At: ashok.org.uk/thelist

The List

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I do my best thinking in decent cafés and pubs; these are my favourites. This list started with everywhere I wrote more than 600 words of my PhD thesis, and has been growing ever since.

Find places near (US ZIP code, CA/UK postal code, or latitude and longitude):

126 places, or browse by tag:

[1] Smokeless Joe's
125 John Street, Toronto
Tagged: Ale, Beer
[2] The Rex
194 Queen Street West, Toronto
Tagged: Beer, Jazz
[3] Sadie's Diner
504 Adelaide Street W, Toronto
Tagged: Juice, Smoke free, Vegetarian
[4] Niche Coffee
626 Queen Street West, Toronto
Tagged: Coffee
[5] The Senator
249 Victoria Street, Toronto
Tagged: Coffee
[6] La Hacienda
640 Queen Street West, Toronto
Tagged: Beer, Vegetarian friendly
[7] C'est What?
67 Front Street, Toronto
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[8] Bar Volo
587 Yonge Street, Toronto
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[9] Victory Cafe
581 Markham Street, Toronto
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Vegetarian friendly
[10] Zaza Espresso Bar
75 Yorkville Ave, Toronto
Tagged: Coffee
[11] Luna Cafe
181 Dovercourt Road, Toronto
Tagged: Cake, Coffee, Smoke free
[12] Rhino
1249 Queen Street West, Toronto
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[13] Ceili Cottage
1301 Queen Street East, Toronto
Tagged: Ale, Beer
[14] Granite Brewery
245 Eglinton Avenue East, Toronto
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Wireless
[15] The Grey Dog's Coffee
33 Carmine Place, Manhattan
Tagged: Coffee
[16] CB Six
252 East 51st Street, New York
Tagged: Beer
[17] Waterfront Ale House
540 Second Avenue, Manhattan
Tagged: Beer
[18] Waterfront Ale House
155 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn
Tagged: Ale, Beer
[19] Spuyten Duyvil
359 Metropolitan Avenue, Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Tagged: Beer
[20] Roberta's Pizza
261 Moore Street, Brooklyn
[21] The Publick House
Brookline
Tagged: Beer, Staunch landlord
[22] Bukowski Tavern
Dalton Street, Boston
Tagged: Beer, No cards, Thesis, Vegetarian friendly
[23] Boston Public Library
Copley Place, Boston
Tagged: Thesis
[24] Caffe Bella Vita
Charles Street, Boston
Tagged: Cake, Coffee, Thesis
[25] Harvard Gardens
Cambridge Street, Boston
Tagged: Beer, Thesis
[26] Ausiello's
El Camino Real, Belmont
Tagged: Beer, Smoke free, Thesis
[27] Magnolia Pub and Brewery
Haight and Masonic, San Francisco
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free, Thesis
[28] Scott's
Caroline Street, Cork
Tagged: Beer, Smoke free, Thesis
[29] Rendezvous Café
Midleton
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free, Thesis
[30] McDaid's
Midleton
Tagged: Beer, Smoke free, Thesis
[31] Two Thin Laddies
103 High Riggs, Tollcross, Edinburgh
Tagged: Cake, Coffee, Pastries, Smoke free, Tea
[32] Dragonfly
52 West Port, Edinburgh
Tagged: Cocktails, Smoke free, Wireless
[33] Guildford Arms
1-5 West Register Street, Edinburgh
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Jazz, Smoke free
[34] Ann Purna
44-45 St Patrick's Square, Edinburgh
Tagged: Smoke free, Vegetarian, Vegetarian friendly
[35] Black Bull Inn
Coniston, Cumbria
Tagged: Ale, Beer
[36] Rain Bar
Manchester
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[37] Kro Bar
326 Oxford Road, Manchester
Tagged: Beer, Cake, Coffee, Smoke free
[38] The Maltings
Tanners Moat, York
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[39] Hop Pole
7 Albion Buildings, Upper Bristol Rd, Bath
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[40] The Raven
7 Queen Street, Bath
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[41] Victoria Hotel
Dovecote Lane, Beeston, Nottingham
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Cider, Dog friendly, No mobiles, Smoke free
[42] The Fox
Green Lane, Hanwell, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Dog friendly
[43] Duke of Sussex
75 South Parade, Chiswick, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[44] Bulls Head
373 Lonsdale Road, Barnes, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Jazz, Smoke free
[45] The Organic Café
Salusbury Road, Queens' Park, London
Tagged: Cake, Coffee, Smoke free, Thesis
[46] Sirous Café
West End Lane, West Hampstead, London
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free, Thesis
[47] Cock and Bottle
17 Needham Rd, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Staunch landlord
[48] Taqueria
139-143 Westbourne Grove, London
Tagged: Beer, Cocktails, Smoke free, Tequila
[49] Warrington Hotel
93 Warrington Crescent, Maida Vale, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Dog friendly, Smoke free
[50] The Windsor Castle
Campden Hill Road, Kensington, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free, Thesis
[51] Clarke's Cafe
124 Kensington Church Street, Kensington, London
Tagged: Cake, Coffee, No mobiles, Smoke free
[52] Scarsdale Tavern
23a Edwardes Square, Kensington, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[53] Hansom Cab
86–88 Earls Court Rd, Kensington, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[54] Montparnasse Café
22 Thackeray Street, Kensington, London
Tagged: Coffee, Hot chocolate, Pastries, Random wireless, Smoke free
[55] Builders Arms
1 Kensington Court Place, Kensington, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Cider, Random wireless, Smoke free
[56] Café Milano
Earl's Court Road, London
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free, Thesis
[57] The Mitre
24 Craven Terrace, Bayswater, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer
[58] Marine Ices
8 Haverstock Hill, Chalk Farm, London
Tagged: Ice cream, Smoke free
[59] The Troubadour
Old Brompton Road, Earl's Court, London
Tagged: Cider, Coffee, Hot chocolate, Smoke free, Thesis, Wine, Wireless
[60] Jakob's
20 Gloucester Road, South Kensington, London
Tagged: Cake, Smoke free, Vegetarian friendly
[61] Café du Coin
Earl's Court Road, London
Tagged: Coffee, No cards, Pastries, Smoke free, Thesis, Wireless
[62] Caffe Pascucci
Earl's Court Road, London
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free, Thesis
[63] Petit Delice
1 Kynance Place, London
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free, Thesis
[64] The Queens Arms
Queens Gate Mews, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Cider, Dog friendly, Staunch landlord, Smoke free, Thesis, Wine
[65] The Harcourt Arms
Harcourt Street, Marylebone, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free, Thesis
[66] Café Forum
Gloucester Road, London
Tagged: Coffee, Random wireless, Smoke free, Thesis
[67] The Holland Club
Wells Way, Imperial College, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Dog friendly, No cards, Smoke free, Thesis
[68] Dana Centre Café
Queensgate, London
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free, Thesis
[69] The Drayton Arms
Old Brompton Road, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Cider, Smoke free, Thesis
[70] Hereford Arms
Gloucester Road, Earl's Court, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free, Thesis
[71] Oddono's
14 Bute Street, London
Tagged: Ice cream, Smoke free
[72] Café Delice
Fulham Road, London
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free, Thesis
[73] La Masseria -- Apulian Deli
New Quebec Street, Marylebone, London
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free, Thesis
[74] The Anglesea Arms
Selwood Terrace, South Kensington, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Dog friendly, Smoke free, Thesis
[75] Cafe Creperie
2 Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London
Tagged: Cider, French Cider, No cards, Smoke free
[76] Chelsea Ram
32 Burnaby Street, Chelsea, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Dog friendly, Smoke free
[77] La Fromagerie
2–4 Moxon Street, Marylebone, London
Tagged: Cider, French Cider, Smoke free, Tea, Wine
[78] 606 Club
90 Lots Road, Chelsea, London
Tagged: Beer, Jazz, Smoke free, Wine
[79] Café Sole
400 King's Road, Chelsea, London
Tagged: Hot chocolate, Juice, Smoke free
[80] Paul Rothe & Son
35 Marylebone Lane, Marylebone, London
Tagged: Coffee, No cards, Smoke free
[81] The Peer
70 Sydney Street, Chelsea, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer
[82] The Pig's Ear
Old Church Street, Chelsea, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Cider, Dog friendly, French Cider, Smoke free, Thesis, Wireless
[83] The Nag's Head
53 Kinnerton Street, Belgravia, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Staunch landlord, No mobiles, Smoke free, Thesis
[84] Indian YMCA
41 Fitzroy Square, Fitzrovia, London
Tagged: Smoke free, Vegetarian friendly
[85] The Bree Louise
69 Cobourg St, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Cider
[86] Coopers Arms
87 Flood Street, Chelsea, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Random wireless, Smoke free
[87] The Star Tavern
6 Belgrave Mews West, Belgravia, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[88] Gran Sasso
Caledonian Road, London
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free, Thesis
[89] Flat White
17 Berwick Street, Soho, London
Tagged: Cake, Coffee, Smoke free
[90] Crown and Two Chairmen
Dean Street, Soho, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Cider, Smoke free
[91] Piada
50 Frith Street, London
Tagged: Coffee
[92] Caffè Vergnano
Charing Cross Road
Tagged: Cake, Coffee, Hot chocolate, Smoke free
[93] The Mary Ward Vegetarian Café
Queen Square, London
Tagged: Coffee, No cards, Smoke free, Thesis, Vegetarian, Vegetarian friendly
[94] The Clarendon
Cambridge Street, Pimlico, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free, Thesis
[95] Guanabara
Guanabara, Parker Street, London
Tagged: Cocktails, Smoke free
[96] The Harp
47 Chandos Place, Covent Garden, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Cider, Smoke free
[97] Caffè Espresso (the Fabian Café)
11 Dartmouth Street, St James's Park, London
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free
[98] The Bountiful Cow
51 Eagle Street, Holborn, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[99] Speaker
46 Great Peter St, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[100] Gordon's Wine Bar
Villiers Street, Embankment, London
Tagged: Smoke free, Thesis, Wine
[101] The Gunmakers
13 Eyre Street Hill, Clerkenwell, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Dog friendly, Staunch landlord, Smoke free
[102] Seven Stars
Carey Street, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Cider, Staunch landlord, Smoke free
[103] The Old Mitre
Ely Court, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Staunch landlord, Smoke free, Thesis
[104] Wenlock Arms
26 Wenlock Road, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Cider, Smoke free
[105] Fox and Anchor
115 Charterhouse Square, Smithfield, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Wireless
[106] Dose Espresso
69 Long Lane, London
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free
[107] The Blackfriar
174 Queen Victoria St, London
[108] Bread and Roses
68a Clapham Manor Street, Clapham, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[109] The Pride of Spitalfields
3 Heneage Street, Shoreditch, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[110] Tayyab's
83-89 Fieldgate Street, Whitechapel, London
Tagged: Smoke free, Vegetarian friendly
[111] The Gowlett
62 Gowlett Road, London
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Cider, Smoke free
[112] Leather Bottle
The Green, Blackmore, Essex
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[113] The Viper
Mill Green Road, Mill Green, Essex
Tagged: Ale, Beer
[114] Grand Central
Surrey Street, Brighton
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free, Thesis
[115] Evening Star
55-56 Surrey Street, Brighton, East Sussex
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free
[116] Wai Kika Moo Kau
11a Kensington Gardens, Brighton
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free, Vegetarian, Vegetarian friendly
[117] The George
5 Trafalgar Street, Brighton
Tagged: Ale, Beer, Smoke free, Vegetarian, Vegetarian friendly, Wireless
[118] In vino veritas
103 North Road, Brighton
Tagged: Wine
[119] Scott's Café
1063 London Road, Leigh-on-Sea, Essex
Tagged: Coffee, Smoke free, Thesis
[120] Univers Cafe
16 Rue Jean Jacques Rousseau, Nantes
Tagged: Beer, Cocktails, Jazz, Wireless
[121] De Koffie Salon
130 Utrechtsestraat, Amsterdam
Tagged: Cake, Coffee
[122] Blond Cafe
10 Plaza Salvador Coll, Palma de Mallorca
Tagged: Beer, Random wireless
[123] Malvasia
43 Calle de Joan Bauza, Palma de Mallorca
Tagged: Wine
[124] Belvedere
Via Mazzini 7, Bertinoro
[125] Redoak
201 Clarence Street, Sydney
Tagged: Ale, Beer
[126] The Order
401 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tagged: Cocktails

Plus 5 closed places, alas: Noventy Coffee House, Hugo's, Beach Burrito Café, Microbar, The Black Bull.

Credits for this list – notably Google Maps, geocoder.us and Nearby.org.uk.