Last updated: May 23, 2024

I love traveling. Taking a break at a café in a new city and having 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 cafés as a way to explore my city while getting some personal or out-of-office work done. This typically means pulling my laptop out at some point, which many cafés in Berlin have fickle policies for. Here you can find a list of my favorite work cafés in Berlin (that all offer clear laptop policies and a lovely work-friendly atmosphere) and the perfect occasions for paying them a visit.

I wrote a second park to this post! For the complete list find 40+ laptop-friendly cafés in Berlin right here.

Perfect for. . .

When you want quality coffee: SPRO

SPRO is a wonderful café 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. Their cakes and cookies are amazing, I’m especially a fan of their San Sebastian cheesecake — really any of their cheesecakes are incredible! Their coffee is of great quality too, I’ve fallen in love with flat whites throughout my time visiting here.

Anyway, their WiFi is reliable, they have stamp cards, and are home to a few outlets! They’re laptop-friendly on weekends too! They’re a bite-sized café, but you can typically snag a stool 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

For more P’Berg recs read The Best Brunch Spots in Prenzlauer Berg next.

Author of post smiling with laptop and coffee at SPRO cafe

When you want a little brunch while you work: 19grams

19grams has a few locations throughout Berlin and serves up an appetizing brunch. I’m a fan of their Reuben Sandwich, but their Bubble & Squeak Benedict might be the next thing I order. You 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 nice. 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 appears that 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 10:00 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

Get more Mitte brunch recs here.

When you’re in West Berlin: Cafe Kudamm

Located in Berlin's west, Café Kudamm stands out as a dependable laptop-friendly café. This welcoming establishment boasts a reliable WiFi connection, a great selection of food and drinks (though main dishes tend to be on the pricier side), and a particularly friendly staff. During one of my visits, a staff member even went out of their way to inform us of the nearby outlet wall after noticing our laptops in use. If you’re in or around Halensee or Charlottenburg seeking a spot for brunch, pastries, coffee, and coworking sessions, Kudamm proves to be an ideal choice. They accommodate laptops on both weekdays and weekends.

Kurfürstendamm 104 | Halensee

When you’re looking for community: UMA Hub

Uma is a notably welcoming café with a mix of coworking options. UMA operates as a more traditional café, as well as a coworking space. When you enter their café you’ll find speedy WiFi (potentially the fastest WiFi on this list) and a smart use of space, plus very nice snack and drink options. There are also two more private desks in the café (shielded by heavy curtains) making it possible to take video calls or have privacy when working. These desks are open to all guests, but those who opt for coworking passes get priority. Outlets are mostly reserved for the paid coworking space in the back, however, if you are a student then you can show your ID to a member of the staff to get access to the outlets in the café section.

Another great thing about this community is that it’s very hard to overstay your welcome here. Their benevolent staff has made it clear they have no problem with people hanging around for hours and even offer a prayer room/retreat space for all guests who would like to take a pause for prayer or gratitude throughout their study/work session.

If you’re interested in a coworking pass for the day, it’s honestly a great deal considering the WiFi is even faster (plus secured), it’s quieter, and you get access to a number of amenities like printing and filtered water. The four-hour pass is €7, while the full-day pass is €15 and includes a café drink. They also offer hot desks, fixed desks (with standing desks and ergonomic seating), and office spaces at monthly rates, starting at €190. They even have a full-blown podcast studio available at fair hourly rates! It’s the kind of community space I like to support, so be sure to give them a visit and if you have any questions about their numerous amenities they’ll be sure to provide further insight whether in person or online. They’re laptop-friendly on weekends and weekdays.

Großbeerenstraße 60 | Kreuzberg

When you’re in the mood to work late: Macondo

Bonus points if you want to swap your cup of coffee for a glass of wine. Macondo is a cafébar, which means both traditional coffee shop and bar drinks are served in a space where it’s 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 3 AM so it’s perfect for those who get their best work done in the evenings. However, I would not recommend working on your laptop on a Friday/Saturday night here since they’re naturally in busy bar mode at this point and the space will be loud and coworking is not the vibe. However, I’ve had no trouble visiting anytime on weekdays (including past midnight) and during midday on weekends. I’ve also gotten Sunday brunch and followed up with a longer laptop sesh and that was fine.

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 gracious, and they also offer a variety of Latin food. Their WiFi has worked a little slow for me in the past, but it seems to be new and improved as of my most recent visit in April 2023.

Gärtnerstraße 14, 10245 | Friedrichshain

When you’re looking for a cozy hidden gem: Señorita Ploff

Café Señorita Ploff is a charming Latin American café in Wedding specializing in empanadas and cakes. The interior is filled with plants, books, and homey furniture, creating a charming and quaint atmosphere. I have yet to order something there that I don’t like! Their empanadas, vegan panini, tortilla de patatas, oreo pumpkin cheesecake, orange dulce de leche cake, and vegan chocolate cake have been my favorite discoveries thus far. I also adore the tiny salsa bottles that are served with every empanada order. As for drinks, you can’t go wrong with their flat whites, cappuccinos, and vanilla oat matcha lattes.

They are conveniently fully work-friendly except for Sunday brunch, however from 15:00 to 18:00 on Sundays you’re welcome to work on your laptop. If the front room is full or you’re looking for a quieter atmosphere you can head on to their second room which is also laptop-friendly. WiFi generally works pretty well and there are a couple of outlets in the space, although it’s not their selling point.

Eulerstraße 9A | Wedding (Gesundbrunnen)

Find more brunch spots in Wedding here.

When you’re looking for a stylish setting: Michelberger Hotel

There's always something going on at Michelberger Hotel. In the daytime, their chic lobby and bar operates as a café serving drinks like coffee, tea, juice, wine, and local beers, as well as food like salad, pastries, toasties, and quiche. I like to get an iced flat white paired with their moreish vegan chocolate cookie. In the summertime, their courtyard is sunny and lively, and in the chillier periods, fire pits are brought outside, making it super cozy.

The WiFi is very reliable (I’m typing this out whilst on their WiFi). The seating is also abundant, with plenty of contemporary and comfortable leather couches and tables strewn throughout their space. Plus, even more seating is available in the courtyard, and the WiFi reaches all the way out there as well. You can find a decent number of outlets on the tables along the wall, near the bar. It seems to be fairly chill during the day on weekdays, and although it does get busier on weekends, you should be able to find a spot. Because of the abundant seating options and the fact that the space additionally operates as a hotel lobby, you’re normally good to chill for a while.

It’s all around a fantastic and creativity-inducing space. After around 5 PM I believe this area becomes a wine bar. It’s conveniently laptop-friendly on weekdays and weekends.

Warschauer Straße 39-40 | Friedrichshain

When you’re on a budget: Libraries

On a budget, but want a café-like atmosphere? Libraries are your friend! There are a few good ones in Berlin, but my three favorites are Amerika Gedenk-Bibliothek, Bibliothek Pablo Neruda, and Berliner Stadtbibliothek. You’re welcome to hunker down and hang out all day without overstaying your welcome, although it is courteous to not leave your things unattended for more than like half an hour or so, so that someone else can take your spot if you’re going to be gone for awhile. You don’t need a library card to work at any of these libraries and they’re all generally fine with you bringing your own coffee/water/soda and food in too as long as you’re not being too messy or distracting, or handling any of their books while you eat.

At the American Memorial Library, you’ll find a few tables running along the walls of the ground floor, with some desktops, plus there’s a pop-up library behind the front library where you’ll find plenty of space. This pop-up library has eight small multipurpose rooms, a small media room, an entry room, and a bigger open space (the Sala) where you can get work done. There are plenty of outlets, some ethernet connections, a smart pad, and a mix of classic work tables alongside more plush seating. The WiFi works pretty well too! In the main library, you’ll find a café where you can get a coffee or a bite to eat at a reasonable cost. The pop-up library opened in September 2023 and is set to stay open for a few years until the American Memorial Library eventually moves to a bigger building. Be aware that the pop-up library tends to be several degrees colder than the main library in wintertime as it is a temporary build and therefore not properly insulated.

The Pablo Neruda Library is a place I stumbled upon in F’Hain after an Anmedlung appointment. I’m so glad I decided to go in! The top floor of the library is fully work-friendly with a nice mix of seating options, good WiFi, and plenty of natural lighting. If you get there early enough you’ll even be able to score a personal table facing floor-to-ceiling windows. I haven’t paid too much attention to the outlet situation, but they almost certainly have a few. There’s also a section with desktops, more privacy, and swivel chairs. This location doesn’t have a café, but there is a coffee and snack vending machine on the ground floor. Keep in mind this library has shorter hours on Saturdays and is closed on Sundays.

Berlin’s Central State Library is a nice place to work, with the exception of their questionable WiFi situation. It’s never been the best, but it’s been more uncooperative than ever since autumn 2023ish, so I hope that is eventually resolved. If you don’t mind tethering (or if they’ve finally fixed their router issue!) then I highly recommend it. The food and drinks at their café hit the spot and are very well-priced! There are plenty of outlets too, many tables have them, but you might have to uncover them since some are located within a latch on the floor. Closed on Sundays.

Blücherplatz 1 | Kreuzberg
Frankfurter Allee 14A | Friedrichshain
Breite Str. 30-36 | Mitte