Free wi-fi in Rome: best cafés to work in

No Office, No Problem: Rome’s Best Places to Smart Work and Study

Smart working in Rome is a smart idea indeed: coffee breaks mean some of the best coffee in the world, walks to stretch your legs mean wandering around majestic sites steeped in history, and if your mind also needs respites, just look up from your laptop and let the dolce vita unfolding around you lull you into day-dreams.

Still, in the midst of all these wonderful distractions, Rome is also, increasingly, a good place to stay focused, with lots of cafes to work and study in. In fact, more and more Roman cafes are offering co-working spaces with WiFi and are proving to be ideal sites where to work in peace. Here are some favorites that are frequented by those seeking a break from working at home, divided by location!

INSPIRATION
Rome’s coworking guide

CENTRO STORICO

Ex Circus

Tucked away just footsteps away from Piazza Navona, Ex Circus is a work-friendly café with great coffee, food, drinks and free wi-fi. Better yet, Ex Circus has cozy couches, power outlets, and coffee tables. It maintains a homey, yet hip vibe, allowing one person to study in peace, while another person eats nearby. Come for the free wi-fi and cozy atmosphere and prolong your stay by tasting everything from peanut butter and jelly bagels to caramel hot chocolate to superfood salads with avocados.

Bar Del Fico

Bar del Fico is both a lively nightspot and an ideal café for working and studying during quiet mornings and afternoons; besides, being located in the center of Rome, it offers the best of both options. With its outdoor tables, it is perfect for people-watching and socializing with friends, while you can take advantage of the quiet daytime environment (both indoor and outdoor) to work before the energetic evening atmosphere takes over.

Chiostro del Bramante

If you are looking for a more scenic view while working, come here as the outdoor seating available overlooks the main courtyard of the museum, giving you a chance to be outdoors on a nice day. The relaxing and comfortable atmosphere is great for anyone that just wants to “wind down” or study alike. Away from the crowds, you will be sure to find some quiet time in this charming setting not too far from Piazza Navona.

Barnum

Make yourself at home in the cozy ambiance of this creatively decorated gem near Campo de’ Fiori. This is a place where you can enjoy amazing food (we highly recommend the Croque Monsieur with turmeric bread), with an ever-changing menu, and where you can work or study in complete comfort.

Starbucks

Enter the world of smart working par excellence at Starbucks in Rome! With the recent opening, you now have two options for flexible and enjoyable work; one in the city centre and one at the city outskirts. Enjoy the cozy atmosphere and delicious multi-choice coffee as you pursue your projects. The different locations offer comfortable spaces and reliable Wi-Fi, making Starbucks the perfect place to meet colleagues or focus at your best.

HeyBaby @ The Chapter Roma

Feel free to relax and make yourself comfortable in this industrial-chic lobby bar, featuring contemporary art, a menu of contrasts and delicious signature cocktails and classic drinks. Sit in their comfortable seats, open up your laptop and enjoy free Wi-Fi paired with their nachos with chili sauce.

TRASTEVERE

Zalib

Zalib is a cultural center in the heart of Trastevere, run by a group of enterprising young people who organize music, art, literature and other social events and workshops. The venue is spacious, with an indoor and an outdoor area, offering the chance to find peace and silence among the garden plants in the summer, or warmth and comfort in the winter months. With large tables, plenty of chairs, and free Wi-Fi, this venue is popular among students, who after a day of working at their laptops can indulge in a drink at the bar, a game of cards or ping-pong, or join in the events organized on site. Keep in mind that Zalib, being a cultural association, requires annual membership, which can be paid for online (check their website) or at the door for a reasonable price.

Cinema Troisi

This is one of, if not THE best place to work and study in Rome, for one simple reason: it is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and it’s free. This place is at once a cinema, a café, and a library, and of course, it has free Wi-Fi. You can come here anytime your home setup falls short, and at night, this can be the place where you can nurture the ideas that refuse to let you sleep. Additionally, during breaks, you can enjoy delicious tea, coffee, salads, and carefully prepared sandwiches.

Pimm’s

Located near John Cabot University, Pimm’s restaurant pulls any passerby inside with its streaming lights, live music, and spritely chatter. Along with the invigorating atmosphere, Pimm’s cocktails (particularly the Pimm’s cup) and yummy food ensure a pleasurable meal during any time of day. Customers can enjoy a hearty breakfast of pancakes, toast, and eggs with their English breakfast service, traditional Roman appetizers and pasta for dinner, and street food for a late-night snack. And who would’ve thought, with its free Wi-Fi it’s also the perfect place to get some work done!

Big Star

Big Star, thriving in the heart of Trastevere, offers something for every customer, whether they’re looking for scrumptious breakfasts, cocktails, live music, or international food. Dedicated customers and tourists enjoy munching on burritos, vegan paninis, and burgers while sipping craft beer. Apart from hosting various bands on Friday, Saturday, and Monday nights, Big Star is a student retreat during the day. Get down here, indulge in yummy food, and get into work-mode!

SAN GIOVANNI

Materia

Materia, a Scandinavian style caffè in the San Giovanni neighbourhood, welcomes freelancers and students in its tastefully furnished bright spaces. From the magazine and plants to the free Wi-Fi, at Materia you’ll feel as if you’re working from home or your own office. With its seasonal breakfast, brunch and lunch menus and a great selection of food and coffee for a quick break, Materia is surely one of our favorite places to work in Rome.

FLAMINIO

Mediterraneo al MAXXI

Mediterraneo, the restaurant and garden at MAXXI, offers sushi, pizza, main courses, and meat-based dishes, with special attention to typically Mediterranean specialities. It gives access to the free Wi-Fi of MAXXI and has plenty of tables and lounges indoors and outdoors – perfect for those who are looking to get some work done in a nice place outside their homes.

TESTACCIO / OSTIENSE

T-Bar

T Bar, just 500 meters from the San Paolo metro station, offers you the perfect ambiance to focus and work. Open from 8am to 2am, you’ll have all the flexibility you need. Start your day with a delicious breakfast then work through lunch which runs from 12 noon to 3pm, and after (smart)work you can stay at the T Bar for the aperitivo, with a rich buffet that starts at 6pm and goes until 8.30pm. In the more nightly hours, the atmosphere comes alive with music starting at 10pm.

Caffé Letterario

Caffè Letterario stands out among Rome’s coworking cafes, catering to a diverse range of students and freelancers. For just €5, you can enjoy a drink or a treat while working in this welcoming space. The venue boasts ample space and an extensive collection of books available for browsing and purchase. Moreover, it features dedicated areas where you can admire a delightful showcase of design objects. Every so often, there are also cultural events, so you might get pleasant surprises after a day of work here.

MONTEVERDE

Archi

If you’re exploring the Gianicolo hill for amazing views of Rome or strolling through Villa Pamphili park for the day, the Caffé gli Archi is the perfect stop for coffee or aperitivo. During the week, Archi is flooded with students from the nearby American University of Rome, and is a popular stop for iced-coffee and take-away cappuccinos.  In addition to Archi’s pastries and sandwiches, their kitchen also serves hot dishes during lunch hours, making it the perfect place to work or study all day long.

PIGNETO

Lo Yeti

The Yeti is a cultural hub in the Pigneto area, supporting and collaborating with independent bookstores and more. It is the perfect place to work, study and think, surrounded by books and art. But Lo Yeti is not only a stimulus for the mind, it is also a spa for the palate, as it offers exquisite local delicacies from lunch, through to aperitivo and dinner time.

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