Is going to the city and tracking down insta worthy cafes, that serve yummy food all whilst being on point with aesthetics, a hobby? Because if it is, then this people is my niche.
Manchester is home to some of the best cafes I’ve ever visited and I do find it hard when I’m free to decide which one to venture in to that day. I’m not just focusing on the aesthetics here, I’m sharing places that serve good food, along side a beautiful interior! I won’t lie, they are all set in the wonderful northern quarter, but there’s some that do actually inhabit more than one place in the city centre! All of these serve veggie and vegan friendly options so eat your heart out whilst still saving the planet! With that being said, in a sort of no particular order, here are the crème de la crème of cafes in Manchester…
Fig and sparrow
Warm, bustling and cute af is how I'd describe this beauty of a café located on Oldham street. Its small but very mighty; the coffee and small section of sweet treats are some of the best I’ve ever had in my life and the avocado on sourdough toast is a firm favourite of mine! It’s a lovely little café that you could happily sit in alone by the window for a few hours working away, or use as a perfect catch-up location for you and a few friends. Words can’t quite describe the warm, yet clam, yet bustling atmosphere this place has! Its unique yet I always leave feeling very fulfilled!
Federal
Boasting two locations, federal is a fab little café (and bar!), located in both the Northern Quarter and Deansgate. It has a huge drinks menu, even serving cheeky brunch cocktails alongside its menu. The northern quarter branch has a little outside seating area, and a lovely interior. They don’t sell sweet treats (as my memory serves) but sell a whole host of lovely food options and is defiantly not one to be missed. Best with friends, and 100% use this as an excuse to try a cocktail or two!
Northern tea power
Fairy lights instantly make a place feel warm and home like! And northern tea power with its lovely lighting, simple decorations, and beautiful wooden tables are a loving welcome soon as you step inside. Serving lots of different food options from stacked sandwiches, to brunch classics, all accompanied by incredible coffee, I absolutely love this place! All the bread is locally sourced, the coffee is their own seasonal blend and the sweet treats are all homemade and change every day! Its affordable, a great place to visit both alone but also with friends, and offers some outdoor seating for those rare days the sun does shine in Manchester.
Hampton and Vouis
Located actually out of the northern quarter and more in the heart of the city, in between St Peters Square and Albert Square, this concept style café is the most stylish and chic café on this post. Hampton and Vouis is small yet the food and coffee is lovely! Don’t let the instagrammers having their picture snapped put you off, as this place is a true gem! The stunning plush interior, with marble flooring and stunning pastel colour scheme defiantly makes you feel like you’re elsewhere other than Manchester.
Evelyns
Finding Evelyns on a famous youtubers story isn’t quite how I expected to find this place! But hey, life works in mysterious ways. This was one of the first cafes I actually visited in Manchester and defiantly holds a special place in my heart. Nevertheless, this café is stunning, with a living wall inside the coffee shop, beautiful tables topped off with a really cool industrial style open kitchen! It is a bit more expensive than other options, and the brunch portions are a little smaller, but the food is to die for and with an extensive list of different coffees, you’ll never be bored! Honestly, I cannot recommend this place enough, its stunning, and whilst small, feels open and spacious. Also note they serve cocktails (both here and at and at their basement bar Daisy just underneath) and have an amazing dinner and Sunday dinner menu, I haven’t yet had chance to try but I’ve seen with my very eyes how amazing it looks so defiantly one to try. Evelyns literally ticks every single box whether you're alone, with friends or even on a date!
Takk
Located in both the northern quarter and a pop up at Hatch, Takk is a very easily accessible coffee shop! Having visited the Hatch branch, I knew I had to visit the much bigger northern quarter café of theirs which serves classic style brunch foods like avo toast, and of course their lovely lattes. Hatch is a great one for nipping into for a caffeine fix, a quick sweet snack or a sit down with a coffee whilst working! Its very conceptual yet still works as a café and provides the same wonders as their mother branch. Cute, tasty and an easy one to go to!
Ezra & Gil
Now, this place is awesome. From the little vegan and wholefoods pop up shop in one corner to neon lights, bar stools and shabby chic vibes in the other, this place literally has it all! A huge food menu, a huge yet incredible drinks menu and an absolute feast of sweet treats- most which are vegan, this place I had to save till last, as this truly is one of the best! Its huge inside, yet does very quickly fill up on a Saturday lunchtime so get in there quick or visit on a weekday when it may be a tad quieter. The interior is designed to make it a social café; there are a few little window seats perfect for lone wanders either wanting to work, read or enjoy time alone, but is in my opinion great with a few friends due to its big tables and layout. I noted it can get very busy, but the staff were still very friendly, the atmosphere lovely and the food still yummy! If I had to choose a favourite it would be here; it’s a fantastic spot for literally everyone and has such an unforgettable interior, Erza & Gil is truly something else!
Each of these mentioned always leave me daydreaming of owning a café of my own, and I hope they are as much appreciated by others! That being said I haven't visited every café in Manchester but some other notable cafes that I've visited and liked were Teacup Kitchen, Sugar Junction Tea Rooms and Pot Kettle Black. Happy coffee drinking, and in the meantime I'll be scouring out more cafes!
love,
S
xoxox