Overview
Working from home is a dangerous perk. Whether you're a freelancer or lucky enough to have a flexible full-time gig, using your couch as your office can end in disaster.
You start with good intentions. You write a list. You send a few emails. You open that report that needs fixing. Then you open Facebook. Next, you check Instagram. And text back your mate to lock in drinks on the weekend. And then it's 11.15am, and you're no closer to the finish line.
Sometimes, we need some fresh air to get the work done. Although a visit to the library can be productive (we recommend heading to the ones in Green Square or Surry Hills if you're in the area), there's something strangely motivating about working from a cafe. There's the soft hum of conversation, the friendly faces behind the bar and, of course, infinite quantities of caffeine on hand.
If you're looking for the perfect spot to pull up a stool and hit the keyboard, we've rounded up 10 of the best Sydney cafes you need to visit with your laptop in hand.
TERRA COTTA ROASTERS, DARLINGTON
Sometimes coffee is required to get the job done. When the withdrawals strike, head to the backstreets of Darlington towards Terra Cotta Roasters for bottomless batch or cold brew coffee. Yep – bottomless. For an extra $4, it's a perk rarely afforded to drinkers across Sydney's cafe scene. Owned and operated by former Australian Barista Championship judge Cedric Kim, beans are roasted on-site, so you know you'll be in for a great brew.
Aside from copious quantities of caffeine, this neighbourhood gem serves eats perfect for fueling a long session behind the keyboard. Grab their smoked pulled pork burger, slow-cooked and prepared in-house, paired with their freshly made coleslaw and served with a generous side of golden fries. With a selection of pastries and sweets also on hand, get ready to plug in for a productive afternoon.
ONE ANOTHER, NEWTOWN
One Another doesn't command attention. But that's all part of its charm. Perched on the edge of Newtown and Erskineville, this handy local spot delivers no-fuss cafe fare that speaks for itself. Despite its unassuming facade, inside you'll find ample sun-drenched seating and plenty of power points to choose from. And if you need a break from your screen, borrow a cookbook from their shelves to get those creative juices flowing.
Ideal for a mid-week visit with a laptop in hand, recent highlights include pan-roasted Brussels sprouts with crispy smoked potatoes, and a marinated eggplant salad with feta, olives, charred beans and slices of orange with a tahini dressing. Meanwhile, there are homemade muffins, classic bacon and egg rolls and seasonal fruit on toast. Plus, filter lovers, rejoice. These guys have you covered with large mugs of batch brew on hand using beans from Sample Coffee.
GOOD FELLA COFFEE, BELLA VISTA
Good Fella Coffee is The Hills' hidden gem, bringing speciality coffee brews to Bella Vista. It might be cosy inside, but this cafe holds a well-earned place in the hearts of students, freelancers, and remote workers alike.
If you like a seat with a view, you've come to the right place. Every table has uninterrupted views of the bar, letting you watch the baristas work their magic. Grab a spot on one of the lower level's wrap-around wooden tables or head upstairs to the sleek mezzanine loft for bar-style seating. Either way, you'll be treated to free wifi with limited power points dotted around the space, too.
Coffee comes courtesy of Single O plus a rotating selection of guest roasters, alongside a bagel-focused menu (with a few toasties, baked goods and sweet treats thrown in for good measure).
INDUSTRY BEANS YORK STREET, SYDNEY
Coffee connoisseurs will be well acquainted with the Melbourne coffee powerhouse, Industry Beans. Its York Street outpost delivers a CBD coffee destination made for tackling a tricky report away from your desk.
Tucked away inside a heritage facade, the interiors are light and airy. All-white counters showcase the state-of-the-art customised La Marzocco mod bar. Plus, the plush bench seats are made for powering through hours of work uninterrupted. Expect a next-level specialty coffee offering like the Cold Brew Bubble Cup, featuring coffee-soaked tapioca pearls, cold brew, and normal or vegan condensed milk.
Before you head back to the office, sign up and order a takeaway coffee through the Industry Beans app and you'll receive $5 welcome credit. Because who doesn't love a free cuppa?
VENEZIANO COFFEE ROASTERS, SURRY HILLS
Securing a spot at a co-working space is an investment. Sure, there might be exposed brick, fiddle leaf figs and sparkling water taps aplenty. But if you're yet to take the (oh-so-expensive) plunge, Veneziano Coffee is the next best thing.
Perched at the Taylor Square end of Bourke Street, this sleek industrial space brings one of Melbourne's best coffee roasters to Surry Hills. The interiors feel like the digs of a swish design firm, with polished concrete and black metal accents at every turn. Pull up a stool on their spacious communal table or head past the bar to nab a seat solo.
Coffee is taken very seriously here. Browse the coffee board for the current selection of blends and single origins on offer.
CIRCA ESPRESSO, PARRAMATTA
Venture away from the CBD and take a trip to one of Western Sydney's best specialty coffee spots, Circa Espresso. It might look like a tiny hole-in-the-wall joint, but don't let the facade fool you. Wander past the baristas, and you'll find a cosy back room filled with sofas and tables, perfect for laptop users.
Surrounded by old books and charming brick-a-brack, you'll be forgiven for thinking you've stumbled into a quaint bookstore. It's a relaxed, welcoming space frequented by locals with a love for great coffee and a relaxed remote office. Sample your way through their impressive brew list, with pour-overs, cold drip, and espresso all on hand.
ELIETTE, SUTHERLAND
Remember the good old days of studying at home? Where a fully stocked fridge was only footsteps away, and mum was always on hand to deliver a nourishing feed. The fridge situation might have changed, but we've found a spot that'll remind you of wholesome homemade family meals. And it's a perfect place to come with a laptop in hand.
Meet Eliette, Sutherland's newest specialty coffee cafe from the White Horse Coffee team. Named after the owner's mum, the joint celebrates love, community, and delicious food and coffee. Expect to be fuelled by all your cafe favourites like bacon and egg rolls and housemade porridge. And if you need a change of scenery, grab your gear and head around the corner (literally) to their original Flora Street outpost.
ALGORITHM, POTTS POINT
If you need a cafe where you can settle in with a laptop for a few hours, Algorithm in Potts Point ticks plenty of boxes. The darker, cosier sibling to its Marrickville outpost has curved stainless-steel banquettes, black tables and a record player spinning disco and soul.
The excellent coffee is another reason to stay, with the team happy to talk you through the beans before you order. There's also a strong brunch menu if your work session turns into lunch, from folded eggs with chilli relish to truffle cream pasta.
It can get busy, especially in the early morning, but thins out around 11 am. Besides, the attentive service keeps things moving. Bring your laptop, order a cold brew and get typing.
THE DEPOT, BONDI BEACH
For a workday with a side of sea breeze, it's hard to beat The Depot. The long-running Bondi cafe sits opposite North Bondi Surf Club in an airy corner space overlooking the palms and beach. The vibe is relaxed and unfussy. The menu sticks to dependable cafe classics, with baked goods coming from the on-site bakery, plus house-grown mushrooms and honey.
The family-run team gives the place a friendly, local feel, and there's enough room to settle in with a laptop, either outside in the sun or indoors. Tap into the free wifi.
LEIBLE COFFEE, SYDNEY
There are worse places to answer emails than with the Harbour Bridge framed outside the window. Leible Coffee has window-facing stools and tables with views of the bridge from a high-ceiling, glass atrium-like room.
There's plenty of seating and space to spread out with a laptop. The cafe is known for its coffee, so you won't have to compromise on your caffeine fix while you work. There's a small outdoor area, too, if you need fresh air at any point.
GENOVESE COFFEE HOUSE, ALEXANDRIA
For a work session that feels a little like you're working from a cafe in Rome, set up at Genovese Coffee House. Popped inside a converted warehouse in Alexandria, the cafe has warm, earthy interiors, exposed brick, timber details and 70s-inspired furniture, making it a cosy spot to settle in with a laptop.
You can get a $2 espresso at the stand-up bar if you need an extra jolt at 3 pm, and they serve Italian snacks and paninis all day. Hook into the free WiFi and pretend you're in Italy.
ANGUS, MARRICKVILLE
Come for the fish sandwich, stay for the productive afternoon. Angus has become one of Marrickville's favourite cafes, with locals dropping in for its excellent White Horse coffee and popular sandwiches. The industrial setting and unfussy interiors make it a relaxed spot to park yourself with a laptop, particularly outside the busy morning and lunch rushes.
The fish sandwich is the obvious lunch order, with golden-crumbed fish, dill-heavy tartare, American cheese and pickles bookended by homemade focaccia. It's not designed as a dedicated coworking cafe, but you can get some work done while feeling like you're out in the neighbourhood.
WOLFIES, MANLY
With direct views of Manly's popular surf, your attention might wander every now and then, but Wolfies is a comfortable place to set up your hot desk. The minimalist cafe keeps things simple, with good coffee and European-influenced food, including plenty of vegan and gluten-free options to keep you fuelled while you work.
There's a relaxed, beachy feel to the space, while the walls are worth a closer look – you might spot a Warhol alongside work from a local artist. Just keep an eye on the clock: Wolfies is currently open until 2pm, making it better suited to a morning work session than a full-day office replacement.
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Top image: Angus, Marrickville.