Brooklyn coffee shops for freelancers: Best Williamsburg cafes for remote working in NYC

Looking for somewhere chic to set up shop with your laptop? We've rounded up the best coffee shops for freelancers in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, where oat milk lattes, inventive avocado toasts (as well as high-speed wifi and plenty of power points) will keep you going as you work.

From Michelin-starred pastry chefs to a nightclub-slash-coffee shop that makes a surprisingly good place to work, here's where to set up your mobile office.

Gertie

If you're looking for somewhere you can comfortably eat alone, mainline coffee and have an atmosphere that's far more cheerful than your couch at home, Gertie is the answer. You might like it so much that you'll stay from lunch until dinner - and even after, when they offer comedy shows and dance parties (although you'll probably want to put your laptop away for that one).

The all-day cafe has snacks (like a relish tray that's ideal if you're feeling peckish) as well as baked goods if you get there bright and early. There's also a full bar if you feel like something a little bit stronger post-work day. Think California casual mixed with everything you'd want a cool Jewish Upper West Side grandmother to make for you.

Coffee: Lattes galore, oat milk and more specialty coffee drinks - and regular old coffee, of course.

Snacks: Plenty of healthy sandwiches and salads as well as fresh baked goods - and at night they serve up duck, which they're known for (although you might not choose that for your freelance snack).

Etiquette

Etiquette is the latest hip offering from the folks who brought Williamsburg the celebrity-beloved Loosie Rouge. Now, they've created a cafe that's basically a hipster coworking space, complete with a record shop, a disco ball and a bathtub for peak Instagram opportunities. The daytime cafe doubles as an events space. You'll want to move in immediately, as it looks like your hippest friend's Brooklyn loft. You'll feel like you're in a Younger episode.

Wifi: Free and high-speed.

Coffee: Lots of specialty offerings, like their must-try salted caramel latte. The coffee comes from Brooklyn's Abbotsford Road.

Snacks: They have a full menu you can order from, complete with salads and homemade baked goods.

The Butcher's Daughter

Williamsburg's favorite place to pick up avocado toast and CBD smoothies just got its own community space, ideal for freelancers who want to work all day without ever moving with breakfast, lunch and dinner brought directly to them. If it's a particularly stressful day, it's easy enough to chill out - CBD can be added to any items in the new space.

The newly-opened location, which is right next door to the restaurant, is about much more than just co-working. They're planning on offering community programming, including bread making classes and DIY workshops like floral bouquet classes (they also sell pre-made bouquets). And if you want your home to look like Butcher's Daughter, they're selling peak-Brooklyn local goodies, including candles that are perfect for gifting and ceramic mugs you'll want to Instagram the second you get home to pretend your house is a coffee shop.

Wifi: Free and high-speed.

Coffee: The coffee program is curated by Oscar Van Altena, who was previously at LA hot spot Gjusta, and beans from the Columbian coffee roasters Devocion (their shop also tops our list).

Snacks: Healthy, vegetarian baked goods, Instagram-worthy bowls, and soon, the entirety of the Butcher's Daughters vegetable-forward menu.

Freehold

At night Freehold is Williamsburg’s hottest club - but during daylight hours, it’s a different vibe completely. There’s no pumping EDM to be found; instead, freelancers camp out at tables, sip lattes, and when it’s warm enough, use the enormous outdoor space

When it’s not bustling with spandex-clad millennials, it plays host to concerts (St. Lucia played in the past), podcast tapings, and trivia nights

The coffee shop even has its own membership program, a la Soho House. The Freeholder Program is invite-only and complimentary for creatives and tech professionals. Invitees get to cut the line and exclusive invitations to events (plus free drinks

Wifi: Free and high-speed.

Coffee: All types of coffee and non-dairy milk - but for those who don’t want lattes, there’s draft kombucha, matcha, and tea specialties like the “Brooklyn Fog,” made with English Breakfast, almond milk, and maple-cardamom syrup

Snacks: The snacks are far superior to the usual dry cafe muffin. There's avocado toast, a VLT made with tempeh bacon, and egg sandwiches for the early birds.

The Hoxton

The Hoxton Hotel opened its first American outpost in Williamsburg last September, where the lobby is peak millennial pink. The cafe is conveniently connected to the lobby, making it an all-day hot desking outpost for freelancers.

And if you want a little privacy, head into the very stylish Apartment, which can be reserved for meetings.

Wifi: Free and high-speed.

Coffee: Lattes galore, with all the non-dairy types of milk a Williamsburg resident could ask for.

Snacks: Baked goods and more Americana fare from the nearby Klein’s restaurant.

Sweatshop

Better get to Sweatshop early because it's popular - the crates fill up, as does the communal table, which fits about ten people comfortably. There’s even an outdoor area for when summer arrives.

If you want to commemorate your visit, there’s merch on the wall, with hats that say “Cool Beans” and black and pink tees proclaiming “Death Before Decaf.”

Wifi: Free.

Coffee: There are plenty of Australian specialties, including an Aussie iced coffee that has espresso, milk, and vanilla ice cream for a true treat. They serve the North Carolina created Counter Culture coffee which you can also buy for an at-home latte moment.

Snacks: The avocado toast is legendary, made with feta, citrus and herb oil, mint, and micro greens.

Butler Bake Shop and Espresso Bar

This hidden Williamsburg cafe is known for its baked goods - but it’s not exactly last night’s soggy Danish. Instead, Michelin-starred pastry chef Ryan Butler makes potato and scallion brioche and house sourdough.

And if it’s been a hard day in your makeshift office, you can always choose from their beer and cider menu, which includes rose cider. They also recently opened in Dumb

Wifi: No wifi on weekends, free wifi during the week

Coffee: From the Chicago-based Intelligentsia

Snacks: There’s a full menu, including house-baked goods, breakfast, and healthier snacks like acai bowls.

Devocion

Devocion has a plant wall so beautiful couples even stop in for wedding photos. The stylish former warehouse, where the coffee is responsibly sourced, is often stuffed full of busy people, so get there early to get a table.

Wifi: No wifi on weekends, free wifi during the week.

Coffee: The space has a laboratory where they test-roast Colombian coffee samples.

Snacks: Classic cafe fare with a twist.