This is what coffee houses and the Paneras & Starbucks of the world often fail to provide.. a quiet space, though it also depends on the coffee house. Some are not always that crowded or busy, so they can be a similar environment for writing as a workspace. Ultimately, the best spot is the one often overlooked --- a library. A good library can provide enough table space for spreading out notes, using a small whiteboard, and developing one's writing progress for large projects.