As a former freelance writer living in Buenos Aires, I’ve tested the coffee shops in the city —the good, the bad, and the bitter—so you don’t have to. Buenos Aires has a strong coffee culture but unfortunately the actually taste of some of the coffee and the terrible WiFi connections in some places can leave mal gusto in your mouth. The following 10 best cafes for working in Buenos Aires have comfortable/ample seating, WiFi, and outlets for your computer—and of course, good coffee and treats.
Photo: frantic00/Shutterstock
10 Best Cafes for Wifi (and Meeting Other Travelers) in Buenos Aires
1. LAB Tostadores de Café
LAB doesn’t offer much seating but I have never had a problem with crowds. Order a flat white and the berry muffin—truthfully the best tasting combo I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying while working online.
Where: Humboldt 1542
Neighborhood: Palermo
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am to 8pm; Saturday 10 am to 8 pm
2. Cocu
Located in the heart of Palermo, Cocu gets very crowded around brunch time so either get there early or after the lunch crowd has died down. If you do get a seat, it’s easy to spend hours there. The owners are French, offering authentic French cuisine. Every pastry on the menu astonishing, but I recommend the pan au chocolate.
Where: Malabia 1510
Neighborhood: Palermo
Hours: Monday to Friday 9 am to 8 pm; Saturday, Sunday and public holidays 10 am to 8 pm
3. Starbucks
I don’t normally recommend Starbucks because most locations are crowded and noisy in Buenos Aires. And, they are considered “elite” because of the very pricey yet very weak latte. However, you can find a few noteworthy locations if you check out enough of them—locations that have a relaxing upstairs seating area with sofas and good lighting. My favorite location is an old apartment building converted into the coziest Starbucks you’ll ever see—complete with wallpaper and carpet.
Location: Av. Cnel. Díaz 1601
Neighborhood: Recoleta
Hours: Monday through Friday 7 am to 9:30 pm; Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 9:30 pm
4. All Saints Cafe
I don’t hear a lot of people talking about All Saints Cafe, but it is definitely noteworthy! It’s located in Belgrano so it is possibly a bit far if you are in the neighborhoods of San Telmo or Palermo Soho. But as the café is nestled just a block away from the subway D line and walking distance to Barrio Chino (Chinatown), it’s a great spot to work online all morning and then explore somewhere else for the rest of the day. Plus, it’s one of the few places in Buenos Aires where you can get an American-style donut!
Where: Ciudad de la Paz 2300
Neighborhood: Belgrano
Hours: 8 am to 10 pm
5. LattenTe
With a great flat white, and comfortable stools lining the windows of Thames street, LattenTe is a relaxed coffeehouse popular amongst freelancers, tourists, and locals alike. I especially enjoy it for its location.
On Sundays, Seiko’s Bagels pops-up outside so weekend freelancers can enjoy a dreamy latte and bagel combo.
Where: Thames 1891
Neighborhood: Palermo
Hours: Monday through Saturday 9 am to 10 pm; Sunday 10 am to 10 pm
6. El Ateneo Grand Splendid
Does it get much cooler than being able to work in a 100-year-old theater that’s been turned into a bookstore? One of the most beautiful bookstores in the world, El Ateneo also has a cafe inside perched upon what was once the stage of the theater. You can work and enjoy a small coffee—albeit overpriced. There is also lots of room throughout the bookstore for relaxed reading and finding new inspiration for your work.
Where: Av. Santa Fe 1860
Neighborhood: Recoleta
Hours: Sunday 12 pm to 10 pm; Monday through Thursday 9 am to 10 pm; Friday and Saturday 9 am to 12 pm
7. Felix Felicis & Co
With a name inspired by Harry Potter, this newer addition to the Palermo coffeehouse scene serves one hell of a good latte and muffins. The wood bar has outlets built right in for re-charging.
Where: José Antonio Cabrera 5002
Neighborhood: Palermo
Hours: Sunday 10 am to 8 pm; Monday through Saturday 9 am to 8 pm
8. Ninina
Ninina prides itself on serving delicious cakes with less guilt for you. With specialty items like flourless cakes and freshly squeezed juices, a couple of hours at Ninina carries a higher price tag but it’s well worth it. I recommend coming to Ninina when you need to work and satisfy a sweet tooth. Try a slice of the Lola Mora cake and a cappuccino with soy milk.
Where: Gorriti 4738
Neighborhood: Palermo
Hours: Monday through Thursday 8 am to 12 am; Friday 8 am to 1 am; Saturday 9 am to 1 am; Sundays and holidays 9 am to 12 am.
9. Birkin
A relaxed yet sociable atmosphere, Birkin is a higher end cafe perfect for having lunch with a friend or working hard online. I recommend trying the waffles if you enjoy hefty scoops of dulce de leche with your brunch.
Where: República Arabe Siria 3061
Neighborhood: Palermo
Hours: Tuesday through Friday 9 am to 9 pm; Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 9pm
10. Barrio Cafetero
With only about 7 stools lining the wall parallel to the bar, there isn’t much space for working all afternoon. However, if you’re downtown (microcentro) and need a place to work before or after the office, it deserves an honorable mention for its creamy-smooth lattes and super sweet baristas. If you frequent the place, be sure to pick up a stamp card.
Where: Florida 8333
Neighborhood: Microcentro
Hours: Monday through Friday 8 am to 6:30 pm 