Manchester

Cafes and Coffee Shops in Manchester

Creative Tourist

Can you remember a time when we were a nation of tea drinkers? Our historic love of tea has faded with every coffee shop and café opening. From single origin to special blends, from artisan brews to homemade cakes, via an Icelandic coffee bar, one that doubles up as a design showroom and more besides – here are some of the best cafés and best coffee shops we’ve come across – independents (almost) all.

Here are our picks

  • 1. Fig and Sparrow

    Fig and Sparrow, Manchester shops, Northern Quarter
    Fig and Sparrow © Jan Dixon

    Fig and Sparrow, 20 Oldham Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1JN - Visit now

    This design-store-cum-coffee-bar ticks two boxes at once; shopping for beautiful gifts, and sipping a well-crafted coffee. The interior is warm and welcoming with a stripped-back, Scandinavian vibe. Fig & Sparrow serves food, including cakes, as well as loose leaf tea.

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  • 2. Grindsmith Deansgate

    Grindsmith cafe Deansgate

    Grindsmith Deansgate, 231 - 233 Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 4EN - Visit now

    There are two Grindsmiths in the city – one is inside a specially-created eco pod in Greengate Square, not far from Manchester Cathedral, the other inside the Great Northern Warehouse on Deansgate. Both serve excellent coffee.

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  • 3. North Tea Power

    North Tea Power, Manchester.
    Image courtesy of North Tea Power

    North Tea Power, 36 Tib Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M4 1LA - Visit now

    Leading the way on industrial chic and high end coffee before the Northern Quarter had reached its peak, North Tea Power has been loved by Mancunians for years now. The staff still pay meticulous attention detail to the coffee, plus you can fill up on the café’s doorstopper sandwiches and sweet treats.

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  • 4. Pot Kettle Black

    Pot Kettle Black cafe in Manchester.
    Pot Kettle Black - courtesy of venue

    Pot Kettle Black, Unit 14, Barton Arcade Deansgate, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M3 2BW - Visit now

    Tucked away beneath the beautiful glass roof of Burton’s Arcade is specialist coffee shop Pot Kettle Black – vigilant against over roasting, this place presents its brews in trademark red mugs, served with a glass of water and a Viennese wafer. It’s spacious, cosy, and that little bit off the beaten track. The brunches here are good, too.

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  • 5. Foundation Coffee House

    Foundation Coffee House Manchester
    Creative Tourist.

    Foundation Coffee House, Sevendale House, Lever Street, Manchester, Greater Manchester, M1 1JB - Visit now

    This coffee house has filled its spacious, concrete-floored unit with black and white tiles, octagonal wooden tables and a wooden meeting room on wheels. Coffee is served on wooden blocks with a glass of water, plus this place does a good line in bespoke teas.

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