Remote Work and Digital Nomads in Mitzpe Ramon: Where to Open a Laptop Facing the Desert
Coming to work remotely or take a workation in Mitzpe Ramon? The complete guide to laptop-friendly cafes in the Spice Route Quarter, plugging into the local community, and what to do once you close the screen.
Meetzpe Editorial6 min read
In recent years Mitzpe Ramon has become one of Israel's sought-after destinations for freelancers, tech workers, creators and digital nomads who want to swap the noise of the city for the quiet of the desert for a few days (or a few weeks). The mix of a relaxed pace of life, a young and open community, and cafes in the Spice Route Quarter where almost every other table has a laptop open, makes a workation in Mitzpe a natural and unusually productive experience.
This is how to plan a week of remote work in Mitzpe Ramon, from the morning's coffee and emails to the evening's sunset and live shows.
1. Where to Open a Laptop: Cafes and Work Corners in the Spice Route Quarter
The Spice Route Quarter is the unofficial office of Mitzpe Ramon's remote workers. Along Har Boker, Har Ardon and Har Oded streets you will find several excellent spots to settle in with a computer:
- Cafe Gina and HaRova Café: The main meeting points of the nomad community and the locals. Expect excellent coffee, a relaxed neighbourhood atmosphere, tables inside and in the courtyard, and plenty of regulars working on their laptops through the morning and midday.
- Backstage Art Cafe and UMA: Backstage Art Cafe is a spacious, inspiring art cafe with a video and art gallery, alongside coffee and light food; while UMA combines a cafe and walk-in open art studio with a relaxed creative atmosphere for laptop sessions.
- Opening the morning, a pastry break, or stocking the apartment: If you would rather grab an hour of emails first thing with a warm pastry, Lasha, Mitzpe's iconic boutique bakery, Man Desert Patisserie with flaky croissants and fine patisserie, or Café TZIN will give you the energy to start the working day. And if you are cooking at your rental during the week, the community cooperative HaAgala is the go-to spot for organic vegetables, cheeses, nuts and natural groceries.
2. Lunch Break in Town and the Quarter: Where to Eat Between One Zoom and the Next
When midday comes, there is no need to order delivery or settle for a sandwich. Within minutes across the Spice Route Quarter and the Town Center, fresh lunches await:
- Café TZIN, BOTZ Restaurant and HaKatze in the Spice Route Quarter: At the desert trattoria Café TZIN enjoy local seasonal plates; at BOTZ Restaurant sit down to carefully crafted dishes in a pleasant desert atmosphere (lunch on Fridays, dinner on other days; great for work meetings too); and at HaKatze enjoy filling homestyle stews.
- Hummus Yona, Paco ve Nany and Sumsumyia in the Town Center: A quick hop to the commercial center brings you warm fresh hummus at Hummus Yona, Italian stone-oven pizza at Paco ve Nany (evenings), and rich Mediterranean grilled meats and vegan dishes at Sumsumyia.
3. Closing the Laptop at 17:00: What Life in Mitzpe Looks Like After Working Hours
The real reason people come to work from Mitzpe Ramon is what happens the moment the computer closes:
- Clearing your head in nature, yoga or Pilates: Within a few minutes you are on the cliff edge for a sunset walk facing the Makhtesh (including a coffee stop at Kiosk Cafe Ramona or Little Ramona) and a meeting with the ibex of Mitzpe Ramon, or in an end-of-day yoga, Pilates or movement class at Peima, Zuzima, Yoga with Shahar, Yoga with Inbar, Pilates at Liz or Meet Pilates.
- Natural networking and nightlife: In Mitzpe Ramon it is very easy to meet new people in the evening. Drop in for a draft beer and a live show at HaBerech Pub and its performance hall Rehem, where the whole community gathers, for an intimate evening at Midbar Wine, a neighbourhood beer at HaHavit or a concert at the Jazz Club.
Want to plug into the community and know what is on in town tonight? When you arrive for a few days of remote work, Meetzpe is a handy tool on your phone: you'll find Mitzpe's classes, workshops, live shows and community events there.
Heading up for a workation in Mitzpe Ramon? Open Meetzpe now and see which events, classes and shows await you this week after working hours.