Cafes in Pune that are Perfect for Both Work and Play

Those of us who do not have a workplace to call our own are well aware of the woes of working from home. You are constantly distracted by all sorts of things – the doorbell, errands, the divine aroma of freshly cooked food wafting out of the kitchen, and, of course, your inviting bed. It then becomes imperative to peel off from the confines of your abode to find a place that offers surroundings that are both inspiring and calming – in other words, conducive to getting some work done. There are some cafés in the city that fit the bill. They also offer free WiFi – a boon for people whose occupation requires them to be connected to the digital world.

French Creperie in Koregaon Park is a quaint little café where you can finish your assignments to the background of French pop music while nursing a cup of rich Belgian hot chocolate. Perks N Brews in Viman Nagar has comfy white chairs with soft cushions on the cosier second level to curl up on with your laptop. Order a roasted hazelnut frappé or a mixed berry iced tea and you can spend an entire afternoon working here, taking the occasional board game break if you feel like.

Rosso Bianco in Aundh and The Chocolate Room on FC Road have a bit of a restaurant set-up with leather couches, but they are usually quiet and not crowded during the day, which make them decent work venues. Same with Picantos – if you visit between meal hours on weekdays, it is a good bet, but in the evenings, it is pretty much bustling with activity. I would go to good old Starbucks instead and sit there sipping a caramel praline latte for hours together. Another good option in the area is Café PeterDonuts – grab a corner table and order a hot chocolate with marshmallows for yourself, and you will be left to your own devices. The Zodiac in Baner has slightly uncomfortable seating, but it is good enough to shoot off quick emails from, with a glass of chocolate mud slide in your hand and perhaps some bacon cheese fries to munch on.

The al fresco sections of the sunny, leafy Café Colombia in Kalyani Nagar and The Cara Café in Viman Nagar are both great for a day of outdoor work – the strong, flavourful Colombian coffees available at the former also help in setting those creative juices flowing. At Tien, tucked away in one of the peaceful lanes of Model Colony, the susurration of the artificial waterfall and soft instrumental music create an ideal tranquil atmosphere that helps ideas bloom.

If a glass of beer is what brings out the best in you, Hoppipola and The Beer Café are good places to work at – but visit in the afternoon so you can avoid the noisy crowds. If you are an artist or writer, the colourful, pretty décor of Tales & Spirits will put you in a great mood to put pen to paper and create something lovely.