Best Places to Work From in Stuttgart: A Remote Worker's Guide

Photo by  ubeyonroad

16 min read · Stuttgart, Germany · best places to work ·

Best Places to Work From in Stuttgart: A Remote Worker's Guide

FM

Words by

Felix Muller

Share

Advertisement

Where Stuttgart Gets to Work in a Single Day

If you are hunting for the best places to work from in Stuttgart, forget the glossy brochures. This is a city built for engine grease, solid hands, and long meetings in tight rooms. The best places to work from in Stuttgart will not dress themselves up for your Instagram feed. They will give you a chair, a plug, and strong coffee, often for less than what you would pay for a single latte in Berlin. I have spent three years hopping between industrial chairs and bakery counters across Stuttgart, and the spots below are the ones I keep returning to when the flat gets too quiet and the kitchen table feels hostile.

I divide my Stuttgart workday by the clock. Mornings belong to the old bakeries of west Stuttgart. Midday pushes me into the new coworking pods south of the Feuersee. Evenings drift toward the Neustadt theatre bars where the line between laptop screen and laptop owner blurs into zero. Some of these places have been serving workers since before anyone uttered the word remote. Others opened their doors last year and still smell like fresh carpet. All of them accept the quiet contract that comes with opening a laptop at a stranger's table.

Advertisement

The Freies Werkstatt Haus at Marienstrasse 30

A seven minute walk from the Marienplatz S-Bahn station, the Freies Werkstatt Haus sits in a converted printing workshop that still smells faintly of oiled metal on winter mornings. The main workspace stretches across two upper floors with long wooden desks polished by a decade of elbows. You can rent a flexible desk contract here for around 250 euros a month, which is common for Stuttgart coworking spots. The ground floor runs a ceramic studio and a open woodshop, so the sound of gentle hammering replaces the usual coffee-machine hum.

The ground floor cafe pours single origin pour overs from the local Stadtstrand roasters. Their 5 euro monthly day pass grants free access to the standing desks, but the mezzanine window seats fill up quickly by 9:30. Staff lock the front gate at 19:00 sharp, which is annoying if you are racing a deadline. The top floor project room faces west and turns into a greenhouse after 13:00 from mid-May through August. Bring a hat if you plan to use it.

Advertisement

What to Order: The pear and hazelnut oatmeal from the ground floor stand costs under 4 euros and sits better than the heavy Swabian breakfasts you find on the same street.

Best Time: Tuesday through Thursday between 08:30 and 11:30, when the woodshop is closed and the building is nearly silent.

Advertisement

The Vibe: A quiet, slightly dusty workshop where the Wi-Fi is strong but the heating pipes clank every twenty minutes.

Cafe Kranz at Charlottenplatz 27

Charlottenplatz is the kind of square where Stuttgart pretends to be a southern European city for about four months a year. Cafe Kranz occupies the corner unit facing the tram stop, with a row of outdoor tables that catch the morning sun until about 11:00. The interior is narrow, with a long marble counter and a single communal table that seats eight. The espresso machine is a vintage La Marzocco that the owner restored himself, and the crema is thick enough to hold a coin.

Advertisement

This is one of the few remote work cafes Stuttgart offers where the staff will not glare at you for staying three hours on a single flat white. The flat white costs 3.80 euros and comes with a small glass of sparkling water. The Wi-Fi password is written on a chalkboard behind the counter and changes every Monday. The single unisex toilet is down a steep staircase that feels like it belongs in a wine cellar, and the door sticks if you do not lift the handle. The bakery counter sells a poppy seed roll that is dense enough to keep you typing until lunch.

What to Order: The flat white and the poppy seed roll, eaten together at the communal table while the morning light lasts.

Advertisement

Best Time: Weekday mornings before 10:30, when the tram noise is still low and the pastry tray is full.

The Vibe: A tight, polished corner cafe where the espresso is serious but the staircase toilet is a genuine hazard in heels.

Advertisement

The Landesbibliothek Stuttgart at Arnulf-Klett-Platz 2

The state library is a monolithic cube of pale concrete and blue glass that opened in 2011 and still divides opinion among locals. Some call it a masterpiece. Others call it a fridge. The reading rooms on the fifth and eighth floors are the real prize for anyone seeking laptop friendly cafes Stuttgart style, except there is no coffee allowed inside the silent zones. The fifth floor holds the open stacks and a row of individual study carrels with power sockets built into the desk arms. The eighth floor meditation room is a windowed cube with a view over the Feuersee that makes you forget you are in a government building.

Entry is free, but you need to register for a library card at the ground floor desk, which takes about ten minutes and requires a German address or a passport. The ground floor bistro sells decent filter coffee for 2.20 euros, and you can drink it in the lobby without a library card. The building closes at 20:00 on weekdays and 17:00 on Saturdays, and the security guards start clearing the upper floors fifteen minutes before closing. The eighth floor is closed on Sundays, which is a shame because the light is best then.

Advertisement

What to Order: The filter coffee from the ground floor bistro, carried upstairs in a paper cup and sipped in the lobby before you commit to the silent floors.

Best Time: Weekday afternoons between 13:00 and 16:00, when the lunch crowd has left and the afternoon light turns the blue glass into something almost warm.

Advertisement

The Vibe: A silent, climate controlled cube where the architecture is louder than the people, and the toilet queues on the fifth floor are a daily nuisance.

The Zaiser Co-Working Space at Reinsburgstrasse 94

Reinsburgstrasse is the artery that connects the city centre to the red light district, and Zaiser sits right in the middle of that gradient. The space occupies the second floor of a former textile factory, with exposed brick walls and steel beams that still carry the ghost marks of old sewing machines. The open plan room holds about forty desks, and the private phone booths are soundproofed well enough for client calls. A monthly hot desk contract runs around 280 euros, which puts it at the upper end of Stuttgart coworking spots.

Advertisement

The kitchen is shared and clean, with a large fridge that staff empty every Friday afternoon. The coffee machine is a bean-to-cup model that produces a passable americano for 1.50 euros. The roof terrace is the real draw, a narrow strip of astroturf and wooden benches that overlooks the rooftops of the West district. The terrace closes at 18:00 and is locked during rain, which is a shame because the view of the Fernsehturm is best in wet weather. The lift is slow and small, so if you are carrying a monitor, take the stairs.

What to Order: The americano from the kitchen machine, drunk on the roof terrace while the afternoon sun hits the brick wall.

Advertisement

Best Time: Monday through Thursday between 09:00 and 17:00, when the space is fully staffed and the kitchen is cleanest.

The Vibe: A converted factory that still feels like a workplace, where the roof terrace is the only soft edge.

Advertisement

The Bohnenviertel Bakeries along Bohnenstrasse

The Bohnenviertel is the oldest residential quarter in Stuttgart, a tight grid of half-timbered houses and narrow lanes that survived the firestorms of 1944 better than most of the city. Bohnenstrasse itself is barely four metres wide, and the bakeries here have been serving the same sourdough recipes for three generations. The two worth working from are the ones with indoor seating, which is rare in this district. The first is a small shop at number 12 with four tables and a single power socket near the window. The second is a larger bakery at number 28 with a back room that seats twelve and a Wi-Fi network named after the owner's dog.

The sourdough loaf at number 12 costs 4.20 euros and is dense enough to last two days. The coffee is basic filter, but the morning light through the front window is the kind that makes you want to write something honest. The back room at number 28 is quieter, but the Wi-Fi drops out near the toilet, which is tucked behind a heavy curtain. Both shops close at 18:00 and are shut on Sundays, which is standard for Stuttgart bakeries. The owner at number 12 will sometimes bring you a free slice of butter cake if you are still there at 16:00.

Advertisement

What to Order: The sourdough loaf and a filter coffee, eaten slowly at the window table while the morning light lasts.

Best Time: Weekday mornings between 07:30 and 10:00, when the bread is fresh and the tables are empty.

Advertisement

The Vibe: A narrow, old fashioned bakery where the coffee is weak but the sourdough is strong, and the Wi-Fi is an afterthought.

The Feuersee Park Benches and the Cafe am Feuersee

The Feuersee is a small, rectangular lake south of the city centre, surrounded by a ring of chestnut trees and a paved path that takes about twelve minutes to walk. The benches along the western shore face the water and the church spire on the far bank, and they are the best free outdoor workspace in Stuttgart if the weather cooperates. The Cafe am Feuersee sits on the northern shore, a glass-walled pavilion with a terrace that extends over the water. The cafe opens at 08:00 and serves a decent cappuccino for 3.50 euros, but the indoor seating is limited to ten tables and the Wi-Fi is unreliable after 14:00.

Advertisement

The park benches are uncovered, so they are useless in rain, but the morning sun hits the western shore from about 09:00 to 12:00. The cafe terrace is the better option in light rain, but the tables are first-come and the staff do not take reservations. The toilet is inside the cafe and requires a code that changes daily. The lake is home to a family of swans that are aggressive in spring, so do not leave food on the ground. The path around the lake is popular with joggers, so expect a steady stream of runners from 17:00 onwards.

What to Order: The cappuccino from the cafe, carried to a western shore bench while the morning sun lasts.

Advertisement

Best Time: Weekday mornings between 09:00 and 12:00, when the sun hits the western shore and the joggers have not yet arrived.

The Vibe: A quiet, open air workspace where the swans are the only interruption, and the Wi-Fi is a gamble.

Advertisement

The Neustadt Theatre Bars along Eberhardstrasse

The Neustadt is the cultural quarter east of the city centre, a dense grid of theatres, galleries, and bars that stay open until the early hours. Eberhardstrasse is the main artery, and the bars here have been serving actors, directors, and stagehands for decades. The two worth working from are the ones with back rooms and late licences. The first is a narrow bar at number 45 with a back room that seats fifteen and a Wi-Fi network that is fast enough for video calls. The second is a larger bar at number 72 with a mezzanine level that overlooks the main room and a power socket at every second table.

The back room at number 45 is quiet until about 18:00, when the theatre crowd starts arriving. The mezzanine at number 72 is quieter, but the stairs are steep and the handrail is loose. Both bars serve a decent pilsner for 3.80 euros, and the kitchen at number 72 sells a Swabian maultaschen plate for 9.50 euros that is large enough to share. The bars are open until 02:00 on weekdays and 04:00 on Fridays and Saturdays, but the Wi-Fi is turned off after midnight. The toilet at number 45 is up a narrow staircase that is not suitable for anyone with mobility issues.

Advertisement

What to Order: The pilsner and the maultaschen plate, eaten at the mezzanine table while the theatre crowd gathers below.

Best Time: Weekday afternoons between 14:00 and 18:00, when the bars are quiet and the Wi-Fi is still on.

Advertisement

The Vibe: A dim, theatrical bar where the beer is cheap and the stairs are a genuine obstacle.

The Bad Cannstatt Market Hall and the Riverbank

Bad Cannstatt is the oldest district in Stuttgart, a spa town that was absorbed into the city in 1905 and still carries the scent of thermal springs. The market hall on Cannstatter Strasse is a high-ceilinged iron-and-glass structure that opened in 1912 and was restored in 2014. The ground floor holds a daily market with fruit, vegetables, and a small coffee stand that sells a passable espresso for 2.50 euros. The upper gallery has a row of wooden benches with a view over the market floor, and the Wi-Fi is strong enough for email but not for video calls.

Advertisement

The riverbank of the Neckar is a five-minute walk from the market hall, a grassy strip with a few wooden benches and a view over the water. The benches are uncovered and face west, so they are best in the afternoon. The market hall closes at 18:00 on weekdays and 14:00 on Saturdays, and the coffee stand shuts an hour before the hall closes. The riverbank is popular with cyclists, so expect a steady stream of bikes from 17:00 onwards. The thermal springs are still active, and you can smell the sulphur if you stand near the river wall.

What to Order: The espresso from the market hall coffee stand, carried to the upper gallery bench while the market hums below.

Advertisement

Best Time: Weekday mornings between 09:00 and 12:00, when the market is full and the coffee stand is open.

The Vibe: A high-ceilinged market hall where the espresso is basic but the view is rich, and the riverbank is a quiet escape.

Advertisement

The Vaihingen Library and the University Campus

Vaihingen is the southern district that houses the University of Stuttgart, a sprawling campus of concrete and glass buildings that feels like a small city. The university library on Pfaffenwaldring is a five-storey block with a glass atrium and a row of study carrels on every floor. The library is open to the public, but you need to register at the ground floor desk, which takes about five minutes and requires a passport. The ground floor cafe sells a decent cappuccino for 3.20 euros, and the Wi-Fi is strong enough for video calls on every floor.

The campus itself is a good place to work if you prefer open air, with a large lawn in front of the main building that is popular with students in summer. The lawn is uncovered, so it is useless in rain, but the morning sun hits it from about 09:00 to 13:00. The library closes at 22:00 on weekdays and 18:00 on Saturdays, and the security guards start clearing the upper floors fifteen minutes before closing. The campus is a fifteen-minute walk from the Vaihingen S-Bahn station, and the path is flat and wide enough for bikes.

Advertisement

What to Order: The cappuccino from the ground floor cafe, carried to a study carrel on the third floor while the atrium light lasts.

Best Time: Weekday afternoons between 13:00 and 17:00, when the lunch crowd has left and the library is quietest.

Advertisement

The Vibe: A concrete campus where the library is the only soft edge, and the lawn is a summer luxury.

When to Go and What to Know

Stuttgart is not a 24-hour city. Most cafes close by 19:00, and the bakeries are shut on Sundays. The S-Bahn network is reliable but slow after 22:00, so plan your evening workspace accordingly. The city is expensive by German standards, but the coworking contracts are cheaper than in Berlin or Munich. The summer heat is real, and many older buildings lack air conditioning, so avoid the top floors from June through August. The winter is grey and long, so invest in a good desk lamp if you plan to work from a cafe after 16:00.

Advertisement

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the average internet download and upload speeds in Stuttgart's central cafes and workspaces?

Most central cafes and coworking spaces in Stuttgart provide Wi-Fi with download speeds between 30 and 80 Mbps, and upload speeds between 10 and 30 Mbps. The Landesbibliothek and university libraries offer the most stable connections, often exceeding 100 Mbps on their wired networks. Smaller bakeries and park benches rely on mobile data, which can drop to 10 Mbps during peak hours.

How easy is it to find cafes with ample charging sockets and reliable power backups in Stuttgart?

Charging sockets are common in coworking spaces and larger cafes, but rare in traditional bakeries and small neighbourhood spots. Most coworking spaces provide at least one socket per desk, and some offer UPS-backed power for short outages. Independent cafes often have only one or two sockets, usually near the window or communal table, so arriving early is advisable.

Advertisement

Is Stuttgart expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.

A mid-tier daily budget in Stuttgart runs between 80 and 120 euros. This includes a coworking day pass or cafe spend of 10 to 25 euros, lunch of 12 to 18 euros, dinner of 15 to 25 euros, and a single public transport ticket of 2.90 euros or a day pass of 7.50 euros. Accommodation outside the city centre averages 70 to 100 euros for a private room or budget hotel.

What is the most reliable neighborhood in Stuttgart for digital nomads and remote workers?

The West district, particularly around Marienplatz and the Feuersee, is the most reliable for remote workers. It has the highest concentration of coworking spaces, laptop friendly cafes, and reliable S-Bahn connections. The

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Share this guide

Enjoyed this guide? Support the work

Filed under: best places to work from in Stuttgart

More from this city

More from Stuttgart

Most Aesthetic Cafes in Stuttgart for Photos and Good Coffee

Up next

Most Aesthetic Cafes in Stuttgart for Photos and Good Coffee

arrow_forward