Manchester is packed with independent creators, more than happy to share their delicious concoctions with us lucky, lucky Mancs. It’s no wonder we have so many cult faves within the region with the level of talent we have. From the bakeries that attract mornings queues for the sweet scent of their sourdough, to the tucked-away spots satisfying our sweet teeth – we’ve rounded up the very best bakeries in Manchester to try out.
1. Pollen Bakery
The crème-de-la-crème of Manchester bakeries: Pollen. Proudly sitting on New Islington Marina, Pollen attracts queues down the street for its cult favourite sourdough. But it’s not just bread that gets the locals going ‘mad fer it’. The much-loved spot also serves up beautiful little treats such as cupcakes and croissants, and they even have an in-house chef creating lovely little brunch dishes to try out, too. If that wasn’t enough to persuade you to give them a try, their gorgeous dog Maru frequents the bakery – so you can stop by to say hello!
📍Pollen, Cotton Field Wharf, 8 New Union St, Manchester, M4 6FQ | KAMPUS, 42 Aytoun St, Manchester M1 3GL.
2. Albert’s Schloss
While you probably know Albert’s Schloss to be the place in town for a booze-up and a boogie, they also have a mini bakery on site where you can pick up some delicious handmade items. The bakery area is situated within the restaurant side of the venue, and you can regularly find loaves of bread, pretzels, buns and croissants – with ever-changing sweet treats, too. Be sure to check it out next time you pop down for their Sunday service.
📍Albert’s Schloss, 27 Peter St, Manchester, M2 5QR.
3. Hey Little Cupcake
It’s hard to walk by this little Spinningfields spot without popping in for a box of cakes, and you can probably see why already. Experimenting regularly with different toppings, this hidden gem serves up cupcakes, brownies and huge ‘signature’ cakes – varying from the ever-chocolately, to the colourful rainbow-themed. Cupcakes can be purchased singularly or in a box, and they regularly create cute seasonal ones to celebrate occasions such as Halloween, Christmas and Valentine’s – but we’re sure you don’t need an excuse for a sweet treat.
📍Hey Little Cupcake, 2 Hardman St, Manchester, M3 3HF.
4. Lovingly Artisan
Award-winning bakery Lovingly Artisan knows good bread, and Altrincham locals think so, too. The bakery specialises in beautiful sourdough loaves, all finished off with lovely designs that you’ll probably feel guilty for cutting into – but less so when you taste them warmed up with melted butter smothered on them. From bloomers, to baguettes and ciabatta – there’s a whole lotta bread to choose from.
📍Lovingly Artisan, Central Way, Altrincham, WA14 1QU.
5. Companio Bakery
Another Ancoats spot that pulls in the crowds, Companio Bakery swings open its doors and is guaranteed to have locals waiting outside to snap up a loaf before they’re gone. But not only do they serve up some super tasty bread, they also specialise in gorgeous pastries too – from fruity, Indian inspired bakes to pizza doughs filled with cheese and all the good stuff – it’s worth checking out to see what the lovely bakers have going on that day. And if one of theses delicious Manchester bakeries wasn’t enough, they have recently opened a bigger branch tucked away in the Northern Quarter.
📍Companio Bakery, 35 Radium St, Ancoats, M4 6AD | Unit 1, 60 Spear St, M1 1AW.
6. Gooey
This one’s for the Mancs with a serious sweet tooth. Specialising in cookies and doughnuts, Gooey recently opened up its Northern Quarter bakery and cafe, in addition to their outlet in Ducie Street Warehouse – and they’re so popular, they sell out daily. Everything is baked fresh daily, with weekly specials that the bakers experiment with (including their Red Velvet, which is now a permanent fixture, and even a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup cookie). The cookies are bigger than our fists, and the donuts come Boston-style – stuffed full of cream!
📍Gooey, Ducie Street Warehouse, Ducie Street, M1 2JW | 103 High St, Manchester, M4 1HQ.
7. Alex’s Bakery
With a sweet little spot in Great Northern Warehouse on Deansgate, Alex’s Bakery is a true hidden gem of the bakeries in Manchester. Besides their signature cupcake, Alex’s offers huge, showstopping celebration cakes to order, brownies and blondies, and a selection of intriguing deli options with fillings including ham and omelette. You can also book to have afternoon tea complete with bubbles, sweet treats, and sandwiches. Definitely pop in the next time you’re passing!
📍Alex’s Bakery, 225 Deansgate, Manchester, M3 4EN.
8. Procaffeinated
New to Chapel Street as of last year, Procaffeinated injects the bakery-cafe presence it was missing previously. This urban yet homely spot offers freshly baked bread daily, as well as great quality coffee and baked sweet treats to complete the package. Inspired by European travel, Procaffeinated was created to bring the speciality coffee scene to Salford, and has since made leaps on the artisan baking front. The house-baked sourdough, cakes, and sweet treats are lovingly crafted, and all make this independent business the success that it is, and the Procaffeinated story makes it one of the sweetest bakeries in Manchester.
📍Procaffeinated, 263 Chapel Street, Salford, M35JY.
9. Loaf MCR
Specialising in cake loaves, hence the name, Loaf occupies a bright pink plot on Oxford Road, formerly Patisserie Valerie. The wacky flavour combos and amazing pastry loaves (including a plaited croissant loaf) are their signature, with indulgent treats freshly baked and decorated daily, and two floors of pink everything. They provide bakery and patisserie classics too, meaning you can tuck into delicate macarons or doughnut concoctions on-the-go too, if you’re in a hurry!
📍Loaf MCR, 83 Oxford St, Manchester, M1 6EG | Affinity Riverview, 29 New Bailey St, Salford, M3 5GN.
10. Half Dozen Other
Having only joined the Red Bank area of Manchester last year, Half Dozen Other has captured the hearts of Mancs citywide, becoming a household name in incredible bakes. Specialising in ‘classic bakes with modern takes’, you can find sweet and savoury croissants, impressive Danish pastries and flavoured focaccias all under the same roof, with their sweet treats being sold in Pot Kettle Black spots elsewhere in the city.
📍Half Dozen Other Bakehouse at Unit 17, Red Bank, M4 4HF | Circle Square, Oxford Rd, Manchester M1 7FS.
11. The Flat Baker
Known for its viral pistachio croissant, The Flat Baker is an illusive spot in Manchester, with a tiny hatch in Ancoats and pop-ups elsewhere. With a perfect little courtyard to enjoy your treats when the sun’s out, The Flat Baker has some of the best pastries in the city, from the classics to more experimental treats like banoffee cruffins and lemon meringue croissant pie, plus regular specials. The Ancoats hatch is only open Wednesdays to Saturdays, 8am-3pm – so if you want to experience their indulgent treats, you’d better be quick!
📍 The Flat Baker, 23 Radium St, Ancoats, Manchester M4 6AY.
12. Buzzy Bee Bakery
If you’re a big fan of stuffed cookies, brownies and chocolate, then Buzzy Bee Bakery is the place for you. The sweet bakery specialises in creating delicious treats to lose yourself in; just one bite and you’ll enter a state of pure bliss. Everything the team bakes is freshly made to order, so you’re guaranteed a high quality treat simply bursting with goodness. Buzzy Bee offers a wide selection of stuffed cookies, brownies, brookies and more, just waiting for you to overindulge on, and we all deserve that every now and then.
📍 Buzzy Bee Bakery 59 Church Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1PD | 3 Hawthorn Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire.