The best cafés in Manchester

Established in Nottingham in 2012, 200 Degrees has expanded nationwide, spreading its dedication to artisanal coffee. They roast their beans at a lower-than-usual 200 degrees for a richer taste and operate barista schools offering courses for all abilities. Their Manchester coffee shop is a good spot to get some work done as it features free Wi-Fi and a bookable meeting room, as well as serving fresh food and speciality coffee throughout the day.

Spread over two floors, All The Shapes in Prestwich is a modern café and bar featuring a stylish interior and extensive outdoor seating. The kitchen offers a seasonal brunch menu, including dishes like spring eggs and signature breakfast tacos, alongside hot drinks, cocktails, and other beverages. During weekend evenings, the venue stays open late and frequently features DJs, establishing it as a favoured local spot.

Featuring Nordic-inspired decor and a relaxed ambience, Takk is a stylish café that pays homage to Reykjavik and its coffee culture. It's an ideal spot for coffee enthusiasts to enjoy European brews, pastries, and light bites, whether you're looking to relax, meet up with friends, or work remotely. The menu includes breakfast and brunch favourites, available for both dine-in and takeaway. In addition to the NQ and University Green cafés, Takk also runs an espresso bar at Hatch. 

The Koffee Pot, a beloved café in Manchester, is appreciated for its quintessential British charm and impressive breakfast and brunch offerings, featuring both traditional and innovative dishes like full English breakfasts and vegan options. The café interior exudes a retro flair with colourful leather booths and art-adorned walls, making it a vibrant gathering spot for both locals and visitors.

Foundation Coffee House operates several locations across Manchester, all designed with a bright and contemporary industrial style. These cafés are great for enjoying a coffee paired with a cake or brownie, or indulging in more substantial breakfast and brunch options. They also cater to a variety of events. The menu features light fare such as granola and porridge, alongside sandwiches, fry-ups, and toast topped with choices like avocado, mushrooms, or eggs.

Another Heart To Feed is a lively café with an Australian influence, offering a relaxed brunch setting by day and turning into a dynamic drinks spot by night. During the day, it serves brunch classics such as avocado toast and chilli scrambled eggs, complemented by both hot drinks and alcoholic cocktails. In the evening, it becomes a top venue for enjoying a glass of wine with charcuterie and assorted small plates.

Ezra & Gil is a popular breakfast and brunch destination in Manchester, offering an extensive all-day menu. You can enjoy everything from traditional brunch items like eggs Benedict, pancakes, and fry-ups to global delights including pasta, salads, and poke bowls at this café, and cocktails are also on hand to complement the meal. The contemporary industrial cafés also let you stock up with groceries and artisanal products.

Ancoats Coffee Co. is an artisan coffee roastery in Manchester dedicated to delivering high quality coffee for both home brewing and immediate consumption. Drop by their cafés to try their speciality coffees in a welcoming, community-focused setting. The Ancoats branch regularly hosts cuppings, workshops, and other fun, informative events, whilst the Piccadilly coffee shop offers a work-friendly space for ticking off your to-do list.

Self-styled masters of Antipodean brunch Federal run several outlets across Manchester, offering a menu laden with brunch staples like smashed avocado on sourdough, French toast, and Turkish eggs. A selection of speciality coffees and cocktails are also available. These cafés are warm and inviting, with lush foliage and decor, and even stock Tim Tams and other Australian treats.

Trove is a group of relaxed bakeries and cafés in Manchester known for their baked goods, breakfast, and brunch offerings, along with excellent coffee. Managed by a passionate team, the Trove cafés range from lively hubs for hip urban creatives to sleek, hushed havens for office workers. The diverse menu includes everything from sweet pies and sourdough topped with eggs to tempting baked delights.

Originally from Liverpool, Bold Street Coffee has expanded to Manchester, featuring stylish modern venues dedicated to delicious speciality coffee, all-day breakfast, and lunch offerings, along with delightful sweet treats. The café menu boasts a variety of choices including sandwiches, cooked breakfasts, and healthier options such as porridge or granola.

This independent café in Manchester is passionate about its coffee, offering artisanal brews in a cosy, bustling setting. While many customers drop in for a quick caffeine fix to-go, Fig + Sparrow also serves up breakfast and brunch options, including muffins, various toasts, granola, and eggs. Due to its popularity and compact size, securing a table can be challenging, though outdoor seating is available too.

Sugar Junction is a charming café inspired by a passion for baking, wholesome cuisine, top quality coffee, and retro aesthetics. The decor features china tea sets, vintage posters, and period-appropriate music, creating an ambience that harks back to a nostalgic era. This complements their homemade cakes and freshly-prepared dishes, including afternoon tea and all-day brunch.

Idle Hands is a cosy café in Manchester celebrated for its daily offerings of freshly-baked sweet pies and cakes, featuring flavours such as salted caramel apple, pecan, and cookie dough. The café also offers an all-day brunch menu with comforting dishes like slow-stewed beans on sourdough and traditional fry-ups. To accompany your meal, enjoy coffee sourced from a rotating selection of roasters. Idle Hands can get pretty busy, so you might have to wait a bit to be seated.

Café Sanjuan in Stockport town centre is run by a Colombian family, who import their coffee beans from their native country and roast them themselves – try a cup with a signature pinch of salt to boost the flavour profile. Whilst there, don't miss out on the Colombian breakfasts or other authentic dishes. The friendly café offers both indoor and outdoor seating and has a lively atmosphere.

Grindsmith was founded with the goal of bringing exceptional coffee to Manchester, emphasising not only the serving of coffee but also the education and inspiration of the community in appreciating the craft. Their chic café in Salford is designed with a minimalist aesthetic, featuring contemporary chandeliers, a custom bar, and a stained glass window. The café also offers a selection of food.

Chapter One Books, an independent bookshop in Manchester, is a prime location for getting lost in a good book. This combined café and book store provides a comfortable setting where you can discover your next favourite read, savour a slice of cake, and discuss literature with the staff or fellow visitors. Open daily, the venue frequently organises events including open mic nights, book clubs, writing workshops, and more.

Pot Kettle Black is a collection of Antipodean-style cafés in Manchester, offering an extensive brunch menu all day long. Patrons can enjoy a variety of options including avocado toast, egg dishes, smoothie bowls, along with light lunches and freshly-baked goodies. Artisan coffee and a selection of other beverages are also available. The Angel Gardens location also features Sunday roasts and regularly hosts comedy cabaret events, whilst the city centre branch resides in the beautiful Barton Arcade.

If you love baked goods, make sure to add Siop Shop in Tib Street in Manchester to your list of places to visit. Their doughnuts have developed a cult following thanks to their inventive flavours, alongside traditional favourites like jam and custard. Along with these sweet treats, they offer buns, savoury snacks, and coffee, all tied together by an easygoing ambience.

Manchester's Feel Good Club is dedicated to promoting positivity through its food, drinks, and community-focused events. Located in the Northern Quarter, this shabby-chic café offers brunch and lunch options during the day, alongside a selection of hot coffee, cocktails, beers, and other beverages. In the evenings, it transforms into a vibrant bar hosting events like cabaret nights, spoken word performances, comedy shows, and more.