The Best London Cafes and Hotels to Work From
As a freelancer, I’ve found that busting procrastination often requires escaping the home office and taking my laptop to a local London cafe or hotel. A simple change of scene is the best way to kickstart my creative work. I’m not giving away all my hidden gems, but I’ll share some of the best London cafes and hotels I work from.
All welcoming to remote workers whether freelance or employees just checking emails between meetings.
However, to be considerate, I follow these self-imposed rules:
- Be a decently paying customer: If I stay for more than an hour or two, I buy lunch, and I purchase a hot beverage every hour or two thereafter.
- Respect the space: I never take up large tables, and I’m ready to move elsewhere if the location starts getting busy.
- Collaborate wisely: I only work with friends whose work style is similar to mine, whether we’re going for super-intense focus or relaxed brainstorming.
I’ve also found pubs to be quite handy mid-afternoon for perching with a crispy coke zero.
Freelance Friendly Indie Cafes
White Mulberries – St Katherine’s Dock & London Bridge
These cafes are great spots for concentrating in – I especially love the London Bridge outdoor tables (in Hayes Galleria) on sunny days. I often visit White Mulberries JUST for an excuse to enjoy a slice of their pear, cardamon & dark chocolate cake – just typing this is making my mouth water.
FOOD: LOVE the Focaccia array | CHARGING POINTS: Not Really | COFFEE: Great | SEATING: Fairly Comfy
HR Higgins – Mayfair/Bond Street
I love this hidden gem – and the coffee at HR Higgins is always exceptional. It’s downstairs, but incredibly light.
FOOD: Very light snacks | CHARGING POINTS: A few | COFFEE: Great | SEATING: Fairly Comfy
The Wren Coffee – Mansion House
Serving Caravan coffee in a gorgeous church, The Wren is a great spot for clattering the laptop keyboard—just take a scarf, because the size of the building can make it a little cool.
FOOD: Pastries Mostly | CHARGING POINTS: No | COFFEE: Great | SEATING: Fairly Comfy
Kiss the Hippo – Oxford Circus & Richmond
I love Kiss the Hippo‘s coffee – I’ve always got their Donna beans in my cupboard at home, so I was delighted to discover they have actual cafes; one in Oxford Circus (aka Fitzrovia) and Richmond. I’m more often in the Oxford Circus one – and love spending an hour or two in their bright basement.
FOOD: Mostly pastries | CHARGING POINTS: Sometimes | COFFEE: Great | SEATING: Fairly Comfy, Small Tables
CAFE CHAINS TO WORK FROM
Ole and Steen – Various Locations
They’ve been serving the Danish people with delicious breads and pastries made by hand for over 20 years, and now they’re all over London.
FOOD: Mostly pastries | CHARGING POINTS: Sometimes | COFFEE: Pretty good | SEATING: Fairly Comfy, Small Tables
Gail’s – Various Locations
Most of the Gail’s cafes are that ‘nicely buzzy’ level of busy – and if you’re solo they often have a large communal table so you’re not taking up a family table. Oh, and their ham and cheese croissants are amazing when you can find them!
FOOD: Great for lunch | CHARGING POINTS: Sometimes | COFFEE: I tend to drink the tea | SEATING: Fairly Comfortable
Black Sheep Cafes – Various Locations
The staff at Black Sheep cafes are always friendly, the coffee is great, the larger ones are set up for people who want to escape their home offices for a couple of hours and they make fresh waffles (my favourite are the Norwegian inspired brown cheese & jam ones.)
FOOD: Mostly pastries & waffles | CHARGING POINTS: Sometimes | COFFEE: Great | SEATING: Varies, often comfy
Caravan Restaurants – Various Locations
Whilst strictly not a cafe chain, these Kiwi restaurants usually have a more informal bar area perfect for work chats or pulling out your laptop for an hour or two. Oh, and Caravan coffee is always beyond excellent. (They do a cracking brunch and mid-afternoon affogato too.)
FOOD: Full Menu | CHARGING POINTS: Very Occasionally | COFFEE: Always | SEATING: Fairly Comfortable
WatchHouse – Various Locations
Originating in Berdmondsey/Rotherhithe Watchhouse cafes are popping up all over London – including in Somerset House. They do a good brunch as well…
FOOD: Full Menu | CHARGING POINTS: Occasionally | COFFEE: Always | SEATING: Fairly Comfortable
HOTELS (With great cocktails for after work)
St Pancras Renaissance – Kings Cross/St Pancras Station
I love pulling up a chair at the St Pancras Renaissance; I tend to keep to the tables behind the bar. There are a few tables with power points, but you’ll have to be lucky to nab one. I always like to have lunch or cocktails there as well – just makes getting your ‘to do’ list ticked off so much more fun. (nb: there is usually a minimum spend.)
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Kimpton Fitzroy – Russell Square
I love treating myself to an afternoon in the Kimpton Fitzroy’s Palm Court – I usually plan to have lunch to begin with (their soups are awesome) and end with a glass or two with friends.
FOOD: Full Menu | CHARGING POINTS: Occasionally | COFFEE: Always | SEATING: Super Comfortable
Waldorf Astoria – Covent Garden/Aldwich
The Waldorf Astoria has a perfectly set up foyer for working from – the service can be a little slow at times but I rather like not being hurried at all. The WIFI is great, the cocktails are good, there’s a pianist if you’re there still at early evenings and they have a pretty good bar menu (though they don’t do the truffle fries as well any more.)
FOOD: Bar Menu | CHARGING POINTS: Occasionally | COFFEE: Pretty Good | SEATING: Super Comfortable
The Landmark Hotel – Marylebone
The light filled atrium of the Landmark Hotel is a beautiful spot to work from (upstairs as the downstairs is set up as the full restaurant.)
FOOD: Bar Menu | CHARGING POINTS: Occasionally | COFFEE: Pretty Good | SEATING: Super Comfortable
Where are your favourite London cafes and hotels to work from?
