My Favourite Coffee Shops to Work From in Aberdeen

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I run my web design studio from Aberdeen, and some weeks my desk at home just stops working for me. Too quiet. Too many dishes in the sink. Too close to the biscuit tin.

So I pack up my laptop and go and work from a coffee shop instead.

I’ve tried a fair few over the years. These are the ones I actually keep going back to, in order. Ranked by how much work I get done, not by how pretty the latte art is. (Okay, maybe a bit of both.)

If you’re looking for coffee shops to work from in Aberdeen, whether you’re self-employed, working remotely or just need a change of scene, start here.

1. Cult of Coffee

My number one. It’s small, but the staff never make you feel like you’re just taking up space when you walk in with a laptop. There are usually other people working and chatting away at the tables, and you always get a smile and a friendly chat with your coffee.

Best for: a long, focused morning work session

What I order: a cappuccino (with the good chocolate flakes)

Wifi and plugs: The wifi is excellent. I honestly can’t fault it, especially for a public network with other people working on it. There are no plug sockets available to customers though, so charge your laptop before you go.

Where to sit: My favourite spot is right in front of the bar, tucked into the corner with my back to the window. They do have some comfy chairs, but I find them hard to work from because my elbows bash against the armrests.

Heads up: It fills up quickly and gets busy, and I’ve shared a table with other workers more than once. They do cakes, but no lunches, so eat before you go if you’re staying a while. On a random note, some of the leather benches are cracking a little, and the broken edges can rip your tights if you’re wearing a shorter skirt. It’s also very dog friendly, so you can bring yours or just say hi to the ones already there.

2. The Craftsman

A close second to Cult of Coffee, and only because it’s a bit further from my parking space. (Haha.) It’s much bigger, so there’s always somewhere to sit, and the coffee is great. You can get cakes if you just want a treat, or a proper meal if you’re staying for lunch.

Best for: an intensive work session, followed by a wander round the shops

What I order: one of their giant cappuccinos

Wifi and plugs: The wifi is decent enough to get real work done, and there are a few plug sockets around the edges of the room.

Where to sit: There are so many seating options here: sofas, tables, barstools. Something for everyone, depending on how you like to work.

Heads up: It can get quite loud, so it’s not my pick for calls. There’s almost always a dog to pet, and if you’re feeling fancy they also serve craft beers and wine.

3. Third Circle

A really small coffee shop on Rosemount that feels super cool, and it’s a good place to get some work done.

Best for: a fancy coffee work session with a friend

What I order: In summer they do these maraschino cherry iced almond coffees. It feels like a summer cocktail, but it’s completely work appropriate.

Wifi and plugs: The wifi is decent. I didn’t spot any plug sockets, so it’s safest to arrive with a fully charged laptop.

Where to sit: There are only about six tables in the whole place, and the tables themselves are small too. If you’re working with a friend, you’ll be taking up two tables (one laptop each). You can both squeeze onto one, but you’ll be limited in how far you can open your screen.

Heads up: Because it’s so small, it’s best for a short to medium session rather than an all-day camp. If it’s busy, be ready to share or move on.

4. Foodstory

A friendly place with loads of atmosphere, and the best of my four for lunch. Everything on the menu is vegan, and the cinnamon buns are excellent.

Best for: a work session with lunch built in

What I order: a cinnamon bun, always, and a turmeric latte with a shot of coffee in it.

Wifi: Not the best, so I wouldn’t plan a video call here.

Where to sit: There are plenty of seats, so you can usually find a spot.

Heads up: It’s popular with students, so expect it to be busy and buzzy rather than library quiet.

5. Mount

Excellent coffee and cakes, and a great view if you grab a seat at the window. It’s very trendy, and I always feel like I’m not quite cool enough to be there. (Very much a student vibe.)

Best for: a coffee and cake break with a view

Where to sit: At the window, for the view.

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I’m sure there are loads more great spots in Aberdeen that I haven’t found yet. I’d love to know in the comments if you have any favourites.

One bonus, and I say this with love. The Tim Hortons on Wellington Road has seriously good wifi. It’s not exactly a vibe. But if you need a fast connection and a doughnut and you’re not fussy about atmosphere, it does the job.

What I look for in a coffee shop to work from

After a lot of trial and error, my list is short:

Wifi that doesn’t drop mid-edit. Plugs I can reach without moving a table. Somewhere that doesn’t mind me staying for a couple of hours (and I always buy a second drink or something to eat). Decent coffee, obviously. And a bit of background noise that I can actually think over.

I also work in a more relaxed way when I’m out. I’ll write, plan, design and do client emails at a cafe, and save the really heads-down technical work for my home desk. If you’re curious about how I build websites for clients, you can see what I do on my website design Aberdeen page.

A few cafe etiquette basics

Buy something every hour or two. Don’t take over a big table if you’re on your own. Keep calls short or take them outside. And pack your own charger, because you can’t always count on the socket.

How I find new places

Most of the time I find new cafes on Google Maps, checking photos and recent reviews before I go. It’s local search doing its job, which is basically what I do for clients every day. If you run a local business and want to show up in the same way, my Aberdeen SEO page explains how that works.

Your turn

Where do you like to work from in Aberdeen? Tell me your favourite spots and I’ll add them to the list. I’m always looking for somewhere new. And somewhere with good plugs.