How Michelle Recarte from @OfficeOf TheDayNJ Became the Go-To Guide for Chic WFH Cafés
From WiFi strength to outlet real estate, here’s how this account is changing the WFH game for NJ and NYC.
What started as a personal workaround for work from home fatigue has turned into one of North Jersey and NYC’s most trusted resources for remote workers in need of a change of scenery. Michelle Recarte, the entrepreneur behind @officeofthedaynj knows firsthand the power of a well placed outlet and a well poured latte. Her mission? To spotlight the cafés where you can actually get things done, with good WiFi, better snacks, and aesthetics that make even your inbox feel romantic.
With over 22K followers and counting, her account goes beyond the standard coffee content. Each post is like a mini audit for digital nomads: Are the seats comfy? Can you plug in? Is there something on the menu that feels like a treat after your second Zoom of the day? If the answer is yes, she’s already been there.
Her honest, hyper local reviews have made her a go-to for freelancers, founders, and WFH creatives who believe a beautiful workspace can spark a beautiful idea. And based on the cafes she champions, from the picture perfect creations at Maxine’s Bakeshop to the consistency of Dulce De Leche Bakery , she’s proving that productivity doesn’t have to happen at your kitchen table.
Michelle Recarte, the creator behind @officeofthedaynj
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Interview With Michelle from @OfficeOfTheDayNJ
Q: What inspired you to start Office of the Day NJ, and how did it evolve into a go-to resource for remote workers?
A: Office of the Day NJ began 3 years ago when I found myself spending hours on google weekly to find a line up of cafes to work from. I am an entrepreneur without a physical office and struggle focusing when I work from home. I find being in a cute, aesthetically pleasing cafe sparks focus and creativity for me. I quickly came to the realization that others feel the same way, so I figured I would share my cafe findings with social media and now, here we are! At the time, there weren't any NJ accounts who solely focused on WFH cafes, so my page gained traction pretty quickly. I also think my dedication to highlighting the details of each spot is what made people feel inclined to follow my on-going journey of finding the best cafes!
Q: What makes a café truly remote work friendly in your eyes, and what’s an automatic dealbreaker?
A: There are many factors that play into making a cafe remote work friendly or not, but my main three are seating, wifi, and outlets. If a cafe has that trio, we are off to a great start! Ample + comfy seating is ideal for anyone who wants to spend their entire work day somewhere. Now, although most people have access to a hotspot, free & high speed WiFi is of course preferred. Thankfully this is usually not an issue with cafes in New Jersey, but once you cross over into NYC - you'll likely need that hotspot. Last on the list, but possibly the most important, outlets. This is the first thing I look for when I first scan a cafe. Nothing makes me more happy when I visit a spot that has outlets under every single table, that is truly one of my simple pleasures in life. With that being said, outlets are also a deal breaker for me - either none at all, or ones that don't work. In addition to those three, I do think having some sort of food is important if I plan to spend my day working at a cafe, so that is another factor I keep in mind when choosing my #officeoftheday.
Q: Which three cafés in North Jersey or NYC do you find yourself returning to again and again, and why?
A: I'll preface by saying, every cafe I have posted I genuinely love and recommend but I definitely have a top three! In no particular order, Dulce De Leche Bakery in Englewood, Carlos' Bagel Shop in Hawthorne, and recently discovered* - Maxine's Bakeshop in Westwood! All three of these locations have ample seating, free WiFi, and outlets - along with great coffee and delicious food. So, if you're looking for me, you can probably find me at one of these locations!
Dulce De Leche Bakery is super consistent which is why I tend to always find myself there, I know what to expect and they never disappoint. Carlos' Bagel Shop is like my second home, they have the best service and they are always on top of fun food + drink trends which makes every visit exciting! Third, Maxine's Bakeshop - I actually found this cafe recently and fell in love, it just feels so cozy and inviting there. Plus they have amazing home made pastries! Highly recommend checking these spots out!!
Q: What’s your go-to café order when you’re settling in for a full work session, and do you have any cozy café work hacks or rituals you swear by?
A: Funny enough, I am not even a huge coffee girl. I mean, I've definitely grown to appreciate & learn coffee so much more since starting this page - but I am more of a splash of coffee in my milk kinda girl. Sorry to anyone that disappoints. With that being said, my go-to order is an iced vanilla latte with oat milk, lots of oat milk, and usually some sort of croissant sandwich. The ham + cheese on a multigrain croissant from Dulce De Leche is my favorite! As far as cozy cafe work hacks/rituals, music is like a second source of caffeine for me. A good playlist is equivalent to an aesthetic cafe in my eyes, music will snap me into my zone almost instantly. Once I am settled in a cute cafe with my coffee, my croissant, and some good music - my to-do list doesn't stand a chance. Since I strongly believe that music can boost productivity, I curated two playlists for my followers that can be found on both Apple Music and Spotify! Vol. 1 is more of a relaxed R&B vibe (which I typically prefer) and Vol. 2 is more of an upbeat and energized playlist, both being over six hours long!
Q: How has discovering these cafés shaped your own workday or creative process, and what do you hope others take away from following your account?
Discovering these cafes has allowed me to really reach my peak productivity level when working on projects. As stated earlier, I believe the more aesthetic the environment, the more productive + creative I become. Believe it or not, I came up with the concept of @officeofthedaynj in a cafe! I was in Cafe Trois in Fort Lee when the idea came to me and I immediately thought of the name and started filming throughout my work session there. The following day, my account was live, and my first "office" was posted! Little did I know where that one idea would lead me.
Q: Any Final Thoughts?
I am still amazed when I look at my page and see that 22,000 people follow me. If there's anything to take away from following my account, I hope it's to romanticize your life and trust your creative process + ideas. If you have the luxury to go out and work at a cafe instead of working from home, do it! If you have an idea that you're passionate about it, don't sit on it - act on it! Ideas are nothing without execution. I am very grateful for this platform and hope to keep being a resource for remote workers or anyone who enjoys a good cafe!
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