14 October 2022
Travel

Best places to work from in Rome for digital nomads

cafes for digital nomads in rome

Okay, I’ve been holding out on you all in publishing this blog post (and any Rome recommendations, in general). Partially because I want to keep these places a secret, selfishly I know. But also because it’s taken a long time for me to cultivate all my Roma knowledge, and now that I’ve started Italy travel planning and creating guides on the side, I’m not ready to share all my information with the world yet.

But, I do get asked this question a lot (‘where is the best place to work from in Rome?’) and usually end up texting my digital nomad friends and Instagram acquaintances a short version of this list at least once a month. It’s a lot easier to just send a blog post link, so here’s my answer: A new post on all the best places for digital nomads to work in Rome.

Now, in a North American city this might not even be a question. Most coffee shops are suitable to work from, with Wi-Fi and outlets and plenty of others working on their laptops. But if you’ve ever been to Italy, you know this is definitely not the case. Coffee is a cornerstone of Italian culture, and you’d be highly frowned upon for trying to work at a bar amidst the morning rush of Italians shouting out their orders to the barista and eating their cornetti while saddled up to the bar (gosh, I miss Italy right now!).

However, as the number of remote workers has risen and Italy has caught up with the times (and catered to American study abroad students, in some cases), there are more and more places where working from a laptop while enjoying your cappuccino has become more acceptable. After three plus years living between Rome and the states, I’ve found my favorite places to work from in Rome. The baristas know me (another huge difference between cafes in America and Italy) and sometimes I don’t even have to order when I arrive. The beauty of becoming a regular! Plus, it makes living abroad a lot less lonely when you have these interactions throughout your day.

When I’m not living in Rome, I desperately miss my daily routine. I usually start my day at home (still in pajamas) then once I have a handle on my day, I get dressed and head to the center and one of these cafes. I usually get in a few hours of focused work and then spend the rest of my afternoon finding lunch and wandering around or shopping before I have to head home for meetings and to get ready for the evening’s plans. I love this routine and the focused time at the bar with my espresso or spremuta (fresh-squeezed orange juice) is an important part of my daily ritual.

I hope this list inspires you to create your own Roman rituals. Tag me on Instagram if you find your latest favorite spot from this post!

tips for digital nomads in Italy

Before we dive into my recommendations, I think it’s crucial to go over some cultural notes and tips for digital nomads in Italy, specifically Rome. Some are purely informational, while others will help you to make a good impression among Italians.

  • Coffee shops are either called a bar, caffè, or caffetteria in Italy
  • Try to avoid the breakfast/lunch/dinner rush and instead visit during off-hours
  • Remember to charge your laptop before you leave the house
  • Join Facebook and WhatsApp groups to meet other digital nomads (let me know if you’d like to be added to the Rome digital nomads WhatsApp group!)
  • Even if you can use a hotspot and work from wherever, be respectful of the atmosphere and if it seems laptop-friendly
  • Be mindful of when and where you take video calls
  • If you’ve spent time in Italy you know public restrooms aren’t common, so use the bathroom before you leave the bar if you’re going to be walking around or commuting home
  • Bring a water bottle if you don’t want to pay 1-2 euros for water

cafes & other places to work from in Rome for digital nomads

  • Feltrinelli at Largo di Torre Argentina
  • Chiostro del Bramante near Piazza Navona
  • Biblioteca Casa delle Letterature near Chiesa Nuova
  • Al Giulio Cesare Caffè in Prati
  • Bibliobar near Castel Sant’Angelo
  • Buddy Veggy Restaurant Cafè near Piazza Navona
  • Caffè Settimiano in Trastevere
  • Mammò in Trastevere
  • Emporio Sant’Eustachio near the Pantheon
  • Bar Meccanismo in Trastevere
  • Hoxton Hotel near Piazza di Spagna
  • Mama Shelter behind the Vatican
  • Barnum Roma near Campo de’ Fiori
  • Marigold Roma in Testaccio
  • Tram Depot in Testaccio
  • Ex Circus near Piazza Navona
  • Faro near Porta Pia

Below I’ve included a short description and links of the places I go often, including their Wi-Fi situation, indoor or outdoor seating, air conditioning, coffee and food prices, plus if there are outlets and bathrooms available. If I wasn’t sure about the outlets or another aspect, I just left that off the list—so you can be sure of whatever information is listed under each. I tried my best to give a sense of prices, ‘average’ is as compared to a normal Italian bar (in other words, 1 euro espresso, usually 2 if you sit down). Of course I’ll update as I explore more! And if you have any favorites that aren’t include, leave them in the comments.

Feltrinelli at Largo di Torre Argentina

Largo di Torre Argentina, 5/A, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

This bar is located on the second floor (or primo piano) of the Feltrinelli bookstore at Largo di Torre Argentina. It’s in an amazing location as far as connection to public transportation and very central. The barista is super nice, there’s a bathroom you can access with the key (just for customers of the bar), and the Wi-Fi is strong. It does kick you off every now and then, so you have to re-accept the Wi-Fi terms, making it not the best spot for video calls. I would try to go before or after the busy lunch rush, sometimes they kick out people who aren’t eating as it’s a popular spot for people to meet for lunch! It stays open pretty late, which is nice too.

  • Medium Wi-Fi
  • Indoors
  • Air conditioning
  • Average coffee price, average to high food prices
  • Bathroom available, very few outlets

Chiostro del Bramante near Piazza Navona

Arco della Pace, 5, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

This is my absolute favorite, so much so that I’m reluctant to share it here. You’ll find this bar on the second floor (again, primo piano for my Europeans) of the museum, Chiostro del Bramante. If you like your coffee bar with a side of history and beauty, then this is the spot for you. Designed in the 1500s by architect Donato Bramante, nowadays anyone can enjoy their espresso in this Renaissance style cloister with a view over the courtyard and the latest exhibition. If you have time, definitely check out the art—Chiostro is known for having interesting exhibitions. I love their caffè shakerato in the summer, and if I’m hungry, the chocolate orange muffins are a favorite.

  • Strong Wi-Fi
  • Indoor/outdoor (most tables are outside under the portico)
  • Air conditioning inside, bubble over the courtyard during the winter to stay warm
  • Average to high coffee and food prices
  • Outlets (inside only) and bathroom available

Biblioteca Casa delle Letterature near Chiesa Nuova

Piazza dell’Orologio, 3, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

This is a new find from this summer thanks to a friend of mine. It’s free to join the library in Rome, or you can pay 10 euros for the whole year and gain access to the Wi-Fi (I just use my hotspot on my phone from here typically). There are spacious tables inside full of studious young Italians and a courtyard with more tables and a beautiful fountain. The atmosphere at this library will make you want to go back to school, immediately. It’s a great place for quiet, focused work. One thing to note—you have to leave your belongings in a locker and only take with you what you need to your table.

  • Pay an annual fee for Wi-Fi
  • Indoor/outdoor
  • No coffee or food available
  • Bathroom available

Al Giulio Cesare Caffè in Prati

Viale Giulio Cesare, 115, 00192 Roma RM, Italy

If you want to feel absolutely at home in a cafe, this is the place to go. And it’s conveniently located in Prati, for all my fellow Prati/Vaticano/San Pietro residents. I kind of discovered this spot by accident but it’s since become one of my favorite places for a juice when I’m in the area, and to work. They will always make you feel at home—forcing you to sit down and make yourself comfortable whenever you order something! The people are so kind and if it’s not during the lunch or dinner rush, it’s really quiet and relaxed inside.

  • Strong Wi-Fi
  • Indoor, with some outdoor tables
  • Air conditioning
  • Average coffee and food prices
  • Bathroom available

BiblioBar near Castel Sant’Angelo

Lungotevere Castello, 00193 Roma RM, Italy

At first glance, the BiblioBar would not seem like a great work spot. But as I discovered this summer, it has literally everything you could need to work (when the weather is right, of course). To be honest I prefer to come here to journal and enjoy the atmosphere of this beautiful spot on the Lungotevere and the music, which is always on point. But I wanted to include it in this list as it’s one of my favorites, and surprisingly is a great spot to crush a few hours of work, surrounded by Rome and its beauty.

  • Medium Wi-Fi
  • Outdoors
  • Average to high coffee and food prices
  • Outlets and bathroom available

Buddy Veggy Restaurant Cafè near Piazza Navona

Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 107A, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

Another favorite spot for me in Rome. This maybe isn’t the best spot to work because it’s a true restaurant, but I often stop here either mid-morning or late afternoon for an espresso or a juice. The vibes are very chill and the people are all sooo nice! They do have their Wi-Fi password written on a chalkboard usually, so you could probably work there as long as it’s not during busy meal times. They also have a great outdoor area with comfortable tables, and are so centrally located (just down the street from the Pantheon and Piazza Navona).

  • Medium Wi-Fi
  • Indoor, with some outdoor tables
  • Air conditioning
  • Average coffee and food prices
  • Bathroom available, a few outlets inside

Caffè Settimiano in Trastevere

Via di Porta Settimiana, 1, 00165 Roma RM, Italy

This place is a classic in Rome, and it’s actually one of my favorite places to stop for a coffee when I’m in Trastevere. It’s close to John Cabot, so there are always a lot of students. Whenever you want a good espresso or something to eat while working in the heart of Trastevere, this is the place. There aren’t too many seats indoors, but a lot of outdoor tables when the weather is nice. Just be conscious, as always, during the busy lunch hour.

  • Medium Wi-Fi
  • Few tables indoors, a lot of outdoor tables
  • Average coffee and food prices
  • Bathroom available

Mammò Trastevere in Trastevere

P.za di S. Giovanni della Malva, 2, 00153 Roma RM, Italy

Another spot in Trastevere and always full of American students, Mammò has more American offerings when it comes to coffee and food. It’s small but full of tables in their beautiful interior. If you’ve been craving a bagel, check it out because they have homemade bagels from Rome’s very own Beehive Bagels.

  • Strong Wi-Fi
  • Indoors with only a couple outdoor tables
  • Air conditioning
  • High coffee and food prices

Emporio Sant’Eustachio near the Pantheon

Via della Maddalena, 36, 00186 Roma RM, Italy

This spacious coffee shop is the sister to the famous Sant’Eustachio Il Caffè. Unlike the original location, there are plenty of tables to sit inside at this spot and try one of their unique coffee creations. The vibes are relaxed and the Wi-Fi is great. Plus, there are also some outdoor tables, and it’s just steps away from the Pantheon.

  • Strong Wi-Fi
  • Indoors and some outdoor tables
  • Air conditioning
  • High coffee and food prices
  • Bathroom available

Bar Meccanismo in Trastevere

Piazza Trilussa, 34, 00153 Roma RM, Italy

Upon first glance this might not seem like a great place to work but if you go during off hours, it’s a nice spot to sit for a while. Like Mammò, Bar Meccanismo has some American options, if you’re missing pancakes or hamburgers one day. I highly recommend going a little later in the day though so you can stay for their aperitivo, it’s one of the best in Trastevere (needless to say you won’t need to go to dinner afterwards).

  • Strong Wi-Fi
  • Indoors and outdoor tables
  • Air conditioning
  • Average to high coffee and food prices
  • Bathroom available

Additional spots to try

Hotels

Other cafes

As always, let me know if you try any of these spots!

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