, one of my 20 favourite cafes for remote working in Central London — Store Street Espresso

9. Dillons, at Waterstones Gower Street

The same is true for Dillons. This cafe is located on the ground floor of Waterstones on Gower Street and is relatively close to several underground stations (Goodge Street, Warren Street, Russel Square), as well as to Euston train station. I personally enjoy working there on Sunday afternoons. Open daily.

10. The Observatory

Also in Bloomsbury, not far from Dillons and close to Russell Square, there’s the Observatory. This is a photography gallery as well as a cafe. Open Monday to Saturday.

11. The Hoxton, Holborn

Just a stone’s throw from Holborn station, there’s the Hoxton, the only hotel in this list of cafes for remote working in Central London. The lobby is a magnet for people working remotely, so it feels more like a cafe than a hotel. The avocado on toast is rather pricey but the atmosphere is compensation. Open daily (of course).

12. Caffe Nero, 7b Kingsway

Caffe Nero is one of the most popular coffeehouse chains in the UK, with hundreds of stores in London. Of those I’ve visited, this one is my favourite, as well as one of my 20 favourite cafes for remote working in Central London. Due to its proximity to King’s College London, it is often popular with students working away on their laptops. It is also relatively close to several underground stations (Holborn, Covent Garden, Temple). Open daily.

Caffe Nero, 7b Kingsway, one of my 20 favourite cafes for remote working in Central London — Caffe Nero, 7b Kingsway

13. Caffe Nero, at Blackwell’s Bookshop High Holborn

Located inside the Blackwell’s Bookshop on High Holborn, this is another favourite of mine. It is closer to Chancery Lane, but also close to Holborn station. Open Monday to Friday.

14. Black Sheep, Chancery Lane

Black Sheep is another coffeehouse chain that has been expanding recently. There are currently close to 40 stores around London. This one, located close to Chancery Lane, in the City of London (where Taylor St Baristas was), is my favourite. Open Monday to Friday.

15. Catalyst

Also close to Chancery Lane, there’s Catalyst. It is located on Grays Inn Road, in Clerkenwell. Open Monday to Friday.

16. Attendant, Leather Lane

The Attendant is another London coffeehouse chain, but much smaller than the ones previously mentioned. There are currently only 5 stores. My favourite is the Fitzrovia one, located underground, in a former Victorian toilet. It is not very suitable for remote working though. On the contrary, the store on Leather Lane, in Clerkenwell, is great for that purpose. Despite being close to Chancery Lane and the City of London, it is open daily.

17. Prufrock

Prufrock is also located on Leather Lane, in Clerkenwell. Like the neighbouring Attendant, it is open daily.

18. The Wren Coffee

The Wren Coffee is not just one of my 20 favourite cafes for remote working in Central London, but also one of my favourite cafes in London, full stop. It is located in St Nicholas (St Nicks) Cole Abbey, near St Paul’s Cathedral, in the City of London. It is close to several underground and/or train stations (Mansion House, St Paul’s, Blackfriars, City Thameslink). It is open from Monday to Friday, but only for limited hours on Thursday and Friday.

The Wren Coffee, one of my 20 favourite cafes for remote working in Central London — The Wren Coffee

19. Host Cafe

This is another one of my favourite cafes in London, full stop. It is located in St Mary Aldermary, in the heart of the City of London. It is right next to Mansion House station, but also close to several other underground and train stations (Cannon Street, St Paul’s, Bank). Unfortunately, there is a time limit on how much time you can spend on your laptop, so it’s not my first choice when I have a lot of work to do. Open Monday to Friday.

20. Barbican

Last, there’s the Barbican Centre, located in the Barbican Estate of the City of London, nestled between the Barbican and Moorgate stations. The Barbican is a performing arts centre and the largest of its kind in Europe. It hosts classical and contemporary music concerts, theatre performances, film screenings and art exhibitions. It is also home to multiple cafes, restaurants and bars. Amongst those, there’s the Barbican Kitchen, as well as a cafe in the foyer (both on the ground floor). Open daily.