4 Best Cafes in Rome for Reading, Studying and Working (2025 Guide)
Caffè Letterario
Storytime! A couple of years ago I was living in Amsterdam and at the time I was working nearly 50 hours a week. My only free day was Sunday and on those Sundays my favourite ritual was to head to a cozy café with a good book, sink into a couch and order one (or sometimes two, desperate times) slices of cake.
Since moving to Rome I’ve realized that café culture feels very different here. It is much harder to find that same relaxed vibe, the kind of place where you can spend hours unbothered, surrounded by good coffee, homemade cake and a welcoming atmosphere.
So last week I made it my mission to track down those places in Rome, because I was sure they had to exist. Cafés where you don’t feel rushed but instead feel comfortable, inspired and free to read, study or get work done. And I’m happy to say I found them! Here are the 4 best cafés in Rome for reading, studying and working.
Caffè Letterario
The first café on my list, and one of the most unique I have ever visited, is Caffè Letterario. Honestly, calling it a “café” is underselling it. It’s a basement book café with a library, study and workspace, and it often hosts events like live music. If you know Rome, it’s no surprise that it’s located in the Ostiense neighbourhood.
The address is Via Ostiense 95, very close to the Piramide metro station. When you get there, you walk through a hallway down to the basement level. I have to admit, my first thought was, “Oh no, I am so not cool enough for this.” There is art everywhere, and the space feels very alternative, edgy, and creative.
But the moment I stepped into the café, I noticed the amazing atmosphere. It feels like a calm blanket, and I ended up staying for several hours. It is a bit dark inside, and I was worried I might get sleepy, but it’s actually perfect for focus. There are quiet zones as well as areas where you can chat, and honestly, the whole place just has a vibe.
The concept is also unique. You start by buying a day ticket for 5 euros, which acts as your credit for the café. You can stay all day, and the 5 euros can be used for drinks, snacks, or whatever you like. If you spend more than 5 euros, you just pay the difference.
Caffè Letterario is closed on Mondays, but open every other day from 10 in the morning until 2 at night. Since I have to write my thesis this year, I can already imagine myself coming back here a lot. Bonus tip: my favourite vegan bakery in Rome is right around the corner, so I would definitely recommend stopping by there too!
Materia café
Now this, this is a little gem. I almost want to gatekeep it, but we are not gatekeeping in this household. The moment I stepped into Materia Café I felt calm. I recognized this place, it was like a living room, and it reminded me of some cafés back in Amsterdam.
In the back of the café there were some people already studying with laptops plugged in, so it was clear that this was exactly the sort of café I was looking for. Comfortable atmosphere, amazingly kind staff, and good food. I ordered my usual, tea and a cookie (classic), but I have to go back and try more from their menu because it looks absolutely amazing. Pictures on Google Maps do not lie!
Materia Café has very generous opening hours. They are open every day from 8 in the morning until midnight, and on weekends from 9 in the morning until midnight. On Mondays they close a little earlier, from 8 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon. They also have a seating area outside, which is perfect if you want to drink a coffee in the sun. Honestly I cannot wait to get back here and relax some more because my energy after visiting this place was so good, and that is very important to me.
Spazio Sette Libreria
As a book enthusiast, nothing makes me happier than a well-deserved reading break in a bookshop. So when I found out this bookshop had a café, I simply had to check it out. Spazio Sette Libreria is a very creative bookshop located in the centre of Rome on Via dei Barbieri 7. The building is beautiful, and when I stepped in I immediately felt inspired.
The café is on the first floor, and when I arrived there were already a couple of people working on their laptops, sipping coffee. I have to say, this café is definitely the least comfortable of all the ones I visited, and I did not see any plug-ins for laptops. Either these people came with fully charged laptops and a dream, or I just missed a few outlets.
While it may not be the most comfortable café of the bunch, it was the one that gave me the most inspiration and focus. Maybe there is something about being surrounded by books.
The staff in both the bookshop and café are very friendly, and the store is open every day from 10:30 in the morning until 8 in the evening. Besides the café and shop, they also organize amazing events. From what I could see, there was some sort of book presentation almost every day. Creative spaces like this give me so much energy, and after this experience I will definitely be coming back.
Radagast Vegan Bakery
Last but absolutely not least is my comfort café, Radagast Vegan Bakery. If it was not clear from my earlier blog article about the best vegan bakeries in Rome, I love this place. The staff is so kind, the food is amazing, and the atmosphere is really comfortable.
It is not a very big café, but there are cozy couches, and with the decoration it feels a little like a living room. There are games you can play, and when it comes to cake or sweet treats, this place beats everyone on this list hands down.
Radagast is located on Via Teano 307/309 and is open every day except Monday, from 10 in the morning until 7 in the evening. Honestly, if you have never been here, I can 100% recommend it.
Honourable mentions: Barnum café and Faro
Of course, since I am a blogger, I did a lot of research for this post, and online many people mention both Barnum Café and Faro when it comes to the best cafés to study or work. I have been to both cafés twice, once on a Tuesday and once on the weekend, and both times there was a huge line to get seated.
Now, nothing against these cafés. Good for them! Looking at the Google reviews, I totally understand why, especially the pastries at Faro, which look out of this world. But if I am looking for a relaxing café, a line only makes me more stressed.
I am sure that if you find them not busy, both of these cafés are absolutely amazing, and I definitely want to visit them in the future. For now, though, they are just here as honourable mentions.
Conclusion
I hope this post gives you plenty of inspiration for your next café visit. Since it is autumn now, there is nothing better than drinking tea and getting cozy at a café. The cafés I picked are all in different corners of Rome, which makes them perfect if you also want to explore a neighbourhood.
Let me know what your favourite café in Rome is for reading, studying, or working. I am always on the lookout for new spots!
