Ctrl + Alt + Cafe: Melbourne’s Work Spots With Style

Ctrl + Alt + Cafe: Because sometimes your home Wi-Fi ghosts you, your office feels like a soul-sucking vortex, and all you really want is a flat white with your inbox. Luckily, Melbourne is bursting with laptop-friendly havens where the coffee’s strong, the vibes are immaculate, and the plugs are endless.

From deadline-dodging and pitch-prepping to daydreaming about that novel you swear you’ll write, these work-friendly spots have you (and your laptop) fully charged.

ONA

Hidden down a quiet street in Brunswick, ONA turns a Tuesday inbox grind into something bordering on poetic. Light spills through its airy, minimalist space, bouncing off pale timber and cool concrete. The coffee? Award-winning — with a rotating cast of rare single origins that’ll keep your focus razor-sharp. Settle in with your laptop, soak up the calm, and let the gentle buzz of productivity carry you through. A quiet luxury for the caffeinated kind.

22 Ovens Street, Brunswick

O3 Space

Step into O3 Space in Southbank and leave the usual grind behind in a setting that feels like Gryffindor’s dorm room brought to life. Cosy treehouse nooks, warm lamplight, and walls lined with books create an inspiring sanctuary designed for focus. The coffee is exceptional, fueling long hours with ease. Push through deadlines or ignite fresh ideas within a calm, creative atmosphere that transforms work into something unexpectedly inviting.

87 Queens Bridge Street, Southbank 

Matcha Kōbō

Matcha Kōbō is a peaceful pocket of Kyoto in the heart of Melbourne, where handcrafted Uji matcha is ground fresh on-site and whisked to order with meditative precision. Low timber tables, plush floor cushions, and a minimalist palette set the scene for a workday that feels more ritual than routine. Power stations are tucked subtly around, so you can stay charged while you sink into your flow. It’s quiet, calming, and a dream if your WFH vibe needs a serene reset.

Level 2/258 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne 

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Elio’s Place

Tucked away on Flinders Lane, Elio’s Place feels like a little slice of Europe where your inbox meets aperitivo hour. Sink into vintage charm, with velvet booths and ambient lighting that softly cocoons your laptop hustle. The aroma of espresso mingles with the promise of prosciutto-studded sandwiches. Come afternoon, Negronis clink and snacks appear — because deadlines are best met with a side of dolce vita.

1/238 Flinders Lane, Melbourne

Higher Ground

The CBD’s Higher Ground is a remote work paradise wrapped in industrial-chic charm. With soaring ceilings, exposed brick, and abundant natural light, it sets a stunning backdrop for focus and creativity. Comfortable seating, reliable high-speed Wi-Fi, and plenty of power outlets keep you plugged in and productive. The inventive menu fuels your grind with standout dishes like chilli scrambled eggs, making it easy to settle in for a full day of work that feels anything but ordinary.

650 Little Bourke Street, Melbourne 

Seven Seeds

Seven Seeds is a Melbourne classic — not your average work cafe, but a caffeine-fuelled sanctuary where ideas percolate as richly as their beans. Set within a sunlit industrial space, its soaring ceilings and weathered brick hum with creative energy. The Golden Gate espresso, with dark chocolate and toffee notes, keeps your mind razor-sharp, while inventive dishes like breakfast ramen fuel your grind. Power up, dive deep, and watch your laptop time transform into something unexpectedly brilliant.

114 Berkeley Street, Carlton

Good Measure

Good Measure is a sun-dappled sanctuary for anyone chasing focus and flavour. Its timber-lined interior, warm glow, and vintage touches create a quietly stylish workspace. Sip the legendary Mont Blanc — filter coffee crowned with cream, orange zest, and nutmeg — a cup that’s as clever as your best idea. Perfect for laptop warriors, it hums with calm energy.

193 Lygon Street, Carlton 

Palette

Palette is a sleek, Korean-inspired cafe that effortlessly blends minimalist style with serious work vibes. It’s a calm, sunlit space for knocking out tasks while sipping standout drinks like their silky dalgona coffee or matcha lattes that hit just right. With charging points available, you’re set to power through your day in style.

Sitchu Tip: Palette transforms into a dessert haven by night — proof that productivity and indulgence can coexist happily.

610 Queensberry Street, North Melbourne 

AU79

AU79 is the perfect hideout for anyone looking to turn their laptop into a desk for the day. Set inside a spacious former mechanics’ warehouse, it’s flooded with light, greenery, and good vibes — ideal for focusing without feeling trapped inside a cubicle. With top-notch in-house roasted coffee and an all-day menu to keep hunger at bay, AU79 fuels your productivity and keeps the creative juices flowing.

Just don’t forget your charger — you’ll want to stay all day.

27/29 Nicholson Street, Abbotsford

Code Black Coffee

Code Black Coffee in North Melbourne is a prime spot to set up your remote office for the day. With soaring ceilings, exposed brick, and mezzanine seating, it offers a spacious, inspiring atmosphere. Fast Wi-Fi, abundant power outlets, and comfortable seats keep you productive. Their Brunswick café is just as exceptional — ideal for sinking into work while a flawless coffee flows straight into your veins (because let’s be honest, caffeine fuels the hustle). Open daily 7am to 4pm, Code Black masters the art of work-meets-coffee bliss.

119 Howard Street, North Melbourne

15/17 Weston Street, Brunswick

Earthly Pleasures Cafe

Earthly Pleasures Cafe in Belgrave is a leafy hideaway that’s perfect for laptop warriors craving a break from the usual grind. Housed in a charming 1930s stone building with cosy nooks, high ceilings, and a garden terrace, it’s a sanctuary for focus and inspiration. With Fitzroy’s Industry Beans coffee fueling your flow, free Wi-Fi, and plenty of fresh air, this spot turns a workday into something a little more magical — where creativity meets calm, just beyond Melbourne’s bustle.

1627 Burwood Highway, Belgrave 

Ready to swap your desk for a cafe vibe? Grab your laptop, sip a flat white, and let Melbourne’s best work spots turn your hustle into pure joy. For more places to find peace and quiet, check out these beautiful Melbourne parks or explore walking trails in and around the city.

Writer

Kelsey Harrington

25 May 2025

Kelsey Harrington is a Melbourne-based writer with a sharp eye for the city's ever-evolving food, wine, arts, and culture scene. Her journey into the creative industry took the scenic route—what started as a passion for capturing Melbourne’s energy through a camera lens led her to Sitchu, where she worked her way up to Melbourne Editor. With over four years in the industry, she’s all about uncovering the best places to eat, drink, and explore. Off the clock? You’ll find her diving into a platter of fresh oysters and crudo, gallery-hopping, or sipping an extra dirty martini while plotting her next adventure.