Spring is here, and summer is just around the corner. The weather looks incredible, full of promise, and digital nomads are arriving in droves across South Africa.
Cape Town, in particular, has become a favorite spot. The city makes remote work easy, thanks to its abundance of cafés, restaurants, and accommodations that cater to the laptop crowd.
Anyone who works remotely knows how important a good café can be. It’s not just about the coffee; it’s a change of scenery, a way to escape the monotony of working from home every day.
After spending 5 years in Cape Town, I’ve rounded up some of my favorite laptop-friendly cafés across the city, tested, loved, and perfect for getting things done.
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Top Criteria When Choosing a Café to Work From
When you’re working remotely, not every café will work for every need. Here’s what I look for before settling in with my laptop and cup of americano.
- Wi-Fi: Most cafés in Cape Town offer free Wi-Fi, but speed matters. The spots on this list have fast, reliable connections that make work flow smoothly.
- Backup Power: Load-shedding is a reality in South Africa, so a café with a backup generator is a lifesaver. It keeps your work uninterrupted when the power cuts.
- Power Outlets: Laptop-friendly cafés always have plenty of outlets for charging your devices. No one wants to fight for the only socket in the corner.
- Space: Bigger cafés tend to be more comfortable for work, more light, higher ceilings, and a better chance of finding a quiet table. A few even offer outdoor seating for sunny days.
- Menu: Cape Town is known for its coffee culture. Each café here serves excellent brews and good food at fair prices, so you can stay fueled through the day.
- Location: Most of these cafés are easy to reach. in Sea Point, Green Point, or the city center, with decent parking nearby. A few are farther out, which means tighter parking but a quieter atmosphere.
Laptop-friendly cafés
1) Ground Art café, De Waterkant
Why you’ll love it:
Ground Art Caffe gets plenty of natural light, serves great food, and even has explicit “work-friendly” signage, free Wi-Fi and lots of USB/power points.
It’s a creative, art-filled space. The walls are lined with local pieces, and the baristas treat every cappuccino like a canvas. It’s ideal for writers, designers, or anyone who needs space for deep work.
The staff are friendly and go out of their way to make you comfortable.
What to order: sourdough eggs or avo-poached eggs.
2) Bootlegger Coffee Company, Sea point, Green point, multiple locations
Why you’ll love it:
Bootlegger is a local chain with multiple locations around Cape Town. Most offer free Wi-Fi and are popular with freelancers and remote workers.
Some branches even have meeting rooms you can book, reliable Wi-Fi, and consistently good coffee.
3) Rosetta Roastery, Bree St & Silo District
Why you’ll love it:
Rosetta serves specialty coffee in beautifully designed, spacious cafés. The Bree Street location is central and lively, while the Silo District pop-up is quieter and great for focus.
Both spots offer fast Wi-Fi and charging points. Rosetta’s single-origin beans are roasted in small batches, so the coffee is always fresh and flavorful. The food is simple, thoughtful, and pairs perfectly with the calm atmosphere.
4) Platō Coffee, multiple locations
Why you’ll love it:
Platō is a minimalist coffee chain with open spaces, good coffee, and clean design.
Each branch offers a relaxed, community-driven space where digital nomads can connect, or work quietly on their own.
It’s great for short meetings or solo deep-work sessions.
5) Truth Coffee Roasting, CBD
Why you’ll love it:
Truth Coffee is one of Cape Town’s most famous roasteries, known for its industrial-steampunk decor and award-winning coffee.
It draws a mix of tourists and locals, so it can get busy, but there’s usually space to sit and work.
It’s not the quietest spot in town, but the free Wi-Fi, plenty of seating, and excellent coffee make it a solid choice.
6) The Loading Bay, De Waterkant
Why you’ll love it:
Part café, part retail space, The Loading Bay offers a solid menu, beautiful multi-level layout, and plenty of natural light.
It’s stylish yet relaxed, with private corners perfect for getting things done.
There are limited charging points, so come prepared, and bring a backup battery just in case.
7) The Ladder, Bree Street
Why you’ll love it:
The Ladder is a beautifully designed, welcoming café that feels as good as it looks.
From the moment you walk in, you’re greeted with warmth and genuine hospitality by the friendly team.
The food is great, the coffee even better, and the atmosphere perfect for both work, meeting or just kicking it with friends.
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