Fargo’s Best Coffee Houses for Nightworking

I can’t say I’m a Caribou guy or a Starbuck’s guy. I’m pretty much a “guy” for whichever place has the best WiFi, has some access to power if I need it, and occassionally provides some sunshine to work in that my desk doesn’t offer me. I wish some of these places realized that without a premium WiFi connection, nobody much cares how good the coffee is—not the other way around.

Your guide to the best place to sit in each Fargo coffee house:

Caribou 13th: Table in corner opposite the windows, on the north side of the seating area. This four-chair low table offers excellent screen privacy, lots of room to work, and no sun-glare on your screen. Outlet is behind you. This is my morning favorite.

Caribou 25th: Either of the high tables near the windows. Lots of room for your stuff on the window ledge, and outlets just below both tables. I used to go here a lot until I started having issues with their WiFi.

Starbucks in Barnes & Noble: The bench-style seating and tables on the East side of the cafe. No power, but a good, private work area. Note: BAD WiFi there…unless you steal it off of the nearby, available, “Free Internet, (Expletive)‘s” connection?

Atomic Coffee Moorhead: High table near the back, beneath the “Porto Ramos-Pinto” sign. Offers some sunlight, good view of the entire place if you want to people-watch, and best view of the HDTV. There is an outlet on the brick wall just behind you. Note: Excellent selection of beers for after-hours working…or whenever.

Starbucks 25th and 32nd: If you can handle some sun, the low, four-seat table on the far North wall is almost like working outside, and with a view of the door, you won’t be surprised by who walks in? Outlet right behind you. Editor’s Note: More of Fargo’s “beautiful people” come here than any other coffee shop in town.

Starbucks on 13th: If I had to choose, I’d say the two-person booths along the West wall… but not a favorite location for anything other than talking.

Luna on University: This is tough. I like the local ownership, but if you don’t get a low-table here, the high-tables will make you feel like a 6 year-old.

Moxie Java on Broadway: Sit at the “bar” facing Broadway, and watch the parade of lunacy that often walks by. The outlet is to your far right.

Dunn Brothers 45th: Low, four-chair table by the East windows. Can be hot, can be VERY sunny…but if I didn’t want some sun I’d stay at my work desk? Outlet to your right. One thing about Dunn…you tend to leave there smelling like roasted coffee beans…which in some cases might be an improvement?

Dunn Brothers 25th and 13th: If they were ever available, I’d take one of the tables along the West (windowed) wall, but they’re often taken—especially late in the afternoon when the sun finally shines in.

Fargo Coffee Company on University: One of the six-chair low tables near the door. Usually there’s an outlet below the table, and you’ll likely have to share a table with 1-2 other people. Not sure why they put such large tables in the place? Favorite drink there is the “All-Nighter” with SIX shots of espresso. As a caffeine mutant, it still keeps me up with it’s awesomeness.

Atomic Coffee on Broadway: One of the two-chair tables along the South wall. Some outlet access, and if you sit facing the door you usually see something interesting outside. I’m a big fan of Jones Soda and they have a good selection here.