Dive into the heart of productivity with a cup of coffee in hand! As a digital nomad, my office spaces are as varied as the cities I explore, but there’s something uniquely captivating about working from the cozy corners of cafes. The quest for that perfect spot – where the hum of activity fuels creativity without overwhelming, where Wi-Fi flows as freely as the coffee, and where power outlets are as plentiful as the possibilities – has taken me on an adventure across Christchurch.
In this vibrant city, cafes aren’t just welcoming; they’re a haven for nomads like me, offering endless hours of comfortable work time without the nudge to move on.
New Zealand’s cafe culture extends an open invitation to wandering professionals, embracing us with a warmth that goes beyond the coffee. Here, it’s common to find camaraderie in the kindness of strangers, trusted with your most valuable possession as you take a break. It’s this blend of hospitality and connectivity that makes Christchurch’s cafes stand out.
Ready to discover the best cafes where digital nomads can thrive in Christchurch? Here are my favourite cafes to go to as a local living in Christchurch.
1. Foundation café
Source: Neat Places | Website
This is a stable for digital nomads in Christchurch. Foundation café is on the ground floor of the central Christchurch library (Turanga). This library is amazing. One of the challenges for digital nomads in cafes is being able to take calls and online meetings. But this library has dedicated meeting rooms.
There’s seating everywhere, and an abundance of power points. The Wifi is on the slow side but it’s stable. It’s enough for general internet use. There’s an entire room for quiet, focused work. Foundation café is on this list because it’s part of the library. Having a cup of below average coffee is a small price to pay for the convenience of being in a world-class library.
Address: 60 Cathedral Square, Christchurch Central City
Opening hours: 7 days, 7am – 4pm
Website: www.foundationcafe.co.nz
2. Little High Eatery
Source: Little High Eatery | Facebook
There is plenty on offer here. A variety of food choices. Sushi, Thai, pizza, gelato and more. I recommend the sweat and sour pork. It’s served in a cast iron pan and is absolutely delicious. There’s Wifi, power points and plenty of seating options. There’s an outdoor area and it can get busy. But its great people watching. There are a number of cosy corners to set up with a laptop and get good work done.
Address: 255 st. Asaph street
Opening hours: 7 days, 11am – 10pm
Website: www.littlehigh.co.nz
3. Ten27
Source: Ten27 | Website
This café has an established culture of digital nomads. There is free, reliable and fast Wifi. There are multiple tables with power points. This café has a real laptop community. I was impressed by the choice of fresh or sparking water. Also, by the diverse range of magazines. I caught up on the latest copy of Wildness magazine, a monthly about hikes and tramping culture in New Zealand.
There’s ample parking. It’s on a cycle route too, with a lockup areas for bicycles. It’s a big café, with a room central room, couches in some of the corners and two different courtyards. It’s close to the ocean I recommend the porridge – pear, vanilla mascarpone, berry compote and shortbread on top.
Address: 1027 Ferry Road, Ferrymead
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 7am–4pm Sat – Sunday 8am–4pm
Website: www.ten27.co.nz
4. Uprising café
Source: Uprising | Tripadvisor
Rock climbing, coffee, yoga. This place is a triple threat. The café is inside a rock climbing gym but it is open to the public. There are plenty of tables to focus on laptop work. This place is a real gem for the digital nomads that love exercise.
The atmosphere is chill and spacious. The food and coffee are good. There’s free Wifi and a few power points to charge devices. There is also a workout area with a few treadmills, pull up bars, stretching area and weights. I love working for a few hours, then climbing to generate energy, before returning to my laptop. This is one of those rare spaces where you can spend an entire day as a digital nomad.
Address: 199 Ferry Road, Waltham
Opening hours: Mon to Fri 7am – 9pm Sat & Sun 9am – 7pm
Website: https://bouldering.co.nz/cafe-bar/
5. Addington Coffee Co-op
Source: Dinefind | Website
This café roasts its own coffee. It’s also a bookshop. It’s a large, spacious converted warehouse. It’s popular. Fair warning: it can get crowded at certain times of the day. The coffee is consistently great.
There is a section at the front of the café for digital nomads. There are high tables, that can be used like standing desks. Each has its own power point. There is also free, fast, reliable Wifi. I enjoy the dedicated laptop area and being surrounded by books. Working in this café helps keep me inspired and motivated.
Address: 297 Lincoln Road, Addington
Opening hours: Mon – Fri 7.30-4pm Sat – Sun 8am – 4pm
Website: www.addingtoncoffee.org.nz
6. Black and White Coffee Cartel Papanui
Source: Black and White Coffee Cartel | The Crossing
There is a coffee roasting machine in the corner with polished copper plates. There is an entire wall covered in artworks, a highlight is a painting of John Lennon, with bold letters “Make coffee, not war.”
The café is spacious, many tables, a couch and a booth. The booth is the best seat in the house. There are power points and the Wifi is good. The coffee was above average, dare I say, delicious. I recommend the chicken wrap. The atmosphere is relaxed. There was a steady steam of customers without feeling crowded. This is a great spot for focused work. No headphones needed.
Address: 7 Winston Avenue, Papanui
Opening Hours: 7 Days, 7am-pm
Website: www.blackandwhitecoffee.co.nz
7. Ilex Café, Botanic Gardens
Source: Good Company | Website
This café is deep in the botanic gardens. It is a stone’s throw from the roses. It is within a few minutes walk to the pond, where trees grow from the water. Ilex café has an indoor area with glass walls that look into a greenhouse. The café also has a large outdoor area. The Wifi is good. There’s plenty of power points to charge your laptop. There’s even a giftshop and a museum in the same building. I haven’t tried the coffee yet. Perhaps, being surrounded by so many plants makes me want to drink leaves. The English Breakfast tea is amazing.
Address: Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Opening hours: Monday–Sunday 9am–5pm
Website: https://www.goodcompany.nz/ilex-cafe
8. Salt On The Pier, New Brighton library
This is the second library café on this list. Cafes and libraries are a potent combination for digital nomads. This one has epic ocean views. It’s literally right on the beach. What could be better than coffee, work and ocean swims?
The library has space for calls and online meetings. There is free Wifi and plenty of powerpoints. Admittedly, the coffee is okay but the chocolate muffins are amazing.
Address: Pier Terminus, 195-213 Marine Parade, New Brighton
Opening Hours: 7 days a week: 8.30 am till 4 pm
Website: https://saltonthepier.co.nz/
9. Mitchelli’s Café Rinato, The Tannery
Source: Mitchell Cafe Rinato | Google Maps
This café meets the needs of a digital nomad. There is free, reliable and fast Wifi. Powerpoints along the far the wall. A few tucked away tables, perfect for perching up a laptop. The coffee is drinkable, with Laffare beans (roasted in Wellington) but best known as a supermarket brand. The food is fairly standard: ciabatta rolls, potato salads, muffins. With a small menu with eggs benedict etcetera.
The best part of this café is the location. It is part of the Tannery. A converted warehouse with an assortment of shops. An apothecary, bookstore, second hand clothing, yoga studio and movie theatre. It’s easy to spend an entire day working here. The building is made of brick walls and the ceiling is glass skylights. It is honestly beautiful.
The atmosphere can be loud but cosy, I’d recommend bringing headphones.
Address: The Tannery, 3 Garlands Road, Woolston
Opening hours: Monday-Friday 7.30am-4pm, Weekends 8am-4pm
Website: www.thetannery.co.nz/stores/food-beverage-entertainment/mitchellis-cafe-rinato/
10. Lux Espresso, Centre of Contemporary Art
Source: Restaurants and Cafes | Website
Lux Espresso has delicious coffee and cheese scones. It shares the ground-floor with the Centre of Contemporary Art. I love to wander the art galleries during a break from laptop work. Then return for another coffee and focus time. I find that looking at artwork is an inspiring way to recharge. Lux Espresso has Wifi and power points. There was also newspapers available to read. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere felt relaxed. This is a great spot for digital nomads.
Address: 66 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City.
Opening hours: Mon – Fri. 7 am – 3.30 pm Saturday. 10 am – 2:00 pm
Website: www.luxespresso.co.nz
Other Secret Spots for Digital Nomads in Christchurch
Beyond the usual cafes and local haunts, here are some secret spots that I go to as a local living in Christchurch:
Hotel Lobbies
I love working at hotel lobbies due to their serene and posh environment. They often have a cafe with wifi, and the service is often great. Search your area for a hotel and check out their cafe if you’re looking for a quiet, air-conditioned space.
Movie Theatres
While unconventional, movie theatres may be another good option, as many have cafes that are not frequently patronised. They care be quiet for hours at a time, and a conducive place to work
Garden Centres
If you’re a nature lover like me, going to a garden centre may be a great way to spend your work day. Garden centres often have cafes nestled inside its vast, beautiful gardens. I love spending the day walking among plants, and working here.
Being a Digital Nomad in Christchurch
As a digital nomad in Christchurch, the journey to find the perfect cafe workspace is not just about the coffee. It’s about discovering spaces where productivity meets comfort, where the digital world connects seamlessly with the local vibe, and where every sip of coffee fuels not just your work, but your spirit.
The cafes listed offer more than just reliable Wi-Fi and a cozy corner; they provide a community and a home away from home for those of us who traverse the globe with our laptops as companions. I hope to see you around!
This article is written by Harley Bell.
Harley Bell is a New Zealander currently based in Christchurch. He is a writer, poet, and a digital nomad. He has a background in art and business, and was a business owner of a small cafe in New Zealand. He is interested in the intersection of nature and mythology. He has been published in various journals and draws his inspiration from vast amounts of coffee.