10 Best Cafes to Work from in Copenhagen

Sometimes I need to get away from my desk to get anything done. A café table, a cup of decaf or herbal tea, and a notebook can be enough to get me started again.

I’m based in Copenhagen, where I work as an actress and illustrator. Some days I bring my laptop out to catch up on emails or writing; other times, I just want somewhere to sit with a sketchbook. Those call for slightly different places.

These are ten Copenhagen cafés to consider when you want to work, write, or draw over coffee. Some suit a short laptop session; others are places I prefer for a notebook and a break from the screen.

Laptop policies and opening hours can change, and individual branches may have different rules. If you’re planning to work for a while, check with the café first—particularly during busy meal times.

Ten Cafés for Working, Writing, and Sketching

The Living Room

With cushioned chairs, low lighting, and a cozy downstairs lounge, The Living Room suits the kind of afternoon when I want to settle into some writing. I like its less formal atmosphere and the mixture of old furniture.

Think about the task you’re bringing: a comfortable sofa can be lovely with a notebook, but a proper table is more useful for a laptop.

Address: Larsbjørnsstræde 17, Copenhagen K.

Mad & Kaffe

Mad & Kaffe on Sønder Boulevard is bright, social, and a place I associate as much with food and conversation as with getting things done.

In my experience, it’s better for catching up with a friend or making a few notes over coffee than for a long stretch of concentrated work. I’ve included it for those occasions when getting out of the house matters more than finding a quiet workspace.

Address: Sønder Boulevard 68, Copenhagen V.

Democratic Coffee

Democratic Coffee is on Krystalgade, at Copenhagen’s main library. It’s a useful central stop for coffee, a pastry, and a short session with a notebook or laptop.

The library setting also makes this a practical place to start if your day involves reading or research. Check the distinction between café seating and the library’s working areas when choosing where to settle.

Address: Krystalgade 15, Copenhagen K.

Coffee Collective

Coffee Collective has several locations around Copenhagen. The branch on Godthåbsvej is the one listed here, so check the particular location when planning your visit.

I like a little background noise when I work, and a coffee shop can provide that without requiring much from me. For a laptop session, choose a suitable table and check with the staff before settling in for longer.

Address: Godthåbsvej 34B, Frederiksberg.

Risteriet

Risteriet’s coffee bar is on Helgolandsgade, by Halmtorvet on Vesterbro. It’s an option for a coffee stop when you have some reading, writing, or a few smaller tasks to finish.

As with the other coffee bars on this list, I’d plan around the available space rather than assume there will always be room for an extended work session.

Address: Helgolandsgade 21, Copenhagen V.

Kaffestuen

Warm and unpretentious, Kaffestuen is the sort of place where I occasionally sit with a notebook or sketchbook.

I’m often looking for somewhere I can spend a little time thinking through a drawing or writing something down. For that, the atmosphere matters as much as having a large table.

Address: Vesterbrogade 108, Copenhagen V.

Atelier September

Atelier September’s central location is now on Kronprinsessegade. Its simple surroundings appeal to me, particularly when I’m out with a notebook.

I’d approach it as a café visit with some time for writing or sketching, and check before bringing out a laptop. A place that suits an hour with a sketchbook won’t necessarily suit an afternoon of computer work.

Address: Kronprinsessegade 62, Copenhagen K.

Picnic at Glyptoteket

Picnic, the café inside Glyptoteket, is a different kind of stop. I like combining a museum visit with time to sit down afterward, while the things I’ve been looking at are still fresh in my mind.

This is one I’d choose for a notebook break during a museum visit. You need museum admission to visit the café, so account for that when planning your day.

Address: Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, Dantes Plads 7, Copenhagen K.

Café Staalvand

Café Staalvand is in Brønshøj, away from the city-center cafés that tend to appear in most Copenhagen guides. I like its eclectic, slightly vintage atmosphere.

It’s an option if you’re in that part of the city and want breakfast or coffee with something to work on. Ask about laptop use if you’re planning a longer stay.

Address: Brønshøjvej 6, Brønshøj.

The Laundromat Café

The Laundromat Café on Elmegade is colorful and casual, with more activity around you than you might want for work that requires complete concentration.

That can suit me when I’m doing smaller tasks or writing with a little background conversation. If you need silence, a library is likely to be a better choice.

Address: Elmegade 15, Copenhagen N.

A warm drink, quiet, and a corner table — my kind of workspace in Copenhagen.

Copenhagen is full of spaces like these, where work and daily life quietly blur together over coffee, soft background sounds, and time to think. Whether you're editing a draft, sketching an idea, studying, or simply watching the city move outside the window, there is no shortage of inviting corners.

A Few Practical Tips for Working From Cafés

Before choosing a café, think about what you need to finish. Writing in a notebook, drawing, and working on a laptop place different demands on the space.

• Ask about laptop use. Some cafés restrict it to particular tables or times.

• Avoid busy meal periods. Choose a quieter time if you hope to stay a while.

• Arrive with your devices charged. A café may have few accessible outlets.

• Check the connection if your work depends on it. Don’t assume Wi-Fi will be available or suitable for video calls.

• Keep calls outside. Headphones help with listening, but your conversation still carries.

• Order appropriately for your stay. Be mindful of the space you’re occupying, especially when tables fill up.

For me, working from a café is usually about getting a particular piece of work moving. I might answer a few emails, make notes, or spend some time drawing before heading home. Having a small task in mind helps me choose the place—and know when I’m finished.

More From My Copenhagen Studio

My work takes me between acting, illustration, and the everyday business of keeping both going. You can explore my acting work, browse my illustration portfolio, or read more about my working routine in A Morning in My Copenhagen Studio.