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It’s 2022 and time to make a few changes, so why not make one of them a vow to hunt out and eat a good breakfast in Manchester every day? After all, a bunch of boffins in white coats are always saying how it’s the most important meal of the day (I dispute this, mind, it’s obviously tea – or dinner to you non-Northern-born interlopers).
In Manchester, we have more breakfast options than you can shake a breadstick at. Whether you’re looking for healthy, filling meals to kick off your day or BMI-destroying plates of gluttony to wipe out that hangover, we’ve got the lot. No matter where your tastes lie, you’re bound to find something nestled in the city’s winding little streets.
If you’re a firm vegan or vegetarian, you’re covered, and the same goes for all you bacon-obsessed carnivores, lovers of French pastries, single-origin coffee junkies or any other obscure food niche. And if you simply just like eating nice food, why not try the lot? Treat it like an advent calendar that’s actually good.
Most of the below establishments open about 8 or 9am but we’ve included a few later places, as sometimes all you need is a good brunch. Here’s our pick of the places which offer the best breakfast in Manchester.
Not that we’d list her as a leading authority on food, but Parks and Recreation protagonist Leslie Knope did once say, “Why would anybody ever eat anything besides breakfast food?” Worth thinking about.
Here are our picks
Bloom Cafe, 45 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 2AY - Visit now
Bloom Cafe opened on Deansgate at the end of 2020, serving cakes and CBD-infused drinks. Happily, now they’ve launched a new breakfast-slash-brunch menu with plenty of vegetarian and vegan options, making it an ideal place to refuel during those hectic shopping trips in the city centre.
Dishoom Manchester, 32 Bridge St, Manchester , M3 3BT - Visit now
Mention Dishoom to anyone in Manchester, and you’ll hear one question, over and over: “Did you have the Bacon Naan Roll?” Well our reviewer tried the double Bacon Naan Roll and rather enjoyed himself. Don’t worry vegans – they have a vegan sausage alternative alongside a choice of more traditional Indian breakfasts.
The Pen and Pencil, 57 Hilton Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 2EJ - Visit now
Lovely little venue in the Northern Quarter that everyone should visit at least once. And why not make it for breakfast? They’re open from 10am every day, with a great first-thing menu for all you hungry Mancunians.
The Con Club Altrincham, 48 Greenwood Street, Altrincham, WA14 1RZ - Visit now
The Con Club is a perfect example of Altrincham’s dazzling food scene. The menu is wide-ranging but everything fits together perfectly, delivering excellent food for all tastes, set in beautiful surroundings. And you can try their breakfast offerings, every day of the week from 10am.
The Remedy Kitchen, Unit 19, Royal Exchange, St Ann's Square, Manchester, M2 7EA - Visit now
The Remedy Kitchen is Manchester’s leading healthy eating space, dedicated to detoxing the body and mind. During lockdown it served as a delivery-only space, like so many others, but now it’s fully in action, offering healthy meals to start your day, every day (except Monday, oddly). New year, new you? Now you have no excuses.
Koffee Pot, 84-86 Oldham Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1LE - Visit now
All hail the Koffee Pot. Why do people love it so? It’s cheap and divey, with red vinyl booths and is the ideal place to go for a hungover late breakfast, run into friends, hang out and drink too many cups of builder’s tea. The food is solid fry-up fodder with changing brekkie specials like kippers and haggis.
Pot Kettle Black, Unit 14, Barton Arcade Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 2BW - Visit now
Tucked away in Barton Arcade, a small but beautiful shopping centre between St Ann’s Square and Deansgate, is Pot Kettle Black. This cosy cafe serves up both excellent coffee and an inventive brunch menu, we particularly recommend the figs on toast, with whipped ricotta, fresh mint and infused honey. There are comfy seats, wifi and plenty of plug sockets here; Pot Kettle Black may be off the beaten track, but’s bang on in our books.
19 Cafe Bar, 19 Lever St, Manchester, M1 1BY - Visit now
19 Cafe Bar is located near the bus stops off the main Northern Quarter drag, instantly making it appealing because: cheaper and less pretentious. We’re big fans of their Breakfast Club offer and Brunch Cocktails.
Gorilla, 54-56 Whitworth Street West, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 5WW - Visit now
Gorilla’s main selling point is their giant ‘royal’ sized full English breakfasts which come in vegan and veggie varieties too. Sometimes size really does matter, especially if you’re hungover and hungry. The food probably won’t kill your hangover, but a pint probably would, and they sell those here too.
Federal Cafe, Basil Chambers, 9 Nicholas Croft, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1EY - Visit now
By now you’ll have realised that Manchester is awash with breakfast choices – and joining them on this swelling listis this little café on the edge of the Northern Quarter. While it might be smaller than the rest, we love the food here, and the coffee even more.
Tea Hive, 53 Manchester Rd, Manchester, M21 9PW - Visit now
Tea Hive is one of the best breakfasts in Chorlton. Sure, there’s some nice places along Beech Road and the many (many) bars dotted around the area make a pretty good fist of it, but for a pure breakfast fix, Tea Hive reigns supreme.
The Beagle, 456-458 Barlow Moor Road, Chorlton, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M21 0BQ - Visit now
Another Chorlton favorite, The Beagle has some excellent breakfast options and their Mexican infused menu sets it apart from the competition. There are some great choices for vegetarians and vegans here too, we highly recommend the frijoles on toast, or, if you’re feeling like getting on an early morning buzz, try their famous Bottomless Brunch which promises infinite brunch and endless booze.