Working in Birmingham where you don’t have an office base? Or maybe you just like to settle somewhere comfy with a coffee while you finish your accounts? To help you discover the best places to grab a cup, kick back and crack on, we’ve put together our ranking of Birmingham’s best cafés. If you’re in town for a week, you could even try a new one every day!
Diplomats Barista, TWO Snowhill
This modern café is situated at TWO Snowhill in Birmingham’s Colmore Business District. As you work, you’ll be able to admire artwork loaned from the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists while enjoying an Italian style coffee. All the artwork is for sale and prices range from a hundred pounds to several thousand, although you might want to stick to the chocolate brownies, which are divine!
It’s open 7am - 5pm Monday – Thursday and 7am – 3pm on Fridays.
Java Lounge, Colmore Row
There are two Java Lounges in the city centre and they’re both excellent, but the better of the two if you’ve work to do is the Java Lounge on Colmore Row. It’s a large coffee shop in a beautiful Grade I listed building, with plenty of tables and plug sockets available. It has a warm and welcoming atmosphere, with its own unique charm. It’s a great place to hold an informal business meeting too, as you won’t be disturbed or overheard.
It’s open 7.30am - 8pm Monday – Friday, 9am-7pm on Saturdays and 10am – 6pm on Sundays.
Saint Kitchen, St. Paul’s Square
If you’re looking for peace and quiet, good coffee and a tasty brunch, look no further. Saint Kitchen is the perfect place to spend a few hours on your laptop. You’ll be able to get on and work undisturbed in stylish surrounds. The owners say they offer the best flat white in Birmingham and they’re famous for their hot chocolates – of which there are four different flavours to choose from.
It’s open 7.30am – 5pm Monday – Friday, 9am – 3pm on Saturdays and 10am – 2pm on Sundays.
20 Degrees Coffee, Colmore Row
Wow. Wow. Wow. This is the coffee shop to head to if you want to work somewhere with an incredible view. This relaxed and spacious café looks out onto the cathedral and is located in the historic Grand Hotel. It has its own Barista school and you can hire its private meeting room if you wish, although there’s nothing stopping you from having a meeting in the café itself, which comfortably seats ninety.
It’s open 6.30am – 8pm Monday – Friday, 8am – 7pm on Saturdays and 9.30am – 6pm on Sundays.
Second Cup, New Street
Second Cup Coffee Company is a popular Canadian chain that’s recently arrived on British shores, and their Birmingham café is ideally situated right in the heart of the city centre. It’s a warm and inviting place; the staff are known for giving first-class service, and there’s a great selection of food, including some delicious vegan and vegetarian dishes, on offer.
It’s open 6.30am – 9pm Monday – Saturday and 8am – 8pm on Sundays.
The Edwardian Tearooms, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, Chamberlain Square
This has to be one of our favourite cafés in Birmingham, thanks to its dramatic setting. The renovated tea rooms are stunning, and you could easily spend all day here working undisturbed. It would be a crime to visit and not spend at least half an hour visiting one of the galleries. The cakes on offer are pretty special, too.
It’s open 10am – 4.30pm Saturday – Thursday and 10.30am – 4.30pm on Fridays.
Boston Tea Party, Corporation Street
Boston Tea Party is a small West Country chain famous for its brunches. This funky café is set in a beautiful old building, with spacious booths to sit in. Try to avoid the lunchtime rush if you can as it gets very busy. At other times, it’s chilled and a great place to relax or work.
It’s open 7am – 7pm Monday – Saturday and 9am – 6pm on Sundays.
