Best laptop-friendly cafes and workspaces in Amsterdam

De Kanarie Club

With fast wifi, more power outlets than an electronics store and plentiful delicious food options, Kanarie Club is undoubtedly the creme de la creme of laptop-friendly cafes. Located next to De Foodhallen in Oud-West, you can order all kinds of international cuisines straight to your table. Just scan the QR code and you’ll have pizza, hot-dogs, cappuccinos and dumplings delivered to you pronto. The space is cavernous with various seating areas - making it an excellent spot for in-real-life meetings too.

De Kanarie Club | Bellamyplein 51, Oud-West

MidWest

Whilst the exterior looks more like a Bond villain’s headquarters, this distinctive 1920s building actually conceals one of the cosiest living rooms in De Baarsjes. Café MidWest is located in the gymnasium of a former school and extends out into a cute backyard garden. Pop by just for a coffee, or if you want to work or study all day, check out their flexible work-space subscriptions. With rentable meeting rooms and a creative community vibe, this option is a great choice for freelancers and creatives seeking networking opportunities.

MidWest | Cabralstraat 1, De Baarsjes

Zoku

With monthly membership to co-working and social spaces, day passes and even rentable self-contained apartments for longer trips, Zoku offers digital nomads a home away from home. Members can choose from a range of spaces - with options to spend time indoors or explore the stunning rooftop gardens. The stylish decor, architecture and greenery is sure to provide some much-needed inspiration whether that’s for solo working or group lunch meetings.

Zoku | Weesperstraat 105, De Plantage

Kaffee

Oost’s latest coffee spot, Kaffee puts the community at the heart of things with coffee at affordable prices, like espressos for €1 and discounts on plant-based milk. It’s a departure from the speciality coffee shops that can often feel intimidating for those who just want a no-frills cup of coffee. And it’s schemes like this that make this space a welcoming one, alongside the decor; a combination of teak woods and dark green colours, most of which are sourced second-hand. Climbing frames from old-school gyms serve as novel shelving units on the wall, while chalkboards help bring the 80s and 90s nostalgia home. There’s a studious vibe here which might be why the place attracts workers in the day – plus the fact there are nooks and corners for everyone to have space to work in.

Kaffee | Mon-Fri 09:00-18:00, Sat 09:00-18:00 | Dapperplein 45

Benji's Toko

Your workday at this green oasis will feel more like a beach holiday. The spacious interiors with an industrial twist give off urban jungle vibes complemented by the Balinese-inspired food menu (including Rendang fries) which offers great snacking options throughout the day. There’s reliable wifi and you’ll even find power outlets in the outside spaces -  the perfect spot to clock off with a cocktail or mocktail.

Benji's Toko | Baarsjesweg 188, De Baarsjes / Maassluisstraat 243, Nieuw-West  / Wibautstraat 196, Oost

Volkshotel

This trendy hotel is located in a former office building where the national newspaper De Volkskrant once rolled off the press. The cafe provides a buzzing work spot, filled with students, creatives and entrepreneurs making use of the free wifi, tables with power outlets and great coffee. You can reserve meeting rooms and work cubicles. And, if your deadline runs over to the weekend you can tuck into some beers from the bar as you enjoy live DJ sets.

Volkshotel | Wibautstraat 150, Oost 

Kriterion

Fascinating fact: this cinema emerged from the resistance movement of WWII when its student founders became involved in hiding children from Nazi persecution. Today, the café is still a student association and provides a great co-working and study spot, attracting a mix of students, freelancers and film buffs discussing movies and social causes. With students in mind and a non-profit ethos, Kriterion is also one of the cheapest places to grab a coffee or beer in the hood.

Kriterion | Roetersstraat 170, De Plantage

Bar Bistro Bureau

This rooftop living room is perched atop B.Amsterdam - an excellent company which offers rentable co-working spaces and access to various networking, sports and social facilities. Whilst memberships at B.Amsterdam are paid for, its possible to make use of the free wifi and tables at Bureau any day of the working week. On a sunny afternoon, there’s no better place to unfold your laptop, beer in hand, than from the 5th-floor terrace with killer views over Amsterdam-West. You’ll be surrounded by many like-minded people.

Bar Bistro Bureau | 5th floor of B. Amsterdam, Johan Huizingalaan 763a, Nieuw-West

The Coffee Virus - A Lab

This cosy coffee spot serves as the lunchroom for A Lab, but is also open to the public. You’ll find a great mix of creatives, freelancers and entrepreneurs making use of the space and facilities here, including great wifi and power outlets. The ever-changing selection of homemade cakes, toasties, sandwiches and salads is equally as good as the barista coffee.

The Coffee Virus - A Lab | Overhoeksplein 2, Noord

De Balie

De Balie on Leidseplein is an iconic cultural venue right in the heart of things. Offering a program of engaging talks year round, as well as a cinema and an atmospheric cafe-restaurant, there's plenty to keep you around after 5pm. But it’s the mezzanine in the cafe, complete with spiral staircase and views over Leidseplein, that is the main attraction for those looking for a great spot to work.  

De Balie | Kleine-Gartmanplantsoen 10, City-Centre

OBA

The cost of flat whites can certainly rack up when you're cafe hopping. Anyone feeling more budget-conscious should definitely check out one of Amsterdam’s impressive 25 public library branches, known collectively as the OBA (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam). You’ll find various reading nooks, study pods, multimedia workspaces and (in the case of the Centrum location) stunning south-facing panoramic views. Membership is free for youths (you just need ID and proof of address to register), giving access to various resources and unlimited wifi. But even without membership, visitors can make use of various workspaces and computers - just inquire at the desk.

OBA (Openbare Bibliotheek Amsterdam) | Various locations citywide

Honourable mentions:

The Hoxton

The lobby of this boutique hotel offers a few great working spots with a coffee mezzanine, bar and a cocktail den to clock off in. Inquire for meeting and event spaces.

The Hoxton | Herengracht 225, City Centre

CT Coffee & Coconuts

This airy eatery housed inside a breathtaking art deco building has been lovingly converted into a hip, multi-level hangout ideal for cracking out a few hours of work.

CT Coffee & Coconuts | Ceintuurbaan 282-284, De Pijp