I'm a mobile worker and I'm looking for cafes where I can sit with my laptop without the barista kicking me out. WiFi and outlets would be ideal. Do you have any tips for areas like Kreuzberg or Prenzlauer Berg?
I've had good experiences in Kreuzberg with the smaller, independent places - they're generally more relaxed than the big chains. There are a few cafés there that are explicitly set up for laptop workers, with decent WiFi and enough outlets. My tip: just check out a couple of spots around Kottbusser Str, you'll definitely find something there. The only thing that matters is that you actually buy a couple of things - don't just have a coffee in the morning and then sit there for 8 hours.
Prenzlauer Berg is even more relaxed, I'd say. The cafés there are basically made for this kind of thing, lots of them even have tables specifically for people with laptops. Just remember: when you walk in, ask quickly if it's okay to sit for a few hours - with decent cafés you'll never have a problem. And invest in a good espresso or cappuccino instead of just drinking water, it's only fair to the place anyway.
Generally, I'd say try the smaller, independent spots instead of chain coffee shops. The atmosphere is better, the people are nicer, and when you buy something, they don't feel taken advantage of if you sit there longer. Some cafés even have regulars who work there all day - that's a good sign that the place is cool with it.
Check out the areas around Friedrichshain and Neukölln - there are loads of cafés these days that actually cater to coworkers and are cool about people staying for a while. The key thing is not to go to the touristy hotspots; the fewer walk-in customers a place gets, the more patient they tend to be. Just watch out for the fancier spots though - they'll quickly resent you if you've only ordered one coffee in two hours - better to stick with smaller, cozy cafés where a latte doesn't cost 6 euros anyway and the owners are more laid-back.
In my experience, the areas south of the Landwehr Canal (Kreuzberg, Neukölln) are way more relaxed than the northern districts - the baristas themselves often sit around with their laptops and actually get your setup. But honestly, what matters more than the neighborhood is whether you're ordering a small coffee every two hours or just buying one and sitting there for four hours - you can literally tell from people's faces whether they're cool with it. Do you have a budget for several drinks throughout the day, or are you looking for a place where you can get by with one order - that also changes which cafés I'd recommend to you.
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