14 best cafés for working in Beijing

Look cool, drink cool, work cool at these studious spots

Whether you're a student catching up on essays or a freelancer who can't yet afford a coworking space, we've all been too familiar with the long and noble tradition of staking out a spot in a trendy café, ordering precisely one coffee, and lapping up the atmosphere and free Wi-Fi for hours on end.

While admittedly most cafés in Beijing are vaguely laptop-friendly, some are definitely more suitable than others. What we want is a fast internet connection, a spacious interior that's not too noisy, decent coffee, at least some kind of food option and, most of all, vibes. Read on our pick of the best places grab a cup and work in, whether you're looking for a spot to start your start-up, or finish your novel, or both.

Gulou

Alba Cafe

Photo: Jackie Park

An old neighbourhood favourite, Alba Cafe provides a warm, cosy and all-inclusive space to work in for morning birds and night owls. Open daily from 8am-11pm, it makes the transition from caffeine to alcohol seamless, with a menu full of drinks and eats at unbeatable prices. Need a reading break? Head to the roof and work al fresco while enjoying listening to life’s gentle banter on the street below. Or better yet, reward yourself with an afternoon cocktail or some homemade ginger brew after.

Alba Cafe. 70, Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng district 东城区鼓楼东大街70号. Open 8am-11pm daily

Café Zarah

Photo: Café Zarah

Right down the street from Alba Cafe is another favourite of hutong hipsters. Zarah offers plenty of space, a decent internet connection and laissez-faire attitude towards bothering you after your first coffee. The snacks are worth a visit alone, and you'll likely bump into another busy bee to have sneaky work breaks with. 

Café Zarah. 46, Gulou Dong Dajie, Dongcheng district 东城区鼓楼东大街42号. Open Sun-Thu, 10am-midnight; Fri-Sat, 10-1am

The Corner 我与地坛

Given that it's an addendum to the next-door garage full of people doing actual manual labour, Corner is surely a spot to inspire hard work if there ever was one. The aesthetic is appropriately industrial chic: think concrete, exposed metalwork and bright spotlights. It ain't cosy, but you weren't thinking of relaxing at work, were you?

The Corner 我与地坛. First floor, Qiche Fuwu Tiyan Zhongxin, 8, Hepingli Nan Jie Xi Kou, Dongcheng district 东城区和平里南街西口甲8号B汽车服务体验中心1层. Open 8.30am-9.30pm

Voyage Coffee

Tucked away in the alley of Beiluoguxiang away from the touristy bunch, Voyage Cafe is all exposed brick walls and a charming coffee shop with minimalist design. Though the coffee menu is somewhat limited, it serves up expertly crafted espresso drinks. It has window-facing bar seats for those who like to work while people-watching, as well as a back room full of wooden tables for the heads-down crowds.

Voyage Coffee. 80, Beiluoguxiang, Dongcheng district 东城区北锣鼓巷80号. Open 9am-9pm daily 

Sanlitun

Tribe (Sanlitun)

Tribe Sanlitun is away from the main buzz of Taikoo Li, so it's a calmer spot to do some work if you're in the area. We rate the internet connection and the soundtrack, although get there early if you want to grab one of the few tables. There's so much more than just coffee on sale here – nourish your brain with a superfood salad whose cost will certainly motivate you to earn harder. Pro tip: The nearest toilets are not that near, which is worth noting if you've got an expensive laptop with you.

Tribe (Sanlitun). First floor, Building 3, China View, 2, Gongti Dong Lu, Chaoyang district 朝阳区工体东路丙2号中国红街3号楼1层Open 8am-10pm daily

Moleskine Café

There's something about writing in a Moleskine that makes all your ideas (seem) better, more creative and more important. So what better way to fuel those work juices than by basing yourself in a sea of leather-bound brilliance while you type soullessly into your electronic device of choice.

Moleskine Café. S2-12, Taikoo Li South, 19, Sanlitun Lu, Chaoyang district 朝阳区三里屯路19号太古里三里屯南区S2-12. Open 10am-10pm

Liangmaqiao

Baker & Spice 

The team behind Baker & Spice have got contemporary chic down to a T, and this spacious, albeit often crowded branch feels more relaxed than other urban warriors in the Jing. It's hard to find a good plug socket so come charged-up for a long stint, but the wifi is good, as are the food and drink offerings. Pro tip: One of the only places in town where you can get a cortado coffee, and a decent one at that.

Baker & Spice. F111, Grand Summit, 19, Dongfang Dong Lu, Chaoyang district 朝阳区东方东路19号外交公寓官舍南区1层F111. Open 7am-10pm daily

CBD

Re 而意

Plenty of cafés are sun-drenched but only one is sun-drenched like Re, flanked as it by not one but two floor-to-ceiling windows that convene into a corner view over the Third Ring Road. An impressive marble table with communal seating offers plenty of space to spread out your tools of choice, and an array of bicycle-chic paraphernalia will surely inspire something. Pro tip: The ham and cheese bread is better than it sounds. 

Re 而意. First floor, 1501, Jianwai Soho 15, Jingheng Jie, Chaoyang district 朝阳区景恒街建外Soho西区15号楼1501. Open 8am-8pm daily

Basic Coffee 本质咖啡

In the same dilapidated Soho complex as Re, Basic is similarly lit and similarly excellent for working. It serves specialist coffee and has plenty of space for working, and the background hum of the CBD is sure to motivate some deals and emails. Pro tip: The well-lit window seats are the best in the house.

Basic Coffee 本质咖啡. Third floor, Building 9, Jianwai SOHO East, Henghui Dong Lu, Chaoyang district 朝阳区景恒街建外SOHO东区9号别墅西南角三层. Open 11am-7pm

Xicheng

Soloist Coffee Co (Financial Street)

The Financial Street branch of Beijing's finest coffee roasters has a respectable food menu as well as the trademark excellent hot drinks. There's also an indoor toilet which is useful when you don't want to leave your laptop unattended for too long. The location is a bit rogue, but if you want to escape the Gulou and Sanlitun fray then this is a good bet.

Soloist Coffee Co (Financial Street). Second floor, 3, Jingchengfang Jie Xicheng district 西城区金城坊街3号2层. Open Mon-Sat, 10am-10pm; Sun 10am-9pm

Bear Brew 熊咖啡

Totally out of the way and all the more charming for it, Bear Brew has a friendly atmosphere, fast WiFi, good coffee and no other distractions. There's not much to munch on, but for a quick work and coffee session, this petite spot is a good place to mix up your normal café itinerary. Pro tip: The rooftop has dreamy hutong views and is one of the most tranquil in Beijing.

Bear Brew 熊咖啡. 26, Baitasi Dong Jiedao, Xicheng district 西城区白塔寺东夹道26号. Open 10am-8pm daily 

Berry Beans

Right around the corner from the touristy fray of Dashilar, Berry Beans is a former brothel which is now set up for work of a different kind. Excellent third-wave coffee and quaint hutong architecture are an amenable mix, and it feels more lao Beijing than many other generic joints. 

Berry Beans. 7, Zhujia Hutong, Dashilar Xicheng district 西城区朱家胡同7号. Open 10am-9pm daily

Wangjing

T Star Coffee 帝星咖啡

Photo: T Star Coffee

This warehouse-like coffee shop boasts a two-storey space with ample seating that includes window seats, sofas and countless individual and communal tables. Outlets can be found at almost every table so you don't need to worry about your laptop running out of juice while powering through work. There's a constant buzz of people on the weekends, but thanks to the cafe's huge space, you’ll find it easy to tune out other humans. Other than coffee and tea, it has a decent food and drink menu, where they serve waffles, sandwiches, pasta and non-caffeinated and boozy drinks like juices and bottled beers.

T Star Coffee 帝星咖啡. 3, Heming Zhonglu Shangyejie, Chaoyang district 朝阳区望京西园河萌中路商业街3号. Open 9am-midnight daily

Wudaokou

Maan Coffee (Wudaokou)

Photo

: Erik Eveland

Whether you need a long wooden table to spread out and study or a two-seater to catch up with a friend, this two-storey cafe filled with natural light has what you’re looking for. Once you have settled into one of Maan’s leather chairs, sip on the in-house coffee blend for 19RMB or a speciality drink for about 30RMB. If you want a bite to eat, indulge in a BLT for 35RMB and satisfy your sweet tooth with a waffle generously-topped with whipped cream and strawberries for 52RMB. 

Maan Coffee (Wudaokou). Building D, Qinghua Tongfang Keji Square, 15 Wangzhuang Lu, Haidian district 海淀区王庄路15号清华同方科技广场D座底商(近双清路). Open 7.30am-11.30pm daily

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