Roubaix is the former world capital of textiles, reinventing itself with flair. Factories are being transformed into living spaces, the city centre streets are getting their colour back, and a community of creatives, entrepreneurs and remote workers is settling here to enjoy a cost of living well below Lille's, just 15 minutes away by metro. The Vera Cycling blog even published a complete guide to Roubaix's working spots, a sign that demand is very real. Neighbourhood freelances from the Épeule area, remote workers who chose Roubaix for its quality of life, or digital nomads passing through the metropolis, the city has what it takes to welcome you.

We've walked the streets to find the places where you can set up your laptop in peace. Here's our selection of 6 venues to help you choose based on your needs that day.

Garden Food

Parvis Saint-Jean Baptiste, in the city centre. Garden Food is a cosy, slightly secret spot, ideal for working in the afternoon. The atmosphere is calm and relaxed, with a menu focused on salads, bowls and muffins. Games are available for your breaks, a detail that says a lot about the spirit of the place. You settle in, order something, and no one rushes you.

Recommended by Vera Cycling in its guide to cafés for working in Roubaix. Open Monday to Saturday from 10:30 am to 10 pm. Generous opening hours, especially in the evening. Closed Sundays.

The cosy spot for relaxed afternoon working with a good salad.

Do It Céline Caffè

Rue Pierre Motte, inside the Roubaix médiathèque. An Italian cafeteria tucked into a cultural setting, the combination works beautifully. The afternoon is the best time to come: the médiathèque ensures a calm, studious atmosphere, the coffee is excellent (this is a genuine Italian-style cafeteria), and the terrace is pleasant in fine weather. The atmosphere naturally encourages concentration.

Recommended by Vera Cycling. Open Tuesday to Friday from 11:30 am to 5:30 pm, and Saturday from 3 pm to 7 pm. The hours are limited, but when it's open, it's a real gem.

For lovers of great Italian coffee and a studious atmosphere.

Coopérative Baraka

Rue de Sébastopol. Coopérative Baraka is a coworking space rooted in the social and solidarity economy, with a café, a photocopier, and a view of an urban farm. You read that right: you work overlooking chickens and a vegetable garden. The space is calm and the atmosphere supportive. The coffee is good, the setting is unique, and you're contributing to a project that means something.

Recommended by Vera Cycling. The coworking hours are oriented towards lunchtime on weekdays (12 pm-2 pm for the restaurant side), but the working space has broader slots. Best to contact them for exact availability.

For those who want a coworking space with values and an unusual setting.

Combo

Avenue Jean Lebas. Combo is a comics and manga bookshop that doubles as a tea room, and it's one of Roubaix's most appreciated spots for quiet working. The atmosphere is hushed, between the shelves of graphic novels and homemade cookies. You settle in with your laptop, order a tea and a cookie, and find yourself in a bubble. The quiet is guaranteed, and the temptation to flick through a manga between sessions adds a little guilty pleasure to the day.

Recommended by Vera Cycling and the Roubaix tourist office. Open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 am to 7 pm. Closed Sundays and Mondays.

The most original spot in the selection. Perfect for those who love peace, graphic novels and good cookies.

Les Trois Tricoteurs

Rue du Chemin de Fer. An unusual place with sofas, wooden tables, and an atmosphere that recalls a shared living room. Les Trois Tricoteurs is a community space where you come to work in the calm afternoon with local drinks and snacks. The space is designed so you feel comfortable, with varied zones depending on whether you want to be alone or in the middle of the activity.

Recommended by Vera Cycling. Opening hours vary by day: closed Mondays and Sundays, open from 11:30 am Wednesday to Friday, and afternoons on Tuesdays and Saturdays. On Fridays, it stays open until 11:30 pm, perfect for evening sessions.

For a friendly community space vibe with evening hours on Fridays.

Good Mood Coffee

Rue du Général Sarrail. A bright coffee shop with large bay windows and a selection of coffees roasted on-site. The atmosphere is pleasant, the menu includes small dishes alongside coffee, and the hours are generous: open 9 am to 10 pm Monday to Thursday, 1 pm to midnight on Fridays, 9 am to midnight on Saturdays, and 10 am to 10 pm on Sundays. It's one of the few spots in Roubaix open 7 days a week.

A good café for relaxed working sessions, especially if you're looking for a spot open at weekends.

The right spot for your needs

  • For working in a unique setting, Combo (comics bookshop and tea room) or Coopérative Baraka (solidarity community space with a restaurant)
  • For the end of the day, Les Trois Tricoteurs (knitwear shop and bar)
  • For weekends, Good Mood Coffee (brunch, open every day)
  • For great Italian coffee, Do It Céline Caffè (inside the médiathèque)
  • For a healthy break, Garden Food (bowls and salads, quick food)

We update this selection regularly based on our scouting and your feedback. If you know a spot we've missed, we want to hear about it.