Field note 02 • Canggu
5 things I check before working from a new café
By Zen · Remote work · 3 min read
A good work café can make a whole day. A bad one can ruin a call. So every time I try a new place, I spend five minutes checking a few things before I settle in.
The checklist
- Speed test first. I run one right away and keep the screenshot.
- Plugs. Where are they, and are the good seats near one?
- Noise. Music, blenders and big groups change everything.
- A call corner. A quiet room, a terrace or a back table for meetings.
- Opening hours. Early starts and late nights matter across time zones.
The best work café is the one where you forget you are in a café.
Why I write it down
After a few weeks, every café starts to blur together. Writing down speed, plugs and noise means I always know where to go: one place for deep work, one for calls, one for a slow afternoon.
These notes are also the start of my Canggu café series. Part 1 is Zin Cafe.
What’s on your café checklist?
Written by Zen
Digital nomad and full-time remote worker from Indonesia, based in Bali. Chasing islands, sunsets and good Wi-Fi. Every story here comes from my own days on the road.
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