The new school year has started, which means busy schedules and lots of studying or working. Getting things done at home isn’t always easy: sometimes it’s hard to focus, while other times motivation is the problem. That’s when a good coffee spot can make all the difference. Rotterdam has many cafés where you can study or work remotely in peace, often with great coffee and an inspiring atmosphere.
We’ve rounded up some of the city’s cosiest and most productive spots for you!
Urban Espressobar (UEB)
Urban Espressobar is a lovely spot right in the heart of Nieuwe Binnenweg. As soon as you walk in, the long communal table catches your eye: the perfect place to pull up a chair, open your laptop and get to work.
Another bonus is the excellent coffee from Giraffe Coffee Roasters. It’s also a great choice for lunch, with tasty vegetarian options made using seasonal produce and organic fruit and vegetables. If the sun is out, the terrace is definitely worth a visit too.
Finished working? Stick around for a while and round off your day with a drink.
You’re very welcome to bring your laptop on weekdays. At weekends, the café has laptop-free hours between 11 am and 4 pm.
Address:
Nieuwe Binnenweg 263, 3021 GD Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 08.30 – 18.00
Sunday: 10.00 – 18.00
Diner at Donner
The name says it all: Diner at Donner is tucked away inside the Donner bookshop. On the first floor you can settle down comfortably, for example by the window to gaze outside for a moment. You can also grab something to eat and treat yourself to cakes from Jordy’s Bakery or chocolate from De Bontekoe, perfect as a reward or a little motivation.
Take note: there are special laptop tables. Surrounded by all those books it is almost impossible not to stay focused while working here.
Address:
Coolsingel 129, 3012 AG Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Monday: 11:00 – 17:00
Tuesday to Saturday: 07:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 18:00
Coffee Company
When you walk past a Coffee Company you will almost always see people working inside. That is convenient, as there are several locations in Rotterdam. You will find good coffee, fast Wi-Fi and plenty of space to open your laptop. Ideal for a productive morning or a long afternoon of studying.
Address:
Eendrachtsplein 2, 3012 LA Rotterdam
Nieuwe Binnenweg 182, 3015 BJ Rotterdam
Stationsplein 25, 3013 AJ Rotterdam
Hoogstraat 107A, 3011 PL Rotterdam
Wilhelminakade 306, 3072 AR Rotterdam
Burgemeester Oudlaan 50, 3062 PA Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Monday: 11:00 – 17:00
Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 12:00 – 17:00
Café @Home
A coffee spot and flexible workspace with a homely feel, that is Café @Home. Perfect if you want to work from home but are looking for inspiration in a different setting. Prefer a little more privacy? Simply book a meeting room. Extra handy: there are packages that include unlimited coffee, along with a sandwich or a fresh juice.
Address:
Goudsesingel 52, 3011 KD Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 07:30 – 17:00
Het Nieuwe Cafe
You will find this workplace inside the Nieuwe Instituut. A real gem if you ask us. Thanks to the large windows there is an abundance of natural light, which certainly helps with productivity. We are often here ourselves to get some work done.
On the menu at Het Nieuwe Café you will find colourful and seasonal dishes, mainly plant-based. And the best part: you can visit without a museum ticket. Plus, the terrace is perhaps one of the nicest in Rotterdam.
Address:
Museumpark 25, 3015 CG Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00
Schot Coffee Roasters
Working in a coffee roastery not only gives you inspiration but also very good coffee. In Rotterdam West you will find Schot Coffee Roasters in a special location. It is housed in a building from 1929 that was originally built for the Handelsmaatschappij Diepeveen & Co. This former department store has high ceilings and plenty of space to sit comfortably and work in peace.
Address:
Pelgrimsstraat 5C, 3029 PA Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Wednesday to Sunday: 09:00 – 17:00
Blend Artwork + coffee
If you are looking for an inspiring place to work, Blend Artwork + Coffee is highly recommended. In this shop you step into a calming environment filled with handmade products. It is nice to browse around in between working or studying. On sunny days you can also enjoy the peaceful garden and take a break outside.
Address:
Nieuwe Binnenweg 305A, 3021 GH Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Monday: 08:30 – 17:00
Wednesday to Friday: 08:30 – 17:00
Saturday and Sunday: 09:30 – 17:00
Savor&Nosh
You might not expect it at first, but Savor&Nosh is an excellent place for flexible working. On the first floor there is plenty of space to settle down with your book or laptop. Between 09:00 and 18:00 you can reserve a workspace daily, whether just for yourself, with a colleague or even with a small group of up to ten people. Do keep in mind that ordering is possible until 16:30.
On arrival you receive a card with a table number and QR code. With this you can order drinks or brunch whenever it suits you. At the end of the day you simply settle the bill downstairs.
Address:
Westewagenstraat 66, 3011 AT Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 18:00
Hopper
Looking for a central spot? Hopper is always a good choice. You will find them not only on the Schiedamse Vest but also on the Zwaanhals. It is a lovely place for lunch, to sit for a while and simply enjoy the atmosphere. Everyone feels welcome here straight away.
Address:
Schiedamse Vest 146, 3011 BG Rotterdam
Zwaanhals 474, 3035 KS Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Schiedamse Vest:
Monday to Friday: 08:30 – 18:00
Saturday and Sunday: 09:30 – 18:00
Zwaanhals:
Tuesday to Saturday: 09:00 – 17:00
Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00
Coppi
The concept is simple: coffee and bicycles. At this place you will not only find bikes and a repair service but also great coffee. At Coppi the interior is atmospheric yet colourful, with plenty of space to sit down and get to work. Located in Rotterdam Noord it is well worth a visit, especially if you arrive by bike.
Address:
Bergweg 316, 3032 BB Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 08:30 – 17:00
Saturday and Sunday: 09:30 – 17:00
Heilige Boontjes
An inspiring spot right next to Eendrachtsplein metro station. It is not only a pleasant place for you to work but also a place where young people are supported in (re)discovering their role in society. At Heilige Boontjes you can enjoy food and good coffee. Their coffee is also sustainable and purchased directly from farmers at a fair price.
Address:
Eendrachtsplein 3, 3015 LA Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 18:00
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 – 18:00
Bonza
Coffee and toasted sandwiches at your workplace? You will find both at Bonza. Here the coffee is full of character, made from single origin speciality beans from local roasters. Roasted and brewed with care, just as it should be. Bonza is also a spacious and comfortable place to work, with plenty of seating and power outlets. In between working you can enjoy a good chat and toasted sandwiches that are anything but boring, whether you choose a classic version or a more adventurous one.
Address:
Zomerhofstraat 71, 3032 CK Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 08:00 – 15:30
The Tea Lab
Now on to Rotterdam West, on the Nieuwe Binnenweg to be precise. At The Tea Lab you can also settle down comfortably. The interior is simple yet filled with greenery, and the spacious layout gives you plenty of room to choose your own spot.
A bonus: the sandwiches are huge, perfect for refuelling when you are working hard.
Address:
Nieuwe Binnenweg 178A, 3015 BJ Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 17:30
Saturday and Sunday: 09:30 – 18:00
Sound Kitchen – Espressobar
In Little C you will find Sound Kitchen, a cosy spot where you can sit and work comfortably. During the week you are welcome here with your laptop. At the weekend you can stop by for a coffee, which is after all meant for relaxation.
Address:
Samuel Soesmanstraat 52, 3015 GL Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 08:00 – 18:00
Rotterdam library
Perhaps an obvious choice, but the Rotterdam Library certainly deserves a place on this list. With its iconic building in the heart of the city, it is an ideal spot for studying or working. You will find plenty of seating, quiet corners and of course access to books and other resources. There is also Wi-Fi, and you can take a break in the café in between.
Address:
Hoogstraat 110, 3011 MA Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Friday: 10:00 – 21:00
Saturday and Sunday: 13:00 – 17:00
Monday: 13:00 – 21:00
MONO Coffee Bar
You may already know this place for its parties, but during the day it turns into a brilliant coffee bar where you can easily settle in with your laptop. With changing artwork on the walls, there’s a creative atmosphere that makes it a great place to focus and pick up some fresh inspiration at the same time.
There’s a lot to enjoy at MONO Coffee Bar when it comes to food and drinks too. They serve tasty sandwiches, good coffee and, in particular, lots of more unusual drinks. New specials regularly appear on the menu, such as iced matcha with banana pudding, coconut matcha or a refreshing yuzu espresso soda.
It’s a great option if you fancy working somewhere different while treating yourself to something a little more exciting than your usual coffee.
Address:
Vijverhofstraat 15, Rotterdam, Netherlands
Opening hours:
Monday to Sunday: 09.00 – 17.00
ON OTHER DRUGS
This isn’t just a place to eat and work out, but it’s also a great spot for remote working. You can easily grab a seat at one of the tables and get started, or book a meeting room if you need a little more peace and space.
You can work at On Other Drugs seven days a week in an inspiring environment. For larger meetings, there’s a meeting room that accommodates up to 16 people. As other entrepreneurs and remote workers use the space too, it’s also a good place to meet new people and do a bit of networking.
Good to know: using the workspace here comes at a cost. You can also opt for a membership that combines remote working with a workout once you’ve finished for the day.
Address:
Bergse Rechter Rottekade 1, 3051 AB Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 08.00 – 21.00
Saturday and Sunday: 09.00 – 17.00
MULTI CAFE
If you haven’t come across it yet, you’ll find Multi Cafe inside the Groothandelsgebouw. It’s a lovely place for good coffee, a tasty lunch and a few hours of work on your laptop. Upstairs, there’s a dedicated laptop area where you can work quietly, or you can take a seat at the reading table.
Finished working? Round off the day with an aperitivo. The menu includes tasty snacks and cocktails, perfect for celebrating the end of the working day or getting an early start on the weekend.
It’s also a great option if you’re simply after a proper meal. The menu changes regularly and features tasty, nourishing and often hot dishes, ideal for a good lunch break and a much-needed energy boost for the rest of your day.
Address:
Weena 709, 3013 AP Rotterdam
Opening hours:
Tuesday to Thursday: 11.00 – 16.00
Friday and Saturday: 11.00 – 20.00
Rotterdam is full of coffee spots where you can not only enjoy a good cup of coffee but also study or work in peace. With this list you will always find a pleasant place nearby. It makes working or studying a lot more enjoyable and productive.
And if you are looking for an affordable place to eat after a productive day, have a look at our list of great restaurants.
