The coffee shop is the center of the freelancer universe, a place outside of the home where we can come together to block each other out with our headphones and lattes. Some of these establishments are included, despite their suburban locations, for their excellent coffee, strong WiFi and access to food.
Thankfully there is an abundance of locally owned and operated coffee shops in Atlanta. Now that I’m a full-time writer (!!!), I can count these coffee shop scouting trips as business research :)
Rev Coffee, Smyrna
Upon first look you might drive past Rev Coffee, which is on a busy street beyond between Atlanta Road and I-285. The coffeehouse is in a former garage decorated with funky art pieces. It serves house-roasted coffee and often has live music.
But what you’ll really love is the abundance of parking spots (free!), strong WiFi and delicious pastries and sandwiches. Their tagline is “brewin’ in the ‘burbs” and you can see how much the locals love it. The outlets are usually gone by 9 am, since the shop opens at 6, so go early and bring a power strip. Bathrooms are nice and clean. Choose from high top bar stools, comfy chairs and round tables.
1680 Spring Road SE, Smyrna
Octane Coffee, Grant Park
Perhaps the most beloved by freelancers in Atlanta, the Octane Coffee Bar at Grant Park (now Revelator) outpost has a few legs up on its Westside and Buckhead locations. Not only is it right across from Historic Oakland Cemetery, the final resting place of writer Margaret Mitchell, but it also has a Little Tart Bakeshop, a bakery selling sandwiches, sweets and more.
Open daily, the WiFi, like the parking and bathrooms, are shared with the rest of the building, so it can be touch-and-go. Outlets are gone quickly here and every table is full of laptops before noon. Again, I recommend bringing a power strip. On sunny days, you can even sit outside on the patio. Later in the afternoon they start serving drinks so you can switch from a cappuccino to a cocktail.
437 Memorial Drive Suite A5, Atlanta
Condesa Coffee, Old Fourth Ward
Set on the cusp of Freedom Parkway, Condesa Coffee is small, but popular for its Counter Culture Coffee and Rishi Tea. Cozy seats and big windows make for great people watching. There’s free WiFi and an appropriate number of plugs per seats.
In addition to coffee, Condesa offers cocktails, craft beer and wine as well as small plates. The outdoor patio is dog-friendly, so you can co-work with your canine pal. Parking nearby depends on what’s going on, but there’s usually street parking on John Wesley Dobbs Avenue.
There’s also parking in the deck for the Tribute Lofts and other retail spaces. If you’re coming from other parts of town, opt for the Freedom Parkway trail via bike or foot. Condesa has another location nearby in Sweet Auburn.
480 John Wesley Dobbs Avenue NE, Suite #100, Atlanta
Land of a Thousand Hills, Roswell
Named for the country of Rwanda that the coffee shop supports, Land of A Thousand Hills Coffee House is a Roswell staple. Set in an old house a short walk from the historic square, the coffee here supports farmers in Africa while also offering delicious coffee and tea options.
The building itself has limited parking but has plenty of room for you to spread out, plug in and spend the day. There are sandwiches and pastries as well if you’re feeling peckish. They have plenty of plugs, strong WiFi, and clean bathrooms so, as they say, “drink coffee, do good.” They also have another location at Atlantic Station.
352 South Atlanta Street, Roswell
The Dancing Goats Coffee Bar, Old Fourth Ward
This Batdorf & Bronson coffee shop was established at the new Ponce City Market before renovations had really began on the Sears building-turned-mixed use development. Dancing Goats is open daily until 6 pm and features a manual brew bar with single origin coffees and espresso.
The shop space itself is small, but there’s a covered patio with funky chairs outside. Plugs aren’t plentiful so don’t expect to spend all day here, but there is free WiFi. Parking is paid through surface lots and the underground deck but you can sometimes find free street parking. There’s another location in Decatur and the coffee roaster on the Westside.
650 North Avenue NE, Atlanta
Drip, Hapeville
I went to Drip Coffee Shop when I needed a good cup of coffee on my way to the airport. The downtown Hapeville location is perfectly situated with plentiful street parking for free. The open spaces and comfy couches make it a favorite of locals. They serve Batdorf and Bronson coffee as well as Two Leaves Tea. If you get hungry, you can also grab a sandwich. WiFi is free and outlets are easy to find. They have another location in Glenwood Park.
601 North Central Avenue, Hapeville
Chattahoochee Coffee Company, Vinings
Perhaps my favorite, Chattahoochee Coffee Company is my best-kept secret (you’re welcome!). Located in an apartment complex, you have to be buzzed in to access this coffee shop. It’s only open to the public during the week now because of limited parking for residents, but you can grab a coffee and enjoy as you overlook the river.
They have another location on the Westside, but it lacks the ambiance. French press can be shared between friends along with pastries. There’s a bathroom on the same level and another downstairs, but it’s shared with the leasing office.
6640 Akers Mill Road SE, Atlanta
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