A local’s guide to the best cafes to work in Rome and more secret places to study; from laptop-friendly coffee shops to museums, parks, and spots with a view!
When I first became a full-time freelance writer, and then blogger, was my first time living in Italy.
I moved to Rome without ever visiting the city, not even once, and I looked everywhere to find the best spots to work with my laptop.
I’ve lived in the city on and off for long enough to understand just how many people are looking for places to do some coworking in Rome on a daily basis.
In this guide to cafes to study and work in Rome, most have free Wi-Fi and, of course, power outlets to plug in your PC and your phone so you can work as much as you can to make those dreams come true.
16+ Best Cafes to Work in Rome and Study Spots
There are not hundreds of cafes to study in Rome.
Usually, as an Italian at least, if you’re looking for the best breakfast in Rome, or the best coffee shops, it’s because you actually want to drink the coffee and get on with your day.
Italian culture is different than that in Paris or London when it comes to cafes; people come, drink their espresso standing, and on with their day they go.
It’s actually one of the quirky local Roman symbols that made me fall in love with Rome in the first place.
Anyhoo – these below are what I consider the best cafes to work in Rome, and I’ve included a couple of other more unusual spots at the end of this guide too 🙂
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: Molino Bakery
One of the best cafes to work in Rome – at least by my standards – is Molino, or Molino Bakery, Bar & Cucina of its full name.
It’s located very close to Termini, Rome’s main train station, and Molino is one of the Roman coffee shops that really caters to everyone.
There, I’ve been able to try delicious Roman pastries I’d never tried before, and I really enjoy their coffee and tea every time I visit.
If you’re looking for the best coffee in Rome in addition to a place perfect for students and freelancers to plug in their PC and work a bit with their books and beautiful notebooks, that’s definitely going to be a place you want to try.
Read: The Best 24 Hour Places to Study in London
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: Caffè Letterario
Now, Caffè Letterario is one of the coworking cafes in Rome that really caters to all kinds of students and freelancers.
I’ve met a lot of La Sapienza students going there to discuss topics and write their essays, work on their computers and just be as productive as they could get.
As most of the coffee shops to work from in Rome are not too central, this is a really good one to study and work at.
Why?
Because it’s located in Ostiense, just a few stations away from Termini and about fifteen minutes’ walk from Garbatella.
I especially loved it because when you’re looking for cafes to work in Rome, usually you will come across typical Italian coffee shops with just a few seats inside and outside.
Most probably, there will be no power outlet to plug in your laptop and cell phone, unlike when you go to a cafe to work in London or Paris, for instance.
That means that even if they have the best coffee in Rome, it’s going to be very difficult if you’re a freelancer or a student just trying to make it happen.
When you arrive at Caffè Letterario, all you need to do is pay €5 which will be transformed into a drink and a treat.
It’s kind of the minimum amount of money to be able to stay there and work, see how this coworking cafe functions and enjoy the events that take place there very regularly.
That’s one of my personal favorite coffee shops to work in Rome and one you should definitely visit if you really want to be productive .
Read: The Best Cafes to Work in London
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: Trecaffè
Technically, Trecaffè on Via Leone IV is not advertised as a laptop friendly cafe in Rome, but they have one of the most amazing teams there.
And some of the best coffee in Rome too, so it’s really worth noting that when you go there from early morning, you’ll be able to work without being disturbed by anyone.
This Roman cafe has it all.
From tramezzini (triangle sandwiches typically Italian) to cornetti filled with jam, Nutella, pistachio cream, or custard cream, amazing hot chocolate, tea, and caffè latte…
They’re all nothing like what you’ll try in other famous cafes in Rome.
Lots of power outlets there, and I’ve spent more time than I can recall there working from 6 or 7 in the morning, just drinking coffee after coffee after coffee.
Since it’s located so close to the Vatican, it’s one of the Rome cafes that really enjoys lots of population during the day.
However, what really makes it one of the best cafes for work in Rome (or to study if you need to do so) is how kind the staff there is.
Trecaffè also has other coffee shops in Rome with sensibly the same items on offer, from the best coffee ever to delicious street foods, but for instance, their cafe in Via Dei Due Macelli is much smaller.
Plus, the terrace in the coffee shop near the Vaticano is large.
So, even if you’re not up for work that day, you’ll still be able to chill before roaming around the city for the day.
Perfect if you’re looking for cool things to do alone in Rome from time to time.
Read: How to Use Rome’s Public Transport
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: Bar Del Fico
Bar Del Fico is probably one of the most colorful cafes to work in Rome, even if it’s not a coffee shop to start with.
With its countless colorful chairs – comfortable like no other, Bar del Fico Restaurant is a study place in Rome that welcomes solo workers and study groups.
From midday and in the afternoon, Bar Del Fico definitely becomes one of the liveliest places to party and catch up in Rome.
I would advise you to come early in the morning so that you can really focus and be productive with work.
As for TabaCafe I’m mentioning lower in this list, the whole Piazza Navona and Campo de’ Fiori area become very lively at the end of the afternoon, so if you’re looking for cafes to work in Rome, you’d do well to wake up early.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Places in Rome
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: Faro
Back when I used to live in the hostel Yellowsquare in Via Palestro, I’d roam around Termini a lot.
Like a lot, and since I was already a full-time freelancer at that time, finding cafes to work in Rome was my only priority.
And when a newly met friend at the hostel told me that she would often go to Faro to work, I decided to try it.
Faro is definitely not the biggest cafe to work in Rome, but if you want some of the best coffee in Rome as well as a quiet spot in the early morning, then that should definitely do.
The pastries there are handmade, and probably the best pastries in Rome as well.
We’re far from being in a co-work cafe there, but it’s really one of those lively coffee shops where the team is fun and really welcoming.
If you’d like to stay for lunch, everything is handmade and really tastes amazing – one of the lowkey best restaurants in Rome in addition to being a cool spot for work during a few hours in the morn (the cafe is open until 4 pm only).
You’d only need a few minutes to walk to Termini, Via Cavour, or the shopping center La Rinascente, so those could be great spots for when you’re done working.
Read: First Time in Rome? The Common Mistakes To Avoid
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: TabaCafe
TabaCafe is definitely one of the best places to study in Rome when the sun is still rising lazily. I have been there time and time again for a bite and some drinks, especially during my last visit.
Located in Campo de Fiori, TabaCafe is one of the quirkiest cafes to work in Rome.
I would recommend getting there as early as possible, as you can read and write on your beautiful branded notebooks before getting on with your life.
Come midday and the afternoon, TabaCafe becomes one of the busiest bars in Rome, and the waiters are all incredibly friendly.
I wouldn’t recommend coming with your laptop unless you can hotspot, and there are close to no power outlets.
Yet, TabaCafe definitely is one of the best places to study in Rome, write, or just read your notes and get that extra study motivation with a beautiful view of Campo de Fiori.
Read: The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Rome
Best Places For Coworking Roma: AntiCafé Rome
The first time I ever visited an AntiCafé was actually in Lyons, France. I love the atmosphere so much that every time I get the chance, I’ll just visit their coworking cafes anywhere in the world.
It just so happens that if you’re looking for the best cafes in Rome to work, then this San Giovanni joint will be perfect whether you’re down to cram your exams or write blog articles because you’ve chosen the blogger life.
I love the AntiCafé.
It’s one of the most laidback cafes to work in Rome, not only because you pay a one-off fee when you pass the threshold and are then able to order as much coffee, tea, juice, or treats as you want.
Also because you can also bring some food from outside, and if you’re just down to try the best coffee in Rome all day long but still eat whatever has taken your fancy that day, well, that’s possible there.
Not only that, but most of the cafes to work in Rome are not actually open every single day – or not with opening hours as large as the ones at the AntiCafé.
Those opening hours make it one of the best places to work in Rome, with the coworking space lowkey being open from the morning till late in the evening.
Perfect if you’re studying at uni, or working during the day and need a place to study in Rome that’s going to make do for a good few hours of productivity.
Read: First Time in Rome: How to Move, What to Miss, Where to Stay
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: Ex Circus
If you’re looking for the best coffee in cafes to work in Rome – or study, then you’ll most probably come across Ex Circus at one point or another.
And you’d do very well to actually visit, as it’s one of the Roman cafes where you’ll have tables, free WiFi, delicious coffee, and an atmosphere very likely to get your creative juices flowing.
I know there are not many coffee shops to work in Rome where the atmosphere is as laptop-friendly as it is when it comes to cafes to work in London, for instance.
But that one would definitely be the closest to that freelance slash student vibe that we love so much when we’re digital nomads.
Ex Circus is amazing in the sense that not only is it a laptop-friendly cafe, but it’s also quite central so you don’t have to take the metro for too long and waste precious time.
I know that I, for one, hate wasting time on the bus or metro when I have an intention set for the day and I want to really be productive.
There, you’ll have everything from amazing breakfast to some of the best coffee in Rome, amazing lunch bites, and even happy hour goodness. Anyone looking for a great WiFi cafe in Rome to study and work would defo do well to visit!
Read: The Best Places to Visit in Rome for Sculptures
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: Materia Cafe
Located in San Giovanni, Materia Cafe is one of the best cafes to work in Rome if what you’re after is a homely atmosphere.
Very clean, with pure and white decoration coupled with countless plants, Materia Cafe offers the comfort of a coworking cafe with a Scandinavian style.
San Giovanni is, without a doubt, one of the areas where you will find some of the best cafes to work in Rome, study, or just chill. Lots of students live around San Giovanni, and the nightlife there is also something to witness.
From the comfortable sofas, with some of the best breakfast in Rome and delicious, beautifully crafted plates, you will be able to study in peace and take time for yourself.
Read: The Best Halal Restaurants in Rome
Coworking Cafes To Work in Rome: Bottiglieria Pigneto
Well, I did spend a lot of time working at Bottiglieria Pigneto when I used to live in Termini.
This is one of the best places for a coffee in Rome and both the pastries and lunch bites are equally delicious .
I remember going there for the first time with a fellow student friend.
Since Bottigllieria Pigneto opens quite early in the morning, I chose it as one of my favorite cafes to work in Rome from the get-go.
It’s not necessarily one of the most famous cafes in Rome, however, it is quite known to locals.
If you’re visiting Rome or living there for a bit, then you’ll most probably visit the Pigneto area at some point.
I would definitely recommend you to go to Bottiglieria Pigneto as early as you can in the morning, as the staff there will ask you whether you want something for lunch.
Then, maybe just roam around the area trying to find the best street art in Rome (and the streets at Pigneto are really filled with great street art).
Read: Testaccio, Rome: The Best Hidden Gems and Street Art
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: Barnum Cafe
Barnum Cafe is one of the cafes to work in Rome that has some of the largest opening hours; from roughly 9 am to 1.30 pm.
It is a big change for foreigners from London, for instance, if you’re used to working in cafes in Shoreditch where the closing time is pretty early.
At Barnum Cafe, homemade pastries and delicious Italian coffee are something to try, especially if you’re studying abroad and have never tried Italian pastries.
Barnum Cafe is not only a coworking cafe but also a place that becomes that much more lively come the end of the afternoon, a meeting place with friends for unforgettable moments.
If you’re looking for perfect WiFi cafes to work in Rome with your laptop, Barnum Cafe is spacious enough that you will have the opportunity to work with both your books and your laptop.
Read: Trastevere, Rome: 12 Hidden Gems of a Famous Neighborhood
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: Libreria Caffè Bohémien
Now, Libreria Caffè Bohémien might be one of the least laptop-friendly cafes in Rome, but if you’d like to go with a book and a notebook, no one will say anything to you.
It’s one of the most famous cafes in Rome because it’s located in a very popular area, near Via Cavour.
And best believe Libreria Caffè Bohémien is one of the cutest cafes ever, with bookshelves lined with books all around the cafe and soft, plush armchairs among the most comfortable you’ll ever sit in.
Their tea is artisan-made, delicious, very flavorful, and overall amazing.
I’d recommend visiting Libreria Caffè Bohémien if you’re trying to switch up the way you’re working – no WiFi there, though.
But I’d still tell you to go if you’ve only got small tasks to complete, because the staff and the drinks are amazing, and you will also be close to the Trevi Fountain there.
Read: The Best Digital Nomad Accommodation in Rome
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: Giufà Libreria Caffè
Located on Via Degli Aurunci, Giufà Libreria Caffè makes working in a cafe a dream.
Although there are only a few tables, the atmosphere filled with books and coffee will make you happy you’ve paid this small library coffee shop a visit.
Not many power outlets at Giufà Libreria Caffè at all, which means that it’s probably best you come with your laptop charged or some light tasks to do.
However, for the service and friendliness of the space, and the fact that you can study for a little bit while being surrounded by books, that’s definitely one of the best cafes to work in Rome.
On the other hand, since it is a very local and small coffee shop, Giufà Libreria Caffè is really best only if need a study cafe for a little bit of time and you don’t want to stay for hours on end.
Read: The Best Places to Visit in Rome for Sculptures
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: Assaggi Bookstore & Cafe (Tomo Libreria Caffè)
The Assaggi Bookstore and Cafe has got to be one of the most famous cafes to work in Rome and to be honest, it deserves all the honor.
Also called Tomo Libreria Caffè, this coffee shop located on Via degli Etruschi offers lots of science-fiction and literature books so if you’re looking for good bookshops in Rome, you should definitely visit it.
Also because no one talks too much about Roman bookshops at all, that one is worth a detour.
Now, if you’ve been looking for the best cafes to work in or coworking spaces in Rome, then that’s a lowkey amazing bookstore slash coffee shop that will definitely do the trick.
More than do the trick, actually.
Indeed, if you’ve been searching for a Roman cafe with delicious coffee, free WiFi, and this work/productivity atmosphere you crave when you’re a freelancer or a student, that’s the place for you.
That’s been the place for me many times when I was looking for the best cafes to do work near me, and the only other place I’d visit quite as much would be the Caffè Letterario on Via Ostiense.
Read: The Most Beautiful Palaces in Rome
Best Cafes To Work in Rome: La Feltrinelli Piazza Argentina
Largo di Torre Argentina is one of my favorite areas in Rome.
You’ve got there the Fori Imperiali with columns in ruins and cats roaming around, Via del Corso (one of the best places for shopping in Rome), Campo de’ Fiori, and Trastevere not too far.
And there, you’ve got La Feltrinelli, a huge space that makes for one of the best bookstores in Rome.
And on top of which you’ll find a small coffee shop perfect to study in the mornings while having a view of Rome.
The coffee shop at La Feltrinelli is probably one of the most underrated cafes to work in Rome, but it works, and there is free WiFi and coffee available.
Plus, if you’re looking for study cafes in Rome open all day, La Feltrinelli is open roughly from 9 am to 8.30 pm every day, except on Sundays. Perfect to feel inspired while studying with a view!
Read: The Best Hidden Gems and Secret Places in Rome
Best Places to Study in Rome: Termini Station Terrace
Last in our guide is not a coffee shop per se, but the meeting point of many cafes and restaurants inside the Termini station: the terrace of the station.
Very easy to access, since all you have to do is go up the stairs, and you’ll find there many people eating or just waiting for their train to arrive/depart.
So while this spot is not a cafe, it’s still one of the best places to study in Rome because it’s entirely free – no one will tell you anything if you sit down at a table without ordering anything.
And the best part is that you do have free WiFi inside the station, so you can work and grind for as long as you see fit!
Read: The Best Day Trips from Rome
Best Places To Study in Rome: Caffè Cestia Piramide
Some places in this guide to the best places to study in Rome are coffee shops which I have not mentioned in the post I wrote about cafes to work.
Caffè Cestia at Piramide, for instance, is one of the most underrated places to study in Rome. If you are looking for a delicious breakfast near one of the most famous sites in Rome, then that’s definitely a stop you should make.
Piramide is not too far from Trastevere, the old part of Rome, where you can get some of the best pizza and suppli in town.
It’s also not far from Ostiense and Caffè Letterario, another study space I mentioned above. I first came across Caffè Cestia after a long walk to the oh-so-amazing Porta Portese Market.
I was looking for a good coffee shop to write and work and although there were only a few tables inside, the staff was kind enough to let me work there.
Caffè Cestia also has a few power outlets in the cafe so I was able to work for quite some time.
That’s one of the best places to study in Rome if you’re looking for a local coffee shop with some of the most delicious pastries in Rome.
No one will interrupt your flow, and you’ll be really able to focus on your writing and studying there.
Read: The Best Vegan Restaurants in Rome
Other Places To Study in Rome: Museums and Parks
Best Places To Study in Rome: National Gallery of Modern & Contemporary Art
Depending on whether you’re a student or not, you might have to pay to enter the museum.
Still, they have a small coffee shop inside and a few seats throughout where you can sit, read, or just do some brainstorming.
This is one of the best museums in Rome for whoever likes avant-garde art and thoughtful, socially engaged art.
Read: The Best Things to Do in Rome At Night
Best Places To Study in Rome: Villa Borghese
The good news is, that the National Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art is located right inside one of the most beautiful parks in Rome, the Villa Borghese.
If you’re looking for the best places to study with only your books and notebooks, and maybe have a laptop with good battery life, then you’re going to want to stay at the Villa Borghese every now and then.
It is a huge park filled with amazing statues – some of them headless – and it’s also very close to the center of the city.
It’s quiet for the most part, just trodden by families here and there, and I like going there to read or type an article or two when I’m in Rome.
Read: The Most Unique Shops in Rome
16+ Best Cafes to Work in Rome and Study Spots
There you have them, all the best cafes to work in Rome with your laptop and beautiful notebooks, where you’ll be left alone to do your work in peace.
My favorite – with the best coffee in Rome! – will probably always remain the Caffè Letterario in Ostiense.
Most of these spots, anyway, are perfect to work while getting a laidback coffee and a treat – and they’re all quite affordable, or cheap too!
Other London Life
- London on a Budget: 20+ Travel Guides For Your Bucket List
- Living in London: Things I Have Learned Over the Years
- Homesick in London: 19 Places That Feel Like Somewhere Else
- The Must Have Apps to Survive in London
- The Best Supermarkets and Food Shops in London
- How to Save Money on Groceries in London
- How to Live in London on a Budget
- How to Eat in London on a Budget
- How to Make Friends in London
- How to Move to London – and Survive as an Expat
- The Best Tips for Student Budget in London
- The Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to London
- First Time Travel to London: All There is To Know
- London Travel Guides for Tourists and Locals
Other London Travel
- 10+ Hidden Peaceful Places Near London
- The Cutest Pink Places in London
- The Most Colorful Places in London
- The Best Neon Places in London
- The Most Instagrammable Places in London
- The Best Street Art Neighborhoods in London
- The Best Multicolor Places in London
- Why Are There Colorful Streets in London?
- Where to Find Shakespeare Sculptures in London
- The Poshest Areas in London
- The Prettiest Streets in London
- The Prettiest Streets in Covent Garden
- The Most Colorful Streets in Camden
- The Most Colorful Streets in Notting Hill
- The Prettiest Neighborhoods in London
- The Most Secret Neighborhoods in London
- The Prettiest East London Neighborhoods
- London’s Regent Street: 7 Pretty Christmas Places to Visit
- The Best Christmas Markets in London For Festive Fun
- The Best Christmas Decorations in London
- The Best Things to Do During Christmas in London
- The Prettiest Christmas Shop Windows in London
Other NYC Travel
- The Most Instagrammable Cafes in NYC
- The Most Instagrammable Places in NYC
- The Most Beautiful Bookstores in NYC
- The Best Free Things to Do in Brooklyn NYC
- The Best Things to Do During Christmas in NYC
- The Best Christmas Markets in NYC
- The Best Things to Do During The Fall in NYC
- The Best Cafes to Work in Astoria & Queens
- The Best Cafes to Work on the Upper West Side
- The Best Cafes to Work on the Upper East Side
- The Best Cafes to Work in Chelsea NYC
- The Best Cafes to Work in the East Village
- The Best Cafes to Work in Manhattan
- The Best Cafes to Work in Lower Manhattan
- The Best Cafes to Work in Midtown
- The Best Cafes to Work in Brooklyn
Other Istanbul Travel
- The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Istanbul
- The Best Places to Go Shopping in Istanbul
- The Prettiest Neighborhoods in Istanbul
- The Most Instagrammable Places in Istanbul
- The Best Cafes in Istanbul for Breakfast
- The Best Cafes to Work in Istanbul
Other Barcelona Travel
- The Best Cafes in Barcelona for Breakfast
- The Best Hidden Gems in Barcelona
- The Best Cafes to Work in Barcelona
- The Best Coworking Spaces in Barcelona
Other Paris Travel
- The Most Instagrammable Places in Paris
- The Most Instagrammable Cafes in Paris
- The Most Secret and Colorful Alleys in Paris
- The Most Secret Villages in Paris
- The Prettiest and Most Secret Gardens in Paris
- The Prettiest Neighborhoods in Paris to Walk Around
- The Best Free Museums in Paris
- 16 Beautiful Places in Paris to Visit For Photos
- 9 Aesthetic Streets in Paris To Wander Around
- 8 Best Spaces For Coworking in Paris 8
- 14 Best Cafes To Work in Paris & Study (Laptop Friendly)