The best brunch in Manchester

The best brunch in Manchester

Welcome to our comprehensive guide to the best brunch in Manchester! Brunch in Manchester is not just a meal; it's a chance to socialise and experience the city's flair for creativity and community. From cosy cafés in the Northern Quarter to chic eateries on the outskirts of Greater Manchester, our guide will make sure your day is off to a good start. Classic full English breakfasts, toasts topped with all sorts of goodies, heaving pancake stacks, and creative never-before-seen combos are all on the menu, washed down with freshly-brewed coffee, refreshing cocktails, or invigorating smoothies. Read on to find out where to go for brunch in Manchester.

In this guide
  1. Where to go for brunch in Manchester
    1. Moose Coffee – A moose-visit for fans of American brekkies
    2. Pot Kettle Black – Manchester brunch cafés with speciality coffee
    3. Idle Hands – Top your brunch off with some pie
    4. The Koffee Pot – Fighting hangovers since 1978
    5. Sugar Junction – Possibly the cosiest café in Manchester
    6. Federal – Self-proclaimed Antipodean brunch masters
    7. Ezra & Gil – Brunch, coffee, and provisions
    8. Evelyn's – A Northern Quarter brunch gem
    9. Another Heart To Feed – From brunch to booze
    10. Edison Bar – Popular choice for affordable brunch
    11. Fress – Halal-friendly brunch in NQ
    12. All The Shapes – Community hangout in Prestwich
    13. Station South – Bikes, brews, and brunch
    14. Takk – Brunch the Icelandic way
    15. Gorilla – Brunch in a renowned concert venue
    16. The Anthologist – Chic weekend brunch spot in St Peter's Square
    17. Kong's – Fried chicken French toast, anyone?
    18. Thyme Out Food Co. – Soak up the sun as you brunch
    19. Lucky – Hip Asian fusion brunch
    20. Fig + Sparrow – Bustling coffee shop
    21. Trof – An NQ icon

Where to go for brunch in Manchester

Manchester's best brunch restaurants

Moose Coffee Piccadilly Moose Coffee York Street
Moose Coffee Piccadilly
moosecoffee.co
Moose Coffee York Street
moosecoffee.co
Moose Coffee Piccadilly Moose Coffee York Street

A moose-visit for fans of American brekkies

Moose Coffee, a family-run establishment founded in 2006, was inspired by a passion for hearty North American breakfasts. With interiors adorned in moose-themed decorations, these chic breakfast venues are regularly packed, especially during peak breakfast and brunch hours. Offering an extensive selection of hearty all-day breakfast plates, including eggs benedict, sandwiches, and pancake and waffle stacks, the menu also features a variety of sides to tailor your meal to your liking.

  • Piccadilly Station Approach, Manchester City Centre York House, 20 York St, Manchester City Centre
    Moose Coffee Piccadilly
    Piccadilly Station Approach, Manchester City Centre
    Moose Coffee York Street
    York House, 20 York St, Manchester City Centre
  • Moose Coffee Piccadilly
    moosecoffee.co
    Moose Coffee York Street
    moosecoffee.co
    Moose Coffee Piccadilly
    016-151 909 00
    Moose Coffee York Street
    016-122 879 94
  • Moose Coffee Piccadilly Moose Coffee York Street
Pot Kettle Black Angel Gardens Pot Kettle Black Barton Arcade Pot Kettle Black Manchester Airport
Pot Kettle Black Angel Gardens
potkettleblackltd.co.uk/angel-gardens
Pot Kettle Black Barton Arcade
potkettleblackltd.co.uk/barton-arcade
Pot Kettle Black Manchester Airport
potkettleblackltd.co.uk
Pot Kettle Black Angel Gardens
@pkb_angelgardens
Pot Kettle Black Barton Arcade
@pkb_bartonarcade
Pot Kettle Black Angel Gardens Pot Kettle Black Barton Arcade Pot Kettle Black Manchester Airport

Manchester brunch cafés with speciality coffee

Pot Kettle Black, a group of Manchester-based cafés inspired by Antipodean brunch culture, offers a varied and flavourful all-day menu. Patrons can select from a range of options, including avocado toast, egg-centric dishes, and smoothie bowls, alongside lighter lunch options and freshly baked goodies. Additionally, they serve artisanal coffee and a variety of other beverages.

  • 1 Rochdale Rd Barton Arcade, Barton Sq, Manchester City Centre Terminal 2
    Pot Kettle Black Angel Gardens
    1 Rochdale Rd
    Pot Kettle Black Barton Arcade
    Barton Arcade, Barton Sq, Manchester City Centre
    Pot Kettle Black Manchester Airport
    Terminal 2
  • Pot Kettle Black Angel Gardens
    potkettleblackltd.co.uk/angel-gardens
    Pot Kettle Black Barton Arcade
    potkettleblackltd.co.uk/barton-arcade
    Pot Kettle Black Manchester Airport
    potkettleblackltd.co.uk
  • Pot Kettle Black Angel Gardens Pot Kettle Black Barton Arcade Pot Kettle Black Manchester Airport

Idle Hands

Top your brunch off with some pie

Idle Hands, a cosy café in the Northern Quarter, offers a daily selection of freshly baked sweet pies and cakes featuring flavours such as salted caramel apple, cherry, and cookie dough. Alongside these sweet treats, the Idle Hands kitchen serves a comforting all-day brunch menu with options like slow-stewed beans on sourdough and traditional fry-ups. Complement your meal with coffee sourced from a rotation of specialty roasters. The café's compact size and popularity mean you might have to wait to get a table during busy periods.

The Koffee Pot – Brunch
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch
The Koffee Pot
The Koffee Pot – Brunch
The Koffee Pot

The Koffee Pot

Fighting hangovers since 1978

The Koffee Pot is a renowned local favourite, celebrated for its British charm and an extensive menu of hearty brekkie and brunch options like full English breakfasts and American pancakes. It also offers a diverse selection of drinks, from draft beers and classic brunch cocktails to non-alcoholic beverages like smoothies and milkshakes. The café's interior features a retro style with colourful leather booths and art-adorned walls, making it a welcoming spot for both locals and visitors to enjoy a meal.

Sugar Junction

Possibly the cosiest café in Manchester

Sugar Junction, a quaint Northern Quarter café, was born out of a passion for baking, wholesome cuisine, quality coffee, and a fondness for vintage charm. Its decor, featuring porcelain tea sets, retro posters, and period music, creates an ambience of a past era, perfectly matching its offerings of homemade cakes, fresh food, and afternoon tea served on classic tiered stands. The brunch menu includes timeless classics such as eggs royale, steak & eggs, and poached eggs on toast.

Federal Northern Quarter Federal Deansgate Federal Oxford Road
Federal Northern Quarter
federalcafe.co.uk
Federal Deansgate
federalcafe.co.uk
Federal Oxford Road
federalcafe.co.uk
Federal Northern Quarter Federal Deansgate Federal Oxford Road

Self-proclaimed Antipodean brunch masters

Federal is located in several spots across Manchester, offering an all-day brunch menu brimming with favourites like smashed avocado on sourdough, French toast, and Turkish eggs. They also serve a range of speciality coffees and cocktails. These walk-in brunch cafés are snug and inviting, adorned with lush foliage and natural, and you can even buy Tim Tams and other Australian treats to take away.

  • 9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter 194 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre/Spinningfields Circle Square, Oxford Rd, Manchester City Centre
    Federal Northern Quarter
    9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
    Federal Deansgate
    194 Deansgate, Manchester City Centre/Spinningfields
    Federal Oxford Road
    Circle Square, Oxford Rd, Manchester City Centre
  • Federal Northern Quarter
    federalcafe.co.uk
    Federal Deansgate
    federalcafe.co.uk
    Federal Oxford Road
    federalcafe.co.uk
    Federal Northern Quarter
    016-142 509 74
    Federal Deansgate
    016-183 308 90
    Federal Oxford Road
    016-197 466 10
  • Federal Northern Quarter Federal Deansgate Federal Oxford Road
Ezra & Gil Hilton Street Ezra & Gil Peter Street
Ezra & Gil Hilton Street
ezraandgil.co.uk
Ezra & Gil Peter Street
ezraandgil.co.uk
Ezra & Gil Hilton Street Ezra & Gil Peter Street

Brunch, coffee, and provisions

Ezra & Gil is a popular destination for breakfast and brunch in Manchester, offering an eclectic menu that caters to diners throughout the day. Whether you're there for brunch classics like eggs benedict, pancakes, and traditional fry-ups or in the mood for global cuisine, including pasta, salads, and poke bowls, there's something for everyone. These eateries have a contemporary, urban feel and also offer an array of groceries and artisanal products to take home.

  • 20 Hilton St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter 49 Peter St, Manchester City Centre
    Ezra & Gil Hilton Street
    20 Hilton St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
    Ezra & Gil Peter Street
    49 Peter St, Manchester City Centre
  • Ezra & Gil Hilton Street
    ezraandgil.co.uk
    Ezra & Gil Peter Street
    ezraandgil.co.uk
  • Ezra & Gil Hilton Street Ezra & Gil Peter Street

Evelyn's

A Northern Quarter brunch gem

Evelyn's Café Bar offers a culinary journey inspired by the flavours of the Middle East and Pan-Asia, featuring daytime brunch favourites and evening small plates, all prepared using a charcoal Inka grill and live-fire techniques. The ambience is inviting and fashionable, adorned with abundant greenery, the warm glow of candlelight in the evenings, and rustic yet elegant furnishings.

Another Heart To Feed

From brunch to booze

An Aussie-inspired brunch café by day and a lively spot for a drink or two by night, Another Heart To Feed seamlessly transitions from a daytime eatery to an evening drinking spot. Brunch classics such as avocado toast or chilli scrambled eggs are served until the afternoon at this contemporary spot, complemented by hot drinks and boozy cocktails. In the evening, have a sip of wine as you nibble on charcuterie and other snacks.

Edison Bar

Popular choice for affordable brunch

Edison Bar in Monton buzzes with energy from morning until night. Swing by in the morning to enjoy their reasonably priced all-day brunch offerings, which includes classics like sausage and egg muffins, traditional fry-ups, and pancakes, or opt for a signature bowl at lunch. The bar boasts a diverse selection of beverages, and the establishment frequently holds lively events such as concerts, supper clubs, and dance evenings.

Fress Restaurant & Bar – Brunch
Fress Restaurant & Bar
Fress Restaurant & Bar – Brunch
Fress Restaurant & Bar
Fress Restaurant & Bar – Brunch
Fress Restaurant & Bar
Fress Restaurant & Bar – Brunch
Fress Restaurant & Bar
Fress Restaurant & Bar – Brunch
Fress Restaurant & Bar
Fress Restaurant & Bar – Brunch
Fress Restaurant & Bar
Fress Restaurant & Bar – Brunch
Fress Restaurant & Bar
Fress Restaurant & Bar – Brunch
Fress Restaurant & Bar
Fress Restaurant & Bar – Brunch
Fress Restaurant & Bar
Fress Restaurant & Bar – Brunch
Fress Restaurant & Bar

Fress

Halal-friendly brunch in NQ

Fress is a popular contemporary café blending classic breakfast and brunch dishes with modern, fusion-inspired twists. The café's narrow, elongated space radiates chic urban elegance with cosy seating. Whether you're here to fill up on the hearty fry-ups and wraps, treat yourself to pistachio pancakes and other treats, or go all-out with bottomless brunch, this halal-friendly café is sure to do the trick.

All The Shapes

Community hangout in Prestwich

All The Shapes offers a modern café and bar space with a stylish interior and ample al fresco seating. Seasonal brunch delights, including spring eggs and All The Shapes' famed breakfast tacos, are served alongside a selection of hot drinks, cocktails, and various other beverages. A bustling spot on weekend nights, the bar stays open late and frequently features DJ sets.

Station South

Bikes, brews, and brunch

Station South has revived a historic train station into a bustling neighbourhood hub, complete with a cycle café, bar, repair shop, and an urban garden. Perfectly placed for those on the Fallowfield Loop greenway, it serves a variety of hot and cold beverages, seasonal goodies, local beers, kombucha, and cocktails, along with a tempting breakfast, brunch, and lunch menu. More than just a café, this inviting spot is a community focal point, hosting a range of events within its distinctive setting.

Takk NQ Takk University Green
Takk NQ
takk-coffee-gear.myshopify.com
Takk University Green
takk-coffee-gear.myshopify.com
Takk NQ Takk University Green

Brunch the Icelandic way

Brandishing Nordic-inspired decor and a relaxed vibe, Takk is a fashionable spot for coffee aficionados and brunch-goers, embodying a tribute to Reykjavik's vibrant culture and love of coffee. This café offers artisanal European coffee, pastries, and light snacks, making it an ideal place to relax, socialise, or work. Patrons can enjoy a range of breakfast and brunch favourites, available for both dine-in and takeaway.

  • 6 Tariff St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter 138 Oxford Rd
    Takk NQ
    6 Tariff St, Manchester City Centre/Northern Quarter
    Takk University Green
    138 Oxford Rd
  • Takk NQ
    takk-coffee-gear.myshopify.com
    Takk University Green
    takk-coffee-gear.myshopify.com
  • Takk NQ Takk University Green

Gorilla

Brunch in a renowned concert venue

Gorilla in Manchester is a multifaceted venue combining a bar, kitchen, live music space, and club, known for its industrial-chic vibe. It offers a wide range of dining options, from breakfast and brunch to dinner, alongside an extensive selection of craft beers, cocktails, and spirits. Renowned for its vibrant music scene, Gorilla hosts an array of live acts and DJs, making it a prime destination for both casual socialising and lively nightlife.

The Anthologist

Chic weekend brunch spot in St Peter's Square

The Anthologist is located in the One St Peter's Square office building and offers a sophisticated and stylish urban retreat for dining, drinks, and entertainment. It features a stunning outdoor terrace and a spacious, contemporary interior suitable for a variety of events. Weekend brunch here involves all-day breakfast dishes such as waffles and eggs royale, along with small plates and heftier choices like curries, burgers, and sandwiches.

Kong's

Fried chicken French toast, anyone?

Kong's has garnered a loyal fan base through its pop-up appearances, thanks to its wildly innovative culinary approach. This inventive kitchen is known for its unique combination of flavours and textures, creating brunch dishes like beef brisket with poached eggs, fried chicken French toast, and pancake tacos. Add freshly brewed coffee, craft beers, invigorating cocktails, and a casual setting, and you've got a winner.

Thyme Out Food Co.

Soak up the sun as you brunch

Thyme Out Food Co., a busy family-owned café in West Didsbury, specialises in brunch. It offers a delightful mix of traditional fare like full English breakfasts and eggs Florentine, less common choices like burritos and parmigiana, and daily specials. The café provides a cosy, inviting ambience with a sun-drenched terrace ideal for basking in the warmth on sunny days.

Lucky

Hip Asian fusion brunch

Lucky is a trendy Asian fusion restaurant that combines modern culinary interpretations with a lively, urban atmosphere. Its interior is stylish and modern, featuring a sleek design and subdued lighting. The brunch menu is a blend of pan-Asian cuisine, offering inventive dishes such as miso carbonara, Balinese eggs, donut bao, and Seoul French toast. The food is accompanied by a selection of cocktails, beers, and wines.

Fig + Sparrow

Bustling coffee shop

Located in the Northern Quarter, this independent café is an oasis for coffee enthusiasts, offering artisanal brews in a cosy yet lively setting. Fig + Sparrow is not just a go-to spot for takeaway coffee, however; it also serves a variety of breakfast and brunch items, including muffins, various things on toast, granola, and eggs. The walk-in café's popularity and small size can make snagging a table challenging.

Trof

An NQ icon

Trof is beloved for its hearty comfort food served in generous portions, all set in a snug and fashionable ambience. Housed in a historical building, it exudes a classic yet trendy charm, featuring exposed brick walls, retro decor, and intimate seating. The menu at Trof blends traditional British fare with modern flair, crafted from locally sourced, seasonal ingredients. 

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Editors

At Thatsup, we have extensive experience of guiding our readers to a city’s hidden gems. Since 2008, our editors have been writing insightful guides covering restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels, and hairdressers, among other things. Our guides consist of carefully selected tips based on our local knowledge and are regularly updated with the help of our focus group, where we collectively discuss selections and content. We are constantly working to inspire and provide you with the best possible experience, no matter where you are or what you are looking for.