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 silence of working or studying by yourself at home, while also offering less distractions and often 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 Teams meetings we all dread.
While all the coffee shops on this list are laptop-friendly, remember to stay respectful and avoid taking up tables during busier periods, like lunchtime. If you’re planning to set up camp for the day, make sure you’re paying your way!
200 Degrees — 16 Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham, NG1 2HN
99 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FE
7-9 Milton Street, Nottingham, NG1 3EP
Nottingham-born business 200 Degrees now has several stores in England and you’ll find three in the city centre. As 200 Degrees is a leader in specialty coffee, you’re guaranteed top quality brews to fuel you throughout the work day. The relaxed vibe across all their shops have seen them become local hot spots for students and remote workers.
Dispatch Coffee — 2 Goose Gate, Nottingham, NG1 1FF
This Wes Anderson inspired dream is easily one of the coolest independent coffee shops in Hockley. I have spent many afternoons at Dispatch Coffee, lusting after the stunning décor and colourful crockery. They also serve sandwiches, grilled cheese and the best cookies in Nottingham (courtesy of Block Party Bakery). Did I mention Dispatch also has the best window seat in the city?
Nottingham Central Library — 1 Carrington Street, Nottingham, NG1 7FH
OK so I know the library isn’t technically a coffee shop BUT it does have an onsite café! And long before I ever set foot in a coffee shop, I would go to Nottingham Central Library to study. The original library on Angel Row closed back in 2020 but its shiny new replacement opened on Carrington Street at the end of last year with three floors featuring a range of work and study spaces, from private booths and desks to sofas.
Avocafé by Nutri2Go — 1 Park Street, Nottingham, NG7 1RR
Located on the edge of Lenton, Avocafé is a popular student haunt and a real community café with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The focus here is on serving healthy and nutritious food (at very reasonable prices may I add). My favourite dish is the simple but delicious scrambled eggs on toast, which comes topped with sunflower seeds. Yum!
Lola’s Coffee — Pemberton Street, Nottingham, NG1 1GS
Lola’s Coffee is an independent gem found on the city centre outskirts, well worth the five minute walk from Hockley. Comfy seating is a necessity for me when choosing somewhere to work from and Lola’s plush chairs and sofas definitely fit the bill. Food options are limited, but the bagels and toasties they do serve really hit the spot and, it might sound like an odd compliment, but I love their colourful side salads.
Café Sobar — 22 Friar Lane, Nottingham, NG1 6DQ
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 accessible plug sockets and USB points.
Blend — Unit 30, Avenue C, Sneinton Market, Nottingham, NG1 1DW
Blend at Contemporary — Garner’s Hill, Nottingham, NG1 2GB
Blend at East West — City Gate East, Tollhouse Hill, NG1 5FS
Over the past few years, Blend has become a renowned name in local coffee. This independent business has three artisan coffee shops across Nottingham, each with their own distinct character. East West and Contemporary are your best options for work or study, as they are larger than the OG store in Sneinton with more seating. Even better, East West was specifically designed with laptop workers in mind!
Waterstones Café — 1-5 Bridlesmith Gate, Nottingham, NG1 2GR
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!
Delilah Fine Foods — 12 Victoria Street, Nottingham, NG1 2EX
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.
Hockley Kitchen — 21 Carlton Street, Nottingham, NG1 1NL
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.
Homemade — Forest Recreation Ground, Mansfield Road, Nottingham, NG5 2BU
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.
Beeston Social — 2 Station Road, Beeston, Nottingham, NG9 2WJ
Beeston Social is a day-to-night venue that’s simultaneously cosy and lively. With lots of character, this place stays true to its name, acting as a social hub in Beeston, where spacious independent coffee shops were in relatively short supply before it opened in 2022. There’s an onsite arcade, but don’t let that put you off working there – on weekdays, Beeston Social is a great spot to spend a few hours with your laptop, especially if you enjoy background chatter while you work.
BEAR — 36a Carlton Street, Nottingham, NG1 1NN
A relatively recent addition to Hockley, BEAR has received mixed reviews, which are mainly down to understaffing. That being said, while I wouldn’t recommend dining here unless you’re prepared for a lengthy wait time, I do really enjoy going here for coffee and cake. There’s also a couple of delicious drinks on the menu that are rare to find elsewhere, including a chocolate chai (LOVE) and a mint hot chocolate.
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If you’re on Instagram, make sure you’re following @luceinnotts to discover more laptop-friendly coffee shops with my ‘Places to work and study in Nottingham’ reel series.
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