Working from home has its advantages (like no commute time and being able to start work while you’re still in pyjamas) but it’s easy to get bored of staring at the same four walls. Sometimes we all just need a change of scenery and coffee shops provide a great alternative to working at home or in the office.
The vibrant atmosphere of a busy coffee shop beats the loneliness of working or studying by yourself at home, while also offering less distractions and therefore a more productive environment.
There’s also the major bonus of having lattes, espressos and mochas on hand to give you your caffeine fix throughout the day and help you endure those 4pm Zoom meetings we all dread.
In my list of laptop-friendly places in Nottingham, I’ve included each shop’s policy on laptop working. I requested the information from the businesses themselves so you can trust that it’s accurate at the time of publishing.
To paraphrase, the general rule is don’t be an arsehole – if you’re taking up a table, pay your way!
Homemade — Forest Recreation Ground, Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG5 2BU
Google Maps location
Laptop hours: All day
Conditions of laptop use: N/A
Free WiFi ✔️
Escape the city centre crowds at Homemade café, situated in the picturesque setting of Forest Recreation Ground. There’s plenty of outdoor seating for working outside on sunnier days, as well as tables indoors. The cakes at Homemade are renowned in the local area, so why not treat yourself to a slice while you enjoy a cuppa? There’s vegan and gluten-free friendly options too!
200 Degrees — 16 Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN
Google Maps location
Laptop hours: All day
Conditions of laptop use: Avoid taking up large tables if alone.
Free WiFi ✔️
Nottingham-born business 200 Degrees now has several stores across England, but there’s still two in the city centre including its flagship store just off the Square. As 200 Degrees is a leader in specialty coffee, you’re guaranteed top quality brews to fuel you throughout the work day. The relaxed atmosphere in all of their shops make them ideal environments for work and study.
Cafe Sobar — 22 Friar Lane, Nottingham, NG1 6DQ
Google Maps location
Laptop hours: All day
Conditions of laptop use: N/A
Free WiFi ✔️
Cafe Sobar is one of Nottingham city centre’s most underrated food & drink businesses. Every purchase at this venue supports vital work being carried out in our local community by drug and alcohol recovery charity Double Impact. As well as providing people in recovery with a valuable safe space, Cafe Sobar offers laptop workers a peaceful setting with easily accessed plugs and USB points.
King’s Walk Kitchen — 10 King’s Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2AE
Google Maps location
Laptop hours: All day
Conditions of laptop use: Be respectful, especially during busier times. Avoid taking up larger tables. Order a couple of drinks during your stay.
Free WiFi ✔️
King’s Walk Kitchen is a fantastic choice for students in search of somewhere to study. A not too shabby 15% student discount is available all day every day and their upstairs seating area is a dedicated quiet space, designed with working customers in mind. There’s free WiFi and a tasty brunch and light bites menu that caters to a variety of dietary needs.
Blend — Unit 30, Avenue C, Sneinton Market, Nottingham, NG1 1DW
Google Maps location
Laptop hours: All day on weekdays in a window seat, 8-11am on weekdays in the main cafe area
Conditions of laptop use: Be considerate of how long you stay in the cafe (you may be asked to leave if you overstay) and no laptops allowed on weekends.
Free WiFi ✔️
Located a little outside the city centre, Blend is an artisan coffee shop in the Sneinton Market buildings. It is best known for its mouth-watering cheese toasties. There’s also a selection of light and refreshing salads on the menu, which are perfect for summer lunching. For my vegan and lactose intolerant readers, I recommend the Cheesy Harrelson toastie – lush!
Tough Mary’s Bakehouse — 70-72 Derby Road, Nottingham, NG1 5FD
Google Maps location
Laptop hours: All day
Conditions of laptop use: No official policy, but advised to avoid taking up tables during busy times if you aren’t eating or drinking.
From baking to breadmaking, Tough Mary’s Bakehouse is the master of sweet and savoury treats. You can’t miss the bright yellow store as you walk up Derby Road or the tantalising smell of fresh pastry as you approach. This indie bakery may not have customer WiFi, but if you’re looking for a distraction free place to crack on with some work, it ticks all the boxes.
Waterstone’s cafe — 1-5 Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham, NG1 2GR
Google Maps location
Laptop hours: All day
Conditions of laptop use: N/A
Free WiFi ✔️
Café W in Waterstones is my favourite place to work – there’s just something about book stores that feels like home to me. The café is spacious with large windows offering scenic views over the city. There’s usually a gentle hum of chatter and the occasional grinding of the coffee machine, but personally I prefer a little background noise to complete silence. You can also get a free hot drink if you buy Waterstone’s book of the month!
Neon Wolf — 21 Derby Road, Nottingham, NG1 5AA
Google Maps location
Laptop hours: All day
Conditions of laptop use: N/A
Free WiFi ✔️
Like the thought of video calling your boss from a (stationary) dodgem car? Head over to Neon Wolf, a coffee lounge with retro fairground inspired décor. Recently featured in my Spotlight on series, Neon Wolf also happens to be a tattoo studio, but there’s no need to worry about noise levels as the inking takes place on a separate floor from the eating and drinking.
The Kitchen on Pelham Street — 20 Pelham Street, Nottingham, NG1 2EG
Google Maps location
Laptop hours: All day
Conditions of laptop use: Be respectful, especially during busier times. Avoid taking up larger tables. Order a couple of drinks during your stay.
Free WiFi ✔️
Nestled within a long row of shops and eateries, this gem of a café might be easy to pass by if it weren’t for the eye-catching cake display in the window and generous outdoor seating area. I recommend the vegan-friendly Oreo Cookie Cake to anyone looking for an afternoon pick-me-up during the work day. There’s a brunch and all day food menu as well if you’re looking for something more substantial.
Delilah Fine Foods — 12 Victoria Street, Nottingham, NG1 2EX
Google Maps location
Laptop hours: All day
Conditions of laptop use: Make sure you’re buying regular drinks.
Free WiFi ✔️
Delilah Fine Foods is a delicatessen that specialises in fine food and wine. In the Delilah café, dishes are made from deli ingredients that are available to buy in-store, including an impressive cheese collection. The food is a little pricier than your average café, but the taste is superior so it’s worth the extra pennies. There’s also a long list of loose leaf teas and specialty coffees to enjoy.
The Specialty Coffee Shop — 50 Friar Lane, Nottingham, NG1 6DQ
Google Maps location
Laptop hours: 9-11am, 2-4pm. Also in the evenings if the shop is quiet.
Conditions of laptop use: No minimum spend, but one drink or snack per hour would be appreciated.
Free WiFi ✔️
As the name suggests, The Specialty Coffee Shop knows a thing or two about our favourite caffeinated bean. This store is rumoured to sell the best coffee in the city and the drinks menu is extensive, including unusual offerings such as Japanese Iced Coffee and a Coffee Kick smoothie alongside the usual flat whites and lattes.
Hockley Kitchen — 21 Carlton Street, Nottingham, NG1 1NL
Google Maps location
Laptop hours: ALL DAY
Conditions of laptop use: Be respectful, especially during busier times. Avoid taking up larger tables. Order a couple of drinks during your stay.
Free WiFi ✔️
Hockley Kitchen may look like your standard local café from the outside, but the friendly atmosphere and delicious cakes and bakes that await customers inside deserve to be shouted about. I’ve dined at this café more than any other venue in Notts and that’s because I can always rely on them to serve great tasting food. There’s ample outdoor seating, so you and your laptop can make the most of the sunshine while it lasts.
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Don’t forget to check out some of my other Nottingham blogs before you go:
Luce in Notts 
Hiya. Thanks for the useful tips. Do you have any recommendations for Castle Marina – NG2 1EN- area?
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