Laptop Friendly Cafés in Berlin for Every Occasion
Last updated: May 1, 2024
I love traveling. Taking a break at a cafe in a new city and have a little pick-me-up with a cup of coffee in between sightseeing is one of my greatest joys. When I’m home, I like to use cafes as a way to explore my city while getting in some personal or out-of-office work done. This typically means pulling my laptop out at some point, which many cafes in Berlin have fickle policies for. Here you can find a list of some of the loveliest work-friendly cafes in Berlin and the perfect occasions for paying them a visit.
Update: I wrote a part two to this post! Find 15+ additional laptop-friendly cafés in Berlin right here.
Go when . . .
You Want Quality Coffee: SPRO
SPRO is my favorite cafe to work at in Berlin. Intimate and cozy, with the kind of charm and quality that makes me visit as frequently as I can. The staff is very pleasant, and genuinely cares about your experience. My partner and I have never ordered anything we didn’t end up liking there (and we have probably tried close to the entire menu at this point).
Their specialty is scones, so I would recommend you order the Cream Tea (if it’s not available when you’re there just order the English scone plate), but I also like a hot sandwich if I’m in the mood for something savory.
Oh, and the Salted Caramel Oreo Cheesecake is amazing! If you like sweeter drinks I’d highly recommend their Peanut Butter Mocha. For a more classic drink go for a flat white or cold brew when it’s in season. Their flat white is so good it was actually the inspiration behind this guest post I wrote in 2021. Anyway, their WiFi is very reliable, and they also have stamp cards and plenty of outlets! They’re a smaller café, but you can typically snag a seat somewhere since plenty of people get their goodies to go.
Regardless of being laptop friendly, SPRO is my favorite café in Berlin. Visit and I know you’ll love them too!
Schönhauser Allee 50A, 10437 | Prenzlauer Berg
You Want a Little Brunch with Your Work: 19gram
19gram has a few locations throughout Berlin, and serves up an excellent brunch. I’m a fan of their Reuben Sandwich, but their Bubble & Squeak Benedict might be the next thing I order. Now you definitely don’t have to order brunch to get your laptop out, but if you want to treat yourself then go for it! Their food is quite tasty. You don’t have to commit to a full-on breakfast plate either, they also offer smaller bites like homemade bread, cakes, and pastries.
I’ve only visited their Schlessi location, but it seems like all their locations are laptop friendly, but only on weekdays. You’re still welcome on weekends, but solely for brunch. Their WiFi is fast and they have a decent amount of indoor and outdoor seating. There were plenty of spots when I arrived at 10AM on a summer Thursday, and by noon around half the seating was occupied.
Chausseestraße 36 | Mitte
Karl-Liebknecht-Straße 13 | Mitte
Schlesische Straße 38 | Kreuzberg
Boxhagener Straße 74 | Friedrichshain
You Love A Hidden Gem: Backery & Coffee
Backery & Coffee isn’t the fanciest spot, and that’s part of what makes this bakery such a wonderful hidden gem. The staff is so friendly, and their bread is so good. They sell German and Turkish breads and pastries, but I highly suggest you skip the German goods this time and go for one of their freshly made Turkish pastries. Try their potato gözleme, you will not regret it. Paired with a mug of Turkish tea: incredible.
You’ll likely be one of the few people sitting inside the café. Most people seem to get their pastries to go, and the older Turkish crowd that hangs around the café in the morning seem to always sit outside, rain or shine. Inside you’ll find a reasonable hotspot for WiFi, a handful of outlets, and the smell of fresh bread all morning.
Although they claim to be open until 6PM each day, I’ve found that they typically close a bit earlier. Most of their Turkish bread sells out by early afternoon too so come early for more options.
Kommandantenstraße 31-32 | Kreuzberg
You Want to be Surrounded by Other Coworkers: The Visit Coffee Roastery
I’d recommend this Kreuzberg cafe to anyone who wants to treat themselves to quality coffee and brunch food in a bewitching and laptop friendly environment. There is a whole elevated area for co-working visitors, and many of the tables and counter tops on the ground level are available to laptop users as well, just check if the table has a sticker or not. They’re overall friendly to laptop users and most people there seem to be typing away on their tech devices, however laptops are no longer allowed on weekends. With its modern aesthetic, it’s definitely a cute place to snap a photo or two. They have plenty of seating, their WiFi is strong, and they have outlets, making them easily one of the best laptop-friendly cafés in the city.
The prices are pretty standard for a third wave coffee spot, and you should definitely get a slice of cake while you’re at it. They’re all good, particularly poppy seed. I also love the local bottled lavender drink they sell. Oh, and the coffee? It’s fantastic. If you’re hungry for something a little more satiating they serve a very tasty open-faced egg drop sandwich. They have a couple other locations, but I don’t believe they’re laptop friendly.
Adalbertstraße 9, 10999 | Kreuzberg
Heard of an egg-drop sandwich? Read ‘Where to Find the Korean Egg Drop Sandwich in Berlin’ next.
You’re on a Budget: Berliner Stadtbibliothek
The central public library is a great alternative if you’re looking to get work done in the city, without having to pay for multiple drinks/snacks. Although you don’t have to purchase anything, there is a café on site. Most of the coffees offered are around €2-€3, and the sandwiches are closer to €3. The food is simple, but still quite good!
Although there is ample seating, it’s typically fairly busy by midday, so arrive before noon to have a better pick of seats. You’ll find the most comfortable seating at the entrance of the library. This area has plenty of armchairs with low tables in front of them. If you prefer to work at a desk head to the left and walk deeper into the library. The café will be on your left, and if you walk a bit further you’ll find a computer room straight ahead, and a bright open space to your right with a room full of seats, tables, and outlets. Keep in mind that this room is quiet and meant for just working/studying, so if you want to chat and eat head back to the couch/café area. There’s also a courtyard at the center of the library that will typically have plenty of open seats, regardless of when you visit, especially on a less warm day.
The WiFi is not the fastest, but it works well enough that I have no real complaints. You do not need a library card to simply visit, but of course you will need one to check out books.
Breite Str. 30-36, 10178 | Mitte
You Want to Enjoy the Fresh Air: La Maison
La Maison is laptop-friendly seven days a week, but only outside on their terrace so if you want to hop on your laptop it’s best to visit on a warm clear day with your laptop fully charged since there are no outlets outside. On a warm day, it really is such a great place to relax and work. Their terrace is quite shady and there’s a decent amount of seating, but I’d recommend arriving earlier in the day on weekends, to guarantee a spot. The WiFi also easily reaches outside so no need to worry about that. Fantastic French pastries and adjacency to the canal makes this café especially ideal and tranquil.
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 17 | Kreuzberg
You Want to Take Your Time: Coffee Fellows
If you just want a place to sit and a few hours to get some work done without feeling like you’ve overstayed your welcome, then Coffee Fellows is a good pick. This coffee shop chain has a few locations in Berlin, with the one in Prenzlauer Berg near U-Bahn station Eberswalder Straße being my favorite. I’ve also visited their Friedrichstraße location and had a nice experience. As ideal as the Prenzlauer Berg location is their WiFi wasn’t great on my last visit, so I’d have to recommend the Friedrichstraße one more since their WiFi is quite reliable.
The coffee can be hit or miss, but they do have some pretty solid iced coffee options, and nice pastries too. If the weather’s warm the P’Berg location transforms into a cute partially outdoor cafe with the U-Bahn facing French doors opening up, and extra chairs and couches positioned outside so you can enjoy warm weather while still being productive. The upstairs area is also lovely and boasts such a beautiful view.
Pappelallee 1, 10437 | Prenzlauer Berg
Friedrichstraße 204 | Mitte
& other locations
You’re A Night Owl: Macondo
Bonus points if you want to swap your cup of coffee for a glass of wine. Macondo is a cafébar, which means both typical coffee shop and bar drinks are served in a space where it’s totally chill to get an Aperol Spritz and pull out your laptop at one in the morning, or catch up with a group of friends over a bottle of wine. Most nights they’re open until 2 or 3AM so it’s perfect for those who get their best work done in the evenings.
Due to its unique nature, I find that I always get a lot of work done in this creative and homey atmosphere. Plus, from my experience the staff are all really friendly, and they also offer a variety of Latin food. Their WiFi worked a little slow for me in the past, but I can confirm it’s new and improved as of my most recent visit in April 2023.
Gärtnerstraße 14, 10245 | Friedrichshain
You’re Looking for a Chill Café: Café Três
They’re not just a lovely café, Café Três is also laptop friendly! With friendly staff, and a bright modern interior, they’re a cool and chill place to get some work done near Kottbusser Tor. Based off my visits, their vibe is very easygoing and relaxed, so it might be a good spot if you thrive best in a quiet workplace. They also have great pastries, including vegan ones. The first time I visited the WiFi worked great, but this recent time the WiFi wouldn’t stay connected to our phones, but worked fine on our laptops after like ten minutes. I’ll have to visit a third time to confirm whether their WiFi consistently works or not.
It’s also just across the street from The Visit (previously mentioned) so if you’re in the area and committed to working most of the day you should totally treat yourself to both. Or if the WiFi at Três doesn’t work out, you can hop on over to The Visit.
Adalbertstraße 91 | Kreuzberg
You Want to Explore the City After Working: Westberlin
Westberlin is a good choice if working is how you want to start your day, but not your whole day. It manages to have a lot of heart, and seems to always have a couple seats available, despite its location being adjacent to a big tourist stop in Berlin, Checkpoint Charlie. The atmosphere is nice with most people there working on their laptops, and all their food is quite fresh tasting ranging from in-house squeezed orange juice to savory sauerkraut sandwiches. Plus, big tables, solid WiFi, and quite a few outlets.
The café is very centrally located so you have lots of opportunity to make the most of your day if you want to spend some time exploring afterwards. I’d recommend heading north of the cafe and treating yourself to hot chocolate from Rausch Schokoladenhaus, then taking in the beautiful square Gendarmenmarkt before exploring more of Mitte.
Alternatively, you can go south and feast on legit Berlin currywurst at Curry 36, or try your luck in the long line at Mustafa’s for perhaps the most (over)hyped up döner in Berlin. But still, totally worth a try.
Update: Their café very unfortunately caught fire in October 2022, and are currently closed down as a result. They should eventually be up and running again soon enough. Keep up with their reopening on Instagram.
Friedrichstraße 215, 10969 | Kreuzberg
