Whether you're looking for a place to study or a change of scenery from the office, here are some of our favourite places to feel studious.

We’ll call it a silver lining: the best thing we got from overcoming the Covid scare was an appreciation for out-of-home activities, and in this case, for even something as simple as studying.

Now that uni is back after a jam-packed festival month, we guess you could say it’s time to knuckle down. Whether you prefer to think in a cafe or an aesthetically pleasing library, we’ve compiled the best places in Adelaide to set up your laptop and get your head stuck into some work.

Come and explore Adelaide and find out where the CityMag team works best.

Happy studying.

Botanic Gardens

North Terrace, Adelaide 5000

The Botanic Gardens’ North Terrace entrance.

Ok hear us out with this one. Yes we know there’s no desk, yes we know there’s no wifi, and yes we know you can’t plug into a power board and charge a dying phone battery. But in our humble opinion, we think there really is something special about sitting on the grass and admiring the calming or not-so-calming — birds, I’m looking at you — surroundings.

Only a short walk or speedy tram visit from uni spots around the city, the Botanic Gardens is a greater outdoor study spot set to have you working at your best.

Larry & Ladd

Chesser House, 95 Grenfell St, Adelaide 5000

This picture: Angela Skujins.

This central spot is ideal for a weekday study sesh. Located on Grenfell Street and just a stone’s throw from the mall, Larry & Ladd is the cafe fit for work, literally. It’s inside Chesser House, a corporate office space, meaning while the cafe goods are situated on the right side of the space when walking in, on the left side is a range of office-like desks and chairs, with every essential needed to study.

If you can handle the noise travelling in from the main road and automatic sliding doors, then take a trip to Larry & Ladd. Expect pasties, coffee and a small selection of cooked food while working in comfort.

Larry & Ladd are located at 95 Grenfell Street, Adelaide 5000 and are open from Monday to Friday from 7am until 2:30pm and Saturday from 8am until 1pm.

Connect with the business on Instagram for more.

State Library of South Australia

Cnr of North Terrace and Kintore Avenue, Adelaide 5000

The Hogwarts-esque library in question. This picture: Helen Karakulak

Ok, we know libraries are an obvious study spot, but to CityMag the State Library, and more specifically its Mortlock Wing, is top tier. Commonly found on lists of the world’s best libraries, their wall-to-wall chocolate shelves have a Harry Potter vibe that naturally gives off a studious feel. In January, CityMag wanted to get to the bottom of the enduring appeal of the physical book and what makes the spaces that hold them so special. The State Library Director Geoff Strempel told us people are easily emotionally attached to books and rooms that hold them (which we continuously prove as our reporters keep looking for reasons to write about books).

Libraries are a third place, separate from home and work, where you can go and you don’t have to buy anything; you can sit there and just be. Take over one of their large, wooden desks with your laptop or textbooks and let the library vibe calm your exam anxiety.

The Mortlock wing is open from 9am ’til 5pm Monday and Wednesday – Friday, 9am ’til 7pm Tuesday’s and 12pm ’til 5pm on weekends. Find our more about the State Library on their website.

Summertown studio

13 Paringa Ave, Somerton Park 5044

This picture: Jack Fenby

Is it a retail store? A cafe? A coworking space? A market venue? Summertown Studio is all of the above.

Summertown Studio is a laid-back multi-faceted space for you to get into study mode, with indoor and outdoor tables in various sizes and cozy seats to suit your study style, whether it be a conventional desk setup or curled up on a couch. They also have plenty of cool wares to browse for when you need a break. They support over 70 makers and vintage stockists from Adelaide and around the country, with everything from books and vinyl to homewares and skincare for sale.

They have coffee and sweet treats to sustain you on your visit. They also offer coworking packages and hire out the space for team meetings and workshops.

Open seven days, Monday – Friday 7:30am ’til 3pm. Saturday & Sunday 8am ’til 2pm. Connect with Summertown Studio on Instagram.

West Oak Deli

208 Hindley St, Adelaide 5000

This picture: Claudia Dichiera

This is the newest addition to the CityMag cafe list as we only covered its opening this week. Nevertheless, it makes for a perfect study spot, particularly for those UniSA students.

Located inside the West Oak Hotel, West Oak Deli specialises in housemade focaccias and authentic Italian sandwiches, along with Intersection Traders coffee and sweet treats. With a hole in the wall connecting onto Fenn Place, this spot is perfect for students wanting to get out of the uni feel, but can’t be bothered walking too far (this is only the case for UniSA City West students — sorry Adelaide Uni).

Set up a laptop, iPad, and book and get cracking. There’s seating inside the West Oak Hotel along with outdoor dining spots.

West Oak Deli is located at 208 Hindley Street, Adelaide and is open from Monday to Friday from 7am until 3pm.

Connect with the business on Instagram for more.

Work Adl

100 Pirie Street, Adelaide 5000

This picture: Helen Karakulak.

I mean come on, it’s in the name. How could we not encourage you to get your work done at the latest cafe to pop up on Pirie Street? They’ve got free wifi and a coffee machine imported from Florence aptly named ‘Florence the Machine’ that will serve you a brew to have you firing on all cylinders.

If you’re in the market for extra study fuel, we suggest the cotoletta focaccia, or as the work team calls it, ‘the glorified parmi sando’. The team behind Work are new to the CBD, but it has quickly become a favourite spot for those who want a change of scenery from the office or a place to read a magazine with a coffee before heading off to work or uni.

Open from 6am ’til 3pm Monday to Friday. Connect with Work on Instagram.