Downtown Edmonton coffee shops to use for work

By Theresa Tesolin

Looking for a place to park your laptop for a few hours? Here’s a roundup of downtown Edmonton coffee shops that function as both a workspace and a cozy place to relax with a cup of joe. [Image credit: iStock.com/Jacob Ammentorp Lund]

If you’re visiting the city for work, or you’re a freelancer or someone who works from home, finding a reprieve from the confines of your hotel or home office is a welcome change. Getting away from your regular routine to spend a few hours working in a coffee shop is a great way to treat yourself to a cup of coffee or tea while remaining productive.

Luckily downtown Edmonton is home to a number of welcoming coffee shops where you can find many fellow workers on their laptops. Read on to find the one that’s right for you.

Not all coffee shops are conducive to work. While your favourite java joint may brew a mean cup of coffee, the environment may be less than ideal for sitting down to do some work. Here are a few characteristics of an ideal workable coffee shop:

• Free WiFi. This one is an absolute necessity. Extra points if the connection is speedy and reliable.
• Adequate seating. There are some coffee shops that are designed just for grab-and-go coffee and have minimal seating. Ideally, a coffee shop has comfy seating with decent-sized tables.
• Good lighting. While dim lights cast a relaxing ambience, they don’t do your eyes any favours if you’re trying to work.
• Baristas with a smile. Nobody likes dealing with grumpy baristas or subpar service.

Most coffee shops have bursts of activities throughout the day, most notably the morning rush and the midday coffee break. To avoid the hustle, bustle and noise, try going sometime around 9:30 am on a weekday to snag a good seat. You’ll hopefully be able to squeeze in a few hours of solid work before the midday rush that occurs around 2 pm.

Here are a few ideal spots to park yourself (and your laptop) for a few hours. Some may be noisier than others, so bring your own ear plugs or headphones to tune out the background noise. These places all have free WiFi.

• District Café & Bakery: There’s plenty of seating with their expanded space (approximately 2,700 sq ft). Start your day right with a waffle benny or try a pumpkin chocolate zucchini muffin.

• Remedy: There are plenty of tables you can work at while enjoying a cup of Chai tea.  If you get hungry, their menu is also irresistible (butter chicken wrap, anyone?). They’re open late if you prefer to work at night.

• Credo Coffee: Coffee lovers, rejoice! Enjoy an excellent cup of coffee in a relatively quiet atmosphere with friendly staff. Gets busy frequently, so hold on to your seat while you can.

• Naked Cyber Café and Espresso Bar: It’s an internet café plus espresso bar plus music venue (at night). There are plenty of computers available for use, so come during the weekday to work in peace. The friendly staff help create a laid-back environment. The couches here add a cozy touch.

• Transcend Mercer: Don’t be deceived by Transcend’s basement location in the Mercer Warehouse – the space is brightly lit and the locally roasted coffee is always reliably good.

So there you have it: five great downtown Edmonton coffee shops for working in, and some advice on making the most of your visit. All that’s left is to grab your laptop and go!