Best Work/ Study Cafés & Coffee Shops in London

Fact: The smell of coffee alone can help boost your productivity.

Also fact(-ish): Sometimes changing up the place in which you work can give you that boost of inspiration or motivation you need.

As such, I’ve compiled a list of some of my favourite places to get some work / studying done in London. These places provide open spaces, free wifi, outlets, and best of all, plenty of caffeinated beverages to give you the boost you need (N.B. when drunk in moderation).

Caravan Coffee Roasters

Although there are multiple outposts throughout the U.K., the Caravan Coffee Roasters located in King’s Cross/ St. Pancras gifts those in need of studying or working with a wide open space. Part of this is thanks to the coffee house being built in a Grade II Listed Victorian Grain Store. The industrial chic spot, on top of making great cups of coffee, makes light lunch options and sweet nibbles that cater to vegetarian/ vegan/ gluten-free diets.

In need of some air? Grad your coffee to go, and sit in the cafés outdoor terrace, located in Granary Square. This offers plenty of seating space, open-air, and fountains to keep you entertained.

Location:
1 Granary Square
(Get off at King’s Cross Tube Station)

Caravan Coffee Roasters is a short walk away from King’s X/ St. Pancras

Wind down with a coffee during windy weather

host cafÉ

Allow this recommendation to bless your café hopping.

Host Café is hosted (sorry) inside of a converted church. It’s a serene and evocative space that is flushed with beautiful light thanks to the strained glass windows all around. Gluten Free and Vegan treats add a bit of holiness to the sweet game.

One of my personal favourites. The hours are a bit odd, but it’s well worth visiting Writers and romantics rejoice!

Location:
St Mary Aldermary, Watling Street

Vagabond Coffee Roasters

Vagabond is a safe haven for workers and students alike. With it’s lovely little bicycle outside the main door, serves up a mean cup of coffee in a very large space that is perfect for student’s who need to study, or professionals who need to get done some last-minute tasks. The café, though it has no doors separating it’s “roasting” area from it’s “front” area, is built in that way that shields people in the back roasting area from the more boisterous front. Whether you’re popping in for a chat or some work, there’s space for you!

Vagabond makes their own roasts, which they put to good use in their caffeinated creations. They also have a few nice nibbles available, and they’ve always had a gluten free and a vegan option. I must say, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but their zucchini & lemon cake is very good. If you don’t mind trying something new, I recommend it!

P.S. I am LOVING how the two photos with my nail polish turned out. Can I be conceited for a moment? Because I want to be conceited for a moment. Wow. Those are… wow. Nice. I’m a fan!

Location:
105 Holloway Road

TY (Timberyard) Seven Dials

This UK Independent Coffee Shop of the Year from 2014-2017 winner is definitely worth checking out, especially if you’ve got some work or studying to be done!

With a space propice for getting some work done (think one big room separated by half a wall to give you some peace and quiet), this trendy Seven Dials café provides outlets, coffee, and vegetarian/ gluten-free snacks to help you smash that project!

Not convinced? Listen to their personal statement: “We aim to provide an inspiring environment for people to work more effectively and provide a space for creative people to come together.”

Location:
7 Upper St. Martin’s Lane

Ozone Coffee Roasters

Gracing Old Street with their fabulous roasts and excellent brunches, Ozone Coffee Roasters is an industrially cool space for those hankering to hangout with their friends or get down and do some work with delicious gluten-free pancakes or Eggs Benedict.

This café has tons of space both upstairs and downstairs, but do be warned that it is quite popular, so do expect a wait if you’re arriving at peak times.

Location:
11 Leonard Street

Darkside Coffee (AKA “F*ckoffe”)

Sure, it’s got a cheeky name, but this coffee shop that finds itself South of the River has also got ample space in which to work comfortably.

While not the first place I’d recommend for a date (mainly due to all of it’s drinks and foods being served in only takeout packages/ cups…) Darkside Roasters/ F*uckoffee is a casual place for students and workers to plop down on comfy couches and feel inspired by the quirky and notable decor of the space. They do have some treats suitable for vegetarian/ gluten-free diets. I personally enjoyed the pecan-and-pear cake (pictured), but again, I would’ve preferred less packaging.

Location:
163 - 167 Bermondsey Stree

Six Degrees Collective

Six Degrees Collective is a family-run café in Camden Passage with a comfortable atmosphere and plenty of places in which to sit yourself down to work.

On top of being a café, it also has tons of coffees, teas, and coffee-related apparatuses to purchase to make your own cuppas at home. Homemade vegan/ vegetarian/ gluten-free snacks make this a nice place to pop into for a quick work pick-me-up!

Location:
22-24 Camden Passage