As a freelance writer, I’ve worked from cafes across the world and come to learn a thing or two about coffee shop etiquette. In a post-Covid reality where the demand for remote jobs and hybrid work is on the rise, it’s no surprise that more and more people are choosing to spend the 9-5 in cafes and co-work spaces.

One popular alternative to the office is the coffee shop – a bustling hub of activity, caffeine-fueled creativity, and the comforting aroma of freshly brewed coffee. Working from a public setting can, however, easily have its setbacks in the form of distraction and social etiquette.

The rules of an office are obvious, sometimes literally written in black-and-white by HR, but the world of coffee shop working etiquette is new to thousands of people.

In this blog post, we’ll explore the art of working from a coffee shop, from finding the perfect location for your day to maximizing productivity amidst the hustle and bustle of a public setting.

Whether you’re a freelancer, digital nomad, or remote worker craving a change of scenery, keep reading to dive into the world of remote work from your favourite local cafe.

Is it a good idea to work in a Coffee Shop?

The short answer? Probably.

I am a one-person freelance team and as much as I love my short commute from bed to desk, I can quite quickly begin to develop the symptoms of cabin fever. Particularly on writing days, I can find my apartment to be filled with distraction.

Whether it’s folding laundry, taking a break on the sofa, or remembering a package I need to take to the post office, focusing when working from home can sometimes feel more like a marathon than an easy stroll.

Changing locations to a coffee shop is my favourite concentration hack to click straight into flow state. Being surrounded by other busy people and limited to a small table as my workstation allows me to let go of distractions and actually focus on the work in front of me. My productivity skyrockets and I’ll work for sometimes hours at a time without breaking.

Of course, working from a cafe brings its own distractions in the form of music, other people’s conversations, or the simple pleasure of people-watching. It can also add up! Buying multiple drinks, not to mention the temptation of pastries and snacks, might be a business expense, but it’s not one that I need to indulge in 7 days a week.

For me, working from a coffee shop is a matter of balance. I will typically spend 3 days a week working from my apartment, 1 alone in a coffee shop, and 1 day working from a cafe with other remote workers. This allows me to keep each day fresh and not fall into patterns of monotony or boredom.

I don’t follow a strict work location routine, and instead, I let my meeting schedule dictate my decisions: On meeting-heavy days I’ll stay home, and on writing days I’ll head out.

Best Coffee Shops for Remote Work?

Finding the right coffee shop to work from can make or break a productive day of remote work.

Here’s a few criteria that I look for:

1. Free, fast, and reliable Wifi: This is an obvious one. There’s nothing worse than being in the midst of your productive flow when your internet cuts out.
2. No time limit: In some cities, including Tokyo, it can be common for cafes to have a 2-hour seating time limit before you’re expected to give up your seat to another patron.
3. Delicious coffee: I love good coffee. So as great as a coffee shop is, if the coffee is bad I probably won’t be returning.
4. Comfortable workspaces: Perching on a hard stool or slumped on a far too squishy sofa might look great aesthetically, but the reality is that if I’m not comfortable, I’m not getting any meaningful work done.
5. Great ambience: I’m talking good music, a cool interior, and an overall sense of calm. I want the space to make me want to stay and easily slip into concentration.

When I’m hunting for a new remote work location, I’ll google coffee shops in the area to find a few that look interesting. The first thing I’ll look for is images of the interior to make sure it looks spacious and comfortable. From there, I’ll look for reviews discussing the WiFi and (ideally) plug sockets!

What to bring to work from a Coffee Shop?

Believe it or not, there’s an art to working from a public place and, like with so many things in life, the key is in the preparation. Here’s my Cafe Work Kit to ensure a productive day of work from a coffee shop:

• Laptop and iPad
• Water bottle
• Laptop charger
• Portable phone charger
• AirPods
• Snacks!
• Lip balm/moisturiser to fight the often too-high AC or heating

5 Unbreakable Rules of Working from a Cafe

It goes without saying that in exchange for a table, plug socket, and productive environment, you have to actually buy something. But that’s not where the etiquette ends. There are social expectations to being in a coffee shop, and if you hope to spend upwards of 3 hours in one place, these expectations can quickly become rules.

Beyond just manners and etiquette, these rules are in place to make the coffee shop experience enjoyable for everyone. They create a fair and fun environment whilst respecting the cafe staff, and ensure that your favourite coffee shop continues to allow you to work without an additional fee.

1. Respect the Space: Be mindful of other patrons and the cafe’s ambience. Only take up one seat/table’s worth of space and do not hog the plug sockets!
2. Order Regularly: It’s courteous to purchase items from the cafe while you’re there. I recommend buying a new drink, pastry, or snack every 2-3 hours.
3. Be Mindful of Others: Minimize distractions for those around you by using headphones and keeping meetings to a minimum. If you need to attend a video meeting, try to face the camera away from other patrons so they don’t feel uncomfortable.
4. Watch the Clock: While most cafes offer flexibility in terms of work session duration, it’s essential to be aware of how long you’ve been occupying a table. If the cafe gets busy, consider finishing up your work or relocating to make space for other customers.
5. Clean up After Yourself: Dispose of your trash properly, whether it’s cups, napkins, or food wrappers. Leaving your workspace clean and tidy ensures a pleasant experience for both cafe staff and fellow customers.

Productivity Hacks for Working from a Coffee Shop

I’ve been a full-time freelancer in Japan since 2022, and as an easily distracted person, I’ve become relatively dependent on the following hacks to trick my mind into concentration.

1. Invest in an iPad or tablet. This has been my greatest tool for working from a cafe as it can become an extra screen or notebook from any location in the world.
2. Eat first! Whether it’s lunch or breakfast, I cannot recommend eating a full and healthy meal at home before leaving for the cafe. Otherwise, you could be at risk of hunger distraction and having to end a productive session early because the coffee shop doesn’t offer a substantial meal.
3. The magic of a Low-Fi playlist. Something about low-fi music allows my mind to immediately focus on the task at hand. Without lyrics or an upbeat rhythm, low-fi is one of my all-time greatest hacks for productivity, especially in public.
4. Find a remote work buddy for body doubling. This is a productivity technique where someone works alongside another person who is engaged in a similar task. The presence of your work buddy serves as a form of external accountability, helping to reduce distractions and increase focus.
5. Make a to-do list before you leave. I have an ongoing to-do list for work at all times, but before heading out to work from a coffee shop, I make sure I have my tasks to complete extremely clear in my mind. This means once I sit down I can click right into work, instead of procrastinating with tasks that aren’t important.

Concentration has always been one of the biggest challenges as a freelancer, so for someone like me these productivity tips can be genuinely life-changing. Is this something you have struggled with, and if so, what are your favourite hacks for focusing as a remote worker?