Where to work in Madrid

Coming in live on a Saturday morning, where I have thoroughly pissed off several brunch parties for taking up a table in a teeny tiny coffee spot.

It’s funny, normally I wouldn’t have noticed, but the thing about Madrid - or at least the local places where you know, the coffee is better and the vibe is better - they don’t let their disappointment go unnoticed. Which frankly just makes me want to take up space more…

But I love it. It’s not even been a week and working remotely from Madrid has been a dream - so there could very possibly be a part two, or a full guide. Particularly in places like where I’m staying, Lavapiés, it’s very similar to stepping into the likes of Hackney or Shoreditch five years ago. Hipsters, great reasonably priced coffee and tote bags everywhere.

So if that sounds like a bit of you, here are my recommendations for places to work locally after week one of slow travel in Madrid:

Plantate (above) - no laptops on weekends

A cosy little place which I’m glad I got to early (or you know, Madrid early). Great coffee, reasonably priced avo on toast (tempted to go back for the Brekkie Bol) and good wifi. The only thing that put me off at the time was the fact that the door was open in November - where even Spain gets chilly, particularly mountains-based Madrid.

It’s also worth noting that they have a 'no portatiles’ (no laptops) policy on weekends - so strictly coffee and brainstorms then? ;)

Nomade Cafe - laptops downstairs

A Scandi-vibes cafe with some good coffee and a chill vibe. When I first arrived in Madrid, I was having some issues with my wifi connection so I didn’t stay longer than a coffee.

All laptop users need to sit in the basement-y bit, which is fair enough for them and if you can get your laptop to connect to their wifi then great! However mine wouldn’t connect, and also it felt weird leaving my nice light Airbnb to go sit in a basement.

PumPum Cafe - limited

Having heard about this cafe on Laptop Friendly, I decided to grab lunch to go from there first just to check out the vibe. And sadly, the reviews weren’t wrong, but I’ve added it just in case you’re looking for something for a couple of hours or for a meeting.

The positives are that the coffee and sandwich were nice and it wasn’t far from my Airbnb. However it is pricey for what you actually purchase and laptop users are not really made to feel welcome.

While I was waiting for my takeaway, I was invited to take a seat. But when a woman came in five minutes later and set her laptop up, the owner told her she had to sit at a small table - the one I was sat at by the door (while there were other single tables around).

Hola Coffee (below) - but maybe take a buddy on weekends, or headphones

Nice place, good wifi - and popular with locals for a great coffee. But my biggest tip would be to go with a friend - or just perhaps when you’re not still freshly adjusting to a place like I was.

I’m not sure if it was the clientele, or the day I went or what, but my peaceful experience ended after paying my €10 for the brunch coffee and sandwich. Sure, I got some work done. But every customer that came in thought it was ok to make comments on where I was sat or stare at me while they waited for their coffee. I even moved and made obvious looks at a group who did it.

So why is it in this post? Well, I would still go back - I went on a Saturday so it was probably a whole other crowd anyway - but you’ve been warned.

And to be honest, this is just something I had to get used to being in Madrid in general anyway, outside the tourist crowd. Being stared at for looking a little different is something you just adjust to, but I guess it threw me a little that it happened even in the remote-working crowds.

But yes, if you’re looking to work in Madrid, Lavapiés is definitely a great place to check out for your great flat whites, good wifi and alternative bites. And if you’re in the neighbourhood, there’s also a really cute community garden, Esta es una plaza, not far from Hola Coffee that’s great for some green space in your lunch break - and to support a community initiative.

Is there anywhere you would add to the list?

Han x

BONUS: I discovered Café del Art after this post originally went live and I’m mad I didn’t go there before - so I went back for coffee twice. This is a super chill cafe where there was also a table for laptop groups and individuals to work from. And even on a weekend day, people were much more chilled about it.

Great coffee, lovely service and right in the middle of the bustle of El Rastro Market on a Sunday. Highly recommend!