Amazing Coffee Shops in Manchester’s Northern Quarter
Manchester’s Northern Quarter is a hub of activity and is the perfect place to go for fun, culture and a spot to eat and drink. As part of its varied and colourful offerings, there’s a wonderful selection of coffee shops. From independent cafes where you can relax with a cup of coffee while reading a book, to eclectic and themed experiences with a stage that welcomes local musical talent, there’s so much on offer.
In fact, Manchester loves its coffee so much that every year it’s home to the Manchester Coffee Festival, which brings roasters, baristas and coffee aficionados together to celebrate all things espresso. It’s fair to say that Mancunians know a thing or two about a good cup of joe.
So, if you’re in Manchester and looking for an expertly made latte or the most incredible smelling roasts, below are just some of our favourite coffee shops in the Northern Quarter.
What are the best coffee shops in Manchester’s Northern Quarter?
Craving some coffee or tempted by tea? Or perhaps you’re after some brunch or a deliciously naughty slice of cake? Here’s our selection of some of the best coffee shops in Manchester’s Northern Quarter.
Takk
6 Tariff St, Manchester, M1 2FF
Described as a love letter to Reykjavik, Takk is an independent coffee company with three locations, with one slap bang in the centre of the Northern Quarter. Although Scandinavia isn’t specifically known for its great coffee, the owners of Takk want to tell the world about how delicious Icelandic-style coffee can really be.
Takk is slick, modern and inviting, with exposed brickwork and tables reminiscent of retro school desks from yesteryear (complete with graffiti).
The menu has a range of hot and cold drinks, including WBD, which is ‘what baristas drink’. It also offers a range of snacks, pastries and sandwiches, but makes sure it never loses focus of what it does best: coffee. The house espresso is from Finca Miravalle in El Salvador, with single-origin coffees that rotate every week.
Foundation
48-50 Whitworth Street, Manchester, M1 6LS
With a modern and clean aesthetic, Foundation offers coffee, brunch and cocktails, meaning you can spend several hours treating the taste buds while hanging out with friends.
There are menu choices for everyone, including more than just the standard options for vegans and vegetarians. Not to mention a wide selection of incredible cakes with unique flavours, such as carrot and darjeeling.
Foundation even puts on special events, such as music and film nights. So, for something a little different, order your favourite drink and surround yourself with like-minded folk.
Fig and Sparrow
20 Oldham St, Manchester, M1 1JA
Part gift shop, part coffee shop, Fig and Sparrow is a one-stop shop for those on the go. More than 10 years old, it provides incredible single-origin coffees that are rotated regularly.
If you’re looking for a spot of lunch, Fig and Sparrow also has a menu filled with tempting small plates for breakfast and lunch options. Once you’re full, pick up a greeting card, some gift wrap or a treat for yourself. Why not? You deserve it.
The only downside is, Fig and Sparrow isn’t the biggest of Manchester’s coffee shops, so during peak times you might struggle to get a table. But that’s just a testament to how popular and great the food and drinks are.
Idle Hands Coffee
https://www.idlehandscoffee.com
35 Dale St, Manchester M1 2HF
They say the devil makes work for idle hands, and as it turns out, that work is making amazing coffee and delicious sweet treats.
Idle Hands started as a mobile location outside Manchester Piccadilly station, but now has a permanent home in the Northern Quarter. Thankfully, that means there’s now a boatload of seating so regulars can take the weight off their feet to enjoy coffee from wonderful guest roasters.
For Idle Hands, the perfect accompaniment to coffee is pie, and it offers a selection of homemade pies every day, including chocolate cream, pecan, cookie dough, banana cream, Biscoff and more. Plus, if you have more of a savoury tooth than a sweet one, there are some unique but delicious brunch options, like the divorced eggs and cowboy beans.
Just Between Friends Coffee
http://www.justbetweenfriendscoffee.com
56 Tib St, Manchester M4 1LG
Just a stone’s throw from Piccadilly Gardens, Just Between Friends is a small coffee shop that provides big flavours. From its large drinks menu to brunch, cakes and unique offerings (give the beetroot latte a try if you can bear to stray away from your go-to) it has something to appeal to everyone. It’s also dog-friendly, meaning you’ll have no problems finding something to warm you up during those early morning walks with your four-legged pal.
Ezra & Gil
20 Hilton Street, Manchester, M1 1FR
Ezra & Gil is first and foremost a coffee shop, but has an incredible and varied menu of delicious food. Whether you’re after breakfast, brunch, salads, sandwiches, soups or poke bowls, it’s impossible to find something you won’t love.
Not only that, but it’s one of the only spots on this list open into the evening, with a weekday closing time of 8pm. So, if you fancy a great coffee or spot of dinner, Ezra & Gil is there for you. It also offers a kids menu, which means everyone from business folk to families can enjoy spending time at Ezra & Gil.
Feel Good Club
26-28 Hilton St, Manchester, M1 2EH
When it comes to coffee shops in Manchester, there’s a lot to choose from. But, there are none quite like Feel Good Club.
The aim of Feel Good Club is simple: to make you feel better walking out than you did when you walked in. It provides a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, serving amazing coffee, cakes, lunch options and wine. To help customers feel good, it also has space for yoga, art exhibitions and other events that nourish the mind and soul (while the food nourishes the body).
Staff at Feel Good Club are trained in mental health first aid, so they’re there for you in a variety of ways beyond just serving their own fabulously roasted coffee. Check out Feel Good Club and experience for yourself just how unique it really is.
Federal Cafe Bar
9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester, M4 1EY
If you’re looking to get fed and watered (as described by the menu) then Federal Cafe has everything you need. The drinks menu is just as varied as the food menu, with options for those who want something healthy, like an açai bowl, or something more indulgent, like steak and eggs. We’d personally recommend the halloumi and shrooms, which are every bit as mouth-wateringly delicious as they sound.
If you’re more in the mood for something to wet your whistle, there are coffees, teas, hot chocolates, ice coffees, beers, wines, cocktails… need we say more? And for a quick bite, grab a sandwich and eat on the go – you won’t be disappointed.
Living in Manchester with UNCLE
Are you tempted to try one of these incredible coffee shops around Manchester’s Northern Quarter? Regardless of which location you like the sound of the most (which might be most of them, to be fair), you’re certainly spoilt for choice.
To live among them and take your pick every day, why not call one of UNCLE’s fully-serviced flats that are available to rent today home? For more information, contact us today.
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