Recently, Cape Town was named one of the best destinations for digital nomads. But what does this mean? A digital nomad is someone who earns a living in a mobile manner, i.e., working remotely from somewhere as exciting as a foreign country or, even more exciting, depending on who you ask, such as a coffee shop.
Cape Town was placed at number 42 on the list of 50 best places for remote working, based on aspects such as how affordable it is to work remotely in Cape Town, the range of co-working spaces offered to digital nomads, and how expat-friendly our communities are.
While Cape Town’s internet connection and WIFI access offer their own set of challenges to those working remotely, and we face a few additional safety concerns, the Mother City still manages to reel in digital nomads by the thousands, likely due to its offering of diverse cultures, beautiful scenery and quirky neighbourhoods.
Cape Town’s choice of tastefully decorated, shared workspaces that encourage productivity and interaction, and a wide selection of cosy cafes that spark creativity, even on the dullest of days, can make choosing one’s best-suited remote working environment an overwhelming and tricky task. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of our favourite local spots, where diverse people, perspectives and purpose collide, in true GPCID live-work-play fashion.
1 Sand Hill Road, Green Point
Ideas Cartel is a premium work-and-play hub, for the digital nomads who want it all. This co-working space is targeted mainly at budding entrepreneurs, exciting start-ups and business accelerators, but is also hugely popular amongst full-time freelancers and entire work teams. The space offers a selection of private booths, offices and meeting rooms, as well as general communal spaces. Their Old Foundry branch, located at 1 Sand Hill Road, Green Point, is spaced out across three floors and features an on-site café, rooftop bar, gym, and a 150-person auditorium (perfect for once COVID has passed).
Bootlegger Coffee Company Cape Quarter
Shop 45, The Cape Quarter, 27 Somerset Road, Green Point
Bootlegger Coffee Company offers a cool, laid-back atmosphere with plenty of counter space, free speedy WIFI, and ample plug points, making it a great remote working location. The Cape Quarter branch even has outside seating, allowing you to soak up some much-needed Vitamin-D while you work. Talk about productivity!
28 Hudson Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town
Origin Coffee is said to have pioneered speciality coffee in South Africa. Since opening their doors to the public in 2006, Origin has quickly become one of the best-known artisan coffee roasters in the Mother City, providing thousands of Capetonians with their daily dose of caffeine. This unassuming spot offers an expansive workspace and is fuelled by 50 single-origin coffees, offering a truly unique experience each day. Make sure you ask the staff for permission to take a look at the roaster upstairs during one of your “brain-breaks” for a chance to see where the magic happens first-hand.
1 Braemer Road, Green Point, Cape Town
Located just off Green Point Main Road, The Stranger’s Club is one of the coolest cafes in Cape Town and offers digital nomads an inner-city oasis where you can bury your head in work or simply just take some time off from the hustle and bustle of urban living. The open and airy space means plenty of fresh air and through-flow, and their wholesome and healthy treats will keep you sufficiently fuelled.
So, there you have it – our top picks for remote working in Green Point! Let us know if we’ve left out one of your favourites.