32+ Laptop-Friendly Cafes for Getting Work Done in Brooklyn

Have you been working from home for so long that you’re dying to go work remotely in a new environment?

Are you looking for some inspiring, unique and cool places to work with your laptop, grab some WiFi and try a new coffee drink?

You’re in the right place. This is the #1 list of coffee shops for working remotely with your laptop right here in Brooklyn, and I’m constantly updating this list to reflect changes in cafes and coffee shops (some have closed since last year), as best I can, so that you can go find new spots to get work done.

Read on, to find some new Brooklyn spots for working, taking meetings, studying, doing homework, reading a book or coworking with a friend.

If you see any errors in this article based on current experience, please get in touch with us as soon as you can, so that we can make this the most useful list possible for everyone. Thank you!

Devocion (Downtown Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Flatiron & DUMBO)

During my most recent visit to the Downtown BK location, I mentioned to the barista that I had spent a month in Bogota during the last year and that what had excited me most was Devocion’s strong connection to Colombia itself.

She said Devocion is so serious about their Colombian beans that they overnight them by FedEx from Colombia to New York so that they’re as fresh as possible. Is that devotion… or is it ‘devoción?’

During the day on weekdays, Devocion is filled with 80-90% remote workers on laptops.

Where does Devocion have locations?

Would you believe it - Devocion has locations in Brooklyn and Manhattan, and Bogota, Colombia.

The DUMBO Devocion

This is the newest Devocion (as of summer 2022) and it’s very exciting for the neighborhood. DUMBO’s Devocion is clean and glimmering with great design (check out our photos here) and it’s spacious with tons of natural light.

Located at 105 York St., it is open from 7:30am – 6pm on Mondays through Fridays, and 8am – 7pm on weekends.

The Downtown Brooklyn Devocion

On the Monday when I visited, there were still seats available and the place was surprisingly not entirely packed. There’s a cool soundtrack playing in the background, and due to the fact that most people here are working, no chatter and not too many loud conversations.

Decor is clean and new, with high industrial-style ceilings, walls reminiscent of cinder blocks, tiled floor, a cool cement central “patio” surrounded by real (!) jungle plant life. Working here is like working in a garden.

For the Downtown Brooklyn location, the closest subway is Hoyt-Schermerhorn C/G.

Check out Devocion and learn more about their coffee and their story.

To drink: the fresh Colombian coffee.

Devocion: Williamsburg cafe

Devocion in Williamsburg has all the same perks as its sister location in Downtown Brooklyn, but it sports a natural-lit space with a big skylight for a beautiful effect while you work on your laptop.

Here you’ll find couches in the center of the cafe, surrounded by some tables with umbrellas where you can sip on and savor an excellent Colombian coffee.

Can you work remotely at Devocion in Williamsburg?

Yes, you can! As you can even see in our photos, there were people working remotely when we most recently went there. All set on this front!

When is Devocion in Williamsburg open daily?

This cafe is open Monday through Sunday from 8am to 6:30pm. You can definitely get some work or studying done here!

What is so special about Devocion’s Williamsburg location?

Well, just look at the wall of plants. The plants chosen for this wall include some coffee plants unique to Colombia! Devocion wants you to imagine you’re a guest at an estancia (a large plot of land used for farming) in the Colombian coffee region, so enjoy!

Coffee Project NY (Fort Greene, also East Village/Chelsea and LIC)

Coffee Project NY came recommended by a friend, and despite being only 6 blocks from my current apartment, I didn’t go until January 2020.

This is a unique cafe with tall ceilings, exposed brick walls, earthy wooden tables and a modern white aesthetic. The look is complete with a neon light installation on the inner wall that reads, “COFFEE made me do it.” I can’t lie – it did.

So, for working: on a weekday morning and afternoon, I counted that 7 out of 9 customers were working on laptops (the last two were having a catch-up session with baked goods). It’s a very work-y environment if you have your laptop with you for the day and you’re looking for a spot to settle down.

How is the WiFi at Coffee Project NY?

It’s fast. My download speeds were about 140 Mbps.

How is the coffee and the food at Coffee Project NY?

The coffee: Excellent. I had the drip of the day and it was a delightful Nicaraguan blend. They also have coffee in bags for sale, ranging from a house blend drip to house blend espresso and single origin, priced at market price.

The food: There’s an assortment of croissants, jelly donuts and cake. Yum again.

We took a couples coffee class with Coffee Project in Long Island City. If you’re really into coffee, check it out and let them we said hi!

Blank Street (Boerum Hill, Williamsburg, Cobble Hill, Park Slope)

The location of Blank Street closest to us is the Boerum Hill location. Blank Street is a newcomer to a neighborhood that was much in need of a good coffee shop where you can bring your laptop and work remotely.

This new coffee shop chain is incorporating tech into their offering with their app that’ll help you out at any of their NYC locations. You can enjoy a free drink at Blank Street when you pre-order through their mobile app!

Enter referral code 432B0A on sign up! Get the Blank Street app here.

At the time of our update, they now have 27 other locations in DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, Williamsburg, Cobble Hill and several in Manhattan (Gramercy, Midtown, Upper West, Upper East, I can’t even name them all). Check out our review of Blank Street to learn more about their locations.

Why is Blank Street so cute? They’ve put together a neighborhood cafe that has the aesthetic you’re looking for in a neighborhood-y trendy vibe, with super nice staff, excellent drinks and outdoor seating.

They serve Parlor Coffee and they make an excellent oat milk cappuccino. There’s also merch to buy, and you can purchase a box of Parlor Coffee for home.

Can you work outside at Blank Street?

Yes, you can (at least at the brick-and-mortar locations, not at the coffee carts). Blank Street and the locations we have seen in Cobble Hill, Boerum Hill and Williamsburg all have a few outdoor tables, and some are even set on their own little mats of astroturf so that you’re on an island of a private lawn. This is such a cute idea.

I worked for an hour at the Bergen/Nevins location and by sitting in the little nook bench closest to the door and window, I got good WiFi after asking the staff for the password.

I noted that the Cobble Hill location at 178 Court St, Brooklyn, NY 11201 uses the Link NYC network as the applicable WiFi network you’d be able to use if you sat outside. You could also hotspot from your phone.

Does their WiFi reach outside?

I can speak to the Bergen St. Boerum Hill location: Yes (but maybe not so much if you sit on the little turf laws closer to the street). The cafe wants you to come with your laptop and get some work or studying done. In Williamsburg locations, their seating is street-side like outdoor dining, and in the Bergen Street location, it’s sidewalk-side.

In Cobble Hill, seating is also on the sidewalk, and in Boerum Hill on Smith St. there’s a little yard inlet on the corner with a food shack (can’t speak to the WiFi situation at the coffee cart on Pacific & Smith, so this is not confirmed)! If you have visited any of the Manhattan Blank Street locations, please get in touch with us to give a review on the workability of those cafes.

What is there to eat at Blank Street?

They serve King David tacos (yum), so there are breakfast tacos and baked goods (some are gluten-free, so also yay!).

IXV Coffee (Boerum Hill)

On an unassuming residential block in Boerum Hill (two blocks from where I live), IXV Coffee is a down-to-earth space on a quiet street.

Opened as “the newest Zero-Waste coffee shop in Brooklyn,” that is exactly the brand IXV is going for, with their low-frills deco, retro collection of outdoor seating, chalkboard welcome, compost bins and handmade up-cycled goods for sale. See their website for the full story.

This is an ethical coffee shop, and when I arrived and spoke to the staff, they handed me a business card from a piece of a cardboard box with the cafe’s logo hand-stamped on it. I was told they welcome patrons to bring their own mugs or tumblers, and they like it that way (they also sell tumblers).

IXV insists on composting even though the city prefers otherwise, and aims for a zero-waste environment in which there’s an eco-friendly way to dispose of absolutely everything.

They also offer a 7-day coffee subscription and it’s for espresso with milk. Last plug: their Instagram is cute and eco-vibey.

Is it good for working remotely?

As for working remotely, IXV has an outdoor dining construction on the street (corner of Pacific St. and Third Ave.) at which there are a handful of chairs.

They do sport a WiFi network, and due to the outdoorsy environment that does expose you to the elements in case it’s storming or very hot/cold, I’m leaning toward this place as a quick stop if you are in the area and have to get a dab of work done at a laptop while sitting in a chair.

Final thoughts on IXV as a laptop environment

I wouldn’t fully recommend IXV to hunker down and work on a paper or take a meeting during the course of more than an hour. But, given what this neighborhood coffee spot is, it is a cafe with WiFi, they do not turn away laptops like some other places do and their no-waste mantra is invigorating.

The Center for Fiction Cafe (Fort Greene)

Are you dreaming of doing work in a quiet bookstore with floor-to-ceiling shelves reminiscent of a library?

Your aspirations for being surrounded in literature can come true as soon as you arrive at The Center for Fiction, on the very bright corner of Lafayette Ave. and Ashland Pl.

Can you work remotely at CFF?

Yes, you can bring a laptop here and use WiFi while seated at their cafe.

As of late 2021, the cafe is back open with indoor seating and a full menu of coffee, tea, espresso, beer, wine, cocktails, and small bites (mostly baked goods and they look great).

All laptop seating is in the ‘auditorium’ in the room neighboring the cafe and bookstore itself. The vibe here is quiet, as in, you wouldn’t go here and casually take a loud stand-up meeting or boisterous meetup with a friend.

It’s the type of place where everyone is heads-down and into their own things for the most part. This being said, it’s a great place to come and work quietly without disruptions or loud interruptions like you might get at more lively coffee shops in town.

What are the hours for working at the Center for Fiction Cafe?

Here’s where I recommend reading the fine print: the cafe hours are 11am-8pm daily.

For people coming with laptops to get work done, note that the indoor seating closes a little early (usually 5 or 5:30pm) if there are any in-person author events.

It is suggested to check the CFF events calendar beforehand.

Is there a limit on WiFi like there was a few years ago?

Nope! The cafe did away with the limited WiFi, so now the WiFi is unlimited and you don’t have to worry!

Vineapple (Brooklyn Heights)

Vineapple is nearly hidden from the street and tucked behind a small door and small sign on Pineapple Street, Vineapple is super chill. As of 2021, the cafe is under new ownership, which has brought its best features back to life.

There’s now a beautiful backyard garden where anyone can work with their laptop and some Devocion coffee, and a sidewalk cafe where you can meet with a friend and enjoy options from a significant food menu, craft cocktail selection and curated wine list from predominantly women-owned vineyards.

See more about the latest in this cafe’s renovation and rebranding at their website.

What can you drink at Vineapple?

They have a good selection of tea, coffee wine and cocktails.

Hungry Ghost (Park Slope / Prospect Heights / Fort Greene / Carroll Gardens)

Hungry Ghost. Memorable name, right?

My biggest discovery when visiting Hungry Ghost’s Prospect Heights Flatbush Ave. location recently to do work was also that the key to getting some space and a comfy seat was coming at 4 pm and staying til past 6.

Due to this location’s optimal location between Park Slope, Fort Green and Prospect Heights, it’s always busy (with people on laptops on weekdays).

Decor at the location I go to is chic and has a touch of vintage. If you look up at the ceiling, you’ll remember that most old buildings in Prospect Heights are turn-of-the-century and pre-war and have details in the ceilings.

Big windows at the front of the store let in lots of beautiful light toward the end of the day, and you can get cozy in the window booth.

Dweebs

Minimalist and unpretentious cafe Dweebs has a dreamy menu and is a neighborhood favorite spot for working remotely with a laptop. This coffee shop is located at 1434 Dekalb Ave, between Wilson Avenue & Knickerbocker Avenue in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

Most people continually praise the coffee (from Spectrum Coffees) at Dweebs, along with (wait for it) the chia pudding. So, put it on the list. For the rest of the eats, they have breakfast burritos, “bagel sammies,” and convenient “TOASTS” like avocado on toast or “eggs! on toast.”

The indoor dining area has plenty of space in which to work on a computer with WiFi, and they now have outdoor dining, giving you an open-air environment in which to work remotely outside. Dweebs has consistently been known as a good place to get work done, study, do homework, catch up on reading or hang with friends.

Variety Coffee (Greenpoint, Williamsburg & Bushwick)

With three Brooklyn locations to choose from in north BK, you can probably find a Variety Coffee within a 20-minute walk no matter where you’re located along the L or G trains.

Variety Coffee shops are a bit of a retro-meets-modern bunch, and frequent customers recommend the cold brew (best ever?), along with the vegan pumpkin loaf, croissants and some gluten-free baked goods.

As for working, most Variety shops make for excellent chill places where you can work with your laptop. The Williamsburg location has outdoor seating to be happy about. The Greenpoint location is smaller with outdoor seating in the street in a corral setup. You can see the Variety Coffee Instagram here.

Manhattanville Coffee (Bedford-Stuyvesant)

Located at 167 Rogers Ave Brooklyn, NY, this is a Brooklyn coffee shop with lots of natural light near Crown Heights, Brooklyn.

In any case, the Bed-Stuy location is a hot spot for nomads, remote workers and people who just wait to sit down in a WiFi- and laptop-friendly environment where outlets are plentiful.

Fans of Manhattanville say the place feels like a neighborhood coffee shop without feeling like a Starbucks (for sure) and the natural light through the big windows is always appreciated so that you don’t feel like you’re in a claustrophobic city coffee shop smushed in between walls.

Recommended items for consumption are the chocolate croissant, chai latte, jalapeño and cheddar scone and nitro cold brew. The staff are welcoming and you should feel pretty comfy here doing your work or studying.

Brooklyn Kolache (Bedford-Stuyvesant)

Brooklyn Kolache Co. is a cutie little blue-themed bakeshop with its Brooklyn location in the heart of Bed-Stuy at 520 Dekalb Avenue (Dekalb and Bedford), and a Manhattan location on Bleecker St.

The menu might stop you in your tracks, with its array of famed pastries, rolls and vegan treats, along with coffee drinks, from a vegan turmeric latte to the good morning latte (also vegan).

With nice outdoor tables in a yard, this is a cool and chill spot to work remotely with your laptop and some fresh air.

Odd Fox Coffee (Greenpoint & Bed-Stuy)

Odd Fox describes itself as a cafe brand where you should hang out and get work done, so yes, they probably want you to grab your laptop and come enjoy a coffee with some WiFi. Hooray!

This is a chill coffee shop (in both locations) where the coffee is ‘mmmmm’ and the peeps are chill.

Two locations, in Greenpoint at the original location of 984 Manhattan Ave, Brooklyn, NY, and in Bed-Stuy at 525 Throop Ave, will keep you happy even if you move, or have a friend to see in the other neighborhood.

You can chill in the yard to study, read, do work or just consume Internet, and you should check out Odd Fox Coffee’s website.

Duo+ (Cobble Hill)

When I shared this list of WiFi-friendly cafes where remote workers will want to spend a few hours to escape home, the members of the Boerum Hill neighborhood Facebook group asked why CH’s new Duo+ wasn’t on the list.

It was because I hadn’t been there yet! And now that we’ve solved this, I can tell you that Duo+ is a great coffee shop in Cobble Hill on Court St. that has one of the best cafe vibes for getting work done.

With out-of-the-park ratings on Google Maps (5.0 at the time of writing) and lovely cozy vibes, this neighborhood cafe is a winner. Its sea-foam green exterior and cute two-seater table outside are a cute start to what comes inside.

The interior of Duo+ is warm with exposed brick hues and soft lighting. The music playing in the background is jazz instrumentals that are great for focusing and studying. It’s not pin-drop quiet like a library, but rather, it has a “coffee shop in the background” level of noise and sound that can help keep you busy.

The barista behind the bar was super friendly as I walked in, and the sweet treats in the pastry shelves looked delectable (Nutella croissant, anyone?). There’s also caffeine for sale (yay), and books. Lastly, note that there’s a sandwich menu (not pictured) that includes tomato mozzarella, roast beef and BLT (and more!), on wheat bread, a brioche bun or a croissant.

It looks like Duo+ doesn’t have a website yet, so you can check the business out on Yelp.

Casita (Park Slope)

Casita is one of the newest newcomers to the coffee shop scene in Brooklyn, and in Park Slope, it’s getting a sweet amount of attention.

Simply charming from the outside, and with a cool neon Insta-moment right in the interior, Casita is a friendly and cozy neighborhood spot where you can sit outside and work with your laptop!

WiFi is good, the staff is awesome and the menu is unique. What’s different and fresh about Casita is that the owners are Latin & Greek, so the menu items reflect this with empanadas, cafe con leche and guava and cheese pastries.

The cafe’s clientele are loyal because the owners greet the regulars by name, and guess what: it’s dog-friendly! See more about the Casita story and their vibey Instagram account.

Little Skips East (Ocean Hill/Bushwick)

Little Skips is a family of two cafes, with the “East” location in Bushwick and the “South” location in PLG.

Little Skips East is the Bushwick-Ocean Hill location, and it’s known in the neighborhood as a good spot to work remotely for a few hours around these parts of Brooklyn.

Here’s a rundown of the coffee shop?

• There are two big tables for “camping out with a laptop”
• The food menu serves up sandwiches, croissants and brunch items
• There are also wines and brews on tap.
• A little market has classic grocery items from local vendors for sale.
• The vibe is kind of industrial-meets-art, with a focus on elements of Little Skips being a woman-owned business in Bklyn.

Freehold (Williamsburg)

TOP PICK ALERT!

Freehold is one heck of a name in the Williamsburg parts, where this locale is known for being a cafe, coworking environment, event space, brunch spot and bar. Freehold has a whole variety of personas.

What you can find here if you want to come and work is a great coffee menu and lots of places to sit, whether inside, outside, on a deck or at a booth.

Brooklyn Roasting Company (Brooklyn Navy Yard)

Secret’s out. Brooklyn Roasting Company has lots of locations and is practically a NYC household cafe name, but the Navy Yard location is spacious and feels a bit like a miniature coworking space. You’ll see a few people here with laptops, and there’s WiFi.

What you certainly can count on at BRC is a large variety of coffees from all over the world, an array of non-coffee drinks and internet.

The Flushing Ave./Navy Yard location (200 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205) is where we walked by recently to verify that remote workers can hunker down with some caffeine and get into their work or studying.

Sit & Wonder (Prospect Heights)

Aw, Sit & Wonder is so cute! I first came here with a friend while exploring her neighborhood two years ago and based our preference for cafe features on ‘outdoor seating’ and ‘backyard garden.’

Sit & Wonder is hip, neighborhood-y and cozy. On the menu is Stumptown coffee, sandwiches and pastries. There are specialty drinks like kombucha, cold brew, maple lattes and matcha.

Poetica (Carroll Gardens, Boerum Hill, Williamsburg, Windsor Terrace )

Poetica is a local group of coffee shops under more or less the same name, and the Cobble Hill-Carroll Gardens location has a plant-filled backyard! It has a great atmosphere for getting work done.

If you check out their website, you’ll see the other locations, ranging from Williamsburg (the cafe that has a sign that says “Coffeeeeeeeee” on Lorimer Street), Windsor Terrace and the newest location on Atlantic Ave. near Third Ave. in Boerum Hill (yay)!

You can find people on laptops and reading at all Poetica locations, so it’s a great name to put into Google Maps and see if you are near a Poetica already. Also, all their locations seem to have this “Instagram moment” innately designed in their facades, and with the draping flowers, you’ll want a photo.

Lincoln Station (Prospect Heights)

Lincoln Station is a cool spot in Prospect Heights and not too far from Prospect Park. It doubles (triples?) as a coffee shop, brunch spot and place to have a beer. In spring and summer, their outdoor seating is super nice!

Inside, the environment can be described as ‘busy.’ Seating consists of tables around the perimeter and at the windows and a bigger communal table in the center. Most people using laptops sit in the big center table.

Stonefruit Espresso + Kitchen (Bed Stuy)

OMG, Stonefruit is SO, so cute. This sizable cafe, which has dual personalities as a coffee shop and a plant store (!!) is located near the Bedford-Nostrand G train (one block away, actually), and I wish I had found it much sooner.

The crowd: Local coffee shop customers, lots of quiet people on laptops, and people who want to brunch.

The plants: They are delightful. The entire back room has a long family-style/cowork-style table with 14 chairs and a side table that has cool retro chairs and pillows. For sale, there are plants lining the walls, soil and potting mix on the floor (bagged), Instagram-friendly pots for sale in an array of pastel colors and dried flowers for your home.

There are also wreaths, baskets and macrame wall hangings. If you want to feel like you’re working for the day in a greenhouse, this is the place.

The WiFi: Fast. 170 Mbps for downloads (via fast.com), with upload speed of 60 Mbps.

The coffee: it’s delicious, and the small house drip is $2.50 with the first re-fill on the house! Visit their website here.

Blue Bottle Coffee (Park Slope, Boerum Hill, Williamsburg)

Blue Bottle Coffee is a gem because the interior (in the Park Slope location) is like a minimalist light wood dream where you’re about to drink something awesome.

Blue Bottle is a pourover specialist, and if you order the drip coffee (we did), you get a custom pourover by a barista.

There’s no regular drip coffee from a big vat or anything like that. Their menu is beautifully specialized, with espresso and various specialties like the “New Orleans” iced coffee, a coffee tonic, the “Cascara Fizz” and cold brew in a can for purchase (you can also buy it online here).

Come here any day and you’ll see locals taking up the tables against the back wall with laptops.

On weekends, it’s full with passersby, including kids and dogs.

Bonus: the outdoor space! What a joy to sit in a sunlit patio facing 7th Avenue in Park Slope, where you can people watch, or stay connected to their fast and free WiFi.

Other bonus: They have “coffee toys” (the Blue Bottle Carafe, and the Blue Bottle Coffee Dripper) and swag for sale, and you can also buy Blue Bottle signature bagged coffee.

Brooklyn Perk (Prospect Lefferts Gardens)

Not huge, but quiet with remote workers on the average weekday, this cafe has a great set of drinks. WiFi is free, strong and fast for some laptop time.

They have some specialty drinks like a lavender latte, rose latte and a bunch of fancy tea like French lemon ginger and white coconut creme.

Swallow Cafe (Cobble Hill, Williamsburg & Bushwick)

Popular for people near Brooklyn Heights who want to get a little bit of work done with coffee, Swallow Cafe is the neighborhood-y joint around here in Cobble Hill.

It’s smart to get to Swallow Cafe early, as tables fill up with laptop workers in the morning. According to our latest visit, they’re also pretty populated on a Monday at around 2:30 pm, so expect to share a table or sit on the stools at the window.

Ambiance: lots of natural light here, as, yes – you can sit facing the street and feel kind of like you’re in a TV sitcom set (in my opinion). The decor is woody and vintage, with big brass chandeliers, a handwritten chalkboard with all food and drink specials and wooden shelving full of coffee toys like V60 pour-overs and packaged beans for sale (by Counter Culture coffee).

WiFi: WiFi is fast, there are some power outlets and everyone’s happy with the quality of the coffee, which comes from Counter Culture. What’s unique about the place are the high ceilings, which are a welcomed feature in a city of tight spaces. Fast.com clocked in at 72 Mbps with an upload speed of 11 Mbps.

To drink and eat: we tried the drip coffee (as always, to keep things consistent), and it’s a bit burnt-tasting, but again, some people like that. Note that if you’d like a ‘for here’ cup, they charge you for a large.

For food, there’s lots on the menu, from sandwiches named after neighborhoods in Brooklyn (“The Fort Greene,” “The Cobble Hill”) to breakfast all day, salads and smoothies. As you order and pay, you’ll see a glass case of fun vegan and gluten-free baked goods, trendy wrapped chocolates and granola bars from local sellers. You won’t go hungry here!

Coffee offerings range from lattes and cappuccinos to mocha, chai latte, matcha latte, golden latte and teas. There’s oat and macadamia milk, along with a house vanilla syrup for adding. For those who want something sweet, they have lemonade and apple cider as well.

Bond St Coffee and Goods (Gowanus)

Given a tip by a fellow member of my Brooklyn neighborhood Facebook group, I decided to check out Bond St. Coffee & Goods as a cafe for working remotely in Gowanus.

The cafe is a busy spot, located near several new luxury high rises at the development between the Gowanus Canal and Bond St.

Locals in the area know Bond St Coffee well, although anyone from farther-flung neighborhoods may not be making it out there. All in all, the location only 2.5 blocks from the Carroll St. F/G train is not too shabby.

A menu of hot sandwiches, cold sandwiches, salads and hot drinks makes this place equal parts order-and-go, and enjoy-and-stay. With ample seating and a WiFi network, you can see why this is a neighborhood spot for taking a break and bringing a laptop along.

Rather than a homegrown cozy warm coffee shop vibe, Bond St Coffee and Goods is a bit more like a proper cafe, with meals, coffees, a fridge of sodas/beverages and bags of chips to grab for snacks.

If you’re into ratings, know that they have a big clear “A” on the front next to the entrance.

If there’s anything on the menu to write home about, it seems like it’s the signature drinks, which include a turmeric latte, lavender latte, matcha lemonade and ginger + turmeric lemonade. Those will be a great way to stay cool this summer.

Kos Kaffe (Park Slope)

Kos Kaffe is a “marriage of food and coffee,” and the place is a local coffee shop vibe with wooden floors, shabby-chic deco, friendly staff and quick bites (from salads to sweet treats to avocado toast).

Kos Kaffe is a Park Slope staple, from its corner location on Garfield & 5th Ave (Park Slope) to its Sara Erenthal artwork boldly on the windows.

The baked goods are either made in-house or sourced locally, with breakfast served from 8am to 7pm daily, and drinks including a Belgian hot chocolate, matcha latte, Organic Kos Blend coffee and iced chai.

As of 2021, Kos Kaffe is open for outdoor dining - yay! Regarding working with a laptop, they’ll note that laptop use is only permitted in certain areas of the cafe Monday thru Friday 12pm-3pm and Saturday-Sunday 10am-4pm. At all other times, laptop use is unrestricted.

Check out the coffee shop’s Instagram.

Velvette Brew (Park Slope)

Another Park Slope classic cafe, locals love Velvette Brew as a neighborhood spot for a tasty iced coffee, sweat treat and a little spot to do work in.

Are you into your coffees? Their house blend is Direct Trade Certified, and you can see more about it here.

On the menu is a piercing green matcha lemonade, delightful matcha latte and iced chai for cooling down. You might also be inclined to go for an Instagram-perfect hot latte with hand-done latte art, for dining in.

In terms of actually getting work done, this is a good spot for popping in for just 1-2 hours. Seats are not so comfortable for longer than this, and they could benefit from more outlets, but again, this is a coffee shop, not a coworking space!

Because Velvette Brew is not a massive space, expect that there is a limited amount of seating. If you can’t find a seat, pick up a muffin or a signature sweet crepe anyway, and come back another time!

AVA Brew (Downtown Brooklyn)

AVA Brew is a modern space with a clean and cool atmosphere, described best by its Foursquare rating. The noise level is not too high, and you can usually get some space for yourself.

AVA serves Pushcart Coffee, a selection of teas and for eating, they have pastries. The cafe’s location is such that it’s right near the A/C/F/R at Jay St. MetroTech, City Point shopping center and Borough Hall.

Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf (Fort Greene)

REPORTEDLY CLOSED AS OF JUNE 2022! Check back soon for more updates.

This cafe was a newcomer to Fort Greene in 2020. It immediately caught the eyes of everyone around because it was a bigger-name coffee shop than other Fort Greene local coffee businesses.

If I’m remembering correctly, the first time I visited a Coffee Bean was in Israel, which is funny, because in reading the company’s website, I’ve just found out that the brand was born in California.

In any case, would you have ever known that this Fort Greene location of the Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is the company’s ONLY location in all of NYC? The next-closest location is in a hotel in Baltimore.

Anyway, I digress. Is this a good coffee shop for getting work done at in Brooklyn? Yup, sure is, and I even tried it out.

With WiFi indoors and out, and a back patio that has tables, umbrellas and some overhead string lights, this is a fine place to bring your laptop and hang out.

The best part of getting your coffee and laptop time at a Coffee Bean is that their menus are pretty consistent no matter where you go, like Starbucks. There’s handcrafted lattes, signature espresso, cold brew teas and cold brew coffees (and lattes). One more thing is that they have no shortage of muffins and amazing croissants.

I did a speed test on the WiFi and it was pretty fast. The cafe has its own network (it is not passworded, so keep that in mind if you’re into your securities) and connected right away.

I was able to get work done outside on the patio under an umbrella, and catch some rays at the same time!

Also, for vegans (and anyone lactose-intolerant), they have oat milk as a non-dairy milk alternative. As this is a big plus for me, being of the latter group, I splurged for the biggest oat milk latte.

You can check out the open hours for the Fort Greene Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf at the store location page.

Sweetwaters Coffee & Tea (Park Slope)

Finally, a cafe with ample space and tons of tables for sitting at with a laptop! Sweetwaters Park Slope is located conveniently on Fifth Ave. near St. Marks and is bright, with a low noise level on weekdays. When I went on a Thursday afternoon, only a third of the tables were occupied.

WiFi is free and fast and there are various outlets for you to plug in your charger. What’s more is the walls are decorated with painted scenes of Park Slope and other areas of Brooklyn from local artists.

The menu is pretty big, with choices of espresso, teas, coffees and creamy shakes. For food, there’s a selection of baked goods, cake, cupcakes, macarons and bagel sandwiches.

Absolute Coffee (Atlantic Ave. / Boerum Hill)

This is some good coffee, and they have a loyalty card! On a given weekday, Absolute Coffee turns into a laptop-friendly work-from-home hangout where three tables put together form a communal remote work desk and the tables that line the wall are occupied by peeps on laptops.

WiFi is fast, and there’s hardly any distracting side conversation.

Why I like Absolute Coffee

Great music, friendly baristas and a wide array of teas. They also have some yogurt parfaits, croissants, gluten-free or vegan baked goods and donut holes. They sell their coffee for taking home in a bag.

Vibe: indie, few frills, simple deco like black & white photos framed on the walls and some hand-drawn doodles of cats.

BURLY Coffee (Bed Stuy)

Out there in a little wee bit of a subway dead zone (meaning you’ll probably only get there if you’re local) is Burly Coffee. A bus may get you there the most optimally, but if you’re sworn to take the subway, try the Bedford-Nostrand Av or Myrtle-Willoughby Av G stops or the Myrtle JMZ.

This cafe is rated as good for working, reading and chilling, and the bonus is its bookstore vibe. Just check out the cafe’s Instagram to see what I mean!

While some think “the best part of waking up is Folgers in your cup” (cue the jingle), Burly’s customers think that the best part of starting a morning are the cafe’s pastries. Other great parts of the Burly Coffee experience are the friendly baristas, coffee, chai tea lattes and anything made with oat milk.

If you like natural light, enjoy the large windows and ambiance while you do productive things on your laptop.

Honorable mention (not for working): Cafe Kitsune (Boerum Hill Historic District)

When I walked into Cafe Kitsune of the Boerum Hill Historic District, they told me they couldn’t wait for the weather to get nice so that they could put out tables and chairs on the sidewalk.

“Ah, just like Paris,” I said dreamily, not knowing that Cafe Kitsune is from Paris (🤦‍♀️).

Yes, Cafe Kitsune is a Parisian (and Japanese?) favorite, and you can see their fancy website here. Without knowing much about the history of the brand, I can only guess that Kitsune aims to mesh together coffee, food, music and art in a beautiful way.

The first thing you notice when you enter Cafe Kitsune on Bond & Pacific in Boerum Hill is that this coffee shop is great-lookin.’

A cafe that’s an art gallery

Wait, it’s also an art gallery. It’s also a cocktail bar. They also sell merch (what!) and lastly, you can get a really good coffee while sitting down to talk to your friend, because as of April 2022, they are laptop-free.

Maybe I’ve been living under a rock, but it’s a very cool deal that my current neighborhood Boerum Hill (where’s that, you may ask?) has a Cafe Kitsune location, taking after the locations in these world-class cities like Seoul, Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing and Bangkok. It’s a little taste of the international, right here at home.

Can you work remotely at Cafe Kitsune?

Starting April 2022, their seats for dine-in are designated as laptop free, as the aim is to facilitate an environment in which you can have a good old chat with your buddy. You could do some type of work that didn’t involve a computer, like writing or reading, or art. Art seems welcome.

Verbatim from what their manager wrote to me on Google Maps reviews was that they look forward to a cafe space filled with laughter and conversation (rather than laptops). So, you could have a business meeting at Kitsune instead of having your meeting over video. :-)

What’s on the menu at Cafe Kitsune Brooklyn?

With only one photo (that I took) of the menu, you’ll see there are coffees, including a signature special Black & White latte (based on the Jewish classic “Black and white cookie” that NYC so loves), and teas, along with juices.

Cafe Kitsune is an experience, and the prices reflect that, relative to other coffee shops in this list. A bonus of the unique Kitsune experience is that if you walk back into the gallery, you will see the room that celebrates emerging artists.

Where is Cafe Kitsune Manhattan?

Yes, yes, Cafe Kitsune has a Manhattan location on 550 Hudson Street in the West Village.

Bonus: FREE Coworking in Industry City, Brooklyn (for Freelancers)

The best-kept secret I learned was about Freelancers Hub. It’s a community designed to help NYC freelancers thrive, through programming, events, networking and coworking in person. Freelancers Hub hosts a section of their space as a freelancer hot desk area for daily coworking.

Now, for eight days out of each month, you can get a free coworking seat by signing up as a member (for free) and choosing your free coworking days. The center is open from 9 to 5 on weekdays. It’s located in the Industry City complex, at 241 37th Street, Brooklyn, NY 11232 (Sunset Park).

Opt for free easy booking at this link, and for updates, follow the Freelancers Hub Instagram.

There are some cafes I haven’t been to!

Here are the cafes in Brooklyn where I want to go:

1. Colina Cuervo, Crown Heights
2. Daily Press Coffee, Bed Stuy & Ocean Hill/Brownsville
3. El Beit Cafe & Espresso Bar, Williamsburg
4. Dweebs, Bushwick
5. Stumptown Coffee Roasters, Cobble Hill (Pacific St.)
6. Konditori, Prospect Heights on Washington Ave.
7. Cafe Cotton Bean, Crown Heights
8. East One Coffee Roasters, Carroll Gardens
9. Sey Coffee, East Williamsburg (note, though, that as of 2021, they are “laptop-free,” so keep that in mind)

And the ones in Queens (love ya, Queens!)

1. Kinship Coffee, Astoria
2. Sweetleaf Coffee, Astoria

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Looking for more remote work articles? Don’t miss my best tips for working remotely and my favorite must-have apps for remote work.

Last updated on April 29th, 2023