Unfolding Manchester – 8 of the best city cafes
Looking to start your day off the right way or ready for a break from your desk? Head to the quirky Northern Quarter for Breakfast, Brunch or Lunch. Manchesters coffee houses provide more than just coffee. They have grown into a space that allows you to create good times, share ideas and collaborate whilst enjoying the flavours of great seasonal produce in a stylish setting. Each cafe carries its own unique identity, so read below and see where you can get comfortable in for an hour or two.
1. Sugar Junction
The one you visit with mum.
The Sugar Junction was born from a passion for baking, a love for good wholesome food, excellent coffee, beautiful tea, enthusiasm for beautifully unique drinks and of course, a love for everything vintage. After something a bit more fancy? Well their afternoon teas is served on tiered stands where you can enjoy homemade sandwiches, cakes and scones to the sounds of classics. They are opening up again soon for you to soak up the atmosphere with loved ones once again.
Quirks
- Fresh cakes baked every day
- 18 blends of tea
- Whisky infused coffee
- China tea sets
- Vintage tearoom
- All-day brunch
- Cocktails
Where?
Northern Quarter – 60 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LG
Instagram – sugarjunctionnq
2. Pollen Bakery
The one you visit when the bread bins empty.
Are you a lover of savory filled pastries toasties, and loaded sandwiches? – This could be your favourite bakery. Pollen started from a love of great food, fermentation & flavour, specialising in sourdough bread & viennoiserie baked goods, plus coffee! Enjoy the fresh baked goods next to the marina with their new outdoor seating.
Quirks
- Natural Yeast
- Outside seating on the Marina
- 3 ingredients in the base of doughs – flour, water and salt.
- Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options available
Where?
Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union St, Manchester M4 6FQ
Instagram – pollenbakery
3. Takk Mcr
The one you take your laptop to.
Takk is an independent coffee company with 3 outlets in the heart of Manchester. Their aim is to provide a welcoming space to work, meet, talk and dream up big ideas. Fancy feeling like you’re in Scandinavia? Well Tak has that Nordic feel for you to immersive yourself in and if you’re running low on coffee gear in your abode- they have you covered.
Quirks
- Single-origin coffees that change weekly
- Sourcing the best coffee in Europe
- Suppliers that share a passion for flavour
Where?
6 Tariff St, Manchester M1 2FF
138 Oxford Rd, Manchester M13 9GP
103 Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7ED
Instagram – takkmcr
4. Feel Good Club
The one you take your laptop to, but end up chatting.
Two wives on a mission to make you feel good and support you in becoming your best and happiest self. Building a community of people who motivate and inspire. The coffee space is designed for workshops, events and mini clubs to help people, meet new people. You have to try their Kale and cheese toastie – wow! We will be back on our next visit.
Quirks
- Fancy a coffee with a feel good boost?
- Mental Health first trained
- Window seating – put your feet up and read a book!
Where?
26-28 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 2EH
Instagram – wearefeelgoodlcub
5. Trove Foods
The one you go to for the fresh bagel.
A destination for innovative, seasonal brunch dishes alongside our freshly baked sourdough, pastries, cakes, jams + chutneys, all made in house by their team. How many times have you visited a grocery store and there have been no bagels! No bagels! Not to worry – Trove foods have you covered and they’re fresh, warm and delicious!
Quirks
- Bagels on the menu! + Brunch & fresh Pastries
- Weekly bread subscription scheme
- Trove at night
- Seasonal
- Made in house
- House made Kimchi + grilled cheese sandwich
Where?
5 Murray St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6HS
Instagram – trove_foods
6. Foundation Coffee House
The one you keep adding on extras.
An independent coffee shop serving the finest coffee, cakes, brunch and cocktails – all day, every day at three unique locations across Manchester. If you’re a bit picky with what you like, you can build your own breakfast here, so we think it’s a win-win! The indoor space has been constructed to inspire and relax, so if you’re after something a little more spacey – it’s in the Northern Quarter.
Quirks
- Build your own breakfast
- Coffee slushes
- 3 coffee houses to choose from
- Continually developing new menus and brews
Where?
Sevendale House, Lever St, Manchester M1 1JB
Instagram – fdncoffee
7. Ezra & Gil
The one you catch up with friends in!
A true neighbourhood hang-out with a vision to provide a simple menu of the best food and drinks products they can source and service them in a welcoming and wholesome space. Offering all-day brunch, lunch, poke style bowls and a whole lot of evening flavour until 8pm for any of those earlier diners. FYI – Their outdoor dining is in a great suntrap – bring your sunscream!
Quirks
- Open 8am – 8pm
- Cheese melts on toast
- Brunch, lunch, poke bowls, salads, GF, VG, Ve
- Housed in an old unoccupied former clothing showroom
Where?
20 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 1FR
Instagram – ezraandgill
8. North Tea Power
The one that offers you all you really need.
Speciality coffee shop & kitchen in the Northern Quarter. Serving all-day Breakfast & Brunch. Take advantage of the free wifi and work your way through their finest coffee, loose-leaf tea, sandwiches & cakes. Oh, and these guys made the first flat white in Manchester, then the first grilled Sanga and of course the first cold brew in the North. They make their own pickles, ferments and jams, often with seasonal foraged herbs.
Quirks
- Picklers
- Fermenters
- Kombucha brewers
- Jam makers
- Make as much as possible in house
- Vegetarian friendly
- Hot Hot soup
Where?
G22 Smithfield Building, 36 Tib Street, Manchester, Northern Quarter, M4 1LA
Instagram – northteapower