If there’s one thing Manchester does incredibly well, it’s coffee shops you’ll want to sit in for hours, watching the day pass by. From the stripped-back, fresh wooden finishes, to botanicals galore – Manchester has some of the best coffee shops to suit every taste and of course give you that caffeine buzz should you need it. Check out our guide to the best coffee shops in Manchester.
1. Foundation Coffee House
Brewers of their own coffee sourced from Peru, Foundation Coffee House knows how to make a good cuppa. Providing a super social space in the heart of the Northern Quarter, their flagship location is the perfect place for freelancers or remote workers to head for a break, with small brunch plates on offer if you’re a little peckish. Overall, they have three sites in the city, so there’s plenty of opportunities to give them a try if you’re in passing.
đFoundation Coffee House, Sevendale House, Lever St, M1 1JB | Whitworth Street, M1 6JD | Portland Street, M1 3HU.
2. Federal
A popular spot among Mancs for both coffee and brunch, Federal Cafe & Bar has an array of coffees on offer for both drink-in or takeaway. But in addition to their high-quality coffees, the much-loved cafe also serves Australian fave Hot Milo, as well as hot drinks such as beetroot latte, turmeric latte and matcha green tea. Basically, it’s a haven for hot drinks. Federal has three sites across the city.
đ Federal Cafe & Bar, 9 Nicholas Croft, Northern Quarter, M4 1EY | 194 Deansgate, M3 3ND | Unit B2 – 2, Circle Square, Oxford Rd, M1 7FS.
3. Bold Street Coffee
Brought to us by our pals over in Liverpool, Bold Street Coffee has become a cult favourite since its 2010 inception. Now with three branches in Manchester on Cross Street, Spinningfields, and just off Oxford Road, the people of Manchester cannot get enough of these coffee shops thanks to their legendary coffee, as well as the best breakfast sarnies (known as buoys) to rival a certain fast food chain.
All of Bold Street Coffee branches are dog-friendly with puppaccinos available on request, plus boast their own range of Bold Street Coffee House coffee beans as well as guest roasts to purchase along with some home brewing equipment so you can get your BSC fix from home.
đ Bold Street Coffee, University Green, Unit 5, 140 Oxford Road, M13 9GP | 53 Cross Street, M2 4JN | 2 Hardman St, M3 3HF.
4. Ezra & Gil
A true contender for the best brunch spot in Manchester, Ezra & Gil offers a lively vibe with coffee, large brunch plates and small snacks for those visiting to socialise. Naturally, it attracts freelancers and remote workers by the bucket load, but on a weekend, it becomes a bustling neighbourhood hotspot for those seeking a hangover cure. The place is super urban (and prides itself on being so!), and offers a wide range of hot drinks to relax with.
đ Ezra & Gil, 20 Hilton St, M1 1FR| 49 Peter St, M2 3NG.
5. Ancoats Coffee Co.
Hidden away in Royal Mills, Ancoats, you’ll find a low-lit but welcoming coffee shop called Ancoats Coffee Co. – a lovely little quiet spot where you can work, relax or hide away from the chaos of the city. The speciality coffee roasters source coffee from all over the world, sustainably produced and high quality to bring the best possible flavour to Mancunian coffee fans. In addition to coffee, they also serve pastries, sandwiches and baked goods to accompany.
đ Ancoats Coffee Co., 9 Royal Mill, 17 Redhill St, Ancoats, M4 5BA.
6. Fig + Sparrow
Another city centre spot perfect for working in, Fig + Sparrow is incredibly warm and welcoming, with some outdoor seating allowing guests to take in the hustle and bustle of city life. Serving up top-quality coffee that they sourced from the North East, Fig + Sparrow also sells gifts and design products, too – a great little touch to the cosy independent cafĂ©.
đ Fig + Sparrow, 20 Oldham St, M1 1JA.
7. Siop Shop
Another Northern Quarter gem when it comes to getting a cup of coffee has to be Siop Shop. With a bright green façade its hard to miss and you don’t want to miss out either. When it comes to coffee, the team here know what they’re doing and there is always new and exciting beans available too. Grab a pew in this colourful cafe and enjoy a brew alongside one of their freshly-baked doughnuts (always look out for their seasonal specials).
đ Siop Shop, 53 Tib St, M4 1LS.
8. Grindsmith
Grindsmith has gained quite the cult following of coffee lovers in Manchester, with two sites now open serving their own-brand speciality blends. Each cafĂ© features simple, stripped-back dĂ©cor with a casual, laid-back feel that’s perfect for stopping by for a quick brew. As well as seriously good coffee, guests can also enjoy pancakes, toast dishes and other brunch and breakfast items to fill up on at breakfast or lunch.
đ Grindsmith, 5-6 The Garage, MediaCityUK, Salford, M50 2BS.
9. Pot Kettle Black
A coffee shop that has gone from strength to strength since its opening in 2014, Pot Kettle Black has two locations in Manchester – including Barton Arcade and Spinningfields. The coffee shop is inspired by our friends in Australia and New Zealand, taking pride in coffee culture and experimenting with only the best beans in the game. The chilled coffee shops bring a welcome summer vibe to the city, and if you’re stopping by, we highly recommend you try their bakes too.
đ Pot Kettle Black, 14 Barton Arcade, M3 2BW | Angel Gardens, 1 Rochdale Rd, Manchester M4 4GE.
10. Feel Good Club
Feel Good Club is literally dedicated to helping improve mental wellbeing, not only from the beautifully positive notes left on each coffee cup, but with the spacious, happy décor and mental health first aid trained workforce, too. Now complete with an outdoor terrace, the coffee shop is the perfect place to shut off from the world every once in a while, with brunch dishes and plenty of snacks on the menu to try while you watch the day pass by.
đ Feel Good Club, 26-28 Hilton St, M1 2EH.
11. Factory Coffee
How many spots do you know where you can get a tailor-made suit and a coffee? Well, Factory Coffee offers exactly that. Shortlisted as one of the best coffee shops in Manchester for the Manchester Food & Drink Festival Awards and a fond-favourite of Molly-Mae Hague, it’s gained quite a name for itself despite it having been up and running for just over a year.
One way Factory Coffee sets itself apart is not only the tailors Dooley and Rostron housed inside but also its morning raves featuring DJ sets, dancing and plenty of coffee. Factory Coffee also its own micro-bakery producing freshly baked goods every day as well as offering aesthetically-pleasing doughnuts by Dghnt.
đ Factory Coffee, 38 King St West, M3 2WZ
12. Kiosk
If you’re looking for a brew but with a bit of wow factor then Kiosk is one of the best coffee shops in Manchester for that. Transforming a storage cupboard into a full-functioning coffee shop, what Kiosk lacks in space it makes up for with their fresh, delicious coffee served in cute patterned cups coming out of its little hatch.
Since there’s no space to sit back inside, Kiosk has a terrace where guests can enjoy delicious coffees supplied by Blossom coffee roasters, organic fizz from Le Social Wine on tap (because thereâs zero room for bottles in the cupboard!), beer from First Chop brewery and a classic selection of cocktails; including Negronis, Espresso Martinis, Aperol Spritz, Bloody Mary and Mimosas.
đ Kiosk, Lapwing Lane, West Didsbury, M20 6UT.
13. Lupo
For authentic Italian coffee head north of the Manchester city centre to Prestwich where you’ll find a great coffee shop nestled on an industrial estate. Located on Mountheath Trading Estate just off Bury New Road, Lupo serves up beautiful Italian coffee in cups designed to balance the flavours of a single shot espresso and milk.
As you sip your macchiato it might not be Milan and instead Manchester, however order yourself a delicious pastry like cannoli and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to Italy. Lupo also serves proper Neapolitan sourdough pizza and aperitivos on Fridays and Saturdays.
đ Lupo, Unit 65, Mountheath Trading Estate, Prestwich, M25 9WE.
14. ManCoCo
Standing for ‘Manchester Coffee Company‘, ManCoCo has been hidden in plain sight under the arches on Hewitt Street, Castlefield, for over 10 years, with its own dedicated roastery onsite and cosy yet industrial coffee shop to enjoy the goods. ManCoCo specialises in hand roasting speciality coffees from around the world in the heart of Manchester. The team is dedicated to their speciality coffees and creating exclusive, small batch blends and serves that speciality coffee in the Artisan Coffee Bar.
You can also try your hand at crafting your own cup and expertly pouring milk at the ManCoCo Barista School, which also makes for the perfect gift for the coffee-lover in your life.
đ ManCoCo Coffee Bar & Roastery, 84â85 Hewitt Street, M15 4GB.
15. Allpress
Allpress has had a strong presence in the Manchester coffee scene for some time, stocking their beans in Ancoats staples Trove, Companio, and Erst; as well as popular retail stores Carhartt and Patagonia. The new site at NOMA opened late last year, and is their first bricks and mortar coffee hub outside of their two London Allpress cafes.
An exciting new chapter for Allpress, the space is the Northern HQ for the brand, housing a cafĂ©, offering a holistic coffee experience and a seasonal menu incorporating locally sourced ingredients. There is also a barista training hub and coffee machinery workshop in the 2,500 sq ft space on the ground floor of the Redfern building â right around the corner from live music and event space New Century, which re-opened in 2022 to acclaim.
đ Allpress, Redfern Building, 30 Hanover St, M4 4AH.
16. Just Between Friends
The two tiny branches of Manchester’s beloved Just Between Friends are tucked away in the entrance to Beehive Mill in Ancoats, and slipped nicely between shops on Tib Street in the Northern Quarter, and honestly, if you didn’t know they were there, you’d never know. There are no permanent signs outside to tell you where they are, and you’d only realise they were actually coffee shops if you braved turning the corner into the unknown â but you’re heavily rewarded for your bravery.
With lovely staff and delicious drinks and pastries, you’ll never forget where it is, and will forever be one in the know â so you can return and sit out on the cobbles in Ancoats if you so wish. There’s also a branch in Wilmslow, so if you’re out that way, why not pay it a visit?
đ Just Between Friends, Beehive Mill, Jersey St, Ancoats, M4 6JG | 56 Tib St, M4 1LG | 54 Grove St, Wilmslow SK9 1DS.
17. The House of Books and Friends
Weâve all experienced loneliness at some point but sadly the issue doesnât seem to be going away. However, in order to combat loneliness in the community law firm gunnercooke has opened purpose-led independent bookshop, cafĂ© and events space, The House of Books & Friends, in Manchester.
The space in Bruntwoodâs Manchester Club building at the top of King Street offers a safe space where you can enjoy a coffee, bite to eat, spot of reading or get involved in the community. The bookshop offers initiatives for customers and businesses through pay it forward schemes, as well as opportunities to make connections with their community through events and a cafĂ©. Plus, it’s just a lovely place to be.
đ The House of Books and Friends, Manchester Club, 81 King Street, M2 4AH.
18. Chapter One
Both bookshop and coffee shop, Chapter One is a cosy nook in the centre of the Northern Quarter offering a sweet hideout to watch the world go by, with books surrounding the tables and different areas of seating for whatever you require. The water feature in the middle of the shop provides a gentle background noise to keep things chilled, and believe us when we say you could spend hours sipping and reading at this Manchester gem.
đ Chapter One Books, Chatsworth House, 23 Lever St, M1 1BY.
19. 92 Degrees
With two locations in Manchester, 92 Degrees offers a sleek and minimal approach to coffee. Giving Scandi vibes in the cups, colour palette and general cool feel, you could spend hours working, reading or chatting at 92 Degrees, or just pop in on a whim if you work nearby. The coffee is great and staff are always friendly, and both spots are in convenient locations so you’ll find it pretty easy to come across either.
đ 92 Degrees, 16 John Dalton St, M2 6HY | No.1, Spinningfields, Quay St, M3 3EB.
20. Foley’s
Foley’s is your local go-to for speciality coffee, craft sodas and wines, baked goods and an all day menu to see you through breakfast and lunch. Foley’s also offers a mix of dining, meeting and casual spaces designed to bring people together with a selection of benches, booths and raised seating to choose between. It’s definitely a stylish options for those who love an interior.
With locations in Spinningfields and on Quay Street in St John’s, you can dine-in or take away your favourite coffee, sweet treat or lunch from Foley’s to keep you fuelled throughout your day.
đ Foley’s, XYZ building, 2 Hardman Blvd, M3 3AQ | 21-23 Quay St, M3 4AE.