The best cafes in Manchester

Nurtured from its humble origins at Levenshulme market by husband-and-wife dream team Marcus and Katy Saide, Trove has become a local treasure with three locations across the city – Ancoats, Levenshulme and Piccadilly. First and foremost a bakery, it serves fresh sourdough loaves lovingly baked in-house, alongside a colourful range of countertop cakes and a creative brunch menu. Naturally, the bread is at the heart of everything at Trove – diners can choose from the selection of rye and bloomers, to enjoy with artisan coffee and cold-pressed juices.

Coffee, cake and a great story is always a winning combination, something that the team at Chapter One understand all too well. Once an abandoned storefront on Lever Street, the venue has been transformed into a classic space with twinkling fairy lights, cosy snugs and typewriter booths. Shelves of books line the walls of this independent bookshop-cum-cafe, with guests invited to spend a rainy day curled up with a good book. There’s an extensive list of hot drinks on offer, and an ever-changing display of freshly-baked cakes – think banoffee pie, red velvet and sticky salted caramel.

If the queues around the block are the measure of a cafe’s success, Federal is one of the best – it’s poached, fried and scrambled its way to the top. The hugely popular Northern Quarter jaunt only has about a dozen seats, and serves an all-day brunch offering with the likes of smashed avo toast and eggs benedict, with the side of the original ‘fed’ sauce. With its Antipodean roots, Federal brings sunny cafe culture to Manchester, complete with specialty hand-brewed coffee and leafy decor. If you struggle to secure a spot for brunch, Federal also has a larger site on Deansgate with its own Australia-inspired specials. 

Set in a Northern Quarter arcade, North Tea Power may have tea in the name but this rustic venue is all about the coffee. Made with Deerhunter coffee, a Kenyan specialty, the espresso more than lives up to its reputation as some of the silkiest brews inside the M60. For the tea-drinkers amongst us, the list of herbal and loose leaf teas fills a whole side of the menu so it’s a great opportunity to try something new. With the industrial chic decor and chilled soundtrack, this cool cafe is often lined with laptops from its many regulars. Grab a bite to eat with a menu of sandwiches, soups and breakfast items – or you could indulge in one of the famous affogatos. 

Inspired by travels through Iceland and Scandinavia, Takk is a welcoming and cosy space for lovers of all things caffeinated – ideal for both work and socialising. It markets itself as a creative hub, where students and freelancers alike can take advantage of the free wifi to pour over their laptops, house espresso in hand. The focus here is firmly on the coffee, with the Nordic-inspired joint dedicated to finding some of the best blends in Europe. Food wise, the simple menu spans both breakfast and lunch, including a selection of fresh pastries and seasonal specials. 

Indie favourite Pot Kettle Black has opened a second venue at Angel Gardens, nestled on the border of Ancoats and the Northern Quarter. Originally housed in the beautiful Barton Arcade, the coffee shops are owned by former professional rugby stars Mark Flanagan and Jon Wilkin, who are firmly taking inspiration from Australia and New Zealand – in terms of both coffee and culture. The laid-back brunch spot focuses on freshly ground coffee, loose leaf teas and an impressive display of cakes and tasty treats, courtesy of its own bakehouse, Half Dozen Other. Unlike its previous venture, this edition of Pot Kettle Black is more than just a cafe, extending its offering to include small plates such as Korean fried chicken, cocktails and even a roast dinner.