With hybrid or fully remote working on the up, more and more businesses are catering to an increase in laptop surfers – homeworkers who don’t want to homework – and Cardiff is no exception. Hannah Collins sees you, hears you and is often one of you. Here are her recommendations for digital nomads of the best cafes to work, eat and drink from in Cardiff.
200 DEGREES
Queen Street, Mon-Fri 8am-6pm
How is it to work from?: The Nottingham-founded chain doubling up as a barista school is another student hotspot and a great alternative to the Big Brands competing for your attention in Cardiff’s central shopping district. Spacious, but its darker, industrial aesthetic feels deceptively intimate.
Laptop surfing atmosphere: Bustling but with enough space for quiet and privacy.
Food & Drink: Handmade sandwiches and cakes, hot and cold drinks. Great coffee! Hurrah! Try the Spanish latte.
Wi-Fi: yes
Laptop policy: none
Info: here
COPPA CLUB
The Hayes, Mon-Thurs 9am-11.30pm; Fri 9am-12.30am
How is it to work from?: Some consider the ‘Townhouse’’s all-in-one approach – encompassing space to work, eat and drink, day and night – an identity crisis. I find it refreshing: the downstairs cafe-cum-bar-lounge includes a window bar for private laptop surfer people-watching along Morgan Arcade, while the upstairs restaurant with its stunning atrium is an airy, art deco-themed spot to impress clients and colleagues. Table service, however, is inefficient for the chain caffeine consumers.
Laptop surfing atmosphere: Relaxed but could get noisy during peak times; staff are exceptionally helpful.
Food & Drink: Breakfast, lunch, dinner and alcoholic drinks. Very tasty, though the coffee could be better in this snob’s opinion.
Wi-Fi: yes
Laptop policy: none
Info: here
LITTLE MAN
Bridge Street, Mon-Fri 7:45am-6pm
How is it to work from?: The focus on community makes Little Man a real hub for creatives, with rotating art exhibitions, free reading material and a bookable events space in the basement. Upstairs boasts a splendid wraparound window for street gawking and armchairs for reading in.
Laptop surfing atmosphere: A little cold by the windows but the vibes are always warm.
Food & Drink: Generously portioned breakfasts and lunches, sweet treats and hypeworthy coffee.
Wi-Fi: yes
Laptop policy: none (bring them to Freelancer Mondays, 7-11am, in the basement with free coffee)
Info: here
QUANTUM
Bute Street, Mon-Fri 8am-5pm
The lowdown: One of two venues for the coffee roasters (the other being in Splott), Quantum’s Cardiff Bay hub is a stone’s throw away from the WMC (also available for laptop surfing in Cardiff) and the station. Unpretentious, friendly and popular with the WFH crowd and business lunchers.
Atmosphere: Bright, cheerful and never too busy.
Food & Drink: Sandwiches, salads and very nice cakes. Love their chai lattes.
Wi-Fi: Not so much but hotspotting isn’t an issue.
Laptop policy: yes
Info: quantumroasters.co.uk
UNCOMMON GROUND
Morgan Quarter, Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm
How is it to work from?: Despite a significant caveat I’ll get to later, this is my favourite on the list. Established by brothers Paul and Ian almost a decade ago with a second location opened last year (on Cathedral Road), the Morgan Arcade original is an industrially-outfitted, cosy burrow you’ll never want to leave.
Laptop surfing atmosphere: When it’s not heaving, I’m most productive in Uncommon Ground. This place is magic.
Food & Drink: Stunning breakfasts, lunches and cakes.Best. Coffee. In. Cardiff! (Loose-leaf tea also available, you heathens.)
Wi-Fi: yes (as if of very recently!)
Laptop policy: yes
Info: uncommon-ground.co.uk
WATERLOO TEA
Wyndham Arcade, Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
How is it to work from?: Cardiff-grown brand with five spots across Cardiff and Penarth; my vote is the Wyndham branch to sit in the splendid Edwardian arcade for some fresh air. Inside, you’ll find a two-floor, fresh and modern-looking cafe boasting a wall of speciality tea.
Laptop surfing atmosphere: More punter-filled than work-ready but quieter periods will serve you well.
Food & Drink: Vegan-heavy breakfasts, lunches and afternoon teas. Fantastic cakes, coffee and, of course, a huge range of loose leaf tea by the potful.
Wi-Fi: yes, including outside
Laptop policy: none
Info: here
words HANNAH COLLINS
