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Where can you work on your laptop in Cologne (or Köln to use the proper name)? Well, here are 7 great Cologne work cafes for my fellow remote workers and travelers. Ones with Wi-Fi, electric sockets, and a suitable ambiance for work or study.
I’m constantly on the go around Germany, and as a bit of a coffee enthusiast myself, I’m always looking for the best coffee shops to work at in town. And so I’ve made it my mission to list down the best cafes to work at in different German cities.
I’ve done Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf and Hamburg,—time for a best cafes Cologne list for laptop work! There are many solid options in the city. Here are my favorites.
Kaffeesaurus
Friesenplatz 15, 50672
Area: Innenstadt
Sockets: Yes
Kaffeesaurus is one of the best laptop-friendly cafes Cologne has to offer, precisely because they have a designated space for those who want to work or study. There are sockets there, and the Wi-Fi is strong.
It’s great: people who want to work have their own space while those who want to drink and chat have theirs. However, tables are limited in this “laptop corner” and this place is perhaps the most crowded in the entire list. So come as early as you can!
The ambiance is light, airy, and modern. It’s easy to focus here - except during peak hours, when it does get quite crowded and noisy.
Coffee is decent enough. The food is solid, too. They have pastries if you want a snack and even full breakfast meals.
The Coffice
Charles-de-Gaulle-Platz 1d, 50679
Area: Deutz
Sockets: Yes
True to its name, The Coffice is meant to be a coffee shop and an office. A good number of sockets for laptop charging, reliable Wi-Fi, and the coffee is delicious.
I’ve been here a few times. On my second time, a friend recommended the cappuccino and it was heavenly! The bagels and banana bread taste nice as well.
All in all, it should definitely be one of your first choices if you’re looking for a Cologne cafe to work at.
The Coffice has another branch at Rheinauhafen, which I’ve heard has a mesmerizing view of the water. I haven’t been there myself, but I’d wager it’s more of the same.
Starbucks (Freisenplatz)
RING KARREE 70, Hohenzollernring, 50672
Area: Freisenplatz
Sockets: Yes
If you see that Kaffeesaurus’ laptop corner is full, you can just go to the Starbucks branch two minutes away. Now, is Starbucks the best coffee shop Cologne has to offer? No.
The Wi-Fi was somewhat slow, though that’s probably because there were a lot of other people using it too (as there often are).
Coffee, food, and atmosphere are all what you’d pretty much expect at a Starbucks.
Café Heimisch
Deutzer Freiheit 72-74, 50679
Area: Deutz
Sockets: Yes
Another great choice in Deutz is Café Heimisch. The Wi-Fi was good when I was there, and there were sockets for a laptop and phone charging.
They also have an impressive menu, including many vegan options. They have everything from snacks to meals.
Unfortunately, I was only here once (during my last day in the city) and was only able to try a cappuccino. It was good, definitely on the stronger side, though I ultimately preferred The Coffice’s.
The one downside is that they have a QR code system for ordering, which I admit I’m not a fan of.
Südgold
Trajanstraße 33, 50678
Area: Südstadt
Sockets: Yes
I love the wood and brick aesthetic of this coffee shop. It feels very homey. It helps that the place is on the smaller side, too. Though that does mean there are also limited seats (and sockets).
Adding to this is the fact that it’s a bit quieter than the others on this list, not being directly in front of a busy road.
The food is good and they have vegan options as well. I’m not vegan myself, but I tried the vegan orange cake and it tasted good.
I must admit the service was a tad slow—though I guess you could say it’s fitting for the quaint, cozy feel this cafe’s going for! The Wi-Fi is reliable as well.
Coffee Fellows
Im Mediapark 1, 50667
Area: Media-Park
Sockets: Yes
Coffee Fellows is another chain, but it’s a step above the good old Starbucks in my experience. I’ve been to some branches in Munich as well, but the only one I’ve been to in Cologne is the one in Media Park linked above.
Plenty of wall sockets and fast Wi-Fi, it’s great for working or studying either solo or as a group. It also has a pretty view of the lake to give your eyes a break from staring at a screen.
Service was quick, and the coffee was good, but the bread I ordered was a bit stale. That may be a one-off, though, as I was only here once.
Krümel
Zülpicher Str. 207, 50937
Area: Sülz
Sockets: Yes
Last on our work cafe Cologne list is Cafe Krümel. It’s definitely one of those cafes that feels more like a restaurant than a coffee shop. Maybe because the food is so good? The coffee is solid as well.
It’s sandwiched between several schools, though, including the University of Cologne. It’s a go-to for students, so expect to see a lot of them on their laptops (or chatting loudly). The Wi-Fi is strong and there are a few outlets.
It can definitely be a bit crowded at times, which may not be the best working environment for everyone. Personally, I guess you can say I’m used to it—I can just put on my earphones and get to work.
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