Coffee Shops Perfect for Laptop Work and Study in New York City

Coffee is a passion of mine. I go out of my way to get a good cup-o-joe in a stylish space, but I promise you, it’s one of very few addictions! I really try not to be annoying about it, but it’s a side-effect of having a little of everything in NYC.

I’m an official coffee snob, but one thing NYC is sorely missing is space to both drink quality coffee and work/read/write. This is where this article will help you!

Think Coffee on 8th Avenue, Manhattan

As you probably know, the best coffee quality isn’t always in the shop that has charming decor, free wifi, or abundant seating. This article is dedicated to those unique coffee shops that both serve a great cup of coffee while also offering working space with wifi access. I have found they reliably keep this coffee snob both happy and productive at the same time.

Think Coffee’s back room on 8th Avenue, Manhattan

MANHATTAN:

Think Coffee (West Village): 73 8th Ave, New York, NY 10014

Think Coffee (Tribeca): 350 Broadway, New York, NY 10013

Think Coffee (NoHo/NYU) : 248 Mercer St, New York, NY 10012

Think Coffee has several outposts across Manhattan, but not all are good places to work. The three above have the best space, bathrooms, and free wifi connection. They also serve quality pastry and sandwiches. My personal favorite is the West Village (8th Avenue) location. Note that during the academic year, the NoHo location is overrun with NYU students, but also resembles that coffee shop from Friends.

Everyman Espresso (East Village): 136 E 13th St, New York, NY 10003

One of the best cups of coffee in the city is ALSO a solid place to work. Not the largest of cafe spaces, it has at least 10 spots to sit. Additionally, it’s also interesting to spend time here, as it’s located in the lobby of an Off-Broadway theater.

9th Street Espresso (Alphabet City): 700 E 9th St, New York, NY 10009

9th Street Espresso, now seen at Chelsea Market and other spots, started off at this quiet location on 9th Street and Avenue C. There are about 10 tables, strong wifi, and a really great cup of coffee or espresso. And since it’s all the way over in Alphabet City, I’ve always been able to quickly snag a table.

Joe Coffee (Columbia University): 550 W 120th St, New York, NY 10027

Most of the Joe Coffee locations in NYC are quite small and don’t have wifi, but the Columbia University location, which is totally accessible to the public, not only has wifi, it’s large and surrounded by gigantic floor-to-ceiling windows. Who doesn’t like to setup a work station alongside Ivy League students, under the picturesque backdrop of University towers, in hopes some of the epic work ethic rubs off?

VBar & Cafe (NoHo/NYU): 225 Sullivan St, New York, NY 10012

My partner insisted I include this spot, but I admit over the years, it has grown on me. It’s located just a block south of Washington Square Park, dead center in the NYU zone, and is a really great place to study if you want to have the option of coffee, sandwich, or even a cold beer while you work! Hey, who’s judging?

BROOKLYN:

BKG Coffee Roasters (Clinton Hill): 557 Myrtle Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

This cafe is somewhat tight in Brooklyn standards, but has a really great dedicated work space in the back. Service is friendly and wifi is strong!

Black Brick Coffee (Williamsburg): 300 Bedford Ave, Brooklyn, N

Williamsburg has several hip cafes, but Black Brick is the only one I want to actually spend time at. The decor is cool: a ceiling made of crates, toilet equipped with ancient pull-chain flusher, and stylish wall sconces. They prefer that laptops stick to the back room, but, if you’re lucky enough to find it open, there’s a gigantic secret garden!

Brooklyn Roasting Company (Navy Yard): 200 Flushing Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205

I have a love-hate relationship with the Brooklyn Roasting located in DUMBO, but this Navy Yard location is much more my style. It resembles a 1940’s diner meshed with a vintage gas station. It has bright work space on benches underneath huge glass windows. And of course, wifi!

Cafe Grumpy (Greenpoint): 193 Meserole Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11222

An old personal favorite! I must admit I collect Cafe Grumpy mugs due to a slight obsession with their grumpy-faced bean logo. But the coffee is also top notch. Most of the Cafe Grumpy locations do not have wifi and discourage laptop use, but the Greenpoint location is the exception! It’s a HUGE space and one of the best places to spend hours working.

Four and Twenty Blackbirds (Gowanus): 439 3rd Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11215

I used to live around the corner from this pie shop and have at times, been known to over-indulge in their salty honey pie. But some may not realize this cafe is also a wonderful place to just grab coffee and get some work done at one of their many large vintage tables. Strong wifi and a young, artsy crowd.

Hungry Ghost (Park Slope/Flatbush Avenue): 253 Flatbush Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217

Another spot that serves an excellent coffee (Stumptown Roasters) but the space is special: it resembles an architect’s living room! Only some tables are for laptop work, but I have spent some great moments here appreciating the quality of the space, working or not.

WHITE NOISE COFFEE CO. (Boerum Hill): 57 Smith St, Brooklyn, NY 11201

A new contender emerged on the scene in 2019: WHITE NOISE! Originally from Queens, this cafe is seriously cool. Everything is clean and designed with purpose. The space is large and airy, with several spots ideal for getting some work done. Wifi and bathroom passwords are on the receipt.

White Noise in Brooklyn has the hip factor AND the free wifi