Best Coffee Shops to Work From in Boston

As times have changed and more people are working from home, the need for places with free wi-fi and plenty of room to set up a temporary office has risen. Boston’s coffee shops have adapted to accommodate more virtual workers and there are several in the city that offer delicious coffee, an espresso bar, a varied food menu, and free wi-fi.  

Students have also discovered some of the best coffee shops to work from in Boston where they can get a caffeine fix, hold a study group, and be prepared for class. Finding a neighborhood coffee shop to work from in Boston has become increasingly easier as long as you are willing to fill your veins with java and be courteous to others sharing your space.

After spending a productive morning at your virtual office, head out and do a little shopping in Boston, whether it is for essentials, groceries, or great gift ideas, Boston’s shops are waiting for you! Just be sure to locate a place where you can leave your bags in Boston so you can get out and explore or shop without being weighed down with luggage and laptop bags.

3 Little Figs

If you have a sweet tooth and need a place to work outside the office, head straight to 3 Little Figs, the best coffee shop for baked goods. Order a fragrant cup of coffee and a sweet pastry before you settle in to get to work. One of the co-founders is a baker and the coffee shop is best known for its muffins and scones, all made from scratch, the house-made bread is divine.

Wi-Fi is available and there are plenty of tables and comfortable chairs for those looking for a spot to hide away from the hustle and bustle of Boston and finish some work before heading out to explore some of the many attractions in the city.

Address: 278 Highland Ave., Somerville, MA

Jaho Coffee & Wine Bar

Head to the South End and Chinatown and spend the morning at Jaho Coffee where you can order an assortment of baked goods, egg sandwiches, hot coffee, iced coffee, or even tea. The baristas love to create foam art on their hot drinks, making them whimsical and tasty. The atmosphere is perfect for focusing on work or spending some time catching up with colleagues or friends.  

Jaho coffee roaster is ideal for a yummy espresso drink. Order espresso drinks to wake up in the morning, or maybe an espresso martini or coffee sangria in the evening. Jaho stays open late, so you can pack your laptop away and meet your friends for a drink and snacks. This natural wine bar is open until midnight on the weekends and until 11:00 p.m. on weekdays. 

Where else can you find a coffee shop and a wine bar all in one location, perfect for laptop nomads to spend the whole day hunkered down in one of their comfy armchairs or couches? Outdoor seating is also available during warm months and the strong Wi-Fi signal reaches outdoors as well. Try a smoothie when you have had enough caffeine for a delicious alternative. 

Address: 1651 Washington St, Boston, MA

Caffe Nero

There are several Caffe Nero locations throughout Boston and many of them are good for people to use as a temporary office, one that is especially great for laptop nomads in the Caffe Nero in Chinatown. This location has a lot of seating areas including tables, booths, couches, and even seating outdoors when the weather is nice.

There is soft music playing in the background but is not the type of coffee shop to draw rowdy crowds. The lighting is nice and bright and there are plenty of charging outlets for you to power up your devices. Caffe Nero offers three hours of free Wi-Fi, so if you do not need to work the whole day this is a fantastic place to come.

You can even reserve a separate conference space if you need to bring in a group to work on a project. On chilly Boston days, curl up on a couch near the indoor fireplace and sip a steaming cup of coffee. Caffe Nero offers a varied menu including all-day breakfast, breakfast sandwiches, soups, sandwiches, salads, snacks, and baked goods. Some items are even vegan and gluten-free.

Address: 564 Tremont St, Boston, MA

Brew

This small coffee shop is located inside District Hall near downtown Boston and is fabulous when you are working out of the office with a group of colleagues or are part of a study group. Conference tables, dry-erase boards, and couches make this the ideal place to meet up and have a brainstorming session or work on a presentation.

Fuel up on Barrington iced coffee, espresso drinks, hazelnut latte, or even Mexican hot chocolate. Brew also has an assortment of breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos, and Cobb salads. You can spend most of the day here as Brew has pretty much all you need to work the day away.

Address: District Hall, 75 Northern Ave, Boston, MA

Cuppacoffee

Located in the South End of Boston, Cuppacoffee makes some of the best espresso-based coffees in the city, you can get good coffee with oat milk or condensed milk or any way you would like it. They only use beans from Red Barn Roasters, a local, family-owned roastery in the New England area.

There is plenty of space to spread out and work at the community table where you can hold a small work meeting, take a business call, or just quietly work. Fast wi-fi is free and the relaxed atmosphere makes it a great place to work. Fresh coffee gives you an afternoon pick me up after working hard all day.

Best known for its innovative Aussie menu, you can enjoy a great cup of coffee and sample some nostalgic Australian dishes including Anzac biscuits, Tim Tams, sausage rolls, meat pies, and even Caramello Koalas. The Aussie breakfast is a favorite but so is the lamington which is a butter cake that is covered in chocolate and dried coconut.

Address: 57 Traveler St, Underneath the Troy Apartment Complex, Boston, MA

Ogawa Coffee

Head straight for the heart of the city, downtown Boston and spend the morning or afternoon hanging out at Ogawa Coffee where there are several tables and even stair-step seating. This cozy café has soft background music and bright, natural light.

Baristas from Kyoto, Japan create latte art and even create fantastic matcha tea lattes which are some of the best in Boston. Ogawa Coffee even offers latte art classes for anyone who wants to learn this delicate craft. It is truly edible art. It is one of the favorite coffee shops for locals in downtown.

You have to try the Ogawa signature drink when you come in. It is a sweetened, chilled espresso drink that is served in a martini glass and comes with a small hot cappuccino. If you have had enough of a caffeine jolt, try their smoothies or shakes. Salads, sandwiches on brioche buns, and quiche are also on the menu.

Address: 10 Milk St, Boston, MA

Broadsheet Coffee

Broadsheet coffee roasters is locally owned and was the first coffee roaster in Cambridge today they create decadent beans that have been filled with imaginative flavors such as cherries, blueberries, cola, and plum. With their flavors changing often, it is the perfect place to visit often especially if you are looking for somewhere to set up a temporary office.

Meet with co-workers and do a little brainstorming over great coffee and a rather unique food menu bursting with Mediterranean treats including Shakshuka which is an egg that is poached in tomato sauce, red pepper, onion, and crumbled feta. Try the Smoked Salmon Tartine, it is fresh and mouth-watering. Head down Kirkland Street and look for the pink neon sign that simply says “Coffee.”

Address: 100 Kirkland St, Cambridge, MA

Render Coffee

Another coffee house in the South End offers a good place for you to spend the day catching up on work, Render Coffee is a hidden gem with a tasty and varied food menu. Free wi-fi is available in two-hour blocks so you really will not be spending the whole day at Render unless you don’t need wi-fi or have your own hotspot.

Order the full lox bagel which comes with lox, capers, tomato, red onions, and cream cheese. The quiche is made with baby spinach, caramelized onions, and goat cheese. If you are still at Render for lunch, try one of the sandwiches, the roast beef is yummy, but the chicken salad or ham and turkey are also good. If you need a caffeine jolt, the hazelnut latte will hit the spot.

Address: 563 Columbus Ave, Boston, MA

Newtonville Café

George Howell Coffee opened its first café in 2012 only about ten miles outside of downtown Boston in Newtonville. Today, keyboard nomads have found this café to be welcoming and the staff very pleasant. The café is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and then on Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Aside from getting a great cup of coffee or specialty espresso, you can pick up a couple of bags of coffee beans and enjoy a fragrant cup at home or give them as gifts. There is always a variety of delicious pastries from a local bakery to nibble on while you work.

Address: 311 Walnut St, Newtonville, MA

Thinking Cup

If you have spent any time on the west coast, you are probably familiar with Stumptown Coffee. Thinking Cup was the first café in Boston to offer this fabulous coffee brand. They also have Third Wave Coffee products available but the Stumptown Coffee is what will draw you in and keep you coming back.

Located near the Boston Common, Thinking Cup is a good place to plop for a few hours to catch up on emails, work on a presentation, or just get away from the office. There is wi-fi access and room to spread out if you need space to work.

If coffee is not your thing, order one of their specialty teas, it is an experience you will not forget. They also offer freshly baked pastries to satisfy your sweet tooth and give you a little pick-me-up.

Address: 165 Tremont St, Boston, MA

Boston coffee shops to work in

 Whether you are heading to the North End or South End or staying near Downtown Crossing, there will be coffee shops along the way and many are welcoming to those looking for somewhere to set up shop for a few hours, sip Boston coffee and get some work done.

Find a café location with wi-fi access in the Boston area and dine on lunch sandwiches and specialty drinks. A light breakfast will give you a pick-me-up with a cup of drip coffee or malted cold brew on warm mornings. Coffee lovers will flock to Boston in search of a good coffee shop and a place to quietly work.

There are many fantastic coffee shops that also don't mind if you set up a virtual office for a few hours. If the ones on this list are too crowded, check out Nine Bar Espresso in Somerville, it is a bit outside of downtown Boston but still, a nice place to visit and get a little work done.

Discover the best coffee shops spread throughout Boston and find a café or coffee bar that welcomes people to spend a few hours pounding away on their laptops. Counter-culture coffee is alive and well in Boston and you can sidle up to a coffee bar for good coffee and friendly service. The locally owned neighborhood coffee shop is one of the best things about Boston.