Cafe Roncalli
Ville Nouvelle · Fez, Morocco. A laptop-friendly cafe verified for remote workers and digital nomads.
Fez has 5 laptop-friendly cafes in our guide, and Cafe Roncalli ranks #5 with a work-friendly score of 6/10. WiFi runs at 12 Mbps. Power outlets are available throughout the cafe. Perfect for deep focus work and quiet calls.
Work-Friendly Assessment
👍 Solid Pick
Score is close to the Fez average of 6.8/10.
12 Mbps · city average 14 Mbps
About Cafe Roncalli
Cafe Roncalli is a no-frills, budget-friendly study cafe that caters primarily to Fez's large university student population, making it a solid if basic option for remote workers on a tight budget. The two-floor layout is cleverly divided — one floor reserved exclusively for students, the other open to all patrons — with a strict non-smoking policy throughout, a genuine rarity in Morocco where cafe smoking is deeply ingrained. The staff are consistently praised for being kind, respectful, and understanding of customers who need to camp out for hours. The crowd is serious about studying and working, which sets a productive tone that benefits everyone in the space.
WiFi connects at 12 Mbps with a fair-quality rating — functional for email, browsing, and lighter tasks, though the connection occasionally disconnects and may not support sustained video conferencing. Power outlets are available near the walls for charging devices. The quiet noise level is maintained by the studious crowd and non-smoking policy — conversation stays at whisper levels on the study floor. Seating comfort is rated fair, with basic chairs and tables that prioritize function over ergonomics. The lack of air conditioning can make summer visits uncomfortable, so plan around the cooler morning hours during the hotter months.
Cafe Roncalli is in the Ville Nouvelle, open from 7 AM to 11 PM with coffee averaging $2 USD — the cheapest option with rock-bottom pricing that allows you to work all day without pressure to keep ordering. Best for budget-conscious remote workers who need a quiet, non-smoking workspace for extended sessions — the basic amenities and fair WiFi are the trade-offs for Fez's most affordable all-day work option with genuinely welcoming staff.
Key Highlights
Strict Non-Smoking Policy
Rare smoke-free environment throughout both floors, unusual for any Moroccan cafe
Rock-Bottom $2 Pricing
Cheapest option on this list with no pressure to keep ordering during long sessions
Two-Floor Study Layout
Dedicated student floor separated from general seating, setting a focused tone
12 Mbps Fair WiFi
Functional for lighter tasks; occasional disconnects may affect video calls
Kind, Patient Staff
Consistently praised for understanding long-stay workers, open 7 AM to 11 PM
Compare to Other Cafes
| Feature | Cafe Roncalli | Cafe Clock | Miroir | Cafe Savini |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Work Score | 6/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 | 7/10 |
| WiFi Speed | 12 Mbps | 15 Mbps | 15 Mbps | 15 Mbps |
| Power Outlets | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Coffee Price | $2 | $2 | $2 | $2 |
| Noise Level | quiet | moderate | moderate | quiet |
Why Fez for Remote Work?
Home to the world's oldest university and the largest car-free urban zone on Earth, Fez offers a deeply immersive Moroccan experience for remote workers willing to trade convenience for cultural richness. Fixed broadband in Morocco averages 71 Mbps, and the five best laptop-friendly cafes in Fez deliver around 14 Mbps WiFi with coffee at just $2.00 per cup. Cafe Clock on Talaa Kebira stands out as the primary nomad hub in the medina, while the Ville Nouvelle offers more modern cafes and coworking spaces like O'Work where day passes start at just $2.50.
The small nomad community here tends toward culture lovers, writers, and photographers who prioritize authenticity over infrastructure. Monthly costs of $900 make Fez one of the cheapest destinations in the entire Mediterranean region. English levels are low outside tourist businesses, which pushes you into French or Arabic for daily interactions but also means far less tourist markup than in Marrakech. The stunning architecture and rich cultural heritage, from intricate zellige tilework to medieval tanneries, provide a working environment that stimulates creativity in ways that standardized coworking spaces simply cannot.
The maze-like medina disorients even experienced travelers, and GPS fails regularly in narrow alleys where thick rammed-earth walls block signals. Persistent touts and guides near Bab Boujloud target obvious foreigners, and scams around the tanneries are well-established. Summer temperatures exceed 37 degrees, making un-air-conditioned medina spaces nearly unbearable in July and August. Morocco has no digital nomad visa, limiting stays to the 90-day tourist stamp, and internet reliability lags behind European standards with cafe WiFi averaging only 14 Mbps.
Tips for Working From Cafes in Fez
O'Work Coworking at $2.50 Daily
Located in the Ville Nouvelle, O'Work offers hot desks from 25 MAD per day or 480 MAD monthly with fiber WiFi. One of the cheapest coworking rates in all of North Africa, ideal for nomads needing reliable connections the medina cannot guarantee.
4G Fails Deep in the Medina
Thick rammed-earth walls block cell signals in the medina interior. Download offline maps, save important documents locally, and complete bandwidth-heavy tasks in the Ville Nouvelle or a coworking space before retreating into the old city for the evening.
Spring and Autumn for Productivity
March through May and September through November bring 18-28 degree weather ideal for working in medina courtyards. Summer heat above 37 degrees and winter cold without heating both severely limit comfortable workspace options.
Buy Every 2-3 Hours
Order a drink or snack every couple of hours to support the cafe and keep your seat.
Test WiFi First
Run a quick speed test before settling in to avoid surprises during important calls.
Visit Off-Peak
Arrive 8-11am or 3-5pm to grab the best seats and the fastest WiFi.
Bring Headphones
Noise-cancelling headphones are essential for blocking lunch rushes and chat.
Carry a Power Bank
Outlets aren't guaranteed everywhere — a backup keeps you working.
Respect Quiet Zones
Take long video calls outside or in coworking spaces, not in quiet cafes.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Plan your stay in Fez
Get the full city guide with cost of living, neighborhoods, visa info, and more — everything a digital nomad needs.