Best independent coffee shops for remote working in Birmingham
Birmingham
Key takeaways
As a fully remote digital marketing agency in Birmingham, we have the pleasure of working in many of the independent coffee shops in our great city. Support local business, and try out the best that Birmingham has to offer.
I love Brum.
It’s been my home for the last 20 years or so.
One of the joys of living in England’s second city has been enjoying its vibrant coffee shop culture.
As a family, we spend a lot of time together playing board games in coffee shops at the weekend, and during the week I break up the monotony of working from home by visiting one or two favourites. If I want to catch up with a friend, I tend to suggest a coffee shop as a meeting point.
And I’m lucky, as running a fully remote digital marketing company in Birmingham gives me the perfect excuse to sample the best coffee shops that Birmingham has to offer.
So, where are the best places to work remotely in Birmingham?
The best independent coffee shops for remote working in Birmingham
#1: 200 Degrees
12 Lower Temple St, Birmingham B2 4JD
| Total | Plug Avail. | Seating Comfort | Temp. | Atmos. | Drink Quality | Wifi Quality | Food |
| 34 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Although 200 Degrees boasts locations in other cities in the UK, it’s certainly not a national brand, meaning it just about squeezes onto the list in my book (although feel free to disagree). I thoroughly enjoy working here. I tend to go to the location on Lower Temple Street. The vibe is relaxed and cosy, with friendly staff and excellent quality food and coffee. You never feel like you’re outstaying your welcome. It’s always full of folks on laptops, proving it’s a popular place for remote working. I love the luxurious velvet sofas and mock fireplace.
#2: Java Roastery
124 Colmore Row, Birmingham B3 3SD
| Total | Plug Avail. | Seating Comfort | Temp. | Atmos. | Drink Quality | Wifi Quality | Food |
| 32 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Java Roastery is a Birmingham-only brand, with stores throughout the city. It is definitely designed for remote working – with great WiFi connectivity and plenty of plugs scattered around. You’ll often see people working remotely here, and I can definitely recommend their decaf coffee blend (not all coffee shops do a good decaf, and I drink a lot of decaf, so the quality really matters to me). The booths at the front of the store feel a little snug, but the seating area at the back is warm and inviting with plenty of table space for laptops.
#3: Morridge Oats and Coffee
14 Temple Row, Birmingham B2 5HG
| Total | Plug Avail. | Seating Comfort | Temp. | Atmos. | Drink Quality | Wifi Quality | Snacks |
| 29 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
Gorgeous! Morridge is definitely the most attractive coffee shop in terms of its interior furnishings. Quirky sofas, rugs, throws and cushions give this coffee shop a delightful bohemian vibe. As a fully independent coffee shop though, they do politely request you don’t use their tables for remote working during busy lunchtime hours. Completely understandable when you need the turnover. So, look to use Morridge Oats and Coffee for your morning remote working session.
#4: Wayland’s Yard
42 Bull Street, Birmingham, B4 6AF
| Total | Plug Avail. | Seating Comfort | Temp. | Atmos. | Drink Quality | Wifi Quality | Snacks |
| 26 | 0/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
Wayland’s Yard is a regional coffee shop, with locations in Birmingham and Worcester. Despite the fact that Wayland’s Yard has no plug availability, it was chock-full of remote workers and informal business meetings when I visited on a gloomy Wednesday morning in October. The brunch menu was excellent (my pancakes were really fluffy) and there was a lovely atmosphere. A relaxed, welcoming working environment.
#5 York’s Cafe and Coffee Roasters
29/30 Stephenson Street, Birmingham, B2 4BH
| Total | Plug Avail. | Seating Comfort | Temp. | Atmos. | Drink Quality | Wifi Quality | Snacks |
| 24 | 0/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 | 3/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 4/5 |
The cafe on Stephenson Street was closed during my research phase (but I have dined there before), so I used the venue in the Ikon Gallery as a substitute. You’re seated by a host at the venue, which does give Yorks a more “restaurant” vibe, but it self-identifies as an “all-day dining cafe” that produces “hand-roasted speciality coffee in Birmingham”, so it just about fits the bill. It has a regional presence (locations are based in Birmingham and Stratford-upon-Avon), so it counts as a Birmingham-based or a regional, independent coffee shop in my book. The location in the gallery didn’t have any plugs, so you wouldn’t be able to work there for very long without a battery pack. But, the aesthetic is gorgeous and it had a fabulously unusual selection of lunchtime food.
#6: Cherry Reds
88-90 John Bright Street, Birmingham, B1 1BN
| Total | Plug Avail. | Seating Comfort | Temp. | Atmos. | Drink Quality | Wifi Quality | Snacks |
| 18 | 1/5 | 2/5 | 4/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 |
A lovely little find! Cherry Reds is tucked down a side street near Grand Central and offers two floors of quirky charm. There are loads of great food items and you can hide away upstairs quite nicely. It was lovely and quiet during the morning – a real gem.
#7 Faculty Coffee
14 Piccadilly Arcade, New Street, Birmingham, B2 4HD
| Total | Plug Avail. | Seating Comfort | Temp. | Atmos. | Drink Quality | Wifi Quality | Snacks |
| 17 | 0/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 2/5 | 3/5 |
Although there was no plug availability and Faculty Coffee doesn’t provide its customers with WiFi, it still proves to be a lovely little hideaway for getting a few jobs done. Situated within Piccadilly Arcade, I loved the Victorian aesthetic and the large windows allow you to watch the world go by. The English Breakfast Tea was very fancy – it came with its own timer to help you get the perfect brew. A great place for an independent digital marketing company in Birmingham to work!
Methodology (how I did it)
I visited (and worked in) a range of coffee shops in the centre of our beloved city. I spent a minimum of 60 minutes working in each coffee shop.
To qualify, the coffee shop had to be:
- Located in the heart of Birmingham (B1, B2, B3 & B4 postcode)
- Identify as family-run, independent or non-national (e.g. no Starbucks! Let’s support local businesses)
- Be classed as a coffee shop, first and foremost. (So, for example, it couldn’t be listed as a bar that happens to do coffee during the day).
I then assigned them a score according to the following criteria:
- Plug availability. Really helpful for any remote working.
- Seating comfort. Sitting for an extended period requires a little comfort.
- Temperature. I hate sitting in my coat because the AC is too aggressive.
- Atmosphere. Do I get those cosy, trendy vibes?
- Drink quality. Goes without saying in a coffee shop.
- Wifi quality. Essential for any remote working.
- Snacks/cake quality. For when you get peckish.
Things to be mindful of when working remotely.
Working remotely in a coffee shop is a great way to break up the monotony of the workday, especially when you get that post-lunch slump; changing your environment can invigorate you and make you more productive.
However, when working remotely in a coffee shop – it behoves you to be mindful of the following:
- Support local businesses. To be frank, global chains are doing just fine! Choosing to work in an independent or family-run coffee shop supports local businesses and families. As an independent digital marketing company in Birmingham, we understand the importance of supporting local businesses. Plus, the money you spend keeps our high street full of diverse, unique and innovative businesses.
- Be generous. Don’t be that person who buys one small Americano! Independent and family-run coffee shops need plenty of income to keep going. It’s hard to go up against global brands like Starbucks! Buy plenty of food and drinks.
- Avoid lunch times (unless you’re going to buy food) Don’t hog a table for hours. Make space for those who want to come in and buy some food (more profit for the business).
- Invest in a battery pack. A lot of independent stores can’t afford big rewires, and often they won’t have the plug availability that the big chains have built. So, invest in a battery pack for your laptop, so you can continue to go local.
Support independent businesses in Birmingham.
Birmingham’s coffee shop culture is a gem for anyone who loves working remotely. Whether you’re a freelancer, a remote worker, or simply someone who enjoys breaking up the work-from-home routine, these independent spots offer a blend of productivity, comfort, and a great atmosphere. Supporting these local businesses not only keeps our city’s unique vibe alive but also strengthens the community as a whole. So, next time you’re looking for a cosy corner to get some work done, try one of these wonderful coffee shops. Bring your laptop, grab a cup, and become a part of Birmingham’s vibrant, welcoming coffee scene.