Sometimes being stuck at home all day can suck when there’s a mountain work to be done. Everything quickly becomes an annoyance. All the walls look a little bland; your neighbours have had the builders over for weeks; and there’s a slip of breeze from a window you can’t quite seal shut. It’s why the search for the best Birmingham cafes to work in can feel so important. Somewhere warm you can sit with a nice hot drink and get stuff done. So whether you’re a student or a WFH-er, we’ve rounded up some of the best cafes to relax/study in and tune out with your favourite lo-fi beats.
1. Urban
Urban’s Jewellery Quarter location has bags of space to start working. You’ll find everyone, from freelancers tucked into corners with a cortado to big business meetings taking place over brunch, across its two floors. It also has everything you need to satisfy any craving. There is a broad range of coffees and cold drinks available, and even some cocktails. The brunch and lunch menus offer a hearty selection of classic dishes too. While on weekends, we highly recommend the bottomless brunch which comes with an endless supply of various drinks, plus one brunch item. Maybe best to get the work done before ordering this, however.
The Big Peg, Warstone Lane, B18 6NF
2. Saint Kitchen
Another Jewellery Quarter spot. This ones a bit more laid-back compared to other cafes in the area, however. Saint Kitchen is one of the best cafes in Birmingham to nestle down quietly and work for a few hours. There’s a real Middle Eastern-twist to the menu too – from baba ganoush to shakshuka – that makes the family-run place feel really special. While the breakfast bagels are particularly eye-catching. The staff are always happy to leave you alone when your in the work flow too. Definitely one of our favourite Birmingham cafes.
61a St Paul’s Square, Birmingham B3 1QS
3. Medicine Bakery
It’s good to take breaks now again. DSE recommends stepping away from your screen five to 10 minutes every hour. Medicine Bakery on New Street offers up the perfect escapism with an attached art gallery on site. It hosts regular exhibitions to rekindle imagination, if needed. The amazingly spacious cafe and bakery also provides all the room you need to get the hard work done too. With breakfast brioche buns, classic eggs benedicts, hearty brunches and an extensive coffee menu. Medicine Bakery has all you need to fuel a hard day’s work.
69a New Street, Birmingham B2 4DU
4. York’s
York’s exposed brick interior offers a rustic and trendy vibe, but works well a hub for creativity. If you’re stuck for ideas, York’s will get your brain sparking. The food menu is equally exciting. Breaking away from traditional breakfast items, you can treat yourself to: a Marrakech avocado toast that uses hummus, pickled onions and dukkah; a green breakfast comprising of channa dahl, dukkah potatoes, mixed pickle, and dak dak salad; or an Armenian chicken shashlik, with biber paste marinated chicken, heirloom pickled tomato, walnut and onion salad, garlic and herb yogurt and traditional bread. It can get pretty busy here – for good reason – but if you’re the type of worker that thrives of other’s energy then this might be the spot for you.
29 Stephenson Street, Birmingham B2 4BH
5. Faculty
The last on our list is, but by no means the least of the Birmingham cafes. Faculty is cosy, modern and nothing like any other cafe on this list. You won’t want to hold any meetings here, or complete a project that takes a lot of space. But if you want somewhere to bury your head in books, this is the spot. Repurposed school desks help set the vibe too. It also serves a high-quality coffee and a range of specialist teas.
14 Piccadilly Arcade, Birmingham B2 4HD